That didn’t stop my Gilbert-like crush on him, though. Overinflated ego and all.
As far as the Diamond Dolls went, according to my highly impressive investigative efforts (eavesdropping on hallway conversations and asking my dad), they were a group of girls who pretty much worshipped the baseball team. Some of them were cheerleaders, others were on the dance team, and the rest were just regular students. It was like a weird, non-school-sanctioned version of the Pink Ladies. They wore cute outfits on game day, decorated players’ lockers, brought the guys snacks, and sat in a large group at the games, holding up glittery signs and cheering.
Or, according to Dad, “Distracting our boys.”
Clearly, he wasn’t a fan, and after witnessing a week of their shenanigans, neither was I. The day after the team officially welcomed Justin, Lauren Hays unofficially assigned herself as his Doll… and all but peed a circle around him while she was at it. It wasn’t that I’d fooled myself into believing I actually had a shot at dating the boy. Justin was a notorious flirt, and I blushed scarlet just thinking of a comeback. But the loss of possibility was a bit disheartening.
“There’s my Sunshine.” At the familiar voice whispered against my ear, I jumped, book to heart, and spun around guiltily as if he’d heard my thoughts. From the devilish grin Justin wore, I wasn’t certain that he hadn’t. “Whatcha doing, pretty girl? In case you didn’t get the memo, school ended two hours ago.”
“Oh, is that what the bell meant?” My voice was full of snark, but inwardly I was doing a happy dance. This was the first time we’d spoken since team tryouts and I was secretly thrilled that he remembered me.
Justin was dressed in normal clothes, jeans and a T-shirt, and his hair was wet, fresh from the shower after practice. If I leaned in, I bet I could smell the clean scent of his soap.
“Mom’s car is in the shop,” I explained, squeezing my book tighter against me. “And Dad is in meetings for another hour, so I’m just hanging out.”
His gaze lowered to my hand. “Ah, well, as exciting as reading alone on the school steps can be, what do you say I take you home?”
The idea of being in a car alone with the object of my recent obsession was almost too awesome to comprehend. Then I realized it was too awesome. Justin was in my grade, which meant that unless he’d failed at some point, he was fourteen or fifteen at the most.
“You drive?”
“No, but Rosalyn does.” He jerked his thumb toward a green Expedition idling near the curb, and my Gilbert-like hopes deflated like a sad, old balloon. Le sigh.
“That’s all right,” I said, honestly having zero interest in riding backseat to him and one of his many female admirers. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m sure y’all would rather be alone anyway.”
Justin cocked his head and squinted at me as if I were a science experiment. A look I’d unfortunately grown used to getting from my classmates. Who knew it was weird or uncool to answer questions in class? Or to ask them when you were confused. Wasn’t that supposed to be the point of learning?
“Rosalyn is my housekeeper, Peyton.” He made a squicked out face that resembled a pained fish. “I’m sure she’s capable of some sweet, sweet loving, but she’s forty. And like my mother. Seriously, that’s revolting.”
Oh.
My cheeks warmed yet again, a common occurrence around this guy. On the upside, as long as he was around, I’d never have need for blush.
Laughing, Justin bent to pick up my bag and then lifted his chin toward the car. He started walking toward it and, like a brainless dope, I followed.
“You know, you’re not as innocent as you look,” he said over his shoulder. “I’m starting to worry about my virtue here. I won’t have you corrupting me, Sunshine.” He shot me a wicked grin and I laughed.
Me, corrupt the infamous player Justin Carter? Riiight.
Amused at the thought, and giddy at his use of my nickname, I hip-checked him and said, “Yeah well, I promise to be gentle.”
My next step faltered.
Had that just come from me? Out of my mouth? I swear, the words fell out of their own accord. I’d opened my mouth to say not likely and out popped that… innuendo. How or why or what that was even supposed to mean, I had no earthly clue, so I simply stood there, frozen in place, my jaw shocked unhinged.
Was I flirting?
Justin stopped, too, and turned his body to face me. “That was, hands down, the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Yep, I was flirting.
“Yeah, I seriously doubt that,” I replied, rolling my eyes. I breathed a sigh, feigning like I wasn’t flustered, and trapped my bottom lip between my teeth—but nothing could hide my gigantic smile. Or stop it from breaking free. So I tromped past him, grinning like a dope, my previously inner happy dance transforming into a full-on Thanksgiving Day Rockettes number, complete with jazz hands.