Bad Boy's Secret: Enemies with Benefits Book One (7 page)

"You're the one who needs a
tutor!" I say, god I am so lost. "Okay.. fine.. I'll go to this
stupid dinner. When is it?"

"I don't know for sure.. but I can
just pick you up."  He replies. I'll be at home do I want him knowing
where I live?  It's not like he could stalk me... I'll be back here with
him anyways later. "Unless you don't want me to do that..." He adds.

"No. I'm sure that will be fine."
I sigh, "Well... I guess then..." I say. Now what? Everything he wants
to tell me about is sorted out, and I'm not in the mood to keep digging. Who
knows if I'm even getting the truth.

"To Robbie's room?" He asks. I
feel heat come to my cheeks, why does that make me blush. I'm not doing
anything. I actually came up to get away from him... and look where I am at
now. "What are you two anyways?" He asks, looking me in the eyes.

"Friends." I say, "Just
really good friends... he is my best friend." I tell him, and he narrows
his eyes at me. Unbelieving. Is this a symptom of jealousy? "Seriously...
I couldn't ever imagine being more then friends with him." I admit, now it
would just be weird. I still have a hard time thinking about the fact that I
have to kiss him for the play.

"So.. you friendzoned him?" he
asks wanting more information. There is an odd static buzzing between us now. I
think it's just all the weird tension going away. Both of us are on alert
around each other or something.

"Hmmm..." I think back to when we
first meet. Back in middle school, I did like him. He wasn't interested.
"I guess you could see he friendzoned me.. back in middle school... Why
does that matter to you?"

"He is totally into you, that's
why." He says studying my reaction. It matters to him that Robbie is
really into me? I just laugh, Robbie isn't into me, if this is another one his
tricks it won't work. "So... you're friendzoning him now. That's
interesting."  Now he smiles, and leans back against the whole again.

"We're friends... nothing more, there
isn't a need to friendzone him." I say, unsure why this matters. He just
keeps smiling, I role my eyes.  "Well.. I'm still gonna go.." I
say, who knows what he'll ask if I stand here any longer.

"Paige... wait!"  He says grabbing
my hand again. It is still clammy, and I turn looking at his face. Yeah, he is
nervous again. I don't know what he wants now, but our eyes are locked. I've
never really noticed his eyes before until tonight. I mean I've known they were
brown, but now actually looking into them I see beautiful bronze with gold
flakes. I hate those moments in books where it says cheesy stuff like
"Looking into his eye I see the real him" or "I can really see a
little child behind his strong intense eyes", but whole shit is it true!
His eyes look scared, and childish. As if he is trying to keep me here. Beg me
to stay.  It's quiet a moment, both of us are still and taking in the
moment. Moment?! Between Jake and I? No way. This isn't happening! But I don't
want to ruin this, for some reason it feels forbidden and I know I'm seeing
more and more of the real Jake. I like the feeling it's giving me. Butterflies
and tingles, and seeing him scared like this is completely unimaginable. What's
he scared of?

"Yes?" I finally whisper, and he
comes in closer. I don't register what's going to happen, until it does. His
lips on mine light and gentle. He is kissing me?! Why? What does this mean. Why
am I still letting him do this? One his hands hesitantly caresses the back of
my neck, and his other goes to my back. Time seems frozen, I'm actually kissing
Jake Lincoln. God this kiss is heavenly! It vaguely for some reason reminds me
of my first kiss. With Jason my brothers friend from college... but Jake's is
better. So much better! Jake I keep playing over and over.. I'm kissing Jake
Lincoln! Holy shit! No wait... I'm kissing the manwhore of the school! I push
on his chest getting away. I step back multiple feet. Oh my god, what did I
just do?

 "I ahhh....I'll see you
tomorrow." I say, and practically run to Robbie's room. I collapse on the
floor, breathing heavy. Holy shit, what am I going to do? We just kissed! We
weren't on a date, and we barely know each other! That will never happen again,
this is what I deserve. I opened up to much to him, and he thought he could
make his move. It was a good move... a heavenly move in fact... I won't let it
happen again.

Jake's POV

I need some fresh air. I stand there, still
looking after her. She ran away. Like Cinderella up the stairs. She didn't
leave me a shoe. She didn't leave anything. I want to go after her, but I know
if I do nothing good will come from it. My lust for her is raging like a beast
inside of me. Air. I need a quick breather. I don't understand anything that's
happening to me. My body screamed for me to just grab her and do my normal
things, but my mind didn't and still doesn't want to. That kiss was amazing.
Light and easy. It was great while it lasted, and she kissed me. Then boom, she
pushed me away. I go down the stairs, and duck my head, going for the door. I
make it outside without Wyatt seeing me. I goes around so I'm not standing in
front, I lean against the wall trying to get things figured out.

1. My parents want to meet her. I wasn't
lying, I got pulled from eighth period and they talked to me all damn
afternoon. My dad told my mom I had a tutor and she gushed on about how she
wants to thank her. In other words if she didn't come, things might be bad.

2. Paige doesn't trust me. I don't even
know if she believed me tonight!

3. I'm getting something for her. Me, Jake
Lincoln, I'm going soft for a good girl. I could have anyone... but of course
the one girl I really want to have doesn't want or care for me! She kissed me
though, but she did push me away as well. What does that mean?

4. I've still got Wyatt on my back about
getting a girl. He probably has a signup sheet for girls in there! Oh shit, I
hope he doesn't.

5. I have no idea where to go from here. I
want to pursue her, I want her! I've been warned though, by Mr. Parker and
Wyatt. I've never felt like this about anyone before though, what are these...
are these actual deep feelings? Or is this just lust and hormones? If it was
lust, I wouldn't have kissed her the way I did. God just thinking about that
kiss makes me want more. Her lips where soft and holding lightly in my arms she
almost seemed fragile. She isn't though, she's not fragile. She is strong, and
has a strong mindset. In that moment she let her guard down, and I wish it would've
last longer than it did. I have feelings for this girl! This smart, good, and
nice girl. Me! The guy who never tries, and everyone likes for his money (other
than her), and the good looks.

I need to talk to her. I need her to
believe me. I push off the wall, and go back inside. Heading for the stairs, I
get pulling into the kitchen.

"Jake just the guy I was looking
for!" Anne purrs and I grab her hand before it touches my face. "Oh
come on, Wyatt told me about your situation...I want you to know I'm here to
help whenever you want." She says, and I let go of her hand in disgust.
Wyatt, he is telling people I have problems? Great. Where is he? I leave
without a reply to her, I have nothing to say. I can't believe he told her!
Their ex's, and he told her to come find me and fuck me. Zero sense, but I
don't care I'm not doing it!

When I do finally find Wyatt, he is in the
back playing beer pong, against Robbie and Henry. Paige is sitting up in his
room alone? Hmmm, now isn't the time! I push away the thought of going up and
talking to her. She probably snuck out or something anyways. I stand watching
waiting for the game to be over, because our talk might take awhile. Robbie is
good, although I guess it's expected, he is the main pitcher for the baseball team.
I can see Wyatt getting frustrated, I just shake my head at the situation.
Wyatt it the catcher, he has a good glace. He can throw too, but his aim isn't
anything compared to Robbie. Once the game is finished I pull Wyatt away,
ignoring his protest. He might actually be a bit tipsy.

"What the hell, man!" I say right
away once we're somewhere private. "You told Anne to find me!"

"Dude loosen up!" He says,
"What's the problem. She is there, she wants to. Just do it!" He
laughs. I back away from him, I can't stand him sometimes. "What's got you
so wound up?"

"I'm trying to stay focused here
Wyatt! I have to get my grade up, and be tutored, and you're not helping!"
I practically yell, and he sobers up real quick. Shit.

"Tutor?" He asks. I let out a
breath trying to calm down, I shouldn't be so mad. I nod, and he crosses his
arms looking at  me. "You're failing a class?"

"History." I look out the window
next to me.

"You're parents...." He sighs,
and I nod. He's got it figured out. "Sorry man. I didn't realize... I
thought you were getting soft for the Easton girl." I close my eyes, and
lean against the window. That's true too. "How'd you even start tal- Oh,
Jake." He stops, and I take a deep breath in I'm gonna get a lecture in
three.. two... one.. "What the hell man? What's brought all of this on? How'd
you even start talking to her?"

"Nothing... it's all just
nothing." I reply.

"Oh bullshit!" He says,
"What's going on!" He demands.

"Nothing. That's the thing
nothing." I snap, "She isn't interested." We're both quiet, he
is never going to put this down either. He'll tell everyone, and he'll tease
Paige about it. I don't want that. I don't want her even knowing I like her.
Right now she thinks I'm a jerk and she is right. I am, and she deserves
better.

"Dude, you're not giving up are you?
Jake Lincoln never gives up, and he doesn't ever go soft either.. but if you
really like this chick... then.. what are you waiting for?" He sighs.

"You wouldn't understand." I say
"Just keep your mouth shut, and leave it alone." I warn, and he rolls
his eyes. "I'm serious Wyatt, this one needs to be left alone."

"What ever." He says, and turns
ready to walk away. "When Jake gets back.. will you tell him I want to
talk to him?" Then he is gone. I head to the stairs, not wanting to have
anything to do with the party.

My room is on the fourth floor. All the way
up. I don't mind though, it's easy to get away from everything during parties.
Am I really that different? All that's changed is not wanting a girl... well my
grade to but that's an easily fix. Why is he judging me? He is the one with a
girl friend. Whatever at the moment I don't care. I reach it to the third
floor, and I pause seeing Robbie's name on the door directly to my left. I let
out a breath, but I keep going straight for the stairs.

"Jake?" She asks, and I can't
help but smile. I  turn around and go down the couple stairs I went up.
"What are you doing?"  she takes a bite from something that
looks delicious. Her brownies that she was making, she is looking at me with
confusion still waiting for an answer.

"I told you I didn't want the party. I
have homework to do.. math, history.. the works." I say, and she hmms' me.
"What are you doing? In there all alone?" I ask, and she sighs
leaning against the wall. She looks at the brownie thing in her hand, and break
a piece off and holds it out to me. I take it of course, and she explains
what's all in it. It sounds good.

"I've been running through play
lines..." She finally answer. "I was just gonna go find Robbie, tell
him I'm going back to my place, but...." she trails off.

"But what?"

"But... if you're gonna do your
history homework I... could help you." I mean since you didn't make it to
the lesson..." She stammers. " Or it can wait till Wednesday...
yeah.. I don't know." She says, getting nervous. I smile, liking the idea
that she offered to help me.

"I would love your help." I
admit, and she stops babbling and lets out a breath of relieve.

"Well.. let's get to it." She
says gesturing to the stairs. "Probably should do it up in your dorm...
Robbie isn't too fond of you."

"Well.. at least the feeling is
mutual." I mutter leading her to my room. Thank god I cleaned it
yesterday. Holy crap I'm taking her to my room! I've never had a girl in there
and not done anything with them. I look down at her, and she is texting
someone. I don't ask, even though I want to but isn't none of my business. Once
we're there she pauses outside, and I can see she is thinking if it's a good
idea. "I'm not gonna try anything. I swear." I say, holding out my
hand for her to take. She accepts it lightly laying her hand in mine. I close
the door, and she looks around. "What?" I ask.

"It's clean!" She whispers, and I
laugh.

"I'm not a cave man." I inform
her, and she sends me a small sharp look with the comment.

"Just not what I expected... that's
all." She sighs, and I dig out my history worksheet.  "Oh, I
have other papers he wanted me to do with you... but they're back  in my
room." She tells me.

"We could do them tom- oh no you have that
dance thing. What about Thursday?" I say looking over my shoulder at her.
She is looking at the only photo I have in my room. I don't many personal
things here,  I don't want people snooping. It's a picture, or me with my
younger sister Jayla. Over the summer the two of us went on a road trip and
went to Florida. She wanted to go to Sea World and Disneyland and all that
before high school, and our parents didn't have the time to take her, neither
did Jason, so I took her.

"You remembered I have a dance
recital?" She says, and glances at me. I nod, looking at her body again.
Ballerina, yeah she has the body for that. She just has a body. Hips and
curves. "My face is up here." She clears her throat, and I immediately
look away from her completely. Well, I just got caught.

"Hmmm." I cough, "Of course
I remembered." I say, relaxing and coming back to the problem at hand.
Tutoring.

"Thursday works, if you actually show
up." she replies, not sounding mad. Although, she doesn't believe I'll be
there. After everything that has happened she doesn't trust me. 
"Sooo, am I gonna help you or not?" she questions. I  hold up
the paper I have, and we settle on the floor and we get down to the nitty
gritty. It only takes like ten minutes for us to do, it wasn't hard and I
already started it. I actually paid attention in class too. Once it is finished
though we both stay laying on the ground in silence. What now? All she said was
she would help me and she did.

"Thank you." I say, rolling over
to my back. I hold my arms up into the air stretching out. She lets a breath
sounding tired and unsure. "What are you gonna do now?" I sigh,
trying to make conversation. She flips over as well, onto her back, I look at
her and she looks at the ceiling. Relaxed, she looks at ease. Not tense, or
mad. I don't see her like this often.

"I'm probably gonna just go back to
the dorm... I'm sure Fiddle is out of food again..and he'll need his litter boz
clea- What?" She says looking at me, I 'm smiling listening to her.
"Someone has to change the litter box!" I mutters and I chuckle, and
she giggles slightly. What a sound that is too. Everything she does, just her,
she is perfect.

"Well, better not keep him waiting.
How on Earth can he tinkle without a clean litter box!" I gasp jokingly. I
get up and hold a hand out to her. No hesitation, no frown. She smiles taking
my offer. "I'll walk you out." I say, grabbing my jacket that's
thrown over my desk chair.

"You don't have to.. I have to stop at
Robbie's room anyways." she says, turning around in front of the door. She
doesn't want me to follow? Why? Where is she going? Was she planning on staying
at Robbie's place?! What do I say to her? I don't want to seem pushy, but I
don't want her staying with him either! They may only be friends, but still I'm
not okay with it. Even though to her my opinion doesn't matter.

"Well to bad!" I smirk, she ain't
getting rid of me that easily. She frowns for a second, not even, and then she
lets out a breath, and shrugs her shoulders. "So... what were you two
doing anyways?" I ask, as we head down the first flight of stairs.

"Running play lines." She
replies, not seeming to mind that I'm asking. I wonder if that's a lie. She
replied awfully  fast, so it's either to cover something up of that is
what they were doing, and she just doesn't care that I know. Why am I thinking
about this so hard? It's jealousy. Damn it's a bad thing to have, and a bad
thing to be. "I'll be right back." she tells me, and goes in leaving
the door open. Then she is back in a second, and holding a play book and two
brownies. "Want it?" she holds one out to me. 

"How can I refuse." I say dramatically,
and she smiles. If Mrs. Oliver would've heard me she would've applauded.

"That was good!" She says,
walking next to me down another flight of stairs. "Ever think about
actually being in the musical?" She asks, breaking a piece off and eating
it. I just take a bite out of it like a cookie, and I'm immediately in love
with it. The piece she gave before was good, but my second taste is better. 
"I'm glad you like it." She tittered.

"No." I finally reply, after the
brownie thing is gone. "I haven't thought about being in the production.
Not my thing." I inform her, looking down at her. She is about half a foot
shorter than me. She rolls her eyes, and looks up at me through her long
lashes.  "What?" I ask, wondering what she is thinking.

"You've been doing a lot of things
lately that don't seem to be your thing." she whispers looking away as colour
rushes to her cheeks. I look ahead as we come down to the bottom of the last
stair case. She is right. Hanging out with her, walking her to her car. Being
in drama class, although that wasn't really a choice. She has me figured out
already.  What do I say to that? What should I say to that?