Part 37 (1/2)

Dean. Johnny. Me. The shower.

Oh. Never mind.

Clearing my throat, hoping I don't look as red as I feel, I say, ”So, uh, I take it the daughter was a student here? Wait, how is Mr. Rigby still employed-and not, like, in jail?”

”'Cause his mom is a Giroux. You know-of Giroux Diamonds?”

I make a face of recognition. ”Oh. Really? Wow, I guess you can make anything go away, if you throw enough money at it.”

Ben grins at me. ”Except for strippers. Not that I would know, of course.”

”Of course.”

”I bet Rigby had a lot of fond memories of his desk. Too bad it burned down.”

”Hm,” I muse. ”So, who was the student who was supposedly having this family affair with him? Does she still go here?”

But he waves his hand in the air, like he's waving away smoke. ”There are rumors, but no one knows for sure,” he says, glancing away evasively. ”Anyway, Yoko, who you gonna pick? Parker or Youngblood?”

”Neither.” I grunt in frustration, and glare at Ben. ”Johnny and I aren't getting back together-for the hundredth time. And I...I just don't feel that way about Dean.”

”Do you know that when you lie, your right eyebrow shoots way up?” Ben c.o.c.ks his head to look in my face.

I grab at the offending eyebrow. ”It does not! And...which part do you think I'm lying about?”

He smiles mysteriously. ”I like you, Juliet. If you had any money, you'd be the second person I'd call to bail me out of jail in the middle of the night. That's why I'm going to tell you what Ajit told me-and I agree with him.” Ben turns serious. ”Now I love Johnny like a brother, but he's got a big a.s.s self-destruction b.u.t.ton right on his forehead, and he's destined to destroy everything he cares about. That includes you.”

He looks me in the eye, making sure I'm absorbing what he's saying. I sigh huffily. ”I get that he's bad for me,” I say. ”I knew it when I met him. I still care about him, though.”

Ben gives a shrug. ”Just sayin'. If you went back to him-a year down the line you'll find yourself locked in a house, popping out babies, and trying to remember what color the sky was.”

There are several ways I could respond to that, but I swallow them all down. After a moment's contemplation, I give him a sideways glance. ”Why does this whole conversation feels like you're Team Dean?”

”Nah, I'm Team Juliet,” Ben replies, making a little rah-rah motion with his fist. ”You're my friend, and you're unhappy. Just trying to be there for you, kid.”

”Oh, well...thanks.” I give my head a sudden shake. ”You know-even if I did like Dean, nothing could ever happen between us. Johnny would freak. It would totally ruin their relations.h.i.+p. I couldn't do that to either of them.”

Ben checks his phone before responding. He gets to his feet then stretches like a cat. ”Let Dean worry about that,” he advises. ”h.e.l.l, we're graduating in a few months. So you sneak around until then. Then it won't matter as much. Not like y'all are headed to the same college, right?”

”Sneak around for a few months?” I repeat, s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g my face in disgust. ”Is that what you're doing with Katerinka? Ben, why don't you just break it off with Arianna if you don't want to be with her anymore?”

Ben's dark eyes widen in mock horror. ”s.h.i.+t, no! That b.i.t.c.h is vindictive-she'd probably cut my b.a.l.l.s off in my sleep. Also, if I break up with her, she won't do that thing I like. She does this twisty thing with her-”

”Ah, shut up!” I cover both ears, and rapidly start walking away.

”Hey, no, it's awesome! I could give you detailed instructions, and you could try it out on Dean. Just let him know who he has to thank for it!”

Before Ben can explain in graphic detail his girlfriend's awesome s.e.xual moves, I practically run back inside the building. My face is on fire because he put that thought in my head...about doing naughty things to- ”Dean!”

I let out an embarra.s.sing little shriek, jumping backwards, and just barely avoiding cras.h.i.+ng into Dean's broad chest for the eighteenth time. How does he always appear out of nowhere-at the worst times?

He stands there silently, looking down at me with a wary expression. I suddenly realize that I'm probably staring at him like he's a serial killer. I try for a smile, but it feels so weird on my face. I'm sure it looks hideous.

”Hey.” I clear my throat nervously. ”I was just about to, uh, go that way.” I jab the air aimlessly.

Dean's eyes lock with mine for a fleeting second. He gives a slight nod. ”Okay.”

”See you later,” I mutter, and quickly shuffle away.

When I'm about to turn the corner, I risk a glance back. Dean is still standing there, hands stuffed into the pants pockets, and staring after me. I look away.

I am the worst person ever.

That night after work, I had quite possibly the longest shower in the history of showers. I came out with my skin beet red from the hot water, and uncomfortably prune-y. I slap on a ton of moisturizer, put on a baby blue cami and matching pajama pants, and throw myself into bed.

Seconds later, I jump out of bed, stick my feet into some flip flops, then I'm charging down the stairs and out the door. I make it to my car before I have to turn back for my keys and a hoodie.

I almost hit the side of a building, reminding me why it is that I don't drive at night. Where am I going? I don't even know until I find myself at Dean and Johnny's house. As I park my car in front of the garages, I check for Johnny's truck. It's not here. I sigh in relief as I head for the front door.

Jelena greets me like we're old friends. She confirms for me that Dean is the only one home right now, and tells me to go on up. I wonder what she thinks of me being here for him when I was first introduced to her as Johnny's girlfriend. Even though she's nothing but kind, I feel the need to explain myself-but thankfully think better of it.

Okay, I'm standing in front of Dean's room. Now what? ”What am I even doing here?” I whisper to myself, clapping a clammy hand over my clammy forehead.

I raise my hand to knock on the door-drop it-raise it-drop it again. My heart is thudding out of my chest, cartoon style. This is a huge mistake. Oh, my G.o.d. I have to get out of here!

I turn abruptly, and start scurrying down the hall.

”Juliet?”

The deep rumbling voice stops me in my tracks. For reasons unknown, I pretend to be fascinated by a potted Ficus. Sensing Dean approach, I hastily turn to face him.

”Oh, hi-”

My greeting is cut off when I actually look at him in all his post-workout glory. I'm talking s.h.i.+rtless-naked muscles gleaming with sweat, black sweatpants hanging off slim, cut hips...short dark hair, damp and s.e.xily mussed.

There is a t-s.h.i.+rt thrown over one broad shoulder. I wish he would put it on. He's slightly out of breath, smooth bare chest rising and falling rapidly as he stares at me staring at him.

Okay, I am straight up ogling him. And it's so wrong. I'm overcome by a sudden intense camaraderie with all the h.o.r.n.y teenage boys of the world. My hand tingles with the need to slap the obvious l.u.s.t off my face.

We stand there, facing each other. A lifetime pa.s.ses before a word is spoken.

I let out a sigh that deflates my shoulders. ”I don't know why I'm here,” I admit, looking at him helplessly.

In that Dean way of his, he doesn't say anything. He opens his bedroom door, and waits for me to go in. After a brief hesitation, I do-and as he moves behind me, I catch the scent of clean sweat and sandalwood. It makes my stomach muscles clench unexpectedly.

I am now standing in the middle of his bedroom, about as uncomfortable as I've ever been. My darting gaze lands on the aquarium, and I brighten in relief. Something to talk about!