Part 8 (2/2)

Stomach twists, mouth pools, palms sweat.

Ah h.e.l.l.

”They don't think... like, this isn't a date, is it?”

Guess the idea of being on a date with me scares the c.r.a.p out of her.

”Nah, of course not.” I gulp. ”Just friends hangin' out.”

She drops my arm and takes a step back, her cheeks flaming.

”Oh good.” She sighs. ”Then there's no pressure for me to be all flirty and stuff. *Cause I really don't know how to do that.”

Well, whatever she has been doin', it's working on me.

I chuckle and walk in without knocking. Hayles gives me a hesitant look, but follows.

”Doritos?” Tanner pipes up from the couch, not even lookin' at me or Hayley.

I chuck the bag right at the back of his head. It smacks him and he leaps off the couch, fists raised, but stops when he sees Hayley standing next to me.

”Okay dude, you got lucky. I'm not going to beat you up in front of your girl.”

”Oh, I'm not his girl. He only wishes.” She nudges my arm.

If she only knew how right she is.

Tanner chuckles. ”I like you already. It's Hayley, right?”

She nods.

”Sweet. You can have a seat over there. Dani'll be here-”

”Right now.” Tanner's girl skips in, holding a two liter bottle of Cherry Pepsi and smacks a kiss on his lips before turning to face us.

I don't know how people are comfortable with PDA. Ugh.

”Uh, Dani, this is Hayley.” I'm so awkward with this. It does feel like a double date now that I think about it. And I know Hayles doesn't want anythin' to do with that. How do I make this less awkward?

”Sup?” Gangster Hayles has arrived, and she gives Dani a fist b.u.mp.

”Yeah, I like you already too. Why don't we hang out in school?” Dani asks as she drags Hayley to the couch. Tanner goes into the kitchen with the soda and chips, and I take a seat on the floor in front of the girls.

”Probably because I'm a major dork.” Hayley laughs.

”Whatever,” Dani says. ”Dorks are the best kind of people.”

”Okay suckas! Get ready to be wiped out!” Tanner comes in with a bowl of half-crushed chips, cups, and the soda. He plops them on the coffee table then leaps over to grab all the controllers. I throw Hayley a smile as I lean back to look at her.

”You ever play Ghost Recon?”

She beams at me. ”You are so. Going. Down.”

s.e.xiness should be based on a scale. And there are certain things that make the points rise or fall. Whooping my b.u.t.t at a guy's game-not just whooping, but completely wiping me out and rubbing my face in it-yeah, about a million s.e.xy points.

Hayles has broken the s.e.xiness scale.

And my ego, just a little bit. But who cares right now?

”s.h.i.+t, man.” Tanner says, tossing his remote down. ”She's good.”

There's the flinch but it's gone before I think anyone else notices it. She stands up and victory dances with the controller. ”That's right, baby! I warned you, but now you have to eat all that smack talk you gave me!”

Dani starts laughing like crazy and gets up to dance with her. They b.u.mp hips and shake their a.s.ses as they throw out scores and how girls can *so beat boys' in video games. I'm pretty sure Tanner and I have lost all concentration. I can't take my eyes off them. It may be a minute before I can stand.

After they finish dancing-thank all that is holy *cause I'm not sure how much of that I could've taken before I had to leave the room-Hayles plops herself next to me. Right next to me. Her warm body presses against my arm and her heavy breath tickles my face as she gives me a big smile.

I have no idea how stupid I look. I think I'm gawking.

”Don't be so sad, Brody. Maybe next time I'll let you live longer than ten minutes.”

”Uh, yeah, uh huh.” Oh h.e.l.l, my tongue won't work.

Dani giggles. ”You broke his brain! I think that deserves another victory dance.”

Yeah, can't handle another one of those. I shoot upright and mumble something about havin' to p.i.s.s and get outta there.

Calm down, Brody.

I splash water on my face and dry it off with the hand towel. Why am I so nervous? Even when it comes to Quynn, I never react this way to somethin' so stupid. It's more than just being turned on-which I am-but I can't believe how awesome this girl is.

What is wrong with me? I can't fall for Hayles. She's helping me get another girl. And how screwed up will that be if I turn out to be exactly like douchebag brother?

So make up your mind, Brody. Quynn or Hayley?

I can't believe it's even an option right now. I've spent more time with Hayley over the past two days than I've spent with her period. She's constantly on my mind. Her personality is addictive, not to mention she's hot as h.e.l.l.

Then there's Quynn. I'm ashamed to admit my initial attraction to her was purely physical. But then I got to know her, and how fun and what a good person she is. She deserves someone way better than Gabe, and though I'm not exactly happy with the way they broke up, I am happy she's rid of him.

But am I any better? Here I am with another girl when Quynn's at my house.

Dude, Brody. What have you gotten yourself into?

”Yo, man! Hurry up! I gotta go too.” Tanner knocks on the door. I make sure there's no water marks left on my face before I go out.

”Was that hot or what? Dude, invite a girl every time.”

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