Part 13 (1/2)

d.a.m.n it. I can't do this in front of her. She won't get it. Hayles isn't like other girls. h.e.l.l, she doesn't even understand why anyone would like her. Why would Quynn?

Chickening out again. And now I got to come up with another question.

What do you want for your birthday?

h.e.l.l yeah! I came up with that pretty quick.

She taps her chin with her forefinger and looks up at the ceiling. Even this gets me goin'.

I'm screwed.

Don't laugh?

I cross my heart and salute. She giggles.

I want a tattoo so bad!

Why the h.e.l.l would I laugh at that? I smile and remove my leather wristband, showin' her the tatt I got on my eighteenth birthday.

”Sweet!” she whispers as she grabs my wrist and traces her fingers over the ink. The soft touch sends goose b.u.mps up my arms, and I kind of hope she notices. Maybe she'll get the hint I've fallen for her.

She lets go to sign to me.

What does it mean?

Kind of knew she'd ask me that, but I don't want to tell her here. Not with Quynn sittin' two feet away. I wrap the leather back around my wrist.

Later?

She nods.

You figure out a question, yet? Or do I get another one?

Her eyes get wide, and she leans toward me. Yeah, she gets closer every time we talk now. That chocolate smell will be burned into my nostrils. I'm okay with that.

You have more? Gosh, Brody, didn't realize you wanted to know so much about me.

I want to know everything about her. I don't even care how cheesy that sounds.

You got your phone yet? I wink, and she shoves my arm.

No. Still getting it fixed.

You going to tell me what happened?

It's like I asked her to boil puppies or something. Her face gets all twisted for a second, then she wipes it clean with a fake smile.

Nothing. Just got it wet.

She's lyin'. Or at least not tellin' the entire truth. Part of me is kind of happy I know this about her already, but the other part is mad she doesn't feel like she can tell me stuff.

Stupid, I know. It's just a phone.

You seem p.i.s.sed today. Her hands sign it real fast, but I catch it. Are you sure you're okay?

Not p.i.s.sed. Nervous. Never felt it this bad before. Look at what she's done to me!

I'm fine, Hayles. I promise.

She c.o.c.ks her eyebrow and nibbles the inside of her lip, but drops it.

Okay. You going to be busy after school? Her eyes flick to Quynn, who again goes pink and looks at something that became very interesting on the ceiling. Hayles stifles a giggle. Looks like someone wants to talk to you.

Yeah, it does look that way. Probably about Friday, or more about douchebag brother. I don't really want to deal with that right now.

Hayles. That's what I want to deal with.

Did you want to hang out again today?

She shakes her head. I was only asking to see if you were going to talk to Quynn after cla.s.s.

Wasn't planning on it.

Her face scrunches up. Why not?

*Cause I want to be with you. Thought maybe we could hit the library again.

You'll tell me about your tattoo? Her eyes get all excited as she waits for me to answer her.

How can I say no to that?

Yeah.

Sounds good.

Definitely sounds good.

”Brody? Could I talk to you for a minute?”

Quynn's voice is all shaky, but she looks confident as she perches herself on top of my desk again.

Hayles smirks at me as she swings her heavy bag over her shoulder.

”Hey, wait for me, okay?” I ask.

Her eyebrows shoot upward, and she opens her mouth, lookin' like she wants to argue, but I give her a look. She shuts it and nods before walking out the door.

Deep breath.