Dare You to Chase the Soccer Player (Rock Valley High 5)

What had happened to all the scorching words I’d thought of last night before falling asleep? All the things I wanted to say to him about the way he’d treated me? I wasn’t the kind of girl who became speechless like this. And yet, Zane seemed to have that effect on me. I puffed out my cheeks and let out a surge of air, willing myself to say something that would redeem me at least a little, but I had nothing.

“Is Alanis being nice to you?” Zane asked suddenly, sneaking a look at me.

It was an odd question from someone who, just twenty-four hours ago, had pretended I didn’t even exist. I glanced over at him out of the corner of my eye. He still had his head down and stared at the ground as if he were afraid he were going to trip over some invisible bump in the road. I shrugged and mirrored his posture.

“She’s okay. Not exactly the friendliest person I’ve ever met.”

He laughed softly, the music of the unexpected noise causing my stomach to jolt. “Yeah, that’s an understatement. But she’s good at what she does. We were lucky to get her.”

“She’s the best. I want to be everything she is when I grow up.”

He looked over at me again, his brow heavy. “I hope you’ll still be you, though. And not some Hollywood personality. That would be a tragedy.”

His words caught me off guard. My feet drew to a stop and he walked a few paces ahead before he realized I wasn’t still at his side. He turned to look at me questioningly, but once again, I was struck ridiculously silent. Why would it be such a tragedy if I turned out to be like Alanis Nori? She was super successful. She was everything I wanted to be. He didn’t get to say things like that to me. Not after yesterday.

But for some reason, I just couldn’t get those words out of my mouth.

What was wrong with me?

“You know what, let’s just get to the trailer,” I finally managed, once my tongue became unglued from the top of my mouth. With a few quick steps, I went ahead so that he lagged several paces behind me the rest of the way.

The large, white broad side of the trailer came into view. I sighed in relief, knowing I wouldn’t have to deal with Zane staring at my back any longer. I could feel his gaze, heavy and questioning on my shoulders. It was like that short time in the shelter at the park had given me a special link inside his brain. I wasn’t sure how to get rid of it, except to get inside that trailer as soon as possible.

“Here, let me.” Zane appeared beside me, reaching for the door at the same time.

Our hands brushed and the soft touch of his other hand on my lower back caused a wave of feeling to cascade over my body. I inhaled sharply, hoping that he didn’t notice my sudden stiffening. If he did, he didn’t say anything. He pulled the door open for me and stepped away, dropping his hand from my back.

“After you, Lexi.”

Now he remembered my name? I stared at him for a second, trying to figure him out. What was this new gentleman act? I didn’t understand it. I didn’t want to. With a forced smile in his direction, I barged ahead up the stairs, unable to even eek out a simple thank you.

“What took you so long?” Alanis stood in the middle of the trailer, tapping the toe of her shoe. She scowled at me and looked down at the jewel-encrusted watch on her wrist. “My time is valuable. If you can’t get a job done timely, then I don’t need you here. The last thing I need is a waste of time on my payroll.”

I froze in place and bit my trembling bottom lip. Was she really going to fire me on my first day? And in front of Zane, of all people? I’d barely begun. I hadn’t had the chance to prove to her what an amazing assistant I could be. She hadn’t given me a chance.

“It’s my fault, Alanis.” Zane came to my side, his hand once again making light contact with the small of my back. “I held her up. Please, don’t blame her for my mistake.”

I wrapped my arms around my torso, fighting off the urge to lean into him. He walked confidently toward Alanis with a smile I hadn’t seen before. It was totally charming and disarming—the kind of smile a man used when he knew his effect on the ladies.

Sure enough, Alanis’ frown immediat

ely softened, and the tension drained from her shoulders. “If that’s the case, then I won’t say another word. You know I can’t be mad at you, Mr. Rees.”

“I know.” He winked at her and I couldn’t help but stare at the side of his face. This side of him was seriously disturbing. He really could turn it off and on. It was no wonder he’d been able to pull one over me. Smooth as butter. “That’s why you’re my favorite makeup artist in the business.”

I swear, Alanis blushed beneath the heavy layers of foundation and bronzer on her golden skin. She was at least twenty years older than us, but apparently Zane could charm the ladies of any age. He slid into the makeup chair like a king onto his throne. And when our eyes met in the reflection of the mirror, he dropped the fake charm and flattery just long enough to give me one, piercing gaze that hit me in my core.

There was that connection again. And I knew, right then, he was trying to tell me that it was all an act. An act he’d put on for my benefit with Alanis. But at this point, I couldn’t believe anything I saw when it came to Zane Rees.

He was too good.

“All right, everyone ready?” Alanis asked. She gave me a pointed look and then gestured toward my chair, before smiling back at Zane. “Shall we get started?”

I sunk into the chair, not entirely sure I was going to survive the next hour, let alone the next three weeks with the harsh Alanis. But that was nothing compared to the swirling confusion inside my skull every time I came into contact with Zane Rees.

It seemed like he was going to make it very hard for me to hate him.

Chapter Six