The Nerdy Girl

“Thanks.” I was embarrassed when he complimented me, and Cal was full of compliments.

We were quiet while we drove to my house. Cal got out with me which was surprising. I thought he would wait in the car. He held my hand and grinned at me as we walked up the sidewalk.

“Wow, nice house,” he said just looking at the outside.

I gazed at it. My dad did well for us. We had nice things. Clothes, video games, video players. TVs in our rooms. A large screen TV in the basement which served as the family room with a fully stocked bar. Alcohol for the parents. Soda for the teenagers. Our parents weren’t the type to say drink all you want and leave your keys. They would murder me or Tyson for drinking underage.

When Tyson got his license, I was sure that Dad would get him a car that was new. He wouldn’t be rebuilding an Impala with Tyson in the garage the way that Cal’s dad did with him.

“You miss your Dad,” I stated. I wasn’t sure that he was going to respond.

Finally, he looked at me and he smiled. This one was kind of sad though. “I do. He’s gone more than he’s home. He’s a Ranger with the army. Lifelong military. Sargent Daniel Cooper loves his country more than his family.”

I heard the sarcasm, the hurt. I squeezed his hand. “I’m sure that isn’t true.”

He ignored my declaration about his dad. “Hey, could we just stay here? I don’t feel much like going to Mac’s.”

Aiden and Luke were going to be angry at me. “Sure,” I replied but I wasn’t sure about it at all. “Who is Mac?” I asked. He threw back his head and laughed at me. I didn’t understand why. “Who is Mac and why is that so funny?”

“Mac is our coach. Coach McAllister.”

“Oh. I don’t know why I didn’t know that. I even heard the principal introduce him at the pep rally as Coach Mac.”

He drew me to his side and hugged me. “You did. That’s why I laughed. What do you do during the pep rally, Abby?”

Daydream, I wanted to say. I shrugged. My parents weren’t home, but I didn’t think that they would care if Cal and I stayed here. I knew it wouldn’t be long until they got home. I texted Mom after we went inside and told her we were hanging out here.

In the living room upstairs until we get home, so Dad doesn’t have a heart attack.

I chuckled. Then I showed Cal her message. He smiled at me. I was hungry. I wondered if Cal was. “I can throw a pizza into the oven if you’re hungry.”

“That would be great,” he agreed. “I’m starving.”

I kicked off my shoes, and Cal followed me from the living room to the kitchen. I noticed he was looking around, an expression of awe on his face.

I looked at what he was looking at. We lived in a two-story, contemporary house that had three thousand square feet; basement to the second floor where our bedrooms were located. I took for granted what my parents gave us, I realized when seeing it through other’s eyes.

“Where do you live?” I asked Cal.

“Not in anything like this,” he said looking at the granite counter tops. The stainless, steel appliances. I grabbed a pizza from the freezer and popped one in the commercial grade oven. Nothing was too good for Mom.

I turned and leaned against the island in the middle of the room. Copper pots hung from a wrought iron rack over my head. He approached and I wondered what he was going to do.

Cal leaned with a hand on either side of me. “Now,” he said. “What was that about you wanting to go to Mac’s?”

“I did,” I lied.

“Right?” His gaze was focused on me. His body leaned in closer. “I want to kiss you, Abby.”

I was nervous. One kiss wonder, here standing in the circle of one of the hottest boys in school. Cal was moving closer. I closed my eyes expecting the touch of his lips. I felt his breath near my ear. “Abby, relax,” he whispered. “It’s just a kiss.”

My eyes shot open. He was so close I could see how truly beautiful his eyes were flecked with different colors of green and gold not the plain brown that I thought.

His lips brushed over mine gently with a slowness that surprised me. He was good at this. His hand cupped my jaw. His touch warmed my skin and I sighed. He chuckled.

“I like you Abby Gardener. You’re pretty and you’re sweet.” Cal’s lips hovered over mine. I thought he might kiss me again.

I slipped my hands around his waist and he flinched. “What’s wrong?” I asked frowning at the pain that flashed across his face.