Jaded (Jaded 1)

"Hey," he murmured.

"Did he kick you out or send you after us?"

"He's got his ass all twisted," Bryce commented.

"Nice articulation," I joked and Bryce grinned ruefully.

I yawned a

nd asked Bryce, "Wanna go for coffee?"

Bryce frowned, but said, "Sure."

I eyed Leisha and asked, "Wanna come?"

Her eyes widened.

I saw the glint of a smile at Bryce's mouth, but he just watched.

"I shouldn't." She shifted on her feet and glanced at the classroom door. "I should go back. I mean, Mr. Aldross is expecting me."

"You're right." I grinned wolfishly. "You should go back."

"Um." Her eyes glanced between Bryce and myself again, anxiously. And then she exclaimed, "I'm going to go." She disappeared down the hallway, but was back within a moment with a black purse tucked underneath her arm. And she looked nervous, very nervous.

I felt a pang of conscience and said, "You don't have to come."

She bit her lip and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Leisha, you're a good kid. Lying to a teach is not your forte. You can't really want to skip with us."

"I do. I really do," she insisted.

"Okay." I exchanged a look with Bryce. He raised an eyebrow, but that was the extent of his feedback. "Let's go."

Bryce took shotgun in my car and Leisha hopped in the back. She giggled as we left the parking lot and confided, "You're right. This is the first time I've skipped school. I kinda like it. It's a rush."

Bryce and I both chose to remain quiet on that matter.

When I pulled into the coffee shop, I informed Bryce, "You're paying."

"What?" Bryce asked. "Why am I paying? We're not on a date."

Leisha giggled behind her hands.

Maybe bringing her wasn't such a good idea.

"You're paying because you're the man. Men buy things."

"And women put out?" Bryce finished the sentiment and flashed a suggestive grin.

"Exactly," I murmured and pushed inside. I wasn't serious, but I grinned a little at the Leisha's sudden intake of breath.

She hesitated at the door when Bryce held it open for her. "Girls first." Bryce ushered her inside with a hand at her back.

Leisha looked like a deer in headlights.

The clerk frowned at us, but filled our orders. I moved to study the magazines when Bryce dropped onto one of the couches. After we'd gotten our coffee, we sat there in silence. Bryce leaned back and closed his eyes. Leisha watched Bryce, shyly, and then nibbled at her nails when she looked to me. And I drank my coffee while I watched her. I almost felt sorry, she was out of her league and she knew it.

When the door's bell jingled, Bryce sat up and bumped his knee into mine.

"What?" I asked and he gestured towards the front door.

It was Mena and Denton.

Mena had a glazed look in her eyes and Denton looked bored.

I remembered the blank look that had been on her face when I first left for school.

"Do you guys know them?" Leisha asked and then gasped. "That's Denton Steele."

"They're weird, Sheldon." Bryce murmured and leaned for his drink.

I was starting to agree.

"Oh my god. Do you guys know them?" Leisha pressed again, eagerly. All her virgin-blushes and awkwardness was gone now. The presence of a celebrity could work so many miracles.

"Something like that," I murmured and plastered a warm smile on my face when Denton noticed us. He did a double-take, but left Mena's side. Mena remained at the counter.

"Hey, Sheldon." Denton flashed a smooth grin my way and took the seat beside mine.

Bryce leaned back and watched underneath his eyelids.

"Skipping school?" Denton managed to condemn and flirt with me at the same time.

"I have first period free," I lied smoothly.

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Hi." Leisha stuck her hand out. "I'm Leisha Summers."

"Hi." Denton turned celebrity in a flash.

"Can I have your autograph?"

"Sure." He winked at me. "Sheldon, do you want an autograph?"

I looked at him coolly and murmured, "I think I gave you my autograph."

"Oh right." He flexed his back and added, "I never knew nail marks stung so much."

Mena sat beside Leisha at that moment and handed a drink to her brother.

Denton dropped the celebrity façade and turned into big brother immediately. It was impressive.

"Thanks, Mena," he said softly.

She ignored him and gazed at me. "Hey, Sheldon."

"Hi, Mena."

She glanced warily at Bryce. Her eyes lingered a moment and Bryce raised an eyebrow when he looked at me.

Denton's jaw clenched. He thrust a hand out, "We didn't meet yesterday. I'm Denton."

"Bryce," Bryce grunted as he shook hands.

"Did you guys get your friend out of jail?"

Bryce and I both grinned and enjoyed the startled looks on Leisha and Mena's faces.

"Sure did." Bryce lifted his cup in a salute.

"Who was in jail?" Mena asked.

"A friend," I answered and switched the topic, "So, Mena, you're not going to school today?"

Denton frowned and answered first, "She's not feeling well today."

"Looks fine to me," Bryce commented.

"Looks fine to me," I repeated.

Mena gave her brother a forced smile and said tightly, "I'm feeling fine, but Denton thinks he felt a fever coming on."