One-Eighty (Westover Prep 1)

“It takes ten minutes of roaming the hallway and arguing with yourself to decide?”

He nods. “I wanted to apologize for touching you in the pool. I should’ve asked permission.”

“I would’ve told you no,” I interrupt.

“I know.” His lips twitch with a weak smile. “I think that’s why I didn’t ask, but it was still wrong.”

“Apology accepted.”

I turn and begin to go back into Peyton’s room.

“Wait. I also wanted to show you something. Maybe to make up for my douche-baggery?”

I give him the side-eye, still not fully convinced he’s a changed man. “Like what?”

“It’s outside.” He hitches his head in the direction of the stairs.

“I’m not falling for that.”

“You need to trust me.” He grabs my hand, urging me to follow him.

“That’s probably never going to happen,” I mutter, but I don’t pull my hand from his.

We stay joined through the house as he grabs a blanket off the couch, and we head out the back door. I don’t let go of his hand when he directs us around the side of his house. Thankfully, we’re on the opposite side of his house that mine is on because my parents’ bedroom is on that far wall.

“What are we doing?” I ask as he releases my hand to spread the blanket out on the grass.

“Just sit and wait.”

There’s a small rail fence on this side of his house because a privacy fence would block the view of the woods lining his property.

“We’re going to get eaten by a bear,” I grumble.

We’re not touching, but I still draw my knees up to my chest to put more distance between us.

“We would hear a bear if he was coming for us.”

“That’s reassuring.” I roll my eyes, but it’s almost pitch black out here, so I’m certain he doesn’t see me do it.

“Just watch.” There’s a playful hint to his tone, and it takes a lot for me not to smile in his direction.

“Oh!” I gasp when a tiny light flashes a few feet away. Then it happens again and again.

“I know fireflies are rare in Colorado, but I noticed them the other night.”

I watch in awe as the bugs twinkle and light up, communicating with each other. I watch so long I don’t realize Dalton has moved closer until the warmth of his body on my left side makes me realize how cold my right side is. When I shiver, he wraps his arm around me so he can rub his warm hands down my arm.

“Real subtle,” I mumble when he inches even closer. “I’m not buying this romantic bull.”

Skepticism is one of my honed skills.

I turn my head in his direction. “What’s next? You’re going to try to kis—”

His lips are on mine before I can finish.

Electricity jolts through my body, and it’s more than a spark between our lips created by the static in the air.

I have no explanation for what I do next. I’m supposed to open my mouth to tell him to take a hike, but that’s not what happens. My mouth opens, alright, but only to give his slick tongue entrance.

Kissing him is wrong and magical.

It’s forbidden and everything I didn’t know I wanted.

It’s cruel and perfect.

It’s over before I want it to be.

When he leans in to kiss me again, I shove him in the chest.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

I’m on my feet and gone before he can say a word.Chapter 19Dalton“Where’s Piper?” I ask when I rush downstairs.

I hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Before I closed my eyes, after hours of worrying I had only made things worse with Piper, the sun was already coming up. Now it’s almost noon, and I seem to have missed her.

“She went home a couple of hours ago,” Peyton answers over her chicken salad sandwich before turning to look at Mom and Dad.

They’re both sitting at the kitchen table. My dad is reading something on his phone, and Mom is sifting through a thick folder. I know they’ve been prepping for a big trial, and they must always keep busy because of their dedication to work. I’m sure the wild teenager from before loved that they were always distracted, and it doesn’t even bother me now, but I’m sure Preston would enjoy some of their attention every once in a while.

“What exactly do you wear to a viewing?” Peyton asks.

“Viewing? As in someone died?” I ask. “What did I miss?”

“Orville Clark passed away a few days ago. The viewing is today,” Mom answers without looking up from her work.

This is news to me, but I can admit I haven’t been paying attention to much going on around here unless it pertained to Piper who I’ve been singularly focused these days. “Did I know him?”

Peyton’s brows draw together at my question.

“Everyone knew Mr. Clark.” She frowns when she realizes what she said. “Sorry.”