One-Eighty (Westover Prep 1)

“Did you hear me?”

I turn my head toward him. “I’m sorry. What?”

“I asked if you wanted to go for a walk. I could push you on the swing.”

My eyes narrow at the suggestion. “The swing? What are we nine?”

He shrugs. “It could be fun.”

I don’t respond, and I don’t make a move to get out of the car either. I’m struggling between asking him for some time alone and suggesting we go inside my house.

Feeling drawn to him is really messing with my head, and yet I don’t want to spend a second away from him. I don’t know if I’m worried that with distance he’ll change his mind, maybe realize he doesn’t love me and that one of the girls back at the snow cone stand would be a better fit. My lip curls in irritation at the thought of Violet dating him.

“What’s that look for?” His finger presses against my lip, and I hang my head in shame for doubting him.

“I just…” I shake my head because it’s filled with warring thoughts that are bound to drive me crazy. “I don’t know. Maybe you should go home.”

“Nope.” He doesn’t hesitate when he speaks. “We aren’t doing this again. I’ll say it a million times if I need to. I’ll apologize every day for the rest of my life until you believe me, but I’m not letting you get lost in your head while you think of ways to push me out of your life. Don’t do this, Piper. Please.”

“Dalton.” I shake my head again. “I can’t help it. I have a lot of stuff to work through.”

“We can work through it together. Tell me what you need, and I’ll give it to you.” I sigh. “Not space. I’ll give you anything but space.”

“Are you a mind reader now?”

He frowns at me even though I’m trying to be playful.

“It’s easy for you to move past what’s happened because you can’t remember it, but it’s going to take longer for me.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Nothing,” I answer honestly. “I feel like a fool for even sitting here with you. Like I’m crazy for even considering dating you.”

“You’re mine,” he whispers.

“The alpha routine doesn’t help,” I tell him, but it kind of does in a way.

Not having to make that decision, knowing that he’s going to be there regardless of how I treat him, is a powerful thing. And even though I’m not a vindictive person at heart, it makes me want to test his loyalty, to push him and see what I can get away with as retribution for how he’s treated me.

Then I remember the shine in Violet’s eyes when he introduced himself earlier. He’s got options whether he wants to use them right now or not.

“Piper?” His finger hooks under my chin as he urges me to look at him. “Tell me what I can do, and I’ll do it. I know it’s going to take time, but please promise me that you’ll at least try. Give me a chance, baby, and I’ll prove to you that I’m worth it.”Chapter 29Dalton“This isn’t what I had in mind,” I mutter.

“You said, and I quote, ‘Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.’ Did you not tell me that earlier this week?” She raises an eyebrow, a tiny smile playing on her pink lips, and I’m a goner for this girl.

“I did, but I didn’t think you’d have me dressed as ‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ on the hottest day of the year.”

“It’s barely eighty-five,” she tells me.

“But it’s like a million degrees in this costume.” I don’t mention that my balls are sticking to my damn legs because I don’t think she can appreciate the torture that entails.

“We’ll only be out here for a few more minutes. It’s almost time to go inside and read.”

She asked me to help with her volunteer hours at the library, and I readily agreed, knowing that I’d do just about anything to spend a little more time with her. I’d still be here right now, even if I knew what I was getting into.

“It’s so hot,” I grumble again as she greets families of small children with a wide smile like she’s living her best life right now.

“I’ll make it up to you,” she purrs in my ear as a family of five walks away.

“How so?” I ask, my blood already growing warmer with the thoughts of how the repayment could go.

She’s different than she was in the car on Monday, but every once in a while, I catch a look in her eyes that makes me want to wrap my arms around her and assure her that I’m the man she needs me to be. It’s when she’s alone that I worry the doubt will take over, and I wait, holding my breath every morning until she shows up at the house to tutor Peyton. Three out of the last four days, she’s walked right into my arms, pressing her lips to mine before going to find my sister, but Thursday was a rough day for her, and she just gave me a sad smile and a peck on the lips before disappearing into the kitchen. That day I gave her space, not knowing if she needed that or for me to make myself more visible. The space seemed to work because when she was done, she found Preston and me in the pool splashing around, and she finally had the smile I love so much on her pretty face.