One-Eighty (Westover Prep 1)

“I agree.”

My lips clamp closed with his swift agreement.

“Are you really still mad about what happened over twelve years ago?”

My eyes narrow. “What about the dead snake in my backpack in first grade, or the time you tore up my library book in second grade? Maybe I’m still mad about the spiders in my locker in third grade or when you sent me to the hospital in fourt—”

“Okay, okay.” He holds his hands up near his ears in mock surrender. “I get it. I’ve always been an asshole.”

“Exactly.” I cross my arms over my chest, no longer worried about my puffy face and eyes. Maybe crying in front of him should’ve happened a whole lot sooner, but even as I think it, I know Dalton would’ve only used it for ammunition at a later date. Before the accident, he didn’t care at all how what he did to me made me feel.

“I’m no longer denying it. I was a total douche.”

“King Douche of all douches,” I specify.

“Let me prove that I’m different.”

My mouth runs dry with the request.

“I can’t.”

“You didn’t even think about it long enough before you rejected it.”

“I don’t need to think about it. I was serious when I said we should just stay out of each other’s way.”

“And I’m serious when I tell you that every one of my waking thoughts is about you, and I can’t sleep at night knowing that you’re next door hating me.”

“Maybe it’s about time you lost a little sleep over the vile things you’ve done.” I have to look away from him when sadness tugs the corners of his mouth down. “And I think trying to make me feel bad about it only proves that you’re still the same guy.”

“That’s harsh,” he mutters.

“It’s the truth.”

“I just want to get to know you, and I think if you get to know who I am now, you’ll see that I’m not that guy anymore.”

“And then what happens when all of your memories come back? Do you honestly think I’d waste my time with you only to end up back under your feet once that happens?”

“Even if I get my memories back, it won’t make you any less beautiful. It won’t make me stop thinking about your lips, wondering how they’ll feel against mine. If anything, my memories will only make me realize what I’ve been missing all this time.”

“That’s enough.” Just the mention of him wanting to kiss me makes me tingle, and that pisses me off.

“Just being honest.”

“Well, keep that kind of honesty to yourself.”

“Will you please give me a shot?”

“I’m not going to date you just because you begged.”

His lips twitch. “I’m not asking you to date me, yet. At this point, I’d be happy with you not running away every time I walk in a room.”

I look in his eyes, searching them for any form of deception. I find none.

“I’m not making any promises, but I guess it won’t hurt me to stop being so rude.”

“It’s a start.” He grins again. “I’ll take it.”

He offers his hand to me, but I glare at it like he’s holding a squirming snake.

“Too soon?”

“Yeah,” I answer. “Way too soon.”

“Okay, then.” He stands from the floor. “The original pool party was a bust, but that doesn’t mean our entire day has to be ruined. Why don’t you go home and grab a swimsuit? I’ll convince Preston to leave his room for a few hours, even though he may have to stay in the shade. I don’t think the kid has seen sunlight in weeks.”

“What?” He’s rambling so fast, I wonder if he somehow tricked me into agreeing to hang out with him, and I missed it somehow. “I’m not getting in the pool.”

“Then you can sit in one of the loungers and watch me swim.”

“No, thanks.”

“You said you weren’t going to be rude.”

“Turning down your demand to go swimming isn’t rude,” I counter.

“It’ll be fun, promise.” He walks across the room and opens the bedroom door. “Peyton!”

“What?” his sister says as she steps out of Preston’s room. “Did she claw your eyes out? I don’t see any marks.”

“We’re on good terms,” Dalton assures her. “Convince this pretty girl to go swimming. I’m going to go make snacks for everyone.”

Dalton disappears out of the room, and Peyton turns around to glare at me.

“What happened?”

I shrug. “I agreed not to be so rude.”

“Damn.” She grins wide. “I wonder how he’d act if you agree to go out on a date with him.

“That’s never going to happen.”

“Never say never, pretty girl. Let’s take a break from math and go swimming.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then sit on the lounger and watch us swim.”

“That’s exactly what Dalton suggested.”

She winks at me. “Great minds think alike. Now go get changed.”

I yelp when she slaps my ass, but I grin all the way out of her house to go get my bathing suit.