Her Christmas Miracles (Dunam Prep Boys #1) Page 8

“Uh,” I glanced down at the suit I was still wearing. I’d been so anxious to see her that I’d forgotten to chance. I looked back to her, shrugging casually. “I’ll make an exception for you. My casual clothes are in the trunk.”

  Skylar stopped frowning, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. My heart continued to beat. “Fine. But could you be a little less … I don’t know … disruptive? You’re going to get in trouble. You can’t park in the bus loop during dismissal.” She opened the door and slid in, tossing her backpack behind her, as I rolled up her window.

  “What are they going to do, suspend me?” I rolled my eyes, and at that very moment, an angry-looking middle-aged man stormed over to my car.

  He came directly to the driver’s side and knocked on the glass. “Young man!”

  I looked at him through the window. “Yes, sir?”

  “Open this window immediately!” He was seething, and I could practically see steam coming out of his ears.

  I did as he instructed and flashed him a reassuring smile. “Sir?”

  “You can not park here. You are holding up dismissal. What’s your name? I’m going to write you a referral and you’ll come to my office first thing in the morning.”

  “That won’t be happening. I’m not a student here, I’m simply picking one up. Now if you don’t mind, my friend and I would like to get my car out of the bus loop, so we’re not holding up dismissal.” My voice was calm and even, and I hope I conveyed that sort of polite firmness that my dad was so good at.

  He huffed, and stormed away without another word. I pushed the car into gear and we slid out of the parking lot before Skylar started chuckling.

  “I can not believe you talked to Mr. Port like that. He’s a jerk to everyone, and you totally fed it right back to him!”

  “You think I was a jerk to him?” I asked, clutching my chest, fake-wounded.

  “Oh, definitely, but the kind of polite jerk that only some people can pull off. Not me, for example. I just start shaking and lash out. You know, I almost kicked Santa the other day for staring at my rear end.”

  “Wow.” I frowned. Santa’s smug face immediately came to mind. There was something off about that guy. Maybe it had to do with the fact he was constantly ogling Skylar. “You let me know if that keeps happening. I’ll take care of it.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” she said quietly. “That wasn’t my point. I’m just impressed, is all.”

  “Well, good. I’m glad to have accomplished something today.”

  Skylar turned to me and I could almost feel her eyes roaming over my body, checking me out. “Why are you wearing that suit? You look like you’re going to a funeral or running for office or something.”

  I laughed, and when I looked over at her, her cheeks were pink again, and I didn’t think it was from the cold. At least, I hoped it wasn’t. “Both, I guess. I had a meeting today. Dean of Admissions at Harvard. My parents want me to go there, but I haven’t really decided anything yet, so they were trying to convince me.”

  Skylar was quiet for a minute. “You must be really smart to go there.”

  I shrugged. I knew where Sky came from and I didn’t want to make a big deal out of our differences. “I guess my parents just know people.” We pulled into the parking lot at the laser tag place and I put the car in park. “Here we are!”

  “I’ve never played laser tag,” Skylar confessed.

  “Don’t worry,” I said. Reaching out, I slid my hand around hers and gave it a soft squeeze. I ignored the jolts that zipped through my fingers as our skin touched. “I’ve got you.”

  Inside, it was warm and the arcade was crowded. There weren’t many kids in our session of tag, though, fewer than a dozen. After I changed into my black sweater and jeans, we were sorted into teams, handed our target vests and guns, and given instructions on how to call a marshal if we needed help. Then they turned us loose inside the arena.

  “C’mon,” I whispered to Sky, taking her hand and leading her through the maze of obstacles. We made our way to my favorite vantage point. As we rounded a corner, two people on the opposing team caught us in their sights and chased us down. Laughing, Sky and I ducked and dodged, shooting at the enemies. We each racked up a considerable amount of points as we ran. She held her own, doing really well for a newbie.

  Someone from the opposing team spotted her lack of confidence, though, and targeted her for the rest of the session. After the fourth time she was blasted, she growled in frustration. I spotted the guy who had Sky lined up in his sights again, and shielded her body with mine, taking the hit. Skylar gasped a little, surprised. Her hands flew to my hips and gripped them tightly as she ducked behind me, hiding. My heart pounded, and her hands were hot on my clothes, practically burning through to my skin. I wanted to protect her forever.

  The guy moved on after that, and by the time the round ended and the lights turned on, Skylar was squealing in delight and fist-pumping the air every time she landed a kill strike. I couldn’t have been more proud.

  We took a break between sessions. At the concession stand, I convinced her to eat something, and we each had a slice of pizza and some junk food. The conversation came easily between us, which surprised me. We talked about school, but when we ventured into talking about work, Sky clammed up.

  “Devin,” she said, shifting in her seat. “I really think I should tell you something.”

  “What, you hate that nasty Santa as much as I do?”

  She laughed, and I could practically hear her falter. “Well, yeah, but that’s not what I meant.”

  “You secretly love wearing the red tights and green hat?”

  “Devin!” Skylar slapped my arm. “That would be you who loves wearing the tights. Admit it.”

  “They are pretty comfy.” My phone chirped. “Sorry, just a sec.” I glanced at it. It was a text from Max, asking for another game night. I fired off a reply and stuffed the phone back in my pocket, once again reminded of the bet. I didn’t have time to waste here. I needed to make a move soon.

  Skylar sighed and picked at a napkin, shredding it into a pile next to her plate.

  I reached over and touched her hand gently. My fingers were electrified from the touch—I wanted more. “You okay? Ready to go kick some more butt out there?”

  Skylar looked up at me and bit her lip. After looking at the clock on the far wall, she nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go kick some tail.”

  Back in the arena, I took her hand again, but this time, I didn’t let go. We shot opponents left and right, but I led her to a dark corner that I’d found before—but not usually for that reason. I’d used it to cover my back while I took out the other team on more than one occasion. It would be the perfect place to see if I could kiss Sky.

  I made a beeline for the corner, and we had to fend off several of the other team to get there. Eventually we made it, and I pulled Sky close to me.

  “Here,” I said. “We can use the wall to cover us while we just take them out.”

  She nodded. “Good idea.”

  I finally let her hand go, but as soon as it was safe, I turned to Skylar and kissed her all at once, before I lost the chance—or my nerve. I had never had problems with being too nervous around girls before, but Skylar did something to me that made afraid of messing things up. She made my heart go into overdrive and the current that burned between us was like nothing I’d ever experienced.

  When our lips touched, my breath caught in my chest, and our guns clacked together noisily. Skylar made a little noise of surprise in the back of her throat, and I hesitated. She didn’t stop me, though. In fact, her hands came up to the back of my neck and pulled me in.

  We kissed for several long seconds before someone must have come up behind me, because I heard a blaster go off and my vest signal that I’d been shot.

  I started to pull away, intending to apologize for hijacking Skylar’s game, but she pulled me back close to her and kissed me again. My hands on her hips, I held her as close as I cou
ld with those stupid guns between us, and we continued kissing until the lights came on and the marshals called time.

  We pulled apart reluctantly. I leaned my forehead against hers and whispered an apology, for real this time. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your game,” I said, grinning.

  She laughed breathlessly. “You didn’t ruin it.”

  “Good.” My stomach felt like a herd of butterflies was in it. We held hands on the way out of the arena, only separating to return our gear. “You wanna play again?”

  Sky was chewing her bottom lip again, this time looking at our hands rather than my eyes. “I think you’d better take me home.”

  “Are you … I mean, did I do something wrong?”

  “No!” she said in a hurry. “But it’s … a school night, and I have to work, and I still have homework, so I think I’d better get some rest.”

  I nodded, even though the excuse wasn’t the strongest one I’d ever heard. I wanted to respect her request. “I do too. Okay. Let’s get you home.”

  The drive was relatively quiet, her jabbing a finger at my stereo, trying to find something that didn’t sound like Christmas carols, she said. Eventually she turned it off.

  “I had a really good time, Devin. Thanks for introducing me to laser tag.”

  “Anytime,” I said, pulling up in front of her trailer. I leaned over to kiss her again, but she pulled away, squeezing my hand. “Do you want a ride to work?”

  “No, that’s okay. I’ll just see you there.”

  “Sure thing. See you,” I called as she shut the door behind her and hurried up the steps into her trailer. My chest was pained the longer I stared at the wreath on her front door. Somehow, I felt as if I’d just lost the bet.

  Chapter 15

  SKYLAR

  “Welcome home, Skylar!” My mom came out from behind the small kitchen island and wrapped me up in a hug. I caught a glimpse of thick cut, pink steaks peppered on a platter and my heart beat double time.

  “What’s up with the steaks?” I asked casually though I knew what it meant. I smiled when she stepped back and smoothed my hair with her hands.

  “We’re having a celebratory dinner tonight.”

  I raised my eyebrows in anticipation. “Because …”

  “Because I got a new job!” Simultaneously we both burst out screaming with joy. We hugged each other again and jumped around in a circle. We would’ve done it a lot longer but my dad hollered from the living room for us to shut up.

  “I’m proud of you, Mom.”

  She put her hand on my cheek and caressed it softly. “I’m proud of you, Sky. You’ve been providing for us for weeks now. Whatever is left of your money I want you to save it, okay? Real estate classes aren’t cheap. And … you deserve something special for yourself.”

  I searched her eyes, my voice low. “When do you start?”

  She smiled. “Tonight.”

  “And when do you get paid? Bi-weekly?”

  She tilted her head and her smile faltered a little. “Yeah …”

  I nodded, the corners of my mouth making an even line. So she wouldn’t have a paycheck in time for presents. I could start saving and spending on myself after the Christmas gig was over. “Well congrats, Mom.” I squeezed her hands and then nodded towards my room. “I’ve gotta go get ready for my shift.”

  She nodded. “Okay, sweetie.” I took two steps before she said, “Oh! Wait. I wanted to talk to you about something else.” She stepped behind the kitchen island and picked up her knife, starting to slice apples, slow and methodical.

  My chest stuttered. The last time she did this, we had “the talk.”

  “This is the second time a boy in a fancy car has brought you home. I would guess it’s the same boy, but he’s never brought you to the door, unlike the Wells boy. I just hope if you’re being active, you’re using protection.”

  My shoulders hunched and my ears burned. “Okay! Thanks! Nothing active going on, Mom, but thanks. Gotta go!”

  “I’m serious, Skylar Lynn!”

  “Me too!” I went into my room and shut the door, more loudly than I’d intended. I locked it behind me for good measure and then switched the stuff out of my book bag.

  “How many more days until Santa comes?”

  I grinned as I squatted down in front of Bella’s bed. “Two more weeks.”

  Bella smiled, busy coloring as usual. “I wonder if he got my letter. How long does it take? I think reindeers bring it to him. And I think he gets cookie crumbs all over them and they get really messy,” she said, pausing to giggle at the thought.

  “I bet you’re right,” I said. I smoothed back her hair and then stood up to leave. I took a deep breath before opening my bedroom door, needing to leave as quickly as possible so my mom wouldn’t start talking about sausages and tacos … and not the foods.

  I made a run for it. “Going to work now. Bye!” I said quickly. My mother stuttered but didn’t have a chance to say anything. I paused on the front deck, letting my adrenaline fade a little. The front door opened behind me, and Dad stood in the threshold. He looked a little more sober today as he held out my coat. “It’s gonna be snowing later. Bundle up. They’re calling for a storm. If you need a ride, you call. I’ll borrow someone’s car and come get you.”

  I took the coat with a nod. It was these little moments that made me see what my mom had seen in him. He wasn’t all bad. The sober parts of him were probably really decent. “Thanks, Dad.” He gave a nod and then retreated inside.

  I had my coat almost on when a shiny, deep blue car pulled up to a stop beside my deck. I frowned as I pulled my backpack over my shoulder. What the what was this? Did Devin get a new car? Or Parker?

  My eyes widened when the driver’s side door opened and Max stepped out. For a moment, everything went in slow motion, just like in the movies. He was wearing a leather jacket that opened to a black bowtie and a red and white plaid button down shirt. My mouth watered as his gaze met mine, and his lips curled into an adorable smile.

  “Hi, Skylar,” he said, as if he’d just run into me at the grocery store by accident. Or we’d arranged for a date and he was here to retrieve me. But it was neither of those things.

  I swallowed back my initial desire and stomped down the stairs, stopping on the opposite side of the hood. “What are you doing here?”

  His cheeks flooded with color. He rubbed at the back of his neck and shrugged one shoulder. “I thought it would be nice to pick you up since it’s cold out.”

  It would’ve been nice—had we arranged it ahead of time. First Devin thought he could just show up at my school out of the blue, and now Max? Were they swapping secrets? “How did you know where I lived?”

  “Um …” he shoved his hands into the pockets of his trendy black jeans and rocked back on his heels, a look of guilt spreading over his face. “I maybe saw it in Parker’s GPS?”

  I glanced over my shoulder as the front door to my house began to open. My father was standing in the doorway, my mother close on his tail. I turned back around. “Since you’re here …” We climbed into his car and made our getaway.

  “Are you mad?” he asked, never taking his eyes off the road. He seemed like a nervous driver, his hands gripping the wheel tightly, his shoulders tense.

  “I mean … how would you feel if I showed up at your house without warning?”

  He did a quick double take, clearly flustered. “I would be flattered because I would think it meant you liked me.”

  I turned my head away so I could smile without him seeing it. When I’d regained my composure, I looked back. “Do you like me? Is that why you stole my address and showed up unannounced? What if I’d been busy? Or making out with a guy on the porch or something?”

  His head jerked towards me and the car moved with it. My scream caused him to correct. “Making out with a guy on the porch? Is that … would that have been an actual possibility?”

  I loosened my hand from the handle on the side of the doo
r. I mean, it could have been if Parker or Devin had been with me. My stomach clenched at the thought. It was so wrong. How could I do this to any of them? They were all good guys from what I knew. “I think we’ve talked enough for right now.” I leaned forward and punched some buttons on the stereo. One bonus to hanging out with these rich boys was I was now pretty competent at tuning XM radio. Max’s non-driving foot was tapping nervously. I tried to ignore it and the feeling of lead in my stomach. Maybe he’d just lost all interest in me. Maybe it was better this way …

  As we arrived at the mall, Max pulling into a parking spot near the Santa entrance, he put his hand on my arm. “Skylar, wait.”

  I hesitated. “Yeah?” My stomach felt like it was full of butterflies. What was he going to say? That he knew I liked all of them? Or was he going to kiss me again?

  He rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat before arching and reaching into the back seat. He picked up a wrapped package that I hadn’t noticed before and handed it to me.

  “What—what’s this?” I could hear a little shake in my voice.

  He was quiet when he spoke. “It’s for Bella. It’s a book of impressionist painters for kids, and some art supplies. She really seemed to enjoy that night at the museum, and I thought … I guess I thought you might want to encourage that.”

  My heart might have burst right out of my chest at that moment, but I took a deep breath and swallowed hard. I needed to stop letting myself get so attached to these boys. This wasn’t how things were supposed to work! I was only supposed to like one boy. I couldn’t let this go on.

  I thanked Max, stashed the gift in my bag, and told him I needed to get some shopping done with my extra time. Despite his interest upon picking me up, he’d easily taken the excuse and we went our separate ways. I didn’t go shopping, though. I sat in the break room and the whole time I thought about the guys.

  I was still so confused. I’d chickened out telling Devin, and then again with Max. I needed to get it over with and pull off the band-aid but first, I needed to know which one of them I wanted to date. But weighing it all out in my mind I just couldn’t choose. So I either had to break it off with all of them, or pick and hope I’d made the right choice. I knew which option I was going to choose—I couldn’t choose, and the reality was they were going to go back to their upper class school and swanky parties, and I’d be in the trailer park in two weeks.