“Just sampling the different boys at the school.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Do not lie to me, Sar-bear.”
“Sarah!” Nick called in exasperation. “Come on.”
I smiled apologetically at Cherry as Mason put his arm around my shoulders and led me away from her. Nick looked me over, and I folded my arms across my chest. “I didn’t get hurt from the classroom to here. Stop fretting, you old lady.”
Mason and Bryan walked away, waving as they left me in Nick’s care. He stared at me a moment and then turned. “Come on. I’m hungry.”
I followed him and kept my eyes down. I shouldn’t have though, because that’s how I ran into Tom. I started to fall and he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me up and against his body. “Careful.”
I blushed and stepped away from him. “Sorry.”
Nick pulled me away and growled. “I look away for one second and you get into trouble.”
I pointed at Tom. “He’s not trouble. He’s your friend.”
Nick smiled. “He’s my friend, but he’s totally trouble. You should stay away from him.”
Tom smirked. “I’m not trouble, I’m fun. Perhaps Sarah wants to have fun.”
“She has fun with me,” Nick said defensively.
“Yes, I saw your game of catch the rabbit earlier. I was thinking she might enjoy a more private setting.” Tom turned toward me. “Would you like to go to a movie with me Monday?”
I opened my mouth, but Nick said, “She can’t.”
Tom looked at me, but I just stared at Nick. “Why can’t she?” Tom asked.
“She’s going out with me that night,” Nick said.
I’d never seen him look so scared or sick. Why was he telling Tom this? He hadn’t asked me out.
“You sure, Sarah? I bet I’d be a lot more fun.” Tom goaded.
I smiled at Tom. “Maybe another time.”
Tom kissed my cheek. “Count on it.”
As soon as Tom walked away, I turned and stared up at Nick. “What was that about? You didn’t ask me out.”
“I panicked.” He admitted as he turned away and ran his hand through his hair. “I tried to ask you yesterday, but he interrupted and…I’m sorry. If you want to go with Tom, I won’t stop you.”
“Nick.”
He turned and faced me. “What?”
“Do you want to go out with me? Because if you’re just doing it as my Guardian, please don’t.”
He stared at me for a few minutes and then asked, “Will you go out with me?”
“Only after I take her out,” Gary said from behind us. “I always knew you were a follower instead of a leader.”
Nick growled and moved towards Gary, but I grabbed his arm. “Nick.”
He glared at Gary and then bared his teeth. “He’s just jealous that you spend so much time with me.”
Gary smiled. “You’re right. I am, but I know you’ll be more jealous when…” Gary moved forward and whispered into Nick’s ear before walking away. “Just think about that Monday.”
“What did he say?” I asked Nick.
Nick stared at his hands and shook his head. “Nothing. Come on, let’s eat.”
I didn’t get why they were being mean to each other, or why they’d all suddenly decided to be interested in me. I knew I should have been happy, but I only felt worried.
Chapter Three
I stood on the sidelines with the other cheerleaders, stretching our legs out as we prepared for our routine. The stands were filling up, and I waved to Dad and the Alphas as they took seats behind me. Alfred winked at me, and I spun around, deciding never to look back there again.
The football team paraded out on the field, and we cheered wildly, shaking our pompoms and showing our spirit for the team. The night became a blur of cheering and football. At half time I was tossed in the air and everything went according to plan. I tried to enjoy the game, especially getting to watch the pack boys tackling the other team with ease, but I could feel the vampire in my head.
The game ended with us winning, of course, and the crowds began dispersing. I walked to Dad and leaned against his side.
He smiled down at me. “You did great today.”
“Yes, you were by far the most beautiful one out there,” said Alfred.
I did not like the way he was looking at me, and apparently, Dad felt the same. “You should remember that she’s underage, Alfred, and not interested in a mate. I would hate for there to be an incident between us.”
Alfred smiled innocently. “I wouldn’t dream of anything like that.”
I heard Nick and the others approaching, so I stepped back from Dad and walked to them. I held up my hand, and the group high-fived me. “You were awesome today,” I told them.
“Thanks, but that pyramid toss was pretty sweet,” Mason said as he draped his arm around my shoulders.
I smirked. “You’re just jealous because you want to throw me up in the air like that.”
He grabbed my arms. “We could try it now.”
Nick growled. “Let’s not.” His growl dissipated, and he smiled. “At least not on the concrete. The pool is a much better idea.”
The pack laughed, and I shook my head. “Boys are so dumb sometimes.”
“Sarah,” Dad said. “We need to talk to you about removing the mark.”
“Can we do it at home?” I asked as I looked around at the students staring at our strange group. “I’m pretty hungry.”
Cherry walked up to me. “How do you stay so skinny when you eat as much as them?”
I smiled. “I get in a lot of cardio.”
The boys snickered, and I refrained from elaborating on the fact that I was constantly running from them and the children in the games that we played. They never tackled me, until today, or hurt me, but it was really the only way for me to play with them.
“Are you going out tonight?” she asked hopefully.
I shook my head. “No, sorry.”
She sighed and then whined, “You never go out drinking with us, anymore.”
“Drinking?” Dad asked as he walked over to us.
Cherry smiled innocently. “Yes sir, drinking root beer floats. Why? What drink were you thinking of?”
Dad pinched her nose. “I’ve known you ten years, Cherry. You can’t lie to me.”
She put her hand against her chest and made an “O” with her mouth in mock horror. “I would never think of doing such an awful thing.”
Dad laughed and then tilted his head to the side in a sign that it was time to go. The pack dispersed towards their cars, and I hugged Cherry. “See you Monday.”
Mason pulled me against his side and walked me to Nick’s truck. “You want me to ride with you in case she jumps out?” he asked Nick.
Nick laughed. “No, I think I’ll be okay.”
Mason smiled. “Next time she runs, I get to tackle her.”
Nick nodded. “Deal.”
I kissed Mason’s cheek. “Thank you.”
He winked. “Anytime.”
Nick growled. “I didn’t know you liked Mason.”