Chapter 40
Nick’s father had frowned when he returned from Cat’s and went upstairs, calling, “Hey! You want to finish watching the game?”
“Can’t,” he mumbled. “Homework!”
Nick spent the rest of the night sitting at the desk in his bedroom. The lamp glowed on the wood. He traced the circle with his fingertip, his mind a jumble of mixed messages—Cat and Emily. Emily and Cat. He wanted both of them. But that wouldn’t work. If he chose Emily, he’d always desire Cat. And if he chose Cat, his life would essentially be over—ostracized at school, his parents disappointed, and his sense of self shattered.
He rubbed his fingers over his lips where Cat’s had touched him. The tender part where her teeth bit him made him want her more. This wasn’t going to be good.
****
On Monday morning, Nick studied himself in the mirror after his shower. He wiped away the steam and leaned closer, examining his lips. Thinking about kissing her made his hairline sweat, and he had the urge to loosen his collar. Kissing her was so totally different than kissing Emily. His stomach felt a little nauseous. Maybe he should stay home? No, better to act as if nothing happened between him and Cat.
When he arrived, Emily waited by his locker, tapping her foot with a serious, seething look on her face.
What was the problem now?
“You were at her house last night!” Emily said, looking at a cluster of her friends standing by their lockers. Veronica nodded to Emily. She turned back to him, folding her arms across her chest. “I think we need a break.”
“A break?”
“Breakup,” Emily said loudly. “Over.”
“Will you let me explain?” Nick stood with his outstretched arms.
“I think your actions speak louder than words.” And with that, Emily stomped away, joining her friends who shot Nick dagger eyes and smirks.
“No! You’re wrong!” he called after her.
She didn’t turn or acknowledge him.
He stood by his locker, shifting feet, not sure what to do until Gary came over.
“Dude!” He gave his customary whistle-tweet. “What’s wrong?” Gary followed Nick’s gaze to Emily and her friends. “Oh!”
“Yeah,” Nick said, looking at the floor. “She broke up with me.”
“What?” Gary looked genuinely surprised. “Why?”
“You know why.”
Gary shot him a concerned look. “Cat?”
“We haven’t done anything.” Sure, they kissed. “We’re partners; I need to work with her. That doesn’t mean I want to date her!” He hoped his loud voice would be overhead by Emily and her posse.
Gary gave Nick a pat on the back. “Women.”
He’d have to figure this part of his life out after their research paper and presentation was finished.
****
Coach had written PRESENTATIONS on the board, and people started to panic. Several groaned. Voices were raised as students looked through their notes.
“Hey!” Coach yelled. “I need quiet!” When everything was calmer, he continued, “Can everyone be finished by next week?” Coach asked.
Nick looked at Cat, who hastily wrote something on a slip of paper. Why don’t you come over to my house tonight?
Why? He wrote back.
To finish.
What?
She smiled at him and mouthed, “Our paper, of course.”
He leaned toward her and whispered, “I’ve got practice after school.”
“Anytime you want to come,” she said softly.
After football practice and clearing it with his parents, he drove to Cat’s house.
He was starving and now wished he would have stopped for a burger.
“Hungry?” Cat asked.
His stomach gurgled in reply, and she laughed.
“I picked up a pizza. Half pepperoni and half supreme. Will that suit you?”
“Sounds great.” He set down his notebook and paper while Cat put the pizza and plates on the table.
As they ate, Nick looked over his portion of the paper and, when finished, shrugged. “I think this is as good as it gets.”
“I agree,” Cat said.
“Then I guess we’re finished,” Nick said. He wiped his mouth on a napkin. “I’ll send you my part, and you can paste it into yours.”
She nodded.
“Thanks for the pizza.” He started to rise. “I should probably go.”
“No, stay. I’d like you to stay for a while.”
“I’ve got homework.” Nick hovered between sitting down again and standing. Calculus beckoned, but his heart hammered at the thought of kissing Cat again.
“I’ve got homework for you too,” she said playfully.
What the heck?
He sat down. “What kind of homework?” he asked, not understanding her meaning.
“You’ll like what I have in mind. We’re going to make Jean Claude go away.”
She got out of her chair and sat on his lap and put her arms around his shoulders. “Is this so bad?”
Nick’s heart roared in his ears. He’d be lying if he didn’t agree with her. His whole being was aware of her body on his, sending little shocks through his being.
“How about this?” She bent and kissed him, not the playful, flirty kiss when he arrived. This kiss was long and slow, with him drinking in her breath. Gradually their mouths opened, and they explored with tongues, and Nick found his hands around her waist, holding her close.
“Are…Are we alone?” he asked, pulling back from her.
“Worried my parents will see us?” When he didn’t respond, she continued. “No, they’re working late. It’s just you and me.”
Nick swallowed slowly.
“Do you want to sit on the couch and watch television?” Cat got up and patted him on the shoulder.
“Sure.” Nick felt relieved. “But I can’t stay long. I have a mountain of Calculus to finish.”
She took his hand and led him to the L-shaped couch where they sat close together, and she put her head on his shoulder.
This was so totally different than when he was with Emily. He knew he shouldn’t compare the two girls—they were so opposite. He turned toward Cat and put his hands in her hair and drew her face to his for another kiss.
“Does she do this to you?” Cat whispered.
“Umm.”
“Is that a yes? Or no?” She started kissing his neck, sucking on his skin.
“No, no, she doesn’t.”
Cat pulled away and laughed. “I told you.”
Nick felt like he had been kicked in the stomach. He wanted all of Cat, every ounce, yet he wanted Emily too.
Reluctantly, he pulled away from Cat. “I’ve got to go,” he said softly. “I wish I could stay, but I can’t. I’m cheating Emily.”
“Oh, I thought you broke up?”
“I guess.”
“But you’re not cheating on her. We were together before her. If anything, you’re cheating on me—on us.”
Nick looked at her in the dark, the lights low, making her features shadowy and vague. If he stayed, they would do something he may or may not regret.