Growing Pains

Chapter Fourteen

Duncan

She kissed him. She kissed him. She kissed him. It was the only thought running through my head. Courtney spilled everything at lunch on Monday and I had felt the urge to punch something since. All it gave me was sure clarity that Gwen was wrong. There was no fight for me. She was already gone.

I had to stay on top of my game, though. It was only three weeks until school was out, and then one week later, we'd be at the cabin. The thought of being left alone with Courtney was filling my every waking thought, well that and the fact that she was dating Justin.

I just wanted a second alone with her to see if there was a chance. If there wasn't, then I'd do everything in my power to let her go, but if there was... The idea sent a thrill through me.

Today might just be my lucky day. I pushed all thoughts of her and Justin—blech—from my head as I walked up the lovely little stone walkway to her giant ass house. She lived in a gated community that kept all the riff-raff, like me, out. I found it ironic that not only was a juvenile delinquent strolling free in the neighborhood, but I was also a guest to one of these haughty houses.

I knocked on the door, shoving my hands into my pockets to avoid fidgeting. I hated myself for being nervous around Court, but I always was. She made me twitchy.

The door swung open. I looked down at the big dark eyes that were peering up at me. "Hi," Courtney breathed before swinging the door open further to let me in.

Her house wasn't something I ever got used to. It had high vaulted ceilings and sparkling light fixtures. There were luxurious art pieces all over the place, bringing in the feeling of a museum and not a home.

How she didn't lose her mind here escaped me completely.

"Okay, so I have a plan for today. I think we should start with Lit and then we can make our way to Precalc, yeah?" She asked, glancing over her shoulder as I followed her into her ginormous kitchen. The first time DJ saw this place, he actually drooled. I didn't see the appeal. It just felt cold.

"Whatever gets me a passing grade," I said with a shrug. The last time I studied for a class was maybe seventh grade, so I felt way out of my comfort zone. Also, Courtney was wearing a soft shirt that hung just above her navel, making it very difficult for me to keep my eyes trained on her face and not on her exposed stomach.

We sat down on the far end her dining room table, the rest of the clean white surface stretching out completely untouched. I couldn't help but wonder about the last time she shared dinner with her parents—if she could even remember that at all.

I plopped my backpack on the table with more force than necessary, needing to expel a bit of the anger building in my veins at the thought of her asshole parents. I think I mostly just hated the fact that I still yearned for their approval like some sad pathetic puppy. I knew Courtney cared about their opinion, and I doubted they thought very highly of me.

Did that mean Courtney thought poorly of me too?

I shook the thought from my head as I unzipped my backpack. I reached in only to find plum and navy binders and notebooks—stuff that wasn't mine. I saw the bottom of one had a hand painted skull in the corner and a light bulb went off.

I groaned, causing Courtney to perk up. "What's wrong?"

"Pasty and I switched bags. I don't have any of my stuff."

She brushed it off with a wave of her hand. "We can share. It's fine." She moved her chair a little closer, scooting her stack of books along with her.