The Jock and the Bad Boy (COMPLETE)

ELEVEN

I shift, trying to think of what I want to say. I want to tell him everything, but I don't know if I can get the words out. "I'm... shit, I don't know."

"You're a soccer player," he says, "you don't pay attention in math, and you're a lot nicer to people than they are to you. You're not as much of an asshole as some of your teammates, but you're just as willing to start a fight. You ask a lot of questions."

I'm taken aback. "That's how you see me?" I ask him.

"Why, did I get something wrong?"

I shake my head. "No, it's just... it's weird, hearing yourself described."

"Now, how do I come off?" He asks.

I think for a second. "I thought you were an asshole at the beginning, but now I think you're protecting yourself. You're quick to judge but open to trying new things. And I saw a video of you playing the violin on Instagram, so clearly you've got other hobbies besides wearing layers and being sullen."

He scoffs. "You hang out with Carter, you don't get to say shit."

"Can we shut the fuck up about Carter?" I ask seriously. "He's not here. He can't hurt you."

"Fine, sorry," he apologizes.

"What'd he do to you, anyway?" I ask.

Thayer shakes his head. "Not a big deal. Don't wanna talk about it."

"Clearly it matters to you," I point out, "because you won't drop it."

"Butt out, El," he sighs.

I have never been called El before in my life. The most likely scenario is that he's aware of this and is trying to distract me. I hope he doesn't realize how much it works.

"No one calls me that," I tell him.

"Do you not like it?" Fuck.

I'm paying too much attention to my tone of voice. "It's... fine."

I hear my bedroom door open and my heart stops. It's my dad. "I know it's been a big night for you two, but you should try to get some sleep. Or at least quiet down." He sounds tired but not particularly angry.

"Sorry," Thayer replies far too loudly.

I can't help the giggle that fights its way out of me. I can't help the urge to grab his arm, either. Everything is just so fucking funny at 2 AM. I can't laugh out loud because my dad is still here and it's killing me. The door closes and I see Thayer grinning at me in the glow of the laptop. We keep staring at each other. I'm panting hard, trying to calm down. He's deadly still.

I'm not paying attention and suddenly he surges forward and our mouths meet. It's longer than a peck but not long enough to be a proper kiss. It's over before I realize that it happened.

-

oh shit (oh shit oh shit oh shit)

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