Heart Starter by Michelle Hercules

8

DANNY

I shouldn’t have letSadie’s comment about money get to me. I know five hundred bucks is not a lot for most of the students here at Rushmore. And she’s a foreign student, which means she must not be lacking in the finance department.

It’s so damn stupid. I never had a problem with my friends being richer than me. Why am I feeling so small that Sadie didn’t even bat an eye when I told her how much she owed me for the car repair?

Like a total grump, I follow her in silence to her dorm room. She must have picked up on my mood change because she doesn’t try to make conversation. This is for the best. I was trying to avoid the girl anyway, and now that we’re about to settle the car issue, there won’t be any reason for us to hang out.

Then why the hell do I feel so gloomy about it? I have this stupid feeling that I’m going to regret the way I’m acting the moment she drops me off.

She stops suddenly in front of a door and says, “This is me. Hmm, there’s a sock on the doorknob though.”

“We probably shouldn’t go in.”

She turns to me, piercing me with her beautiful blue eyes. My heart seems to lurch forward.

Fuck me. I can’t be having visceral reactions for her—or any other girl, for that matter. I promised Coach no distractions, and Sadie would be one with a capital D.

“Wait. So the sock thing is for real? She’s in there with someone?”

I shrug. “I don’t know what kind of rules you guys have, but in most cases, that’s what it means.”

“Blimey, we didn’t talk rules.”

Sadie presses her ear against the door and furrows her eyebrows. “I don’t hear anyth—” She jumps back suddenly. “Scratch that. Katrina is definitely busy.”

Her face is bright red now, and she won’t meet my eyes. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up my throat.

“What’s so funny?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

She glares at the door. “This sucks. What am I supposed to do? Wait out here in the hallway until she’s done?”

“You could hang out at my place.”

Shit. I can’t believe I just said that. Didn’t I just acknowledge that Sadie would be a distraction I don’t need?

“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”

“Yeah, it’ll be fine. I’m sure Lorenzo will appreciate the extra company.”

“Who is that?”

“My roommate’s brother. He’s twelve.”

Sadie’s mouth makes a perfect O, drawing my attention to her full lips.

Stop staring, you idiot.

“And he lives with you on campus?”

“Yeah. It’s a long story.”

She glances at her door once again and sighs. “All right. Let’s go.”

“Gee, could you at least pretend going to my place isn’t a burden?” I half joke. I’m a little annoyed, if I’m being honest with myself.

“Oh, you got it all wrong. I’m not upset that I have to hang out with you. It’s just… well, I was looking forward to taking a nap. I haven’t adjusted to the time difference yet, and today at practice was brutal.”

I remember Sadie’s walk of shame, and that brings a broad smile to my face. “Ah, yeah. I can imagine.”

She narrows her eyes. “You’re picturing me covered in all that gunk, aren’t you?”

I try to convey an air of innocence by widening my eyes. “Me? Of course not.”

“You’re lucky you don’t have any aspirations of becoming an actor.”

Grinning, I reply, “Nope. Not at all.”

“I’d never take you gambling either.”

“I’m not a gambler, so I’m totally unfazed by your remark.”

She cocks an eyebrow. “Really? You’ve never gambled in your life?”

I narrow my eyes. “Why do I have the impression that’s a loaded question?”

With a shrug, she walks away from her dorm room. “It wasn’t. I’m just making conversation.”

“Okay.”

Our gazes lock, and for a moment, neither of us moves. The air between us becomes heavy, almost as if there’s a magnetic field trying to push us closer.

The spell is broken by the loud voices of strangers approaching. I look away first, glancing in the direction of the noise. Two girls are walking over, and when they notice me, giggles follow.

Sadie snorts next to me before she strides down the hallway toward the exit. I follow her, matching her stride. I chance a look at her face. She seems annoyed. Did she get jealous? The notion should raise a red flag in my head. I barely know her, after all, and she has no reason to act territorial. But instead, I’m feeling idiotically pleased about it.

“Are you hungry?” I ask to fill the silence.

“I could eat.”

“There’s an awesome diner not too far from here.”

She peeks at me, smirking. “I hope that’s not a roundabout way to ask me out on a date.”

I scoff. “Please. If I were asking you out, you’d know.”

I expect her to be offended by my remark, but instead, her grin broadens. “Brilliant. I don’t have time for dating. But oddly, I don’t mind your company.”

Surprisingly, I chuckle. “Ditto on both counts.”

We hop back in Sadie’s car, and I give her directions to the diner. She grabs her phone and texts someone before driving though.

She catches me staring and says, “I asked Katrina to let me know when her visitor is gone.”

“Smart.”

I consider texting Andy to ask if he wants to join us, but I scratch that idea fast. He’ll give me too much grief over Sadie, and I don’t want him trying to play matchmaker.

It’s getting close to dinnertime, and the parking lot is beginning to fill up. Odette, the waitress who always waits on Andy and me, smiles when she sees me walk in. Her shrewd eyes notice Sadie right away, which only makes her grin wider.

Great. I bet she thinks I’m on a date.

“Hi, Danny. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I’ve been super busy,” I lie.

That’s not the main reason. Eating out is simply not in the budget, which really doesn’t explain why I suggested bringing Sadie here. Date or no date, I don’t expect her to pay since it was my idea. I have manners.

Odette grabs a couple of menus and leads us to my usual booth in the far corner. I try to ignore the stares that seem to follow Sadie and me. In my head, I’m cursing. It won’t take long for the rumor mill to churn and for Andy to find out I brought Sadie here.

Once we’re seated across from each other, Odette hands over the menus and takes our drink orders. We both ask for water.

Sadie opens the menu and asks, “What’s good here?”

“Everything is good. It depends on what you’re in the mood for.”

She looks up. “Would you think I’m weird if I order something from the breakfast options?”

I smirk. “Sorry, sugar. That boat has sailed. I already think you’re weird.”

Twisting her face into an exaggerated scowl, she leans back and says in a thick British accent, “I beg your pardon?”

Laughter shakes my entire frame. “I’m just yanking your chain.”

“So you don’t think I’m weird.”

“I don’t know you well enough to have come to that conclusion. All I know is you’re a terrible driver.”

Her jaw drops. “Rude!”

“Not a lie though.”

I watch her closely. I’m joking to mask the fact that I’m attracted to her. But this all could blow up in my face.

Sadie’s expression remains serious for a couple of beats until the corners of her lips twitch up.

“Bloody hell. It’s definitely not a lie. I’m dreadful behind a steering wheel. Didn’t have many chances to practice back home.”

“Where is back home, anyway?”

“London.” She drops her eyes to the menu again. “I think I’ll have pancakes with eggs and bacon.”

I don’t miss the quick change of subject. If she doesn’t want to talk about her life before coming here, I shouldn’t pry. But I’m damn curious.

I scan the offerings in front of me and decide on the half sandwich and small soup combo.

“What are you having?” she asks.

“Something light. I can’t pig out or Coach will have my balls.”

A shadow crosses Sadie’s eyes, and her lips pinch together. I can see the difference this time. She’s not pretending. What did I say that caused that reaction? She might not be weird, but she’s certainly a mystery.

“How do you like Rushmore so far?” I ask.

She shrugs. “It’s all right, I guess. I haven’t been here that long. I flew in on the day of the Red Barn party, actually. I can probably blame the jet lag for that unfortunate event with your car.”

I smirk. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

“Do you know when your car will be ready?”

“By the end of the week. They’re busy at the garage.”

“That’s shite.” She pauses and nibbles on her lower lip for a second. “I can give you rides while your car is being fixed. I mean, if you dare, considering how appalling my driving skills are.”

I don’t answer right away. Instead, I take a large sip of my water to buy time. I don’t want Sadie to drive me anywhere, though not because she sucks at driving. I simply can’t afford to spend more time with her. She beguiles me like no one ever has before. I can honestly say no girl has made me more curious, more interested from the get-go, and I’m not simply talking about her looks. Something about her speaks to me on a deeper level.

I should say, “Thanks but no thanks.”

“Are you sure you’re up for it?” I ask instead.

Clearly my mouth is a rogue agent now and is disregarding all my logical arguments.

“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it. It’s self-serving too.”

“Oh?”

“I feel bloody guilty about it. So if I add driving you around as my penance, it will probably help with my heavy conscience.”

“Maybe, or it could double your guilt when you kill me in a car wreck.”

“Oh my God.” Her voice rises an octave. “What a terrible thing to say.”

I reach over and cover her hand with mine. “I’m just kidding. You’re so easy to tease.”

Sadie tenses a little as she drops her gaze to our joined hands. I realize my mistake then and quickly pull back.

Note to self: no touching, even if it’s innocent.

Odette stops by our table just in time to diffuse the awkward moment. She takes our orders in a businesslike manner, but before she walks away, she gives me a meaningful glance and then winks.

Fucking hell. So it starts.

I’ll have to do some serious damage control before we leave. I can’t have Odette believing Sadie is my date. She means well, but she loves to gossip.

“I’m not easy to tease,” Sadie replies to my earlier comment. “I’m just… I don’t know, trying not to assume people are like me.”

“I don’t follow.”

“Your comment that I could kill you in a car wreck. That’s something I’d totally say because I’m savage like that.”

I lean against the back of the booth seat. “Are you saying I’m a savage?”

Her eyebrows arch. “Oh no. That’s not what I’m saying at all.” She shakes her head and then rests it in her hand. “You see what I’m saying though? I just offended you without meaning to.”

“You didn’t offend me. That was also a joke. Told ya you’re too easy to tease.”

She looks up, narrowing her eyes to slits. “All right, Danny Hudson. It seems I’ve been holding back with you for nothing. You can obviously take whatever I have to dish out.”

“I never said I couldn’t.”

She presses her index finger over her lips. “Hmm. I wasn’t sure. I mean, you were pretty mental at the party.”

“Only because someone had wrecked my car and not left a note.”

“I left a note.”

I give her a droll stare. “Really? Are we going to start the note debacle again?”

She smirks. “Better not, huh?”

Odette returns with our orders, and I’m thankful the service here is fast. Keeping myself busy with food will give me time to reset the thoughts in my head. I’m feeling out of my depth with Sadie, and I don’t like it one bit.

My eyes are on my soup when a moan escapes her lips. The sound seems to shoot straight to my cock, making it twitch. Damn everything to hell. I shove a spoonful of hot soup into my mouth, burning my tongue in the process. Anything to stop the sudden awakening happening in my pants.

“This is real good nosh,” she says. “Do you want a bite?”

I glance up, finding her offering a piece of maple syrup–drenched pancake to me.

Why is the idea of Sadie feeding me so damn erotic? Am I missing pussy that much? No, that’s not it. I wouldn’t be reacting like this with anyone else, that much I know.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“Your loss.” She shoves the piece of pancake in her mouth, not caring that it is obviously too large.

“You eat like a dude,” I say, and I don’t know why.

She swallows before replying, “No, I eat like a person who didn’t realize they were starving. This is not a date anyway, so I don’t have to pretend to be all prissy. Although, I’ve never done that before.”

“You’ve never gone out on a date or pretended to have manners?”

“Both. And for the record, I do have manners. But I also have an older brother.”

“Ah, mystery solved.” I swallow another spoonful of soup. “How come you’ve never dated before?”

“Seriously? Teenage boys are gross. Besides, I was too busy with football. I’m not saying I’ve never snogged or shagged anyone. I’m not a blushing virgin, for crying out loud. I have needs.”

Fuck, how did I wind up talking about Sadie’s sex life? I’m trying to ignore how attractive she is, and the mental pictures popping in my head are not helping.

“Hi, Danny.” An annoyingly sweet voice that makes my skin crawl draws my attention away from Sadie.

I glance up and find Gwen standing near our booth. Two other girls wearing sorority hoodies are flanking her.

“Hey,” I reply, cold enough that she won’t miss the hint.

Her eyes turn to Sadie, who has not slowed down inhaling her food on Gwen’s account.

Shit, I think I already love this girl.

What the hell am I thinking?

“We have to stop meeting like this,” Gwen continues.

“Yeah, for real.”

Sadie raises a questioning eyebrow at me. Hell, I hope she doesn’t decide to play the ten-thousand-questions game once Gwen leaves.

“Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Gwen asks through clenched teeth.

For fuck’s sake. She’s acting like she did at the end of our relationship.

“The name is Sadie. And if all you wanted was an introduction, you should have said so. I will sign a napkin if you want, but I draw the line at selfies.”

“Why would we want your autograph?” one of Gwen’s friends asks. “Are you famous or something?”

“Oh, you don’t know who I am? How refreshing.” Sadie smiles. “I knew coming to America was the right decision for me. Grammy didn’t really think so. It was hard to convince her, especially after the whole scandal with Harry and Meghan. The poor thing was brokenhearted.”

“Wait. Are you implying the Queen of England is your grandmother?” The girl’s voice turns high-pitched.

I’ll be damned. She’s actually buying Sadie’s bullshit.

“Of course she’s not related to the queen, Carol. Come on,” Gwen retorts, but I detect a hint of uncertainty.

Sadie shrugs. “Believe me or not, I don’t bloody care. Now, if you don’t mind, bugger off and let us get back to our dinner.”

“That was rude,” Gwen replies.

“No ruder than you stopping here and acting like Danny owes you anything.”

Wow. When Sadie said she was holding back with me, she wasn’t kidding.

“Are you going to let her talk to me like that?” Gwen turns her ire on me.

“Did she say anything that wasn’t true?”

Gwen’s friends trade a glance that looks a lot like third-degree embarrassment. Her face is bright red when she storms off and walks out of the diner.

I should be relieved she’s gone, but I’m rattled. My hands are shaking when I break my sandwich into pieces. I can’t believe I let her get to me like that.

“Dear Lord. That was pleasant.” Sadie sticks a piece of crispy bacon into her mouth.

I don’t offer a comment; instead, I shove a piece of bread into my mouth and chew on it with excessive force.

“You don’t need to tell me who that was, even though I can guess,” Sadie continues, clearly unfazed. “We all have a past that we wish stayed in the past.”

“What’s yours?”

She doesn’t answer until she chews and swallows her food, all the while keeping her eyes locked on mine.

“Maybe I’ll tell you one day.”