Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 28
Astrid
Nothing terrible or unexpected occurs in the lead up to my date with Bryce. The cattiness stops, and what’s even weirder, the girls in the senior dorm are friendlier toward me. After class Friday, I hurry back to the dorm to get ready. I play it off like I don’t care that I’m going out, but I do care. I have my hair cut and apply my makeup the way Wren showed me. Gemma lends me a necklace to go with the dress (she found out it was a date). I put effort into looking hot, and now the excitement is making my stomach do flips.
My hand freezes as I apply my mascara, and I realize that I’ve never been on an actual date before. I cringe, but it’s true. I’ve hung out with guys after meeting up at someone’s party or at some outdoor event. But no one except my mother has actually driven me somewhere and paid for me to have a good time.
“You need help with that?” Roni’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “You’ve been holding that mascara wand for a minute.”
I screw it closed. “No, I’m good. What’s the time?”
“He has fifteen minutes,” she replies. “Are you meeting him here?”
“Oh, hell no,” I tell her, “So the whole dorm can watch us? It would be the reverse walk of shame. Nope, I’m meeting him at the gate.” I put on a pair of flats and toss my shoes in a borrowed tote bag.
“Are you coming back tonight?” Roni asks.
“Not sure,” I reply, “I’ll text.”
“I’m going to give you some advice,” Roni sits up straight on her bed. “I’d come back tonight because everyone will know if you don’t.”
I nod slowly. Not only will the girls know I didn’t come back, but so will the guys. Charlotte is not the only one interested in my date. Wyatt has already made it clear that I should be with someone else but not Bryce. Justin has made it clear that he wants to be with me, no matter the conditions.
“Ten minutes and counting,” says Roni.
I toss my makeup bag in the leather tote bag along with everything else I think I might need. The bag bulges from the weight of my indecisiveness.
“Make me proud, girl.” Roni laughs as her eyes gleam. “Make us all proud. Tame that man.”
I laugh. “What does that even mean?”
“You’re the underdog,” she explains, “Each time you kiss Bryce, it’s a knife twisting in their backs.”
“They’ve been catty in the past,” I reply, “but that’s over the top.”
“They’ve been tolerant, and that can change instantly,” answers Roni, “Enough about payback; just remember when you kiss him, someone at Stonehaven is cheering and applauding.”
Her pep talk makes me feel off-kilter as I hurry toward the stairs. With each echoing step, I notice how quiet the building is when it shouldn’t be. I hurry out the main door instead of the basement. Why hide? We all know where I’m headed. I wonder how Charlotte explained it to the other girls.
Astrid is going to let Bryce sow his wild oats all over her body. How thoughtful is she? You might persuade her to help you too. I just gave her some solid advice and old clothes in exchange.
I shake the negative thoughts out of my head and lose the scowl I know is on my face. If only I could start a Pit at Stonehaven. Wyatt punching Pierce flashes across my mind as I exit the gate. My scowl and nervous tummy are instantly gone, and a smile replaces it. A limo is waiting at the curb. Bryce hops out, and his eyes flicker over my body. His mouth tilts in an approving grin, as does mine. He looks amazingly fucking handsome in his gray suit and tie. He opens the passenger door and places his hand on my lower back.
“You look amazing,” he whispers as I get into the limo. Bryce hops into the other side, and soon the car is headed toward the highway and out of town.
I smile, pleased with myself so far. “Where are we going?” I ask.
He looks me over again. “A small restaurant, not too far from the coast.”
“That sounds nice. What kind of food do they serve?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Seafood, I believe.”
I sigh. “Sorry, small talk is not my thing.”
“I hear rhetoric is.”
“What do you know about that?” I snap nervously.
“Professor Harmon has picked you out to mentor.” He laughs my hostility off. “She’s not easy on her students, so her liking you says a lot.”
“And I shouldn’t be likable?” I ask. “I’m not a social disease.”
Bryce sits back as far away from me as his body will go and glares at me. This date is about to end before we can leave the limo. “What’s wrong, Astrid? I was trying to pay you a compliment.”
I release the tension that’s trapped in my shoulders. “I’m sorry,” I mutter and decide honesty is the best tactic. “You know, I’ve never been on a date before.”
Bryce starts to laugh but stops quickly when I don’t join in. Great. More awkwardness because I wanted to open up. “Well, I went all out because it’s for you,” he says, moving closer. “I want to impress you.”
“Why?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Because I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I wasn’t interested in dating until you showed up,” he replies, “I don’t normally do these things either. Sure, I’ve taken Charlotte to events because she asked or I was expected to. I took it for granted that I would meet someone else. I settled for Charlotte. You probably don’t get it.”
“I get the settling,” I speak thoughtfully. “But my mother discouraged me from dating. She didn’t want me to end up with a kid like her. She never badmouthed anyone I brought home, but she would go on about how men were dogs. She told me all sorts of stories from when she and her friends dated.”
Bryce lifts a brow. “Dare I ask what?”
“No. I’m not going to tell you.” I take off my flats and slide on my pumps. My legs extend an extra mile as I cross them. “Not going to sabotage this date and make you wonder why you asked me out.”
“Good plan.” His fingertips play along the curve of my knee. “You look stunning, Astrid. Watching you walk down the path…” He moves in closer until his breath is on my ear. “Astrid, I’m not toying with you. No matter what Charlotte might want you to think. This is real, and it’s between you and me. It’s only us.”
I squirm a little, pulling away from his side. “We’re not exclusive yet.”
“We will be by the end of the evening.” There’s the confidence that hooked me when Bryce flashes his smile.
Smiling, I sit back and fold my arms over my chest. “I’m going to dream a little while we ride,” I smirk, giving Bryce the eye. “I’m on a date with Bryce Shelton of Stonehaven.” I sigh affectedly. “So this is what rich girls dream about.”
We have dinner outside of Portsmouth at an inn near the coast. A real classy bed and breakfast that’s spotless and bright with floral wallpaper and overstuffed furniture. It’s the type of place where people call ahead and make a reservation. Not the place you happen on when your car breaks down. This place requires effort. Heads turn when we walk into the main dining room, and though we’re young, I’m guessing nobody knows we’re in high school. Stonehaven students don’t give off that kid vibe. Besides, I stopped playing dress-up when I was a kid and enter the restaurant like I belong in the room.
We avoid ordering liquor just in case we’re carded. And we spend the evening learning more about each other as we stare into each other’s eyes. I don’t feel ashamed that I’m sweating Bryce, and Bryce drops his guard, and the snob act disappears completely. I can’t stop smiling at him. I thought I would be nervous, or worse, on the defensive, but I’m okay with him. Maybe he’s the one I should ride off together with after graduation?
