Page 7 of Last Boy

There’s no mistaking the shock, followed by the hurt on his face. But within seconds, his eyes grow angry, and I know he will spew some words in the hope that I’ll feel bad about what I said. Because something I’ve learned about Van, the drug addict…he’s a master manipulator.

The opposite of Van was my brother and friend, who was clean and sober.

Tired and sick of his shit, I don’t wait around for him to answer.

I simply walk away, starting my long walk back to campus and knowing that every step will be filled with regret for the words I said.

Because you can’t take words back once you put them into the universe. A lesson I learned years ago from none other than Walker James.

3

Poppy

“Yeah, like that, except faster. Also, for the love of all things, stop thrusting your freaking hips,” I say, pointing to Cade. “We’re not making a porno here.”

“Or are we?” he throws back, moving his eyebrows up and down. “Because if you’re into it, we totally can. It wouldn’t be my first rodeo.” He makes some insanely weird face, like he’s trying to be sexy, but it’s just…not. “Ballerina meets hockey player. And he shows her his…huge stick.”

I’ve never felt the urge to laugh while also being disgusted at the same time. “Dude…no.” I shake my head. “Never going to happen. Never. Ever.” I drive my finger into his chest. “Ever.”

He pretends to pout, but I know he’s just joking. This is our second time practicing in two days, and I’m already starting to see how little he takes seriously. But it could have been worse. I could have been paired with someone else.

Someone like the traitorous asshole Walker James.

But instead, my roommate Lana is working with him. Which actually sucks equally as much.

The bliss of not having to partake in the fundraiser originally was quickly demolished a few days ago when Jolene called me. Apparently, Cade Huff’s partner injured herself, and now, I’m stuck working with debatably the biggest man-whore of puck boys, who also has the mind of a freaking child. Cade spends ninety-nine percent of our practice cracking jokes. Which is great and all, but I need him to learn this routine in the next few weeks.

On the bright side, he’s a pretty good dancer. But no way am I telling him that. If I did, his head wouldn’t even fit through the door to get in and out of the studio.

“From that move, we’re going to go to this.” I show him the next move, and once I’m done, I glance at him, nodding to the side. “Ready?”

“Babe, I was born ready.” He winks, and I restart the music.

Together, we run through the first thirty seconds of our routine, which is all I’ve choreographed so far. Going into this yesterday, I had no idea what sort of music we should dance to. But because I got thrown into dancing with Cade a week after practice began, Jolene was kind enough to let me choose our music—unlike the other couples, whom she chose for. And after spending an hour and a half with the infamous playboy, I realized it had to be something fun and carefree. And when I was walking home from work last night, listening to music, “What a Night” by Flo Rida came on, and I knew I had found our song.

Cade has this charismatic energy about him that you can’t really help but smile about. He might flirt or joke about sex, but he’s harmless. And considering how dark and dramatic my life has been lately, it’s sort of nice to spend time with someone who’s all…light and shiny.

“I think that’s good for today,” I tell him. Walking toward my bag, I grab a water from it and take a drink. “I’ll text you with some possible times to get together again and see what works for both of our schedules.”

Pulling his sneakers on, he nods. “Sounds good, Princess Poppy.” He stands. “Hey, need a ride?”

My cheeks heat. When he saw me walking into the parking lot yesterday, he asked me if I didn’t have a car. Then, he offered me a ride home yesterday and picked me up today. I don’t want to be his charity case.

“That’s okay.” I wave my hand toward him. “I don’t mind walking.”

He rubs his chin with his fingers for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah, wrong answer. No one likes walking that much.” He nods his head toward the door. “Let’s go.”

Giving him a shy smile, I trudge behind him as we head for the door. But before I get there, my eyes find those of a man who is staring at me through the studio window. My heart lurches into my throat, and I feel like someone just sucker-punched me in the chest.

Walker freaking James.

I might have been aware he was on campus, but nothing could have prepared me for this moment—seeing him for the first time in over three years.

And, yeah…he’s grown up—a lot.

Walker

If there’s background noise, I can’t hear it. Hell, if the room was filled with smoke and someone yelled fire…I wouldn’t know it. Because the second I walked into this hallway and saw her dancing through the window, the entire world melted away. And all that’s left is me and the girl I haven’t seen in over three years.