I hated that Finn got Saige to skip school, but whatever. Maybe I was just irritated about other things. Actually, I knew I was irritated about other things. One, in particular, was how I couldn't stop thinking about Saige and her lips. I knew having her stay the night at my place last night was a bad idea, but the girl needed a safe place to sleep.
Speaking of a safe place to sleep, I needed to figure out where she was going for the night because there was no way in hell she could stay at my place again. If she stayed a few rooms away from me and I couldn't touch her, I might lose my cool and that was the exact opposite of what I was trying to help the girl with.
When the last bell of the day rang, I couldn't wait to get out of there. Football practice was thankfully canceled for the evening because of some school dance they were throwing that night and I didn't mind having the evening off. It would give me time to figure out Saige's next destination.
As I got into my truck, I dialed Finn. He picked up after two rings, but he was laughing.
"Hey cuz'- What can I do for you?"
I knew he was laughing because he was with her. Was it bad that I wished I were the one she was laughing and messing around with? Shit- No. I couldn't think about that.
"Where are you guys?" I nearly growled into the phone, my anger rising like a volcano.
He continued to laugh, answering through his giggles. Bastard. "We're back at your place about to jump in the pool. You on your way home?"
"Mmhmm," I groaned out, picturing them half-naked by the pool. Even though my cousin was gay, it didn't make this process any easier.
"Great. Stop and get us all a pizza on your way home then. See you later!" He hung up before I could say anything else.
I threw my phone in the seat next to me and tore out of the faculty parking lot, gripping the steering wheel so I didn't punch my dash.
~~~~~
After grabbing a pizza, I finally pulled into my driveway. But when I got out, I could hear Finn and Saige still laughing and clearly still by the pool.The drive home calmed me a bit but I was pissed right the fuck off again. I tossed the pizza onto the counter and then went into the pool area, crossing my arms over my chest as I stared down at them.
They were in the hot tub laughing their heads off, their backs to me.
"Tonight is going to be so much fun! Thanks for such a great day, Finn. You're the best guy ever," Saige beamed, making my blood boil even more.
jump, turning to look up at me.
"Hey, Coach!" Saige joked, staring up into my eyes.
"Collin!" Finn beamed.
Had they been drinking? What the hell was going on here?!
"Mind telling me why you're having a pool party in the middle of the afternoon in my hot tub?" My jaw was tight and my fists were even tighter. Why was I so angry?
"Calm down, party-pooper. We had a long day at the mall and wanted to wind down before the dance tonight," Finn answered, grinning up at me.
They went to the mall? Memories from yesterday floated in my head and I actually felt jealous. I had a great day at the mall yesterday with Saige and now that was all shot to shit.
"The dance?" Instead of pointing out their mall visit, I went straight for the dance.
"Yeah, Saige needed a date."
I knew this was why I brought Finn here, to make her feel like she's worth something, but I never planned on him actually taking her to a dance and basically a date. I hated that I wanted to be in Finn's shoes and couldn't be. I'd give anything to twirl Saige around the dance floor like a princess, showing her what an evening without sex could look like. But my cousin gets to fill those shoes and I get to stand back and chaperone them. Fucking great.
"Cool." I spun on my heels and headed back inside. I was so angry with everything and I just needed a moment to breathe.
Instead of grabbing some pizza, I headed straight upstairs to my room, slamming the door behind me, and laid on my bed to stare up at the ceiling.
After a moment of silence, I heard my bedroom door open and I stared over to find Finn walking in, re-closing the door behind him.
"What's up, man?" Finn asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Nothing," I growled out, returning my gaze back to the ceiling as I rested my head on my hands.
"Nothing my ass. Spill the beans, crab-ass." Finn came in, sitting on the end of the bed by my feet, staring a hole into my head.
I took a few deep breaths before I sat up and scooted to the headboard for something to lean against.
"I'm pissed off that..." Could I tell him why I was pissed off? After all, I'm not supposed to even have feelings like this for Saige.
"That you can't take her to the dance tonight? That you want her to share your bed? That you have to keep your hands to yourself?"
I glared at him, not at all liking that he just read me like a book.
He sighed. "Look, man, I totally get it. Saige is this amazing girl and you want a piece of that but because you work at the school where she still attends, you think you can't have her.
Have you ever thought of going behind people's backs? It's not unheard of. And, not to mention, she's already 18 and will be graduating soon. Once she has that diploma in hand, there isn't a thing anyone can say to you or to her about you guys being together."
I shook my head. "I can't be with someone like her, Finn. My reputation is at stake here." I ran my hands over my face, honestly contemplating his words. Could I start something with her?
The bedroom door whipped open and a very angry Saige stood standing there, glaring at me.
"Someone like me? Are you fucking kidding me?!" I could see the tears welling up in her eyes before she turned and ran from the doorway.
"Shit," I cursed, jumping from my spot on the bed and running after her. She had heard exactly what I said but didn't know what I meant. Now I have some explaining to do.
SAIGE POVThat unbelievable bastard!!I was running from Collin's, still in my bikini, but wearing Finn's t-shirt over it and I had no idea where I was going. My house was clear on the other side of town and I didn't want to go there anyway, so I decided to try Kora's. She was much closer, too.When I climbed the front stairs and knocked on the door, Kora's mom answered a moment later. She was laughing with someone but when she saw me, her smile faded. Her eyes looked me up and down disapprovingly but then waved me inside.I hated when her mom judged me like this. She was kind to let me stay when I needed a place to lay my head, but I knew deep down that she didn't want me anywhere near her daughter. If Collin, a new person in town, has heard all about me, there's no doubt she hasn't."Is Kora home?"She shook her head. "I think she's finishing up at school for the dance. Why don't you head up to her room though and take a shower? I can wash your shirt for you." She looked me up and d
SAIGE POV"Hey, don't worry about him." Finn's voice pulled me away as he placed his hands on my lower back and my arms around his neck. He turned us so my back was to Collin and I was thankful for that.I also couldn't help thinking about how I wanted to be in Collin's arms and not his cousins. Even after what he said about me.We continued to dance silently, but I couldn't stop myself from glancing over my shoulder to seek out Collin. The last time when I looked, though, he was staring at me intently. His jaw was tight and his eyes were emotionless. The female teachers were still standing next to him, clearly trying to catch his attention, but he only had eyes for me; even though he looked a bit disturbed.Was he upset that I had heard what he said about me? Or, perhaps he was upset about what he said. I really hoped it was the second one but I had a feeling it wasn't.He finally pulled his eyes away from me and looked down at the floor before I watched him make an exit.A small jol
SAIGE POVFinn led the way into the living room where he sat down on the couch, patting the spot next to him. I didn't sit down right away, too afraid of what he might have to say. Instead, I stood there until he spoke."What I'm about to show you is probably going to make Collin pissed the hell off at me, but you need to see it. You need to see why he's keeping you at an arm's length."I sat down, still wondering what the hell he was talking about. My interest was officially piqued.Finn pulled his phone out and started vigorously scrolling through whatever he was looking at before he showed me a couple of photos."That's Penelope. Collin's college sweetheart. He was going to ask her to marry him." He pulled his phone back and shoved it back in his pocket.Seeing those photos made me feel jealous, but what did she have to do with me? The woman was beautiful and I couldn't help but think she was better than me. Hell, I thought every woman was better than me."Collin was crazy about he
SAIGE POVThe awkward silence between the two of us made me uncomfortable. Not to mention, I had just been crying and now my eyes were probably red and puffy; nothing like crying-eyes to make a girl feel attractive.I watched as Collin came farther into the living room, sitting in the spot Finn had just vacated before he looked over at me."You okay?" He asked, watching me."Fine," I replied, shrugging my shoulders. What Finn had just shared with me was still fresh on my mind. I had no idea what to say to Collin or if I should even say anything at all. Maybe it wasn't my business to say anything."You've been crying," he pointed out, still watching me. It was as if he couldn't pull his eyes from mine and I couldn't pull mine from his. We were stuck in this stare-off."Yes," I whispered, still pulled into his gaze."Tell me why."I shook my head."Saige," he started, finally breaking eye contact with me when he ran his hand through his hair, "I can't help you if you don't tell me what'
SAIGE POVSleep would not come for obvious reasons.That kiss with Collin was still lingering on my lips and I wanted to do it again. Very soon. It was actually the first time kissing a guy that didn't lead to sex immediately afterward.And I didn't want it to. I liked kissing Collin. A lot.But as I laid here tossing and turning, I wondered what this all meant for me. Was I changing more than I thought I was? Thinking of a few hot guys in school that quickly popped into my mind, I found that I didn't immediately want to think of a plan of attack to get them into bed.Holy shit- maybe I was changing!And I wanted to tell someone!I jumped out of bed, putting on some pants, and went in search of Finn's bedroom. There were so many in this house and I hoped I chose his and not Collin's. But when I finally found it, I saw that Finn was fast asleep.Not anymore, buddy. I jumped onto his bed, startling him awake."Finn! Wake up! I have great news!" I shook him until he was fully awake."Je
COLLIN POVAs I drove us toward the school, I pulled off onto a side street to let her out. It wouldn't be smart to pull into the faculty parking lot with a student in my front seat. And not just any student: Saige. I hated it but it was the truth. I had seen it personally, but I knew the real her and it wasn't what everyone else saw. Not even close."I'll see you around, Coach," she flirted, leaning over the middle counsel to kiss me. But when she went to pull away, I grabbed her by the back of the neck and slammed my lips back onto hers. She giggled against me, making me smile too."Stay out of trouble today, Saige. I'll see you back in this same spot after practice."She jumped out then and I watched her sashay away from my truck. It was killing me to only kiss her, but I didn't want to push her. I knew that if I pushed a bit further than kissing, she'd be all about it; but sex with Saige could wait. I wanted it to be special for her. I wanted her to know that a guy can be into her
SAIGE POVI barely made it in the front doors before I felt Kora grab my arm and pull me into a more private setting."What the hell, Saige? The entire school knows about you and Coach Collin! Word in the hall is that he's getting fired today."I felt all the blood drain from my face. "Fired?! But he hasn't done anything wrong.""No? Letting a student live with him while they're probably doing the dirty, isn't wrong?" She leveled her gaze at me."We aren't doing that," I whispered, knowing it was the truth but by the way she was looking at me, she didn't believe me. And if she didn't believe me, nobody else would either. "I have to go fix this."I stormed away from her, heading toward the main office. This was all my fault.Just as I entered, the principal was coming in right behind me. My immediate thoughts were that he was just coming back from firing Collin."Sir, can I speak with you?"He was surprised to see me. "Ms. Cornell- just the girl I was looking for. In my office. Come on
COLLIN POV"I told you not to mess with that little harlot." Coach Briggs' voice was like nails on a blackboard right now and what he said made the veins in my neck bulge."You have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't been messing with her; I've been trying to help her," I paused to slam my locker door before turning my glare on the head coach, "Something nobody in this community has tried to do yet."He snorted, actually fucking snorted. "People have tried to help her and her mother. They're both worthless and unfixable." The tone in his voice was clearly from pure hatred and loathing. But why? What has Saige or her mother done to receive such hatred from Briggs? Besides Saige cheating on his spoiled son."Don't say that about her," I growled out, trying with all my might not to punch this prick in the face. As of right now, I still had my job and I needed to keep it until I figured out my next move. Briggs and this school wouldn't go without punishment but first, I needed t