I didn’t say a word. I wanted to scream, Yes, the cheerleader, you idiot!
“The girl I kissed good-bye on the cheek? That’s my cousin, Melanie.”
I felt the heat move up my neck, across my cheeks, to my ears, and all the way up to my forehead. His cousin? I got jealous over his cousin? I can’t believe I got jealous at all.
I watched as Garrett took in my every move. He wanted to smile. I knew he did. Billy and Raymond started laughing as they walked off with Peggy.
Garrett gave me a sexy smirk before he walked toward Margie’s car.
I stood there, trying to regain my thoughts. I wanted to crawl under a rock. I’d let this guy get me so worked up that I totally just embarrassed myself in front of everyone.
Margie grabbed my arm and started leading me to her car. “Emma Rose Birk, were you jealous?” she whispered.
“No! Not at all.”
We got into Margie’s car and drove to the screen. By the time we ordered drinks, I was feeling somewhat better. Garrett and Margie got out of her car, and they climbed up to lie on top of the hood, leaning against the glass. There was plenty of room for all of us. When I went to climb on, Margie moved to the middle. She kept talking to Garrett about the football team this year and how good they were going to be. My heart sank when it dawned on me that if I had just kept my mouth shut about being alone with Garrett, I would be next to Garrett and not Margie.
I couldn’t even enjoy the movie. The whole time, I was daydreaming about what Garrett smelled like, the feel of his touch, and what his favorite movie, favorite song, and favorite thing to eat was. When Margie and Garrett both let out a laugh, I was snapped out of my daydreams.
I glanced over at the two of them. Garrett was honestly trying to watch the movie, but Margie wouldn’t shut up. She’d said she didn’t have feelings for Garrett, but it sure seemed like she did to me. I couldn’t even concentrate on the movie with all her talking. Leaning up, Garrett looked over at me and smiled. I wasn’t sure why, but I turned away.
I just want to go home. “I’m not feeling so well, Margie. I hate to ask, but do you think you could take me home?”
Garrett slid off the hood and walked over to me. “What’s wrong? Do feel like you’re going to be sick? Should I get you some water?”
I tried to smile and thank him, but all that came out was, “No. I just want to go home.”
“Really, Em? It’s still so early, and I hate heading home so early.”
I looked over at my cousin as she took a sip of her soda. “Yes, Margie, really! I feel sick.”
Garrett lightly touched my arm, and I jerked away, surprised by the strange feeling running through me.
He quickly held up his hands and took a step back. “I was just going to help you down.”
My heart was beating so hard in my chest that I was sure he could hear it. I held out my hand, and then he took it and helped me down. I had the strangest sensation that I just wanted to walk right into his arms.
Then, Margie walked in between us. “Come on, Emma. I’ll take you home.”
I smiled slightly at Garrett, and he gave me a smile that about dropped me to my knees.
I really need to stay away from him—far, far away from him.
“Did you get all the chores done, Garrett?” my father asked as he walked into the kitchen.
I was sitting down, drinking a glass of tea, after I’d spent most of the morning mending a fence. “Yes, sir, I did.”
My father smiled and nodded his head. “You taking care of your heifer? Treating her good and loving her more?”
I let out a chuckle. My father had a way with words, and for him to use the same advice for a female cow as he did with a female girl made me laugh. He would always tell me, Son, when you find the right girl, treat her good and love her more.
“Yes, sir, I am. I’m treating her like a princess.”
My mother rolled her eyes and continued cutting up apples.
My father laughed. “Good. Now, help your mother here with the fruit while I go clean up. Our guests will be here soon.”
I walked over to where my mother was. I grabbed an apple and began cutting it up. “So, who is coming over again?”