Expiration Date by Kristin Coley

Author:Kristin Coley [Coley, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Joy

I cursed under my breath as my fingers slipped again, spinning the dial on the combination lock and screwing up the combination for the fifteenth time.

“Need a hand?”

Broad shoulders propped against the locker next to mine as blunt fingers gently took the lock from my hand. “What’s the combo?”

“Isn’t the whole point of a lock not to tell people how to access your stuff?” I asked, raising my eyes to meet a dark blue gaze.

“Yes, but you can trust me,” he answered confidently. He lowered his voice as he said confidingly, “I rescued a girl from a raging fire. Some might call me a hero.”

“16, 2, 35,” I rattled off and his fingers spun the dial, popping the lock in a matter of seconds. “Impressive.”

“One of my many skills.” He gazed at me curiously. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” I set a couple of books in my locker, eager to get rid of them and he must have taken my silence as offense. “Not that I’m not glad to see you,” he added hurriedly. “It’s just unexpected.”

“I didn’t really expect to need saving again either, but here we are.” I shut my locker, tempted to leave the stupid thing unlocked since I had no plans to take my gloves off, when he spun the combo again.

“This way all you have to do is pull the lock next time,” he explained quietly, rolling his neck when I thanked him.

“You’re the first person not to ask me about them,” I said softly and he glanced at me, quirking an eyebrow curiously. I wiggled my fingers, encased in black leather gloves. “Even the teachers question me. One of them – Martin, I think – insisted I take them off.”

“Sounds like him,” Brandon agreed, then gave me a quick glance. “You didn’t, did you? Because I’m pretty sure he can’t make you. It’s not against the dress code or anything.”

I shook my head, smiling at his immediate defense. “No, I did not. I told him he could shove it where the sun don’t shine.”

A laugh burst out of him, and anyone who hadn’t already been gawking at the star football player with the weird new Goth girl, turned to stare. “I would have paid to see that.”

“Well, it didn’t come out exactly like that. It was more like I recited the Americans with Disabilities Act until his eyes glazed over.”

“Either way, putting Martin in his place makes you the coolest chick I’ve ever met.”

“Gloves and all?” I asked meaningfully.

His gaze skimmed over me as he dipped his head and whispered, “Chicks in leather are always hot in my book.” He winked, whistling as he ducked into his next class, leaving me standing there, stunned.

***

I scanned the crowded lunchroom, searching for Hope, finally spotting her in the corner, her back to the other students as she faced one of the few windows. I weaved through the mass of students, ignoring the glances and whispers as I kept my arms tucked close to my sides.

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