Free The Best Kind of Trouble by Courtney B. Jones Page A

have anything to say.  I loved him.  And he said he felt something for me.  But obviously it wasn’t enough.
     
    I wasn’t enough.  I wasn’t that girl for him.
     
    I exhaled long and deep and leaned back against my chair.  In a choked voice, I whispered, “What am I going to do, Katie?”
     
    She sighed, scooted closer to me and flung and arm around my shoulders.  “Maybe you should try to talk to him.”
     
    Before I could give that suggestion much consideration, Daniel’s booming voice sounded from behind us.
     
    “Hello, ladies!”
     
    I dashed my tears away and turned around, forcing a smile on my face.  If he noticed anything was off, he didn’t show it.  Instead he spun an empty chair around and straddle it, leaning his forearms on the back and locking his eyes on me.
     
    “Hey, l’m glad I found you,” he started.  “I know you and Nathan—”
     
    “Are over,” I interrupted. My stomach clenched.
     
    “Right.  And I know he’s a douchebag and he hurt you,” he continued. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair.  Was he nervous? “I really like you Ash, let me take you out again.”
     
    I bit my lip, unsure.  Daniel was cute and seemingly nice, even if he did seem to try too hard sometimes.  I was a mess, angry and heartbroken inside.  And this cute guy was paying attention to me.
     
    “Okay, sure,” I said.  His grin widened, revealing all his teeth. “Tonight?”
     
    “Yeah,” he looked down at his watch.  “Actually, it’s already after five, let’s go now.  We can grab dinner and a movie.”
     
    I looked at Katie.  She looked pensive for a moment and then shrugged. 
     
    I drew in a calming breath and nodded.  Daniel grabbed my hand when I stood up and lead me out of the student union. I looked down and when I looked back up, I caught Nathan’s eyes glaring at me from across the courtyard.  Two slutty looking females hung off his arms.  I wrinkled my nose in disgust.
     
    His lips thinned and he narrowed his eyes, flicking his gaze to where my hand was entwined with Daniel’s.
     
    I paused in our walking, tugging on Daniel’s arm and causing him to stop.  He looked at me questioningly, so I stood up my tip toes, making sure to press myself against him and kissed him square on the mouth.
     
    Daniel grinned and pulled me faster through campus.  When I looked back, Nathan was still glaring at me.  I smirked at him.  Take that, Asshole.
     
    ~000~
     
    The movie was boring.  I ended up making out with Daniel for most of it.  When we got back to my apartment, he pushed me against the door, crushing his mouth to mine again.
     
    If there had been any doubt where he wanted this to go, it vanished when he slipped his hand under my shirt and pressed his hips against mine.
     
    But I couldn’t quit thinking about that crushing feeling when I’d given myself to Nathan, and he broke up with me the next day.  I couldn’t be this reckless. Not again.
     
    I pulled away, and tried to smile apologetically.
     
    “Daniel?” I whispered, as he continued to kiss my throat.  “Not tonight.”
     
    He paused and pulled back, giving me a sheepish grin.  He nodded and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.  “Go to the game with me tomorrow?”
     
    I didn’t even question my motivation when I said yes.  Even though part of me knew it was to see Nathan.  And to rub his face in being there with Daniel.
     
    ~000~
     
    After the game, while everyone was talking and congratulating and partying in the parking lot, I slipped back inside the stadium and into the empty locker room.
     
    The air felt thick with steam and sweat.  Nathan’s head snapped up when he heard the door shut.  Our gazes crashed together, and for one long moment neither of us moved.
     
    The, he strode towards me with all that arrogant confidence that had taken hold of me the first time and grabbed me.  Without hesitating, he pushed me up against the cool metal of the lockers,