Free Never Say Never by Kailin Gow Page A

my
face.”
                Danny
shrugged. “Your loss,” he said, and finished the bacon himself. It smelled
delicious – but I couldn't stand the thought of eating right now when my
stomach was doing flip flops. “I wouldn't worry so much if I were you. Your
skin's fine – really, it's flawless. Either you put on a hell of a lot of
makeup before I woke up this morning, or you're worrying too much...”
                I
flushed pink, enjoying the compliment – even if it was disguised in a healthy
dose of teasing. “I've got youth to thank,” I said, “but my mom always says
that by the time I hit thirty....” Crap, why did I have to say thirty? Danny
must be a few years shy of thirty. Why did I have to remind him just how
young I was – he'd probably already pulled away, after that first night of
rehearsals, after realizing I was only eighteen. Why did I have to make things
worse?
                Danny
only smiled. “You are pretty young, aren't you? But someone would think you
were at least thirty – given how busy you are, and how you’re able to manage a
group of guys so well. Your age hasn't stopped you from getting out there,
doing things...”
                “I
guess it's because my parents started young,” I said, calming down somewhat now
that Danny and I were both clothed and carrying a conversation like two normal
people.
                “It
sounds like an interesting upbringing,” said Danny, crossing his arms, “and one
day I'd love to sit down with you and talk all about it. But right now I don't
think it's the time – you – and I for that matter – have to get to Professor
Poe's class in thirty minutes, and if we don't hurry, we'll be late. There's a
guest bedroom and bath through the hall – you can use the spare toothbrush in
there if you like....”
                I
hurried through breakfast, brushing my teeth and washing my face as quickly as
I could. Unfortunately, last night's makeup was still smeared on my face, and
my clothes were decidedly – embarassingly – slept-in. Even Danny Blue's
meticulously-kept guest bathroom – as clean and well-stocked as a hotel
lavatory – couldn't keep me from looking like I was doing anything but the walk
of shame.
                “Knock
knock!” Danny entered with a pile of clothes in his arms. “I had these lying
around – I thought you might want to change into something. I mean – as lovely
as the “day old” look is, I figured you'd want something that didn't smell of
Steve's spilled beer.”
                “Thanks,”
I said, taking them. I wanted to know where they came from – did Danny have a
girlfriend? - but I didn't mention it.
                Luckily,
the clothes fit me just fine. When I emerged into the living room, however,
Danny turned pale – a look of absolute shock spreading over his face, as if
he'd seen a ghost.
                “Is
something wrong?” I asked him.
                “No...”
he couldn't look at me. “No...it's fine. They – uh, they suit you. You look
nice.” But from his expression, I knew something was wrong – and I knew just as
surely that it wasn't up to me to ask. Danny Blue was getting more and more
mysterious by the minute.

 
     
    Chapter 9
     
     
                D anny and I were mostly silent as he drove me
to class. We stared straight ahead, keeping our eyes on the road, looking out
at the sea that lapped at the feet of the cliffs.
                “Er,
Neve? I don't mean to be awkward...” he began. Of course, with that melting
English accent of his and those piercing sapphire-colored eyes, he couldn't be
awkward even if he wanted to.
                “Sure?”
I looked over at him.
                “I'm
new as a TA to this class,” he said, “and I want to make a good impression on
Professor Poe, especially if I'll be going up for teaching