Our Little Secret Read online

  Our Little Secret

  By Ashelyn Drake

  Our Little Secret

  Copyright © 2015 by Ashelyn Drake.

  All rights reserved.

  First Print Edition: September 2015

  Limitless Publishing, LLC

  Kailua, HI 96734

  www.limitlesspublishing.com

  Formatting: Limitless Publishing

  ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-256-7

  ISBN-10: 1-68058-256-9

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To Ayla with love.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter One

  The hallway is even more crowded today, thanks to the new basketball trophy in the display case. All the players keep huddling around it, and all their adoring fans huddle around them. I’ve never seen girls swoon like this, and unfortunately they’re blocking my view of Toby. I can just barely see his face around the mass of limbs reaching forward to touch him.

  “You’re coming over after school, right?” Tori asks, coming up behind me.

  “What?” I jump and turn away from Toby, practically smacking my head on my open locker door.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Tori asks.

  “Nothing. I was just trying to remember what I need for next period.”

  “Try books, like always.” She eyes me and shakes her head. “Seriously, it’s like you were in another world. You had that same stupid look Meredith always gets when my brother walks by. It’s nauseating.”

  I force a laugh. “Meredith really likes Toby, doesn’t she?” The thought makes my stomach churn.

  “Likes? The girl’s obsessed.” She turns and rolls her eyes at the crowd around Toby. “Look at her. If she rubs up against him anymore…well, let’s just say the girl has a future in porn.”

  “Tori! That’s a little harsh.” Although Meredith really does need to learn about personal space. “How can Toby stand her touching him like that?”

  “Because she’s head cheerleader.”

  I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I have to filter my thoughts better, especially around Tori. “Right. So, do you think he’s into her?”

  “Not really. He’s into basketball and his schoolwork. Who would’ve thought my brainiac brother would be so popular? Sure as hell not me.”

  “That’s because you’re his sister. It would be totally disgusting if you saw him the way other girls do.”

  She shrugs. “I guess so, but you don’t get it either, do you? I mean, we grew up together. You’re practically related to us.”

  Related? Not even close. Or all these thoughts I’m having about Toby would be really uncalled for. “Whatever. Let’s just get to class before the crowd heads this way and tramples us to death.”

  She loops her arm through mine and practically drags me down the hall. “I get why girls drool over Ryder. He’s wicked hot, has money, and drives an awesome car. But Toby’s just…Toby.”

  “You don’t know anything about cars.”

  “So? It’s pretty, and I’d look amazing in the passenger seat.”

  She would. Tori is every bit as pretty as Toby is hot. Being twins will do that, though. Tori has a model’s face with a short pixie cut to show off her perfect cheekbones. And her legs go on forever. At five foot eight, she only has three inches on me, but it seems more like ten, probably because she’s always in heels. My ballerina flats do nothing for my height, but God, they’re comfortable.

  “Earth to Becca.” She yanks on my arm. “What is with you today?”

  “I didn’t sleep well. Sorry.” Actually I slept great, thanks to another dream about Toby.

  “Neighbor’s dog keep you up again?”

  The Ackles have one of those tiny dogs that people carry around in purses. It yaps at everything and must be afraid of the dark with the way it carries on all night. “I forgot to put in my earplugs.”

  “God, it sucks that you have to live next door to Meredith and her freaky little rat-dog.”

  Tell me about it. Not that I think I have a shot with Toby, but even if I did, I’d never get past Meredith. She’s hated me ever since the first grade when I showed up at school with the same Barbie lunchbox she had. She swore I did it on purpose. I never understood what the big deal was, but Meredith has always wanted to have things that no one else did. Right now that thing is Toby. “I’m sure once she ropes Toby, I’ll be seeing them together all the time.”

  “I pity you.” Tori squeezes my arm before letting go and turning down another hallway. “See you after school. And could you bring some popcorn? We’re out. Douchewad devoured it last night watching the game.”

  Toby likes popcorn as much as I do, and we’re both strictly kettle corn people. Something about the sweet and salty combination is just perfect. Opposites that go so well together. Kind of like me and Toby.

  “Get some sleep, Daniels,” Tori says before walking away.

  I don’t need sleep. I need to get over my best friend’s brother.

  “Hey, Becca.”

  My heart flutters at the sound of Toby’s voice. I take a deep breath before turning around to face him. “Hi.” My face falls when I see Meredith at his side and a train of girls following behind them.

  Toby smiles and keeps walking. Meredith turns her head and glares at me. I do my best to hide any hint of anything more than friendship toward Toby, but if anyone is going to figure out I have a crush on him, it’ll be her.

  I don’t hear a word of what Mr. Rollar says in trig. I really should pay better attention. My last three tests were all Fs. How can I ever hope to be worthy of Toby when I’m a failure? To everyone else, he’s the star basketball player, but I’ve known him all my life. I know basketball is only part of who he is. He’s smart, sweet, and caring. When the bell rings, I gather my stuff, which is still in my messenger bag since I never even bothered to take out my textbook or notebook, and head for the door.

  “Miss Daniels, may I speak with you for a second?” Mr. Rollar says, halting me in my tracks.

  I grip the strap of my bag and brace myself for a lecture. “Yes?”

  “You seemed very distracted today. I don’t recall you having your book with you.”

  “Oh, um, I’m not feeling very well. Sorry if I was kind of spacey. I’ll be better tomorrow.”

  “I hope so. Your grades ha
ve been slipping lately.”

  Oh, please, don’t turn this into a “you’re not living up to your potential” speech. My grades were never good in this class. I just don’t understand trig. But my plummet from Cs to Fs has his attention.

  “I would hate to have to call home.”

  Even worse. “No need. I’ll make sure to do some extra reading tonight, and I’ll have my homework all ready for you tomorrow.”

  “And what is the homework? I don’t recall you writing it down.” He laces his fingers in front of him, knowing he’s got me.

  “Unit six?”

  “No, Miss Daniels. Unit six was the one we finished last week. Though it wouldn’t hurt you to review that too, considering your performance on the test. Section one of unit seven is due tomorrow. No excuses. And be prepared to show the class how to work out some of the problems on the board.”

  Ugh. “Yes, Mr. Rollar.” I walk away before he can make me feel any lower.

  ***

  Tori’s cell rings for the fourth time since I came over. She checks the screen and yells something that doesn’t even sound human before answering the call. “This isn’t Toby’s cell, so stop calling!” She slams the phone down on the bed. “My brilliant father had to list both our numbers in the school directory under T. Michaels. If another girl calls my cell thinking it’s Toby’s, I’m going to scream.”

  I don’t mention that she’s already screaming.

  “It’s so disgusting! I mean, what is it about him that makes every girl turn into a drooling idiot?”

  His piercing blue eyes, his sexy, messy hair, the way his smile is slightly crooked.

  “Becca, are you even listening to me?”

  “Huh?” I jump. Please don’t let me be drooling. I’m just as bad as those other girls. “Sorry, I was thinking about the trig test.”

  “The trig test?” She arches a brow. “Since when do you think about a test that’s, like, a week away?”

  “Uh—” The floorboards in the hallway creak as Toby steps into the doorway. I bite my lip to keep from blurting out my undying love for my best friend’s brother.

  Tori whips her head around, glaring at him. “Tell your girlfriends to call your cell. I’m not your messaging service.”

  “They don’t call my cell because I don’t give them my number.” He shifts his gaze to me, and I can’t help feeling what he’s about to say is meant for my benefit. “Besides, they’re not my girlfriends. I’m not looking for their attention. I have no interest in them.” The corner of his mouth curves up slightly.

  My stomach is aflutter with thoughts of Toby giving me his number. Of Toby wanting my attention. But that’s crazy. I’ve known him for years. He’s never looked at me as anything but Tori’s best friend. I grab Tori’s pillow and squeeze it to my chest, keeping my eyes on anything but Toby. I have to make these feelings go away before Tori finds out and I lose my best friend.

  “Whatever. They keep looking it up and dialing me by mistake. Just tell them not to call my cell anymore or I’ll rip every hair out of their heads.”

  “What’s got you all bothered, sis? That time of the month?”

  Oh, he did not just go there! I meet his eyes, and he winks at me. Winks! My insides melt again.

  “How would you feel if all your guy friends were calling you about me?”

  “How do you know they don’t?” Toby smiles again, and this time Tori is the one to melt.

  “Do they? Which ones?” She flings herself at him, grabbing his shirt in her fists. “Tell me! Is it Ryder?”

  Toby backs up and laughs. “Easy, sis. You wouldn’t want to seem desperate.”

  “Just tell me who!”

  “Fine. Jeff.”

  “Jeff?” She lets go of his shirt and turns to me. “Jeff?”

  I shrug. Toby has a lot of friends. It’s hard to keep track of them, especially when I’m busy staring at Toby.

  “He was here two days ago. You probably didn’t notice him because you were too busy throwing yourself at Ryder.”

  Tori’s face reddens. “I do not throw myself at Ryder!”

  “Sure.” Toby shakes his head. “You know, before you go complaining about the girls calling you to talk to me, you should take a good look in the mirror. You aren’t that much different from them.”

  “Get out!” Tori shoves him hard in the chest and slams the door behind him. “Can you believe him?”

  He has a point. Tori has been drooling over Ryder for months. She finds every excuse possible to talk to him. She really isn’t any better than the girls throwing themselves at Toby. No better than me. Although, I choose to keep my feelings hidden and let them explode in the privacy of my diary.

  I shrug. “He said he doesn’t want their attention.”

  She scoffs. “And you believe that? Come on.”

  “Why would he lie?”

  She sits down on the bed. “I guess you’re right. I mean, it’s just us. Why would he care what we thought?”

  Right. Because Tori’s his sister, and I’m practically family. God, does he really see me as his second sister? That would be the kiss of death.

  “Who is your brother interested in? You must have some idea.” I hope I don’t sound too curious as I mentally chant my own name.

  “No idea. All he talks about is basketball. I don’t listen much.”

  I can’t imagine not listening to Toby. His voice is deep, and it sends chills through me.

  “He does let Meredith hang all over him though, so I guess he must like her—at least a little.”

  “Did Meredith call your cell?”

  “No, and she’s lucky she didn’t. I’m about to rip someone’s head off.”

  Yeah, but if she didn’t call Tori’s cell, that might mean she already has Toby’s number. I shouldn’t be surprised. Toby and Meredith make sense. They both like basketball. They’re both popular. Meredith would be the perfect girl for Toby.

  Only I don’t want her to be.

  Chapter Two

  I open my trig book, determined to actually understand this unit, but the truth is numbers make my head hurt. What’s the point in learning all this when they make calculators to do the math for you? I push the book aside and pick up my cell. 6:35. Toby should be home by now. Basketball season is over, but the guys still get together every day to shoot hoops. I dial Tori.

  “I’m bored out of my mind. Want to do something?” she blurts out the second she picks up.

  “Hello to you too.” I laugh.

  “Sorry. I had to silence my phone after the seventh—seventh—call for Toby. This is seriously ridiculous. I need to go out, do something to get my mind off the fact that the entire female population of Lansfield High wants to date my brother. You’re the only one I can be around without having to hear how amazing Toby is.”

  That’s because I don’t tell you. “What do you want to do?”

  “Go shopping. I need some retail therapy.”

  “Sounds good.” No, wait! If we go to the mall, I’ll miss seeing Toby. “Um, do you think after we shop you could help me with trig? Mr. Rollar is threatening to call my mother if I don’t get my grades up.”

  “Ick. Why do teachers always pull the mom card?”

  “I don’t know, but I need help.”

  “I barely managed a B on the last test, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Thanks, Tori.”

  “Pick you up in ten.”

  I hang up and search my closet for a cute outfit. Something that will get Toby’s attention. I need him to stop looking at me as Tori’s best friend. It’s like he doesn’t even notice I’m a girl. After flipping through my entire wardrobe twice, I slump on my desk chair. I need new clothes. I settle for skinny jeans, gray boots, and a black top, figuring I’ll buy a cute new top at the mall and conveniently spill something on this one so I can change before we go to Tori’s.

  Twenty minutes later—because Tori’s always late—we’re on our way. “I have to break in my new credit c
ard,” Tori says, wagging her eyebrows.

  “I’m sure your mom will love that.”

  “What? Credit cards teach responsibility. That’s a good thing.”

  “I’ll remind you of that when you’re in debt with interest.”

  “See? That’s what I was telling Toby earlier.”

  I sit up straight in my seat. “You were talking to Toby about me?”

  She narrows her eyes at me quickly before focusing on the road again. “So? What’s the big deal?”

  “Nothing. I’m just surprised you two would be talking about me. You said all he talks about anymore is basketball.” I pray she buys my lame cover-up.

  “Good point.” She nods, obviously satisfied. “But I was saying how you’re so down to earth. You don’t take risks. Just play it safe and do what’s expected of you.”

  Ouch! “Wow, I didn’t realize you thought I was so boring.” And she said that to Toby! How am I ever going to get his attention now?

  “No, it’s not a bad thing. You keep me grounded. I need that sometimes.”

  “That’s not quite a compliment, just so you know.”

  “Well, I meant it in a nice way.” She bats her eyelashes at me the way she always does when she puts her foot in her mouth.

  “What do you need at the mall, anyway?” As much as I’m pissed, I don’t want to talk about my epic lameness anymore.

  “Need?” She laughs. “Shopping isn’t about what you need. It’s about what you want. You could learn a thing or two from me, you know.”

  Except I can’t have what I want. Not without losing my best friend. Why does the most perfect guy I’ve ever met have to be Tori’s brother?

  We pull into a parking spot and Tori practically drags me into the mall. We hit every store, and she tries on everything in her size. I let her do her thing while I look for the cutest top, the one that will finally make Toby notice me. It takes me until the last store to find it, but it’s perfect. The neckline is low, which so isn’t me, but that’s why I love it. It’s black and lacy and demands attention.