Loving Noel (Wildcat Graduates Book 1) Page 3

  What the heck is up with the nickname, especially that one? Wiping the tears from my eyes, I can only roll my eyes at him. “Whatever. Let’s go before the campus police kick us off campus. They’re always chomping at the bit to get out of here on Friday afternoons.” I shut my locker and reach for my backpack from Noel but he won’t let me have it. He simply turns toward the parking lot and pulls me to follow him. I turn to look at Stacy and Cade with a confused expression. Cade shrugs, and Stacy mouths “I told you so” in response. I ignore it and follow him out to the parking lot. Things just get weirder by the hour, apparently.

  Noel lets me take control of his radio on the way home. I’m surprised he doesn’t pull over and make me walk the rest of the way when I spend the whole ride home car dancing and singing along to Muse on his XM radio. I know I must look like a crazy person dancing around in the car, but I can’t help it. The beat just takes over my body and I dance. Thank coconuts Noel thinks it’s more entertaining than embarrassing and lets me do as I please. When we stop at a red light, Noel grins as he looks over at me and asks, “Are we having fun yet?”

  I look over at him and grin like an idiot, “Of course! Don’t be jealous. I know you want to do it, too.” He simply chuckles at me when I continue on with my car dancing until we reach my house. After putting the car in park and cutting the engine, Noel gets out of the car and gets my backpack out of the backseat.

  “I’ll pick you up at six o’clock for dinner, okay?” Reaching for my backpack, I look up at him and my breath catches. He really is gorgeous. That pale blond hair, now slightly darker in the winter, is slightly spiked in the front and reminds me of Val Kilmer in Top Gun. My mom loves him and always made my brother, Mike, and me watch all of his movies while we were growing up. I have to admit, Val’s kinda grown on me, and he’s who I think of when I see Noel. He has the same square jaw and slightly dimpled chin as Val, and I simply can’t look away from him. I have no idea how long we stand there looking at each other before I can form a reply.

  “Okay.” That’s it. That’s all I can come up with when he looks at me like that. We’re standing so close I can feel his body heat. Noel stares at me with an expression that feels like he’s trying to decide something. The pull I feel to him is so strong. I almost kiss him before he looks away and takes a step backwards.

  “Great. I’ll see you then.” He turns to walk back to the driver’s side before I release the breath I was holding. Holy coconuts, that was intense. I turn and quickly walk to the front porch before I do something stupid like chasing his car down and attack those kissable lips of his. This should be one interesting evening.

  Noel arrives at ten ‘til six to pick me up. I was going to pick him up since it is a girl’s choice dance, but he insisted on driving, and I wasn’t going to argue. Taking Mom’s Explorer or Noel’s Mustang? The Mustang wins every time. I’m already dressed and ready to leave when he arrives, but my mother insists on taking our picture before she’ll let us leave. I don’t know why she does this since we’ll be getting better pictures made at the dance. It must be a mom thing. Honestly, I can’t get us out of there fast enough. It’s awkward enough with us being on a semi-date that I don’t need any more weirdness.

  The ride to dinner was kind of quiet. It felt like neither of us knew what to say. You’d think that conversation wouldn’t be a problem since we see each other and eat lunch together every day. Why is it suddenly all so tense between us? He just makes me so tongue-tied when we’re alone. The fact that he’s about half a foot taller than I am doesn’t really help matters. I don’t really notice it when we’re in our group of friends or in band, but when there isn’t anyone to blend into, the height difference between us is very apparent. My five foot three inches is nothing compared against his almost six feet of toned muscles. No one would believe that I was a little older than him.

  It doesn’t take us long to meet Stacy and Cade for dinner at Outback. I think I could eat there at least once a week. Stace and Cade are already waiting for us when we walk into the restaurant. Fortunately, they’ve already put us on a waiting list and we should only have to wait about ten or fifteen more minutes for our table. It seems the early dinner crowd is thinning out and tables are opening up fairly quickly. Small talk and jokes are made, and before we realize it, our table is ready. Cade put the pager in his pocket and forgot about it. He did quite the little dance when it started buzzing in his pocket. He has the funniest things happen to him, so we really shouldn’t be surprised by the scene he creates in the lobby as he tries to remove it from his front pants pocket. His wearing a tuxedo makes it that much funnier. The whole waiting area is still laughing when our hostess shows us to our table.

  Our orders are taken quickly and arrive even faster than we had anticipated. The meal conversation has me laughing so hard I can’t tell if that is what is causing my sides to ache or my empty plate. Everyone seems to have finished their meals, so we ask the waiter for our checks. While we are waiting, the conversation dies down, and it seems that things with Stacy and Cade are back on again. I can never predict what “relationship” they’re going to be in from one hour to the next.

  Noel catches my eye and says, “Looks like it was a good decision to not ride together with the two of them. I feel like we should leave so as not to intrude.” Shaking his head, Noel looks across the booth at Cade and Stacy and says, “Maybe we should just leave money on the table for our part of the check and leave them alone. What do you think, Sweetness?”

  There he goes again, using that nickname. Why did he start calling me something other than Xan? That’s what all of my friends call me. Noel bumps me with his elbow and wiggles his eyebrows at me. Forgetting about that nickname, I look over at the grin on his face. I can’t help but smile back at him. “I think that’s our best bet if we don’t want to get ourselves thrown out of here, along with them. Do you think we should warn them?”

  Noel cocks his head toward the lovely couple and sighs, “I suppose it would be the right thing to do. Although, the other way is more fun, don’t you think?”

  Giggling into my napkin I try not to laugh too hard. “I guess so, but definitely not as much fun!”

  Kicking my foot out in front of me underneath the table, I kick Stace in the leg as Noel clears his throat, “Break it up you two before you get us kicked out and banned from Outback for life!”

  Stacy glares at me, trying unsuccessfully to look upset at me for kicking her, but Cade just shrugs his shoulders. “Fine with me. I think we’re ready to go anyway, right Stace?”

  She finally breaks her weak glare and laughs, “Of course, I’m ready. Let’s go get our dance on, Xan!”

  Cade turns toward Noel as they both slide out of the booth and reach for our hands, “What have we gotten ourselves into, man?”

  Noel laughs a little louder, “Nothing we didn’t already know about.” Noel laughs as he helps me stand up and leaves a tip on the table.

  Stacy and I make our way out of the restaurant ahead of the guys. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait too long for them to meet us out front. It’s really cold out and this dress doesn’t allow for a jacket or wrap of any kind. Stacy and Cade make their way to Cade’s car as Noel places his hand on my lower back, guiding me to his car. As we reach the Mustang, Noel reaches for the door handle, but pauses. His hand is still resting on my back as he turns to face me. We’re so close I can feel his breath on my face.

  The parking lot isn’t extremely bright, but I can see his eyes clearly. I’m not sure how long we stare at each other before Noel opens my door and turns away from my gaze. Damn, that was such an intense feeling that passed between us. My stomach suddenly feels all jittery and uneasy. I could have sworn he was going to kiss me. I could feel that same electric type of feeling I got the last time we were so close. It’s like we’re in some kind of bubble of our own where an intense current flows between us. I’ve never felt that with anyone before. It makes me feel like I’m being pulled to him without my consen
t. Sometimes, it’s all I can do not to just follow that pull and let myself kiss him.

  I climb into the car and Noel shuts the door, making sure my dress isn’t caught in it, before heading to his side. Noel gets in and starts the car, revving the engine a little bit. I love the way it sounds as we pull out of the parking space. Our drive to the hotel ballroom, where the dance is being held across town from the restaurant, takes longer than expected. It doesn’t usually take very long, but Friday night traffic seems to have multiplied because of the dance. Noel turns the heat on for me since it’s so cold outside. The warm air only makes me more aware of his cologne, Chrome by Azzaro. Oh. My. Bloody. Coconuts. I swear that smell hypnotizes me; clean, yet manly. Being in such a close space together with that scent filling the air - this must be what heaven smells like, and if we don’t get to that dance soon, I may not be able to control myself, no matter how nervous he makes me.

  “Do you think Cade and Stacy will even make it to the dance,” Noel asks, interrupting me from my cologne-induced trance.

  Thinking about the two of them in the restaurant makes me giggle. “That’s a good question. They usually aren’t so oblivious to where they are. They were kissing like time was about to run out or something!” I shake my head and look over at Noel. He is staring at me and quickly moves his eyes back to the road.

  “Yeah, they were. I wonder how long they’ll play nice this time?” Noel smiles and glances over at me before turning back to face the road.

  “I’d normally guess a few weeks, but after that display, I’m not sure anymore. I have a feeling we may be able to beat them to the dance.” Noel and I laugh at that thought, both of us not looking at the other.

  We arrive at the dance and give our tickets to the parents manning the ticket table in front of the ballroom doors. We’re ushered off to the photo area where we get our pictures taken. There is a little gazebo set up, covered in white twinkle lights for us to have pictures made. Maybe a black dress wasn’t such a good choice since the backdrop behind the gazebo is a navy blue. At least I don’t have to worry about dancing messing up my hair before they’re taken.

  This year’s theme is Moonlight in the Garden, and there are hundreds of white twinkle lights everywhere. The path leading into the ballroom is lined with potted trees covered in more twinkle lights with ornamental lanterns scattered out among them. The lights are turned down low, and fake stars sparkle along the ceiling, making the entire room feel like we’re actually outside. It’s quite romantic.

  Noel and I make our way to the main part of the ballroom where lamp posts and light covered trees and plants are also scattered around the edges of the dance floor. There hasn’t been any sign of Cade and Stacy yet, so we decide to go ahead and see who else is already here. We see Erika and Jason, and Shawn and Kaitlynn on the other side of the dance floor. Before we can make our way over to them, someone grabs us by the shoulders and stops us.

  “Hey, where are you two running off to?” Cade and Stacy laugh as Noel and I turn to look at them.

  “It’s about time you two got here. What took you so long,” Noel asks as he puts his arm around my shoulders. Oh, does he smell good. It was bad enough in the car, but with his arm around me, so close, it’s almost too much to resist. I just stand there, trying to pay attention to what is going on, but it’s really hard not to get lost in his smell and the way his arm feels around me. I’m interrupted from my thoughts by Stacy’s need to dance.

  “Come on Xan, let’s dance! This is our song.” Stacy grabs my hand and drags me to the dance floor. I look back at Cade and Noel, only to see them shaking their heads and laughing. Seeing that I’m not going to be rescued, I finally realize what song is playing, ‘Let’s Go’ by Calvin Harris, and I can’t not dance to this song. Stacy and I begin to dance and I easily get lost in the beat of it. Soon the song ends and fades into Maroon 5’s ‘Moves Like Jagger’.

  Suddenly, I’m grabbed around the waist and drawn into a hard, muscular chest. Noel. Even with my eyes closed I know it’s him. There’s no mistaking his unique scent; his cologne is intoxicating. He starts dancing with me, closely. I open my eyes and find Stacy and Cade dancing together, oblivious to anything around them. I can feel Noel’s breath on my cheek as he whispers in my ear, “I couldn’t let you dance by yourself any longer.” We continue to grind against each other, and I turn my head toward his when he pulls me closer to his body.

  “I thought you didn’t care to dance all that much.” I can feel him laughing against my back.

  “What can I say? Watching you made me feel like dancing.” I laugh to myself at his reaction.

  “Isn’t that a song title?”

  “Maybe, but it’s true. I had to be out here with you.”

  “Well, I’m glad you changed your mind.” I place my hands over his around my waist, and Noel rests his chin on my shoulder. Cheek to cheek, we continue to dance together for the rest of the song, grinding against one another. Thank goodness I wore tall enough heels to keep him from having to bend down so far.

  When the song changes to a slower song, Noel turns me around to face him and wraps his arms tightly around my waist. I look up at him, my hands on his arms, and find him staring at me. “I forgot to tell you earlier with all of the fuss your mom made taking our pictures, but you look beautiful tonight.” Damn my fair complexion. I can feel the heat in my cheeks and know they’re turning red. How embarrassing.

  “Thanks. You cleaned up pretty well yourself. Tuxedos suit you.” Noel flashes me a smile and winks at me.

  “Nice to know you approve.” Oh boy, do I approve.

  We continue to sway together to Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’, simply looking into each other’s eyes. I’m not sure how long we dance like that before we’re interrupted by an announcement from the deejay. Pictures will be wrapped up in thirty minutes for those who still want them. Since we’ve already taken pictures and the song has changed, Noel suggests we go get a drink before dancing more.

  He laces his fingers through mine and leads us toward the refreshment table. He’s never held my hand before, for any reason. Is he doing it because we’re just friends on a date, or because he wants to hold my hand? When he told me I looked beautiful, I almost couldn’t speak. That’s the first time he’s commented on how I look, serious or otherwise. I’m not gonna lie. It made me all giddy when he said that. My stomach is still all kinds of messed up over it. I hope I’m not reading too much into all of this. It could simply be because we’re close friends and see each other all of the time at school.

  We make it to the refreshment table and run into Cade who is getting Stacy a drink. Noel and Cade are waiting for our drinks when Blain comes over to my side.

  “Hey, Shortcake. I’m glad I found you,” Blain tells me as he wraps me up in a hug, lifting me slightly off the floor. “You look amazing, Xan,” he smiles and sets my feet back on the floor and takes hold of my hands. His dark brown eyes and chocolate brown hair accentuate his broadly built tanned body. It’s obvious he’s a football player.

  “Thanks. Where is your date? Stephanie, right?” I look over his broad shoulders in search of her but don’t see her.

  “She and Andi went to the restroom. Actually, she made Andi go with her. I’m not sure if Stephanie will come back alive,” he laughs. Thinking about Andi’s response makes me laugh right along with him.

  “Yeah, I bet she didn’t appreciate being told what to do, especially by Stephanie. They’ve never gotten along so well. Why did you come here with her, anyway?”

  “Because you didn’t ask me,” he replies just as Noel walks over to us with our drinks, a slight frown on his face. I wonder what happened while he was getting our drinks to make him frown like that. I take a step toward Noel, and my hands fall from Blain’s, so I can introduce Blain to Noel. How did I not realize Blain was still holding my hands?

  “Noel, this is Blain, my best friend since...what were we, like four,” I ask Blain. I take my drink from Noel’s hand, and he pl
aces his free arm around my waist, his fingers digging into my side just a little. Cade walks over to us before Blain can answer.

  “Oh, and Cade, this is Blain.” Blain begins to shake Cade’s hand when he realizes his hands are full, so he moves his hands to his pockets instead.

  “It’s good to meet you both. Xana’s talked a lot about the both of you.”

  “Sorry, but she hasn’t really told us much about you. How long have you known each other,” Cade questions him. Why are the three of them acting so weird?

  “Like Xana was telling Noel, we’ve know each other since we were toddlers and her parents moved into our neighborhood. We’ve been friends ever since,” Blain says, not looking at Cade, but at Noel.

  “That’s great, man. Hey, Xana, we’d better go back to the table before I lose Stacy to the dance floor again.” Cade motions with his head over to our table and walks that way.

  “Okay, see ya later, Blain,” I call out as Noel guides us over to the rest of the group. Before we reach the table Noel stops us and turns me to face him.

  “What did he mean by it was because you didn’t ask him? What were you two talking about?” Noel looks at me, his eyes never once leaving mine. His eyebrows are arched and his lips are set in a thin straight line.

  “We were talking about his date, Stephanie Rogers. She’s quite annoying and I just wondered why he came with her. Why are you so bothered?”

  “He said he wanted you to ask him.” Noel’s hand moves around my waist and pulls me closer to his side. “I know you went to Homecoming with him. Are you two dating?”

  Even though this is a serious question for him, I can’t help but laugh at the thought of dating Blain. My laughter only causes him to frown more and tighten his grip on my waist.

  “I’m sorry. I know it’s not funny, but Blain is more like my brother, not my boyfriend. I used to make him eat mud pies when were were five for crying out loud! Andi had a thing for his best friend, Jaxson, and Blain and I went together to make things less awkward. Besides, it’s not like I had anyone to go with otherwise.” I laugh again and his expression softens just a touch.