I remembered watching that episode on one of our favorite TGIF shows a couple of years ago. I had been fascinated, but when I’d looked over at Jeremy, his face had been as pale as it was now, and he’d even broken out into a bit of a sweat. I was nervous about it, too, and I wasn’t sure how I’d do with all the guts and stuff, but I could stomach my way through it. Jeremy? I wasn’t so sure. But I’d do my best to get him through it.
After all, what were friends for?
I pushed past him and walked towards the door. When I was about to step in the classroom, I turned and issued a challenge. “I mean…I guess, if you’re too chicken to do it, then by all means, go see the nurse.”
He muttered a curse under his breath, but sure enough, he shuffled behind me into the classroom. When we made it to our table, the instruments were already set out for us. Somehow, Jeremy paled even further at the sight of them. I was starting to wonder if maybe he really did need to see the nurse. But, just like all those years ago when we’d faced our fear of sharks, I was going to hold his hand all the way through this. By the end of the period, Jeremy would be a master frog dissector.
Okay, that may be stretching it, but he’d have at least passed this portion of biology.
“It’s two hours, Jeremy. Take a deep breath, suck it up, and in two hours, the day will be over and you can go get your man card back in the field house, lifting weights with all the other muscle-head jocks.”
He frowned. “I am not a muscle-head jock,” he protested.
I smiled in spite of myself. Even if he thought it was insulting, at least I was getting his mind off the task before us.
I raised an eyebrow and leaned against the lab table. “Oh really?” I reached over and squeezed his bicep.
He flexed underneath my touch. Case in point.
“Mr. Muscles. You didn’t have these a year ago. Ever since football season ended, you’ve spent all of your free time in the field house. You’ve added at least an inch to those biceps.”
A huge, proud smile spread across his face. “Are you complaining?” he asked.
Before I could answer, he stalked towards me and wrapped his arms around my body, squeezing hard.
“The bigger the muscles, the harder the hug. And I know how much you love my hugs, Sierra.”
Ha. He didn’t even know the half of it.
I briefly closed my eyes, allowing myself to enjoy the smell of his fresh soap as the scent danced around my nose. It was true. I adored his new muscles. I wanted to run my hands up and down them, explore the toned definition under my fingertips.
When he’d first told me that he wanted to start lifting weights, I’d rolled my eyes and given him a soft punch, telling him that he didn’t need muscles and, if he spent too much time in the gym, he’d start losing brain cells. In truth, I hadn’t wanted him to turn into one of those meatheads who drinks five protein shakes a day and tans so often that they look like my great-aunt’s favorite leather handbag from 1986 that she refuses to get rid of no matter how worn and cracked it gets. I had been afraid Jeremy would head down that path and my cute best friend with boy-next-door good looks would disappear.
Boy, had I been wrong.
He wasn’t bulky or veiny, and he didn’t resemble one of those super-tan, roid-rage machines in bodybuilding magazines. He was just…strong. Big. I never wanted him to let me go.
Mr. Turoff clapped, and my eyes popped back open. I frantically gazed around the room, making sure no one had witnessed my basking in all that was Jeremy Banks. I thought I was in the clear…until I saw Chris staring at me, slack-jawed. When I caught his gaze, his eyebrows narrowed. My cheeks heated, and I tore my eyes away from him.
Then I plastered a smile on and turned to my lab partner. “You ready for this?”
“Uhh…how about you take the lead on this one? I did all the fun stuff with the moldy Jell-O.”
My forehead wrinkled at the memory of it, so I nodded. “Works for me. But you’re going to have to help, you know? Earn your grade,” I teased, which caused him to pale. “Aww, Jeremy, don’t be nervous.” I picked up the forceps and snapped them in front of his face.
He scowled. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
A smirk played on my lips as I leaned in close. “That may be true, but you love me anyway,” I said.
“It’s my curse,” he muttered, but I didn’t miss the slow smile that crossed his lips.
“Whatever. You’re totally blessed to have me and you know it.”
He looked up, and a stupid strand of hair fell into his eyes. Then his lips twitched. “I know,” he answered softly.
My heart fluttered, and I had to get away. Not that it would be anything more than a momentary relief. Jeremy was never far enough away for me to stop thinking about.
“I’m going to get the specimen,” I said.
This time, I broke the moment. As I walked away, I mentally berated myself. I needed to stop thinking that these moments were even anything. I really needed to stop watching Dawson’s Creek and comparing them to us. I mean, look how it had turned out for them. That heartbreaking episode had ruined everything. Their romance. Their friendship. One mistake and it had all been for nothing. They were strangers now. I didn’t want that for me and Jeremy.
I didn’t even want Jeremy.
Did I?
Was I really comparing myself to fictional characters? God, I had to stop watching television.
“Ms. Sullivan, are you ready for this?” Mr. Turoff asked as I approached him.
Mr. Turoff was probably the coolest teacher I’d ever had. He made science fun and exciting. One time, he’d even lit a lab table on fire. I don’t recall what the lesson was, but it was definitely one of the coolest things I’d ever seen in school.
“I think so. But I’m not so sure about the star wide receiver,” I said, glancing back to where Jeremy was fiddling with the hem of his T-shirt.
Mr. Turoff let out a booming laugh and shook his head. “Then it’s a good thing he has you, isn’t it? Have fun,” he told me as he handed me my subject.
My nose wrinkled at the lifeless little green creature in my hands. But I resigned myself to the fact that there was a reason for this lesson, even if I had no idea what it was. Trust me, I wasn’t at all thrilled about this part of the curriculum, but I wasn’t squeamish by any means. Jeremy clearly was by the way his face turned green when I returned.
It was probably wrong to think about how adorable he was when he was nervous. I studied him for a quick beat. His eyes, hooded with consternation, were unblinking as beads of sweat dotted his creased forehead. The corners of his lips were drawn in a tight line, turned down at the ends. I knew it was time to put him out of his misery. While I might have been okay with spit shakes for all those years, that didn’t mean I was ready to let him vomit on my favorite pair of tennis shoes.
“You know I love you, right? Just as much as you love me?” I asked.
His mouth twitched as he turned to me. “Enough to always let me use the nun-chucks even though you suck with the sword?”
I laughed. “Exactly.” As I donned my safety goggles and handed him the instruction manual, I took pity on the way he was shaking. Leaning closer, I lowered my voice. “And just like always, I’m giving in. You be the guide. I’ll be the cutter. Sound good?”
The green tint washed away, and he nodded profusely and pulled me in for a warm hug, holding me close to his solid chest. “Oh, thank God. I thought I was going to have to start offering sexual favors or something.”
I pulled my head back but remained in his arms. “Dammit. I guess I should’ve held out a little while longer. I mean, I’ve seen how good you are at strokin’, but man, some hands-on experience might be nice, too.”
The boldness of my words surprised both of us. I bit my lip and waited for him to respond.