A/N: OK what was supposed to be Chap 8 turned into 8 and 9 so Cabby doesn't show up until 10. Melody - this is the chapter I told you you wouldn't like. Enjoy it while it lasts my sweet Awians. You won't be spoiled for much longer (and poor Nat will have a chance to catch up. Reading that is!! LOL!) because my vacation's almost over. Until 10! xox-G
Chapter Nine
Grant's heart caught in his throat every time he watched them toss Chloe in the air. He knew it was crazy but whenever he watched her he was always about five seconds from jumping up to catch her himself.
Why did he torture himself like this?
Because you love her - you idiot. He thought with a smile. You'd watch her read the dictionary.
The clock on the scoreboard counted down. Three more minutes and the game would be over. Then he and Chloe were finally going on their first date.
Suddenly, panic filled him. There was something he'd never considered. What if she didn't think it was a date? Maybe she just thought they were going to hang out or something. He was so excited before he didn't even think of that possibility. Oh well. Too late now. He'd have to see how she acted when they were finally alone.
Grant suddenly got distracted by the conversations around him. A girl two rows behind him was talking on her cell phone. Really loudly.
"Ohmigod!! Did you hear about Danny and Kate? They. Broke. Up. I KNOW!! She went to visit him and when she got there I heard that she totally caught them doing the deed. They didn't even bother to stop when she walked in. That Kate Kovich thinks she's so perfect it serves her right."
Grant began to get angry. God. That girl was so catty as well as misinformed. Who did she think she was? If she was going to gossip - she should at least her facts straight. He was about to turn around and say something to her when he heard her continue.
"I know! And her brother? He's a fox but don't you think it's sort of creepy the way he follows poor Chloe around?? Yeah. Me too. And it's not like she'd ever look twice at him anyway. Why would she when she's already got Doug Miller?"
His heart sank as he heard her words. Creepy? Could that be true? Did people really think he was stalking her or something? And Yeah. He thought to himself. Why would she?
Miss Obnoxious was so loud now it sounded as if she held a microphone. He heard every word crystal clear. "That whole family's full of freaks anyway. Their dad is from Transylvania did you know that?" She cackled as she finished. "I bet they believe in vampires."
She didn't know the half of it, Grant thought, about ready to get up and let her have it. She should find out how this town as she knows it wouldn't even be here anymore if it wasn't for his dad. He was trying to control his temper when the buzzer sounded and the seats around him began to clear out. The girl who was trashing his family was enveloped by the crowd before he could confront her. He didn't really know what he'd say to her anyway.
He looked out on the floor and saw Chloe packing up her bag, laughing and joking around with the other girls on the squad. He gasped as she pulled her hair free from her ponytail and shook out her curls. Look at her. Grant thought with a sigh. She's so incredibly beautiful.
And she'd want him? Who was he kidding?
Grant made his way to the sideline and started walking across the court, staring at his feet. He looked up in horror as he saw Doug coming over towards Chloe. When he got to her he picked her up and whirled her around in his arms, making her squeal with laughter. "C'mon. Let's go. Party's at Bob's house."
As Doug put her down Chloe saw Grant standing a few feet away and her heart skipped a beat. She gave him as small wave as she said. "Um. I'm not going to the party, Doug. I have other plans."
"Do you?" Doug said with a glimmer in his eye. He snaked his arm around Chloe's waist and buried his nose in her hair. "OK. In that case. I have other plans for you too."
Grant's fists clenched as he watched them together. He couldn't stand by much longer. He wanted to rip Doug apart with his bare hands for even daring to touch her.
He's her boyfriend - not you. A little voice said to him then. Get a hold of yourself.
Grant knew he could not compete with this. Doug had Chloe in his arms and he - as usual - had nothing. All he had was the newfound knowledge that the world thought he was creepy and weird and oh yeah - that his family probably lived in a dungeon.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked closer to them. "Hey Clo." He called out to her.
"Hi." She said softly, wanting nothing more than for Doug to disappear. She squirmed from his arms and smiled up at Grant, her heart in her eyes. "I'm almost ready. Just give me a second - OK?"
"Hey Kovich." Doug said with a smirk. "Sniffing around my girlfriend again?"
"DOUG!" Chloe glared at him. "Grant is my friend. He can be around me as much as he wants."
"I just have to tell her something." Grant said to Doug, his eyes deadly. He turned and faced her, his voice unbelievably sad. "I'm taking off - Clo. Sorry, but I forgot I had to be home early tonight."
He always had known telling Chloe how he felt was pointless. He was sure now that this wasn't ever going to happen.
Chloe's heart shattered in a million pieces. What was he saying? They were going to go out. Alone. For the first time ever. She'd been waiting all her life for this, it seemed.
She blinked back tears. "But. Grant. I thought…"
Grant didn't notice her reaction. He was too busy trying to get it over with. "Yeah. I know." He cut her off. "I'm sorry. I can't. But, I'm sure Doug will take you to get something to eat. Right, Miller?" He said, his voice mocking him a bit.
Doug gave him a smug grin. He kissed the top of Chloe's head. "Absolutely. Baby - I'll take you wherever you want. C'mon. Let's get out of here." He said as he grabbed her hand and started to pull her away.
Chloe stood her ground, resisting the tug he gave her. She looked at Grant. She couldn't give up, not when she'd gotten so close. Her heart cried out to him and she willed him to hear. "Grant. Are you sure? We don't have to take too long. I understand. We could go someplace close and you could be home in an hour."
She was feeling sorry for him. Even though he knew it he still had to fight not to give in. Grant couldn't meet her eyes, so he looked over her head as he answered. "Yeah. I'm sure. But you two, you have a great time."
Grant couldn't leave before doing one more thing. He stared into Doug's eyes. He didn't care if it would sound like he was crazy. He had to say it. His voice was dangerous as he spoke. "Miller, if you know what's good for you - you'll make sure you take good care of her."
With his words still in the air, Grant turned and walked away, hunching his shoulders and hanging his head.
"Whatever - freak." Doug said under his breath. He turned and moved to leave.
He was lucky Chloe didn't hear him. She was too stunned by what had just happened. A tear ran down her cheek and her bottom lip quivered as she watched Grant go. Though Doug still held her hand, she'd never felt more alone.