That Boy (That Boy, #1)

by Jillian Dodd

How come a boy can be so stupid, but a daddy, who actually used to be a boy himself, can be so wonderful?

“Girls go to college to get more knowledge. Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider.”

Up in my room, I lie on my bed and close my eyes. My lips feel all tingly. In fact, I feel like we’re still kissing. I think it’s kind of like when you’ve been on a boat all day, and even though you’re off it, you still can feel it rocking.

Killer abs + devil grin + easygoing, aw-shucks attitude + sparkle + great arms + amazing kisser + star quarterback + dreamy blue eyes = irresistible.

“What are you guys going to do?” Dad asks me, more politely than normal. I pause and think, What the hell? And then I grab three Coronas and a lime from the cooler. Bold, I know, but what are they gonna do, stop me? “Well, Dad, we’ll probably start with these beers, have a few shots, do a little X, have some wild sex. You know, the usual.” I give him a smirk.

Oh, and FYI, to all you doubters out there, Danny’s arm was indeed broken. I was right! I love it when that happens!

Now, I know everyone gets all hyped up over Danny, but Phillip, who is his workout partner, is a few inches taller than Danny and carries more weight. Quite honestly, Phillip’s muscles are bigger, and I kinda like them even better. I get a little peek at his abs because, when he pulls up his sweatshirt to take it off, his T-shirt rides up with it.

Mark was a hot coworker of mine at my short-lived attempt at waitressing. He’s nineteen, in college, and totally hot. Did I mention that? Thick, wavy blond hair, big muscles, great body, hot car. He’s what Lisa would call a trifecta. Hot face. Hot bod. Hot car. Trifecta, baby.

“Just give me fifteen minutes. If I’m not back, you can charge out on your horse and rescue me.” I stop and give Phillip a hug. “I love you, Phillip. You’ll always be my best friend. And you must be a very good friend if you are willing to choose hanging out with me over getting laid. Especially when we know I’m going to do nothing but sob and complain about my stupid, cheating boyfriend. So, I just … I, um, I appreciate it, okay?” I back up and lightly punch his shoulder. “I’m just shocked, and I need to figure out what to do. I promise, I’ll be back, and hopefully, when I come back, I will have some sort of a plan. Just don’t go killing anybody yet, okay?”

“Walk into the place like you own it, JJ, and people will think that you do.” Of course, he also said, “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”

“Ever notice how what the hell is always the right answer?”

‘Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?’

She told me to let myself see a little of God every day. And, for some reason, watching those butterflies offers me more comfort than any of the prayers.

Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute? The quote is Elizabeth’s way of saying we should put more emphasis on the value of daily life. After dying, she finds out that life’s not just about special events or occasions. It’s about seeing the wonder in daily life and not wasting opportunities.

As in he’s leaving with a bleeding nose. That’s what I’m talking about. Sorry, I digress. I might still be slightly bitter.

He stands firm, pulls me back, and says, “I don’t dance until I’ve had a minimum of two shots. Sorry, it’s a rule.” “Well, rules were meant to be broken.” But he shakes his head. So, I take a different approach and purr innocently, “You mean, you can’t wrap your arms around me”—I gently run my fingers down the sides of his arms—“put your body close to mine and sway slowly”—I smile, close my eyes, and sway slightly in front of him—“until you’ve had two shots?” “It’s not a slow song,” he says, but he is weakening; I can tell.

I reach down and grab a beer from a cooler on the floor next to me. Just as I stand back up, I realize Matt has snuck up on me and is standing very close to my side. I laugh and shake my head at his persistence. “Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?” “Yeah,” he whispers in my ear and holds his mouth there. “Where?” “In you.” His voice is low and silky. I didn’t realize two simple words could sound so damn sexy. But then my eyes get big at that comment when I realize what he meant. Whew, is it hot in here all of a sudden? I think I might be speechless. That never happens. I know. I know what you’re thinking. I am, too. It’s a total line. But I have to admit, it’s given me goose bumps and made my stomach flutter. Plus, I love having my ear whispered into. Something so hot about that. I