Try Me (Extracurricular Activities #2)

by Neve Wilder

“So now what?” he asked. “We go through these files and figure out where to go next.” “No, I meant now what as in, like, you and me.” Mark messed with a strand of hair, then raked his hand through the neat ends. “I’m not going to mention it to anyone, if that’s what you mean.” There it was, just as I suspected. I could see it in the way he kept his head turned away, fiddling with his pants, looking anywhere else except at me: regret was settling in. Or maybe shame. Concern about what others might think, about associating with a guy like me. Gossip traveled fast, and the pipeline was probably faster to Mark’s dad. I couldn’t even imagine what he’d say, and I also couldn’t deny the cruel little thrill I got thinking about it. I kinda had to wonder if that was part of Mark’s appeal to me now. This fucked-up sense of revenge, messing with his pristine white-collar life. Maybe I had more of a mean streak in me than I’d thought. Mark’s gaze dropped to his feet. I followed it down, something inside me softening. “Or is that not what you meant?” He cleared his throat gruffly and shook his head. “Nah, that’s what I meant. Let’s go.”