Read Crushed (Rushed #2) for Free Online Page B

on social probation."
    If he expected me to blink, he was crazy. "Very perceptive."
    "You're not denying it." He held my gaze.
    "Why should I?"
    He shook his head. "I'm not under the oath of ADIS right now. I could spread the rumor around."
    "You're an ass." I tried to step around him.
    "But I won't."
    I stopped short.
    "But. If you head back to the house now, the infamous party girl Morgan will give herself away. The way I see it, you'll either have to feign a headache or illness and hide out in your room. Or go to the movies by yourself and pretend you've been out on the party scene." He paused. "I'll save you the trouble. I'm taking you to the movies."
    My mouth fell open. He took my arm, looked both ways, and dragged me across the street against a Do Not Walk sign.  
    "Living on the edge?" I said. "Won't a jaywalking conviction be three strikes?"
    "Dream on." He grinned, and my heart did an unexpected, odd little flip. "I haven't been convicted of anything yet."
    The movie theater was two blocks away down Main Street. We walked there in silence. At the box office, Dakota picked an action-adventure comic book flick and insisted on paying. Inside the lobby, he bought a huge-sized popcorn, two huge cups of pop, and a box of Nerds.  
    The theater was nearly full, but we found two seats in the back. As we made our way up the aisle, I spotted Brenda with a couple of her friends. She gave me the death glare.  
    Crap! I was already in her crosshairs. She had the completely wrong idea, I could tell. But that didn't matter. I couldn't explain. I wouldn't. Now it would be all over the sorority that I'd been out with Dakota.
    For his part, Dakota ignored her. He made his way to the far center of the row and lifted the armrest separating two seats. When we'd settled in, he rested the popcorn on his leg and mine between us.  
    The previews had already started. Neither of us spoke. Our hands brushed as we reached for popcorn at the same time. I felt almost like I was on a junior high date. Everything was so innocent. But I was nervous and out of my element. Like, what were we?  
    Frenemies. That was all I could think. But every time our hands accidentally brushed, I felt a spark. And almost shy, like he thought I was doing it on purpose.
    At one point, I half expected him to put his arm around me and try to cop a feel of my breast. But he kept his hands, arms, and all appendages to himself. And stupidly, I was disappointed.
    When the movie was over and the credits started to roll, Dak popped right up. I stayed in my seat. I wanted to give Brenda and company a chance to exit before we did. The last thing I needed was a run-in with her.  
    Dak looked at me quizzically. "Coming? The movie's over."
    "No, it's not." I stared straight ahead at the screen. "It has a stinger. You know, one of those little surprise scenes at the end of the credits? Victoria saw this movie last week. She said the stinger's awesome."
    "Oh. You're one of those ." He sighed like he was resigned, and sat down. "Irreconcilable differences."
    "You're not?" I actually turned to look at him. "Stingers can make the whole movie. Either they set up a sequel or they highlight the whole point of the film. Worst case, they just give you a laugh."
    "Or they irritate the cleaning crew."
    "Shut up! Stinger haters miss the point. We paid to see the movie. The whole movie. Don't sell us short. You should be looking for the fun surprises in life, waiting patiently for them. Not cheating yourself out of them."
    The theater was nearly empty. Brenda gave up and left, shooting me a glare over her shoulder before she disappeared from sight. Only the half-dozen hardcore stinger lovers remained. And the cleaning crew was already sweeping up popcorn.
    "But—"
    "Shhh! Here it is."
    He shut up and watched it with me. When it was over, those of us who were left clapped.  
    I turned to Dak.  
    His eyes were wide. "Awesome!"
    "See!" I said. "Made the movie." Then I nearly did something