“I guess we know what the appeal is,” Lexie sneered from behind us.
America spun, stomping toward Lexie on the warpath. Shepley grabbed her just in time.
“Say it again!” America said. “I dare you, bitch!”
Lexie cowered behind her boyfriend, shocked at America’s threat.
“Better get a muzzle on your date, Brad,” Travis warned.
Two songs later, the hair on the back of my neck was heavy and damp. Travis kissed the skin just below my ear. “C’mon, Pidge. I need a smoke.”
He led me up the stairs, and then grabbed my coat before leading me up to the second floor. We walked out onto the balcony to find Parker and his date. She was taller than I, her short, dark hair pinned back with a single bobby pin. I noticed her pointy stilettos immediately, with her leg hooked around Parker’s hip. She stood with her back against the brick, and when Parker noticed us walk out, he pulled his hand from underneath her skirt.
“Abby,” he said, surprised and breathless.
“Hey, Parker,” I said, stifling a laugh.
“How, uh … how have you been?”
I smiled politely. “I’ve been great, you?”
“Uh,” he looked at his date, “Abby this is Amber. Amber … Abby.”
“Abby Abby?” she asked.
Parker gave one quick, uncomfortable nod. Amber shook my hand with a disgusted look on her face, and then eyed Travis as if she had just encountered the enemy. “Nice to meet you … I guess.”
“Amber,” Parker warned.
Travis laughed once and then opened the doors for them to walk through. Parker grabbed Amber’s hand and retreated into the house.
“That was … awkward,” I said, shaking my head as I folded my arms, leaning against the railing. It was cold, and there were only a handful of couples outside.
Travis was all smiles. Not even Parker could dampen his
mood. “At least he’s moved on from trying his damndest to get you back.”
“I don’t think he was trying to get me back so much as trying to keep me away from you.”
Travis wrinkled his nose. “He took one girl home for me once. Now he acts like he’s made a habit of swooping in and saving every freshman I bagged.”
I gave him a wry look from the corner of my eye. “Did I ever tell you how much I loathe that word?”
“Sorry,” he said, pulling me to his side. He lit his cigarette and took a deep breath. The smoke he blew out was thicker than usual, mixing with the winter air. He turned his hand over and took a long look at his wrist. “How weird is it that this tat isn’t just my new favorite, but it makes me feel at ease to know it’s there?”
“Pretty weird.” Travis raised an eyebrow and I laughed. “I’m kidding. I can’t say I understand it, but it’s sweet … in a Travis Maddox sort of way.”
“If it feels this good to have this on my arm, I can’t imagine how it’s going to feel to get a ring on your finger.”
“Travis …”
“In four or maybe five years,” he added.
I took a breath. “We need to slow down. Way, way down.”
“Don’t start this, Pidge.”
“If we keep going at this pace, I’m going to be barefoot and pregnant before I graduate. I’m not ready to move in with you, I’m not ready for a ring, and I’m certainly not ready to settle down.”