Somebody Else's Sky (Something in the Way #2)(59)

"I don't like drinking," I said, touching my temple. What could I say to Corbin other than sorry? Apologizing didn't even seem right. "I don't trust myself to make decisions . . . and I don't feel right. I just want to leave."

"Fine." I heard the disappointment in his voice. "But I don't have my car, and everyone here is wasted."

I looked away. It was my first night out on my own, and I was drunk. I wasn't about to get my parents to come down here. Dad would be pissed, and I'd be the baby who'd gotten picked up by her parents from the prom. "I'll call my sister."

Corbin made an irritated gesture toward the phones on his way to the front door. "I'll be in the suite."

Once I heard the door latch, I sat on the edge of the bed and called Tiffany.

"Hello?" Manning answered on the first ring.

My heart clenched. "It's Lake."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Is Tiffany there?"

"She's asleep." That made sense, it was after midnight, but it didn't sound as if Manning had been sleeping. "What is it? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I just . . . I don't think I want to stay at the hotel."

He was quiet a few seconds. I didn't know what else to say. I didn't want him to think I was childish for not wanting to have sex on prom night, but I hadn't thought up another excuse.

"I'll be right there," he said.

"What about Tiffany?" she asked.

"You want me to get her up?"

I picked up a velvety petal, rubbing it between my thumb and index finger. Part of me wanted my big sister. Even though Tiffany would undoubtedly tease me about this, she had real experience with boys. She'd know how to handle Corbin. But time alone with Manning was precious. More than precious. A bigger part of me wanted him. "No."

"Go down to the lobby and wait there," he said. "Not outside. Don't come out until you see my car. It's late."

"I'm at the-"

"I know where you are," he said. "Ten minutes."

I hung up. When I stood and turned, Corbin was in the entryway. He had my overnight bag slung on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Lake. I really didn't expect anything. I'd be happy just to hang out all night."

Guilt crept up my chest. "I'm sorry you came all the way here."

"It's all right," he said. "I got to surf at least."

I smiled a little. "Sydney's date went home. Maybe you could take her back to the room."

"I don't want Sydney," he said simply. "I want you."

I wrung my hands in front of me. "I didn't realize . . ."

"That was my fault," he said, holding out my bag, "but now you do."

Corbin insisted on walking me downstairs. We stood silently in the lobby, watching through the windows until Tiffany's car pulled up with Manning behind the wheel.



       
         
       
        

He got out, stood against the driver's side door with a cigarette, and watched us through the floor-to-ceiling windows. His expression was so dark, it dimmed the harsh light of the lobby.

"What's his deal anyway?" Corbin asked. "Your dad has no problem with you hanging around an ex-con?"

I wanted to say he wasn't an ex-con. And that no, my dad was not okay with it. He still hated Manning and I wasn't allowed to be alone with him, but none of that meant anything to me. In my eyes, he was just Manning, my Manning.

"He's a good guy," I said.

"Then why is Tiffany with him?"

It was a joke, but I didn't laugh. Why was Tiffany still with him? I'd asked myself over and over. At times, I could read my sister easily, but on this, I wasn't sure. It had started as a way to piss off Dad, and Manning's presence still upset him, but not as much. I almost thought Dad was beginning to accept him in our lives. So what would happen if Dad no longer cared that they were dating?

I worried my sister actually thought she loved Manning. Sometimes I caught her watching him the same way I did . . . with stars in her eyes.

Corbin kissed me before I could stop him. "Call me, okay? This doesn't change anything between us."

I gave him a close-lipped smile. If Corbin wanted to stay friends, I definitely wanted that, too. "Thanks for a great night," I said.

I turned away, back to Manning, who watched me through the glass. I crossed the lobby toward him, suddenly aware of how low cut my dress was, of the silky way the fabric whispered around my smooth legs. Aware of Manning's eyes on me, and of the fact that in a moment, we'd be getting into a car alone for the first time since that night almost two years ago.