"Look who showed up!" She throws her arms around me, and, before I know it, she's climbing me like a beanpole.
"Whoa." I glance to the door because I know what's coming next.
Sure enough Annie walks in and holy, holy … Annie looks fierce in her fitted jeans, tan cowboy boots that beg for a horse to ride, and a tight sweater that annihilates me in the very best way. She looks over with a laugh caught in her throat, and I give a stupid wave. That ridiculous grin comes to my face. I can't help but lose myself in her for a moment.
A hard bite sinks over my ear, and I let out a groan. Shit. I forgot all about the blonde dangling from my body like a Christmas ornament.
"Down girl." I carefully plant her in front of Gunner. "You're welcome." I turn to Eddie, "Don't worry, buddy. She's got a friend."
I thread through the crowd, but Annie isn't anywhere to be seen. Shit. She probably took off. I head for the door and spot her in the corner with a blonde by her side and two guys I recognize from parties past chatting it up with them. I hold back a smile. It looks like they can use another person in their circle. Annie spots me and steps toward the guy to her left. He's tall and GQ with a freaking suit on. A suit. Who the hell wears a suit to a frat house? I get a little closer, and Annie glances my way before putting her hand on his shoulder.
I pause a moment trying to figure this out. It's not that Tristan douche. In fact, I've never seen her with this guy before. A thought occurs to me. Is she trying to make me jealous? I'd be amused if I wasn't annoyed or-for the lack of a better word-jealous. Wait, this doesn't have to do with pole climbing Jo-the-ho back there does it? Holy heck. A smile digs into the side of my cheek. Maybe I'm not the only jealous one around here. The music spikes up ten octaves, and the smile glides off my face because Annie can't hear it. No music, no favorite song, she hasn't heard a note of what comes from my mouth, and yet she's always faithful with a smile on her face each time we're at the Black Bear.
"What's going on?" I dig my gaze into hers and step in front of the preppy who's trying to rope her in with his smooth tie, his smooth talk.
"Dude"-he pulls me back by the shoulder a little too rough for my liking-"we're having a conversation."
"She's with me." I don't take my eyes off Annie. I can't. Her lips are a luscious juicy red tonight, and I'm dying to take a bite. She's beautiful with her eyes glowing in this dim light, her frosted eye shadow sparkles just enough to give her that angel effect. But Annie doesn't need it. Annie is an angel, my injured soul can testify to that.
"What part of we're having a conversation don't you understand?" The dude barks in my ear, and my jaw clenches because I know his type. He's not able to leave well enough alone until things get physical.
I turn to get a better look at the guy I'm about to assault-clean cut, hair parted neatly down the side, glasses. I'll try not to bend the frame.
"See those chicks over there?" I nod to where Gunner and Eddie are about to close a deal. "They're aching for some action. You want to get lucky? I'd hurry if I were you." I turn my full attention to Annie. That beaming smile of hers goes off, and it makes me wonder what the hell we're still doing in a room full of people.
My shoulder gets yanked from behind as the idiot shoves me into the wall. A slight gasp emits from the immediate crowd around us. He's teasing out my anger like a rock against flint.
"I'm glad you started it." I draw back my arm. "Because I'd love to finish it." My fist connects with his jaw, and his glasses go flying. Sorry sport. He lands on top of me and offers a knee to the balls.
Holy shit! Who does that? I roll over, dying in pain, and, before I know it, the entire frat house has turned into a brawling match.
Ah, fuck. I get on all fours trying to get the hell up. I try to recompose myself enough to find Annie but can't see straight for the life of me. The dull ache sears right through to my belly, and I fight the urge to puke. A surge rises through me. I kick the legs out from beneath him before we go at it again.
Idiots-both him and me.
After the melee dies down, Barkley, the house "sitter" AKA house brother, kicks everyone the hell out. The place is trashed. There's a questionable pool of liquid in the middle of the room leading right up over the sofa where I lay my head at night. And something tells me that good time is over.
I pull my phone out and shoot a text to Annie right from where I'm lying on the floor. Sorry about that.
Don't apologize. Are you ok???
I'm fine. Just want to make sure you're safe.
She texts right back. My roommate and I went home.
I'm glad. You free tomorrow afternoon? 3:30?
Sure! I imagine the excitement on her face, and my heart thumps at the idea of making her happy-making anyone happy.
Great. I'll pick you up at Prescott.
And how do you know where I live?
A smile comes and goes. I can practically see her flirting.
I'm a proficient stalker. Goodnight, Annie.
Goodnight, Blake.
Perfect. I'll pick her up right after work. I know just the place to take her-that is if the weather behaves.
"Daniels!" A swift kick to my thigh rouses my attention as I get up off the floor. Barkley helps me up the rest of the way. "Sorry about your balls, dude." He shakes his head. "But you gotta go. It's university policy, no squatters allowed. I would have let you stay if you didn't start shit."
I'd let him know I didn't technically start shit, but I'm pretty sure it's not a fight I'm going to win, so I raise my hands in surrender and give.
"I'll be gone come morning."
"No can do. I need you gone right now."
"Where am I supposed to go?" It's dropping down to the thirties tonight. I hate sleeping in the truck. I've done it a time or two, and I'm not in the mood to assume the neck cricking position.
"Not my problem." He heads for the stairs. "I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding some girl to share a bed with. Alpha Chi is fucking generous this time of year."
"Alpha Chi." I groan as I think of hauling all my crap down from the attic. I don't want to share a bed with anyone from Alpha Chi tonight or any other night. Annie blinks through my mind, those ruby lips, that wild hair, those lucent eyes that I wish I could stare into all night long. I think I know who I want to share a bed with, and I'm pretty sure she deserves someone way better than me. Maybe that preppy. I'm betting he's not a homeless dropout with a kid on the way.
I collect my things and start the long drive over to Jepson.
The light is on in Wyatt's ranch house. Those cowboy boots Annie wore tonight come to mind and hit me like another kick in the balls. Wyatt has more than a few horses I can teach her to ride.
I head up the porch and give a brisk knock to the door. It takes a good five minutes for it to swing open. Wyatt appears in nothing but his sweats. A girl stands behind him with his dress shirt wrapped around her body like a robe.
Great.
"What's going on?" He squints past me into the night. He's my spitting image minus the rough edge and tats-same dark hair, same God-breathed eyes our mother used to say.
"You said you wanted to talk." I plunk my duffle bag onto the porch. "Here I am."
Silent Kisses
Annie
Saturday morning I wake up with the sun-reeling off the excitement of seeing Blake later on today. Marley and I head to Hallowed Grounds for breakfast before Holt picks me up for a lunch date with my mother. I've been heading home almost every Friday night and staying through the weekend, but as soon as I learned that Blake would be at Regency House last night, I knew I wanted to stay.
So how are things with William? I tap the screen on my phone playfully. Marley has her hair up in a messy bun. Her eye makeup is slightly smudged, and she's still unreasonably gorgeous.
"Great." Her brows rise, but she doesn't smile like she usually does when she gushes about him. She types into her phone. I miss him more than I thought I would. I'm beginning to wonder if I made a mistake by coming to Whitney.
Now I feel bad. Don't say that. Things happen for a reason. I'm sure everything will work out. You just need to get used to everything. How did things work out with the velvet handcuffs? I bet he was thrilled to do a little research with you.
She makes a face. Never did use them. His stomach was upset, and he ended up leaving early. I don't know why, but I got the feeling it was just an excuse.
I'm not sure what to say now. Is he coming down again soon?
She lets out an exasperated breath. He was supposed to come down today, but he has a big paper due on Monday. He'll be down next weekend for sure. I think I'm going to surprise him and drive up. It's only fair if we take turns. She strums her nails, getting lost in thought for a moment. "And what about you? Where do you think Blake is taking you later today?" She mouths the words carefully to me.