Stupid Girl(57)

“Do you think of having sex with him?” she asked.

Now my face flamed. “God, Tessa,” I said.

“Well? Have you?” she continued.

“Yes. Yes, I have considered it. At length. And all I can say is,” I shrugged, “if it happens, it happens. Right now I don’t feel pressured.” I looked at her. “Not at all.”

“Then you got nerves of steel, chica, because I’ve seen the way he kisses you,” she shook her head and fanned her face. “Hot, mamacita. Sincerely.”

I laughed lightly. “Yeah. That is true.”

“What about your vow?”

I sighed, my finger twirling the familiar silver band. Should I tell Tessa? I wanted to, but the words wouldn’t come. I sighed. “All I know is he makes me feel special, Tessa. I’ve never felt this way before. Ever.” I shrugged. “I didn’t pledge to become a nun. It’s a pledge of choice. My choice. And he’s not pressuring me. If our relationship evolves in that direction, I’ll face it then. With Brax.”

“What if he can’t hold out?” Tessa asked.

The thought made my insides ache. “Well,” I gave her a light smile. “Then I’ll know I did the right thing by waiting.”

A gentleness settled into Tessa’s large brown eyes, and she gave a slight nod. “You are one tough woman, Olivia Beaumont. I truly admire you.” She squinched her brows together. “But if that fucker breaks your heart his ass is grass!”

I laughed at Tessa as I jumped in the shower. It felt good to have her on my team, even though it was a little early to say my heart was truly invested. Funny, I hadn’t wanted a relationship. It sort of just … happened. Unavoidable as breathing. Fifteen minutes later I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, brushed my teeth, and applied lotion. I slipped the sleeveless red floral shift with buttons down the front over my head, and it dropped to just at my knees. I padded out to my side of the room, grabbed my sandals, and sat on the bed. I looked at my legs with dread.

“What’s that face for?” Tessa asked.

I shook my head as I applied lotion. “My legs are so beat up.”

“How come?”

I looked at her and sighed. “It’s what happens in a horse pen, Tess. They’ve taken a beating with me getting flung all over the place.”

She waved a hand at me. “They look fine, chica. Disgustingly gorgeous, actually. No worries.”

I pulled on my sandals, rebraided my hair, and grabbed my bag. “Thanks. I’ll see ya later?”

“I’ll be here.”

With excitement pinging inside of me, I headed downstairs to meet Brax.





Twenty minutes passed with no sign or word from Brax. I’d settled on the edge of the walkway, but the concrete was hard to sit on for long. I finally stood, stretched and started pacing along the concrete that skirted Oliver Hall. The sun had dropped beneath the horizon, but it was not yet dark outside. Just that strange hazy gloom that fell between afternoon and dusk, complimenting a sky streaked lavender and ginger. It was peaceful out, with very few students mingling between the dorms. A breeze lifted the curls at my neck and I inhaled, and continued to walk. I’d made it almost to the opposite side of the dorm when I stopped and scanned the parking lot. It wasn’t like Brax to be late. For anything. Something must be holding him up—

“Liv? Now don’t run off,” Kelsy’s deep voice startled me from behind, and I whirled around to face him. He stood there, hands up, palms facing me. “I just want to talk, swear to God.”

I kept my distance and my eyes on him. “Just walk away, Kelsy. There’s nothing to talk about.” I searched for the easiest escape, and neither appealed me. The dorm entrance was further away than my truck. Escape? Why did I feel the urge to run? He wasn’t going to attack me, for God’s sake. Still, he made me uncomfortable. I cast a quick glance around the darkening parking lot. Mostly empty.

A low laugh came from his throat, and he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His head tilted toward me. “Nothin’ to talk about? There’s plenty, Liv. Don’t shut me out.” He took a few steps toward me. “Not again.”

Anger pulled at my insides. “Again? What’s wrong with you? Did our entire senior year conveniently exit your memory, Kelsy?”

He moved closer still, and I really had nowhere else to go except my truck. Run from him? I wasn’t a coward, dammit. I wasn’t. So I anchored my feet to the sidewalk.

“That’s in the past,” Kelsy crooned. “C’mon, Liv.” He reached for me, close enough to grasp my bare shoulder. “God, look at you. That dress? You’re so damn pretty. Liv, it’s me. We’ve known each other since the fourth grade. High school was just high school. Stupid kid stuff. And I made a mistake.” He grasped my other shoulder, dug his fingers into my skin and looked down at me. “This is a new start. A different life.” A grin moved over his face. “We’re grown now. All that other shit’s forgotten.” He tugged at my shoulders, pulling me unwillingly against his chest. His arms enveloped me. “C’mon, baby. Truce?”