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I press a hand to my stomach as another thought occurs to me.
What if he’s here with another girl? It’s not like he lives in a dorm where there are rules about such things.
Oh, God. How embarrassing. It’s totally possible he took someone else home after I left Bradd’s. But do I even want a guy who would do that?
An image of Jace flashes in my head, but I push it away.
Why the hell am I thinking about him now? He and Stanley are nothing alike. I’m being ridiculous.
I wipe my damp palms on the soft cotton of my dress, then hurry up and stab the doorbell before I can chicken out.
If he’s no good, better to know now.
Footsteps echo from within, and I wait as my heart beats like a drum inside my chest. A minute later, a kid I recognize as one of Stan’s friends answers. His eyes brighten with recognition as he points and says, “Brynn, right?”
I nod as nerves twist in my stomach.
“You here for Stan?”
“Yeah, um, is he home?” I ask, wringing my hands out in front of me.
“Sure. Come on.” He motions me inside and the tension in my muscles immediately drains. “I’ll go get him and be right back.”
He disappears down the hallway, leaving me alone in the living room where I glance around at my surroundings. The house looks different than I envisioned. Nicer, maybe? Certainly cleaner, although I imagine throughout the school year, with parties and an increase in roommates, that’s not always the case.
A leather couch and several worn-out chairs sit in the living room in front of an old fireplace that appears unused. Dark wooden floors contrast with the pale blue paint on the walls. A huge flat screen TV hangs on one of the walls, which are otherwise bare. A swift look around the corner into the kitchen reveals dated walnut cabinets and a large island with an old pizza box and several empty beer and soda cans standing sentinel.
A couple minutes later, Stanley emerges, and I smile as nerves riot inside my chest. Despite the slightly wary look in his eyes, his expression lights up as he takes me in. “Brynn.” He comes to stand in front of me. “Aren’t you a breath of fresh air? I certainly didn’t expect to see you today.” His gaze flickers up and down my body. “What are you doing here?”
I swallow, reminding myself to be bold. “I came to talk to you about last night. I wanted to apologize on Jace’s behalf.”
Stanley shakes his head and his gaze drops to the hardwood. “You don't have to do that.”
“I know, but I wanted to,” I say.
That catches his attention. His head lifts, and he watches me for a moment as if sensing there’s more I want to say.
“I’d be lying if I said I knew why Jace is such an ass. He’s just . . . overprotective? Feels like he needs to step in since my brother’s not here? I know he enjoys getting under my skin. Combine that with his promise to watch over me, and . . .” I shrug. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. That’s not why I even came here.”
“It’s not?” he asks, searching my eyes.
I shake my head. “I like you.”
Stanley exhales, his gaze softening. “I thought maybe there was something going on between you and Taggart.”
“No way. He and I would never.”
“You’re sure there’s nothing . . .?”
“Zero. He’s like a parasite I can’t shake. Half the time, I think his existence is purely meant to torture me.” I take a step closer, mustering my courage. “I’m hoping you’ll let me make it up to you by taking you out.”
Stanley chuckles. “You wanna take me out, huh?”
I grin as I scrunch my nose. “Fair warning, though, I don’t have a car, so our options will be limited, but I was thinking maybe a coffee?”
“Coffee sounds good.” He smiles and his gaze drops to my mouth, which I take as a good sign. From what I recall, he’s a pretty good kisser. “You available now?” he asks.
I bite my lip, fighting my grin before I nod. “Now’s great.”
