Everyone is scrambling now, looking excited. Overstars. Have I won them over with something I really love? Something that allowed me to remain true to myself?
I gesture for them to come over to the railing of the ship. “Who wants to look first?”
“This messy Libra has dibs,” the first girl shouts, clicking her way over to me in white stilettos. “This is so cool. Can you tell me my horoscope, too?”
“Ooh. That might be outside my wheelhouse, but we can Google it while you look. Make it a whole experience.”
“Someone Google Libra!” She gives me a little hip bump. “I’m Eliza, by the way.”
I turn and send Tripp a smile over my shoulder, only to find he hasn’t moved. He’s still standing in the same spot, watching me with something in his expression I can’t name because I’ve never seen it before. It’s wonder. Breathlessness. And maybe…
No.
It can’t be love, right? So soon?
With a heavy breath, I turn back around and point my telescope up at the sky, locating the shape I have memorized as well as my own name. Handing Eliza the telescope, I point out Libra, my chest tightening with pride when she gasps and everyone starts begging for their turn.
“How did you manage to snag Tripp Sterling, by the way?” Eliza asks me when someone else takes the telescope. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s been around the block. We all have. But I’ve never seen him pay actual attention to a girl longer than two seconds. And agirlfriend?” She looks impressed. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
Tripp
I can’t takemy eyes off her.
She…is killing it. I walked into this party ready to verbally slaughter anyone who even came close to hurting her feelings. But she has charmed the girls so thoroughly, they’re eating out of the palm of her hand. Theyadoreher. And I grew up with these young women, so I know how rare an occurrence this is. They are not easy to impress.
“Um, Tripp.” Someone waves their hand in front of my face. “You in there?”
“Huh?” I attempt to focus on the conversation taking place with the boys, but not a single word has penetrated my lovestruck haze. “Sorry, catch me up.”
“We’re talking about that new freshman defenseman we met at training. Xavier. What did you think about him?”
They want to talk about lacrosse when I’m taking Vida’s virginity tonight?
I can’t think about anything else.
Yes, I’m thinking about how it’s going to feel to be inside her. How fucking sweet she’s going to smell and taste and sound. How good it’ll be to move on top of her.
Yes, I’m definitely thinking about all of that.A lot.
But I’m also thinking about how I can make her first time comfortable. How I can guarantee her pleasure, even though it might hurt a little. How I can make sure she knows it means a lot to me that she’s trusting me with something so important.
Making her cry was probably my first mistake.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I should go apologize again. I should?—
“There is no freshman named Xavier,” Calder snorts. “You’re not even listening, man.”
Shawn chimes in. “He’s got something on the brain and it’s not lacrosse.”
“Hint,” Calder whispers. “It’s that sweet lower-class pussy.”
I snap out of my daze instantly, anger rendering me temporarily mute. “What the fuck did you just say?” I grab Calder by the lapels of his shirt, getting in his face. “That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about. Speak about her with respect or you won’t be able to speak at all.”
Calder has the good sense to look embarrassed.
Briefly.
