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It took her five minutes longer than I anticipated.
“That’s nice of you, K, really, but I’d have to get a parking pass and they’re expensive. So is gas and insurance. You know I’m on a tight budget.”
“Just think about it. If you can afford the extra costs and want it, it’s all yours. If not, I’ll trade it in, not that I’m expecting to get much for it.”
Kendall excuses herself before I can respond. Having a car would be a huge bonus. I’ve never owned one before. I borrowed my mom’s car anytime I needed to go anywhere in high school or relied on my friends to pick me up. I was the only senior who rode the bus to school. It was a little embarrassing. This would give me the freedom I need to go and do whatever I want.
Like laundry at the laundromat instead of bringing everything to K and Lo’s apartment.
Or, as Kendall pointed out, going to see Micah instead of him having to come pick me up.
It’s something to think about. I’ll have to play with my budget and see if I can afford it. The library doesn’t pay much, but I’m also a teacher’s assistant during the fall and spring semesters, when more positions are available.
“So,” Kendall starts as she reclaims the seat across from me, a tall, frozen drink in her hand. “Micah, huh? How’d that happen?”
And here we go …
“It just sort of happened. I can’t explain it.”
Let’s hope she doesn’t read between the lines. The last thing I want is to confess that I threw myself at him. How would I even explain that?
I was horny so I stripped and waited for him to come back to our tent in the hope that he’d want to screw my brains out for the night. And he did.
Those words will never cross my lips.
Or at least that’s what I thought. An hour later, I’ve given her every sordid detail of the last seven days. From the tension between us when I climbed in Declan’s truck, to the little things he was whispering in my ear at the Palmers’ party to the one-night stand that turned into multiple nights.
I can feel the blush in my cheeks as Kendall listens with vested interest, every so often interrupting to ask me a question.
Is that why you wouldn’t look at him during the fireworks?
What kinds of things are on your list?
You’re in love with him already, aren’t you?
“No!” I scream, drawing the attention of the barista cleaning the table next to ours. “No,” I repeat, lowering my voice. “I’m not in love with him. Why would you think that?”
“Because I know the Graham brothers. They make it impossible not to fall in love with them. I tried to resist Declan and look how that worked out.”
“That’s you, and I’m happy for you, Kendall, but I’m not in love with him. Hell, we’re barely a couple.”
“Not what it looked or sounded like last night.”
Of course she’d bring that up. I knew they heard us, but the confirmation still makes me blush.
“Just because we’re having sex doesn’t mean I’m in love with him. Did you miss the part where I only wanted a one-night stand?”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why is that all you wanted?” she asks, relaxing back in her seat and crossing her arms over her chest in challenge. “You deserve more than one night, Alexis, and you know it. You’re the full package. Gorgeous, smart, driven.”
“I don’t want more than that. I need to focus on school. My scholarship is all I have, and if I lose it, I lose everything. My chance to make something of myself. My future career. Everything is gone if I don’t keep my grades up. Relationships are a distraction. Micah is a distraction. Plus,” I start, but stop myself from saying more.
“Plus, what?”
“Nothing.” Averting my eyes, I watch as a group of girls our age laugh out on the patio. They’re sitting at the table Piper and I usually occupy when we come here to study. It makes me miss her. I need my best friend right now. I love Kendall, but Piper is my other half. The yin to my yang.
