I narrowed my eyes at her. “I can hear you, you know.”
America used the face she knew I couldn’t say no to. “Please, Abby? We’ll find you a nice guy that’s funny and witty, and you know I’ll make sure he’s hot…I promise you’ll have a good time! And who knows? Maybe you’ll hit it off.”
Travis threw the pan in the sink. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t take her.”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t do me any favors, Travis.”
“That’s not what I meant, Pidge. Date parties are for the guys with girlfriends, and it’s common knowledge that I don’t do the girlfriend-thing. But I won’t have to worry about you expecting an engagement ring afterward.”
America jutted her lip out. “Pretty please, Abby?”
“Don’t look at me like that!” I complained. “Travis doesn’t want to go, I don’t want to go…we won’t be much fun.”
Travis crossed his arms and leaned against the sink. “I didn’t say I didn’t want to go. I think it’d be fun if the four of us went,” he shrugged.
Everyone’s eyes focused on me, and I recoiled. “Why don’t we hang out here?”
America pouted and Shepley leaned forward. “Because I have to go, Abby. I’m a freshman; I have to make sure everything’s moving smoothly, everyone has a beer in their hand, things like that.”
Travis walked across the kitchen and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side. “C’mon, Pidge. Will you go with me?”
I looked at America, then at Shepley, and finally to Travis. “Yes,” I sighed.
America squealed and hugged me, and then I felt Shepley’s hand on my back. “Thanks, Abby,” Shepley said.
CHAPTER THREE
cheap shot
Finch took another drag. The smoke flowed from his nose in two thick streams. I angled my face toward the sun as he regaled me with the recent weekend of dancing, booze and a very persistent new friend.
“If he’s stalking you, then why do you let him buy you drinks?” I laughed.
“It’s simple, Abby. I’m broke.”
I laughed again, and Finch jabbed his elbow into my side when he caught sight of Travis walking toward us.
“Hey, Travis,” Finch lilted, winking at me.
“Finch,” he nodded. He dangled his keys. “I’m headed home, Pidge. You need a ride?”
“I was just going in,” I said, grinning up at him through my sunglasses.
“You’re not staying with me tonight?” he asked, his face a combination of surprise and disappointment.
“No, I am. I just had to grab a few things that I forgot.”
“Like what?”
“Well, my razor for one. What do you care?”
“It’s about time you shaved your legs. They’ve been tearing the hell outta mine,” he said with an impish grin.
Finch’s eyes bulged as he gave me a quick once over, and I made a face at Travis. “That’s how rumors get started!” I looked at Finch and shook my head. “I’m sleeping in his bed…just sleeping.”
“Right,” Finch said with a smug smile.
I smacked Finch’s arm before yanking the door open and climbing the stairs. By the time I reached the second floor, Travis was beside me.
“Oh, don’t be mad. I was just kidding.”
“Everyone already assumes we’re having sex. You’re making it worse.”
“Who cares what they think?”
“I do, Travis! I do!” I pushed open my door, shoved my things in a small tote, and then stormed out with Travis trailing behind. He chuckled as he took the bag from my hand, and I glared at him. “It’s not funny. Do you want the whole school to think I’m one of your sluts?”
Travis frowned. “No one thinks that. And if they do, they better hope I don’t hear about it.”
He held the door open for me, and after walking through, I stopped abruptly in front of him.