“Those are just rumors Huntley. I’ve known Grayson since we were five and he’s not as bad as people say. Yeah, he likes to have drunken one night stands now and then but you can’t hold him entirely responsible when the girls are willing. They know what he’s like and yet they still make him out to be the bad guy. Besides, have you seen that boys’ ass?” she giggles and I smile.
I would never admit to her that his face almost made me stop dead when I approached his table. His green eyes met mine and held them for a second too long. His dark brown hair fell just above his eyes in that ‘just fucked’ kind of way that makes every girl want to run her fingers through it. Yeah, he’s gorgeous. Even I would be an idiot not to acknowledge the fact.
“Hey,” Demi says, interrupting my daydream, “Where’d you go?”
I blush, realizing she’s probably caught me thinking about Grayson. She grins. Shit, now I know she’s caught me. “Sorry, it’s been a long day and I’m tired. My mind kinda drifted off.” It’s partly true since I am tired but I hope she doesn’t question it.
“Ok fine, we won’t talk about him anymore but promise me you won’t be too quick to jump to conclusions. Too many people have made their minds up about him before they really know him. Not everything is what you see on the outside, he’s good at hiding what he doesn’t want people to see,” Demi shuts her mouth like she’s said something she shouldn’t have. What does she mean he’s good at hiding what he doesn’t want people to see? Does he have some deep dark secrets? The thought weighs heavy on my mind. I know all about dark secrets. They’re the reason I left so much behind.
“I promise,” I whisper, wondering if I’ll be able to stop myself from wanting to know the real story behind the infamous Grayson Carter.
Demi’s mood changes from serious to whimsical in a flash and I’m grateful to escape the melancholy I was about to succumb to. “Um, there’s something I kind of need to tell you,” Demi says next to me. I look at her and see that she’s nervous.
“Okay,” I say, although it’s more of a question. I have a bad feeling about this.
“Well I might have given your number to a guy in my Sociology class,” she bites her lip but doesn’t look at me. She knows how I feel about dating. I decided I wouldn’t, at least not until after I graduate.
“What?” I screech, “Why would you do that?”
“He’s a really nice guy and you need to loosen up a little and have fun! You’ve been here a while already and you still rarely go out, even with me.”
I close my eyes and lay my head on the headrest, taking a calming breath. I know she means well but she doesn’t know enough to understand why dating is so far off my radar. “What did you say?” I ask, leaving my eyes closed.
“I told him to call you. He wants to take you to dinner sometime,” she replies. “And his name is Luke.”
This is a lost cause. When Demi sets her mind to something not even the force of a hurricane can stop her. I guess one date wouldn’t hurt.
“Ok fine,” I breathe, “But one date and that’s it.” I turn to look at her in time to see her grin.
Before I know it we’re pulling up to the property that surrounds Lake Dixon. It’s a warm evening and the sun set a little while ago. Sun sets are my favorite but I missed it, a little too preoccupied with my chat with Demi on the drive over here. It doesn’t take long before we hear the loud music blaring from several pick-up trucks that come into view. They’re all parked backwards in a circle, surrounding a huge bonfire made of wood. We pull over and park next to a blue Ford F150. What is it with these boys and their trucks I wonder. It must be a country thing.
The boys are all standing around the fire with plastic red cups in their hands, laughing and singing along to a song I’ve never heard of. Tommy spots us walking up to them and yells “Well if isn’t my woman!” drawing everyone’s attention to Demi and I. I stifle a laugh when Demi narrows her eyes at her drunken boyfriend. “Thomas Elliot McKinley, how many times have I told you not to call me that!” she yells back, putting her hands on her hips. Demi is only 5 ft 4 but her size is deceiving. This tiny girl can make grown ass men cower. It’s scary watching such a small thing in action.
“Ah come here baby, you know I’m just teasing,” Tommy coos, stumbling towards us until he envelops Demi in his big arms. They make an odd couple but only because Tommy is just over six feet tall with short black hair. He has the typical build for a college ball player – broad shoulders, muscular arms, a trim waist and leg muscles big enough to kick start a small plane. He’s good looking but so not my type.
Demi kisses him a little too intimately and I have to look away from their public display of affection. I’ve always wanted to know what it feels like to be that loved by another human being. I thought I felt it once but as luck would have it, I was wrong.