Stella was the balance to our crazy, the only person who could talk us off the ledge. And, yes, there might have been an actual ledge involved at one time.
I shook my head at Stella’s question about the report, but Maisie nodded. “That would be a yes for me and a no for Willa.” I knew she would have finished the report a week before it was due.
I pouted at her statement even though that’s what my usual MO was when it came to homework. Why do it today when you can procrastinate and write it the day it’s due?
“At least I started my research. Writing about the evolution of Thor as part of Norse mythology is harder than I thought. I was a bit hasty making my decision based on the movie and Chris Hemsworth’s abs. Most of the literature is written in Old Norse, and I have to find translations. It’s taking forever.”
I groaned at the thought of the paper I had to write in less than a week. This one was definitely not last-minute kind of work, and I had to keep up my grades to stay eligible for my scholarship. I had done surprisingly well so far, but this class was turning me into a fruit loop. Apparently everyone had to take classes outside of their chosen major, but I was stupid enough to choose something that required hours of research.
“Holy smokes, do you see that guy?” Stella asked, attempting to nod her head inconspicuously but failing miserably. Maisie took a sip of her drink, following Stella’s line of sight and promptly choked on it. “Is that Jameson?”
Maisie narrowed her eyes and nodded. “Definitely Jameson. Don’t get too close or you might get pregnant.” I should also mention that Maisie was a judgmental bitch at times. This was one of those times. “Remember Hannah?”
Of course I remembered Hannah. She tried to be the one to tie down Jameson by proclaiming to everyone and their mother that she was pregnant with his baby. Of course, she wasn’t, because if we knew anything about Jameson it was that he was careful when it came to protecting his independence, and a baby was the last thing he wanted.
The truth came out eventually but not before she’d already done a lot of damage.
I knew Jameson couldn’t keep it in his pants, but nobody deserved to be treated that way. And the gossip mill was still going strong, not letting anyone forget about the incident. It was, after all, one of the most exciting things to happen to this town since Barry Laker painted his house blue.
I stole a glance over Stella’s shoulder and looked straight at none other than tall, dark, and broody. I was confused as to why he would be watching us. In all the years we had lived in the same town, he had exchanged exactly three words with me, three words I would always remember. His deep baritone gave me shivers, and looking at his eyes made me lose all brain function.
Word one was to order a Coke, word two to order a burger, and word three was to ask me for the bill. And I’m not even kidding when I say it was a total of three words. He didn’t do polite, and he certainly didn’t waste his words. He believed in the power of one-word communication.
Maisie nudged me and nodded toward him much more subtly than Stella. “He is definitely watching, and I am pretty sure it’s you he’s looking at.”
I tried hard not to turn my head again and glued my eyes to Maisie instead. “I don’t think so. But I have to head off now anyway. You guys want a lift?”
Stella was talking to someone we knew from class, and if the gleam in her eyes was anything to go by, also her latest hookup.
“I’m good. Lance is around here somewhere, so I’ll just catch a ride with him later,” Maisie said.
“If you’re sure,” I said, knowing the crush Maisie had on her brother’s friend all too well. Maisie waved me off when I did my duty as devoted friend and asked her again if she wanted to come with me. After a round of hugs and promises to meet up the next day, she pushed her way through the mass of people.
I made it outside after receiving a few slaps to the ass, and someone was even so nice as to share their drink with me. The top half of my dress now had a big wet spot down the front, making it look like my tits were leaking. There weren’t many people around, and the fresh air made me breathe easier again. At least I could start my paper early in the morning and maybe have something to show Maisie. I knew she would be on me again tomorrow.
I walked the few blocks to my car and shivered in my thin dress. It was hard to find free parking near the club, and I wasn’t picky where I parked as long as it didn’t cost me anything, a decision I regretted in moments like these when I turned onto the dark side street. At least my car was still there. It wouldn’t be the first time someone broke into it or towed it, leaving me with no way to get back home.
I unlocked the door, thinking about the leftover pizza in my fridge. Lost in thought, I didn’t hear someone approaching until they were next to me, making me jump back in surprise and emit a loud squeal.
The guy put up his hands to indicate he
