“I recognize that look in your eyes,” I said to Skyler. “You are in lust.”
“Not lust—love,” she said. “Aren’t you just obsessed with The Drainers? And Travis?”
“Is Travis the lead singer?”
Someone next to me snorted. This guy had obviously been listening in on our conversation. “You think this derivative bunch of posers is good?”
Sky sent him her best death glare, but it didn’t stop him.
“That steaming pile up onstage known as The Drainers?” he said. “I just don’t get it. Every woman here thinks this band is the next Rolling Stones or something. Is everyone tone-deaf?”
“Hater,” Sky whispered.
“It’s like everyone is hypnotized,” the guy continued. I followed his gaze. The crowd was mostly female, but there were a couple of guys who’d had the same heart-eyes expression as they watched the band.
“You have no taste,” Skyler huffed. The guy looked at me, and I stared at him.
I wondered why this guy was still smiling if he hated the band so much, and then I saw his earplugs. “My girlfriend gave me the album,” he said, noticing my stare.
“What do you think?” I asked Vaughn.
“Some bands are just better live,” he said. “Will you be okay for a few minutes? I’m going to find a bathroom.”
“We’ll be fine,” I said.
Skyler edged closer to the stage, and I followed her.
As we walked by the pool, a shoving match started, and two girls fell into the pool. They broke the surface of the water and continued to pull each other’s hair. I thought one of the guys in the band might try to help, but instead, they moved to lounge chairs at the other end.
“Look at these people,” I said. “Making asses of themselves over a guy.”
“I can’t believe it, either,” Sky replied. “Let’s go over there.”
I tugged on her hand. “I don’t think so.”
“Please,” she coaxed. “I want you to meet Travis.”
“I’m your best friend, so I’m always here for you,” I pointed out, “but something about this doesn’t feel right.”
“Never mind—he’s coming this way.” She fluffed her hair. “How do I look?”
“Gorgeous as usual,” I said.
The tall, blond lead singer was making a beeline for her. I was struck by the fluid way he moved through the crowd. Skyler went to meet him halfway, but I stayed where I was to give them a moment of privacy.
She said something to him, and his smile faded.
I hustled over to join them.
“Travis, I missed you so much,” Skyler cooed, ignoring me.
Was she for real? What was happening right now?
He bypassed her and sidled up to me. This was the guy Sky was so into? Was it possible he had a doppelganger—one with better grooming habits and some manners, maybe?
“I’m Travis,” he said. He took my hand and drew it close to his heart. “You will join us.”
“I’m Tansy,” I said. “And I don’t think so.”
He was good-looking but pasty, which was saying something, coming from me.
He returned his attention to Skyler. “Did you have any punch, baby?”
“Not yet,” she replied.
“Get some,” he said. “It’ll make you taste sweet.”
When I shuddered, he leered at me, but when I glared right back at him, he seemed to remember Skyler. “My little beauty Schuler,” he said.
“Her name is Skyler,” I snapped.
But my best friend didn’t seem to care that this creeper didn’t remember her name. Instead, she kissed him. “I missed you, baby,” she said.
They kissed again, this time with tongue. It was almost unbearable to watch them, like when I’d slept over at Callie Humphrey’s and her dad, my high school science teacher, stumbled down to breakfast the next morning sporting only a pair of boxers with hearts all over them—he’d totally forgotten I’d spent the night, obviously—and I’d not been able to raise my hand again in his class all year.
They finally pulled apart, and my mind was racing with how to peel Skyler from this douche and head out.
“I thought I told you to wear white.” Travis frowned.
I expected Skyler to tell him to go to hell, or at least roll her eyes at him, but instead, she said, “I’ll change.”
“You too,” Travis said. It took me a minute to realize he was talking to me.
“White’s not my color,” I said.
I kept my temper with difficulty. This guy was just another short-term solution; we’d laugh about him next week. In the meantime, I needed to stay close to Skyler.
“I will teach you many pleasures,” Travis said.
“Hard pass.” I glanced over at Sky, but she was still gazing at him dreamily. It was like she hadn’t even heard her guy hitting on me.
He whispered something into Skyler’s ear, and then he was leading her inside.
For about the tenth time that month, I had visions of braining Connor when I saw him again. Skyler wouldn’t be willing to hook up with a guy like Travis if she weren’t trying to wipe away the memory of her ex.
I hesitated for a second as they turned to head indoors. I probably should drag her away, but sometimes it takes a loser to get over a loser. I watched the crowd. There were even more girls here, including a few college-aged ones. They weren’t much older than me, but their faces were drawn and hungry-looking.
“Want to dance?” The guy was cute, with long, dark hair and full lips, but I wasn’t there to hook up.
“No thanks.”
“How about a kiss?” He leaned in, and I leaned away.
Vaughn returned as I was dealing with this creep. He frowned when he saw the guy next to me. “Is he bothering you?”
“I’m here with my friend,” I said, gesturing toward Vaughn.
“Your friend won’t mind,” the guy said, leaning in again.
I recoiled. “I mind.”
Vaughn grabbed the guy by the back of the shirt. “Get lost, dude. She said no.”
The asshole finally got the hint and walked away.
“Sorry, the line for the bathroom was really long,” he said. “Where’s Skyler?”