Me: Thanks, guys. I need to get some studying done, but I’ll see you Sunday.
Mom: Does this mean that Dad and I are invited?
Kent: Mom, you are always invited. You literally made us all. I think that gives you some sort of elevated dibs on visiting us whenever you want.
Mom: Then prepare my granddaughter. Her aunts can wait, she’s Grandma’s favorite girl.
Di: I’m offended by everything you just said. We all know I’m her favorite and I’m also your favorite.
Mom: I have no favorites except all my grandkids.
Lanie: OK, Switzerland. We’ll see you on Sunday. And we’ll be over on Saturday too.
I put my phone down and run out to the kitchen where my roommates are eating copious amounts of chips and dip.
“I got it!” I yell.
Evan jumps and clutches his chest. “Jesus Christ, you don’t have to scream. You could have given me a heart attack.”
Grif laughs. “Well, maybe if you had a better diet, you could keep those heart attacks at bay for a few more years.”
Evan flicks him off and grabs a large handful of chips. “When do you start? Pull up a chair and grab us beers. We need to celebrate.”
“D.C.?” I ask. We typically only go into the city when we want to hit a proper club. I can see Grif and Evan both look at me.
“Really, you are already serious about women? It’s only been like what two, three weeks?”
“OK, it’s just. How about somewhere local?” Grif suggests.
I roll my eyes. “Fifth Street?” I ask. It’s the one decent club near campus. “And feel free to bring your lady friends.”
“Cool,” they both answer and immediately start texting. Great, now I’m just a cruise director. And a fifth wheel.
Chapter Nine
Megan
I pull down the hem on the dress Stella lent me. How does she function in these outfits?
“Stop doing that, you look hot,” she says as she bumps my hip with hers.
“It’s so damn short. You can practically see up my vagina,” I mutter.
Stella turns to me as we survey the dance floor of the club. “You cannot see up your vagina. And even if you could, who cares? You’re young and beautiful. Try living a little.”
I glare at her. “Yeah, living is a great idea. I don’t want to attract every serial rapist in the vicinity.”
She laughs. “You are too much. Come on, let’s grab a drink and then go dance. You are in serious need of letting off steam.”
She grips my hand and hauls me through a crowd. Stella is some sort of magician at bars. The crowd parts as she steps forward and she gets our drinks in record time. And by drinks, I mean shots first, for courage, she explains. And then amaretto sours, which is Stella’s go-to clubbing drink. They are in flimsy plastic cups, so we can take them on the dance floor.
I look around and find a somewhat empty corner. Stella follows me and we start to dance with each other. After downing half the drink, I start to feel silly. We laugh and try to dance sexy with each other, which only makes us laugh more. Stella was right. I needed this.
As I’m twerking, or at least I think I am, a guy comes up behind me.
“Hey, baby,” he says as I stand. I can barely hear him over the thumping bass. He places his hands on my hips and starts to grind against me. I look over at Stella. I’m frozen and have no idea how to respond. Stella’s eyes are wide with curiosity, so I turn to face the guy. Anthony. Fuck. Stella doesn’t know him, but he looks like some guy who would kick your ass at a biker bar.
I step back to get away from him, but he tightens his grip on my waist.
“What? Don’t wanna play?” he asks.
The next five seconds seem like they happen in slow motion. I’m suddenly and swiftly yanked from my spot into the arms of someone else. I lose my balance, but the strong arms wrap around my center and spin me. I look up into the eyes of none other than Clark Moore. But I don’t have much time to think because one second I’m staring at him and the next he’s kissing me. And not like the innocent kiss we shared over spin the bottle in the eighth grade. No. This is a real kiss. The type you see in movies and swoon over.
I must yelp in surprise allowing Clark to deepen our kiss. His tongue slides along mine. His one large hand comes up to hold my face as his other hand presses me tightly against him. Fucking Christ. I feel his erection as he continues to own me with his mouth. I had no idea kissing could be like this. I lose all track of time as I slowly melt into his embrace, giving in to my need to return the kiss.
For just a moment, I forget about all the mean things he said, all the means things I said. I forget that we are mortal enemies. I forget that we were even friends once upon a time. All my secret fantasies of doing this scream out louder than any other thought. Images flash through my mind. Secretly watching Clark undress in his room with my binoculars while sitting in the dark. Stealing glances at Clark in his bathing suit at the pool and beach when our families used to vacation together. Masturbating to the image of naked Clark streaking the student cafeteria as a senior prank and then streaking the football field just three years ago. I’ve wanted this for so long that it feels surreal, a complete out-of-body experience.
I’m left in shock as Clark pulls back and looks over my head at Anthony. “Thanks for keeping an eye on my girl, but I got it from here.”
Anthony curses under his breath. I can tell he wants to say more, but suddenly Griffin and Evan are standing near us.
“What was that?” Clark asks sarcastically, raising an eyebrow at Anthony.
“Nothing, good luck; this one’s a total prude,” he says and walks away. I feel Clark's hands tighten on me. I grip his arms because I don’t want him fighting. He looks down at me as he lets out a slow breath. “You OK?”
I nod. “Thanks for uh…thanks.”
He slowly lets go of me and steps back, his hand rubbing the back of his neck just like he’s always done when he’s anxious. “Sorry…about the kiss. I mean, I wanted to stop Anthony and it seemed like the quickest way.”
“It…was unexpected,” I state.
He gives me a lopsided grin. “Unexpected good or unexpected bad?”
I shrug. “Just unexpected.”
He laughs and pulls me into a hug. “Try to stay out of trouble, OK? I don’t need to get in any fights before I even start my internship.”
I still. “You got it too?”
Looking down at me his grin widens. “I did. You?”
I nod.
He holds out his hand and I high-five it.
“Sweet. Well, I guess I’ll see you this week for orientation.”
“Guess so.”
We stand awkwardly staring at each other for a few seconds.
I look around. Evan is dancing with Stella. I can’t help wondering what’s going on between them. Grif is dancing with some girl that I don’t know, and man can he dance. He’s like a Magic Mike show mixed with a professional tango performance. I stare in awe.
Clark turns and rolls his eyes. “Fucking Grif and his patented dance floor moves,” he mutters just loud enough over the thumping music for me to hear him.
“That’s…uh…intense.”