I can’t read anything on his face. The smell of vanilla hits my nostrils, and I turn to see the blonde from last night dancing beside me. When I glance back, Mav’s gaze slides from her to me again, squashing whatever moment we were having.
Vanilla falls in behind him, and he presses closer against me.
I lean in so he can hear me over the music. “I’m going to get some air.”
“Want some company?”
A light laugh escapes my lips as Vanilla glides her fingers around his stomach. No Johnny sandwich for me tonight.
“I’m good,” I say and step away, letting her have him. I blow out a shaky breath. It’s probably time to switch to water.
When I reach the kitchen, Adam’s pulling on a T-shirt, and Reagan has her purse on her shoulder.
“There you are,” she says. “Are you in for one last late-night game of sardines?”
I nod. The fresh air should help the heat coursing through my veins.
“Have you seen Mav?” she asks, looking around.
“I don’t think he’s going anywhere except to his apartment for a repeat with the chick from last night, and I’m pretty sure Sienna and Rhett are off somewhere having sex.”
“I’ll grab everyone,” Adam tells us and drops a kiss to Reagan’s lips. “Meet you outside.”
I run into my apartment to grab my phone. I left it earlier tonight when I headed to the party because I don’t have any pockets and couldn’t wear a bra either to stick it in.
I’m scrolling through notifications as I walk back outside. In the short time I was gone, Adam’s managed to gather everyone. Even Maverick.
The eight of us walk toward campus in the dark. We’ve done it a hundred times before. It’s sort of our thing. Late-night parties often led to some combination of us and whoever we were talking to at the time playing sardines on campus. But tonight, as the school year is coming to a close, everyone is paired up except Mav and me.
“I’m surprised you came,” I say as I fall in beside him. It’s a short walk, but we wander slowly. The happy couples in front of us spend as much time hugging and kissing as moving their legs forward.
“Are you kidding? This was my idea. One last time.” He stares straight ahead, and his jaw flexes.
“What about Vanilla?”
He shrugs. “Maybe she’ll still be around later.”
Of course she will. The party won’t stop without us, and when we get back, he’ll have a selection of girls to pick from.
“Besides.” He moves closer, and his arm brushes mine. “You’re my favorite partner, and we get to hide tonight. I have the perfect spot. Been saving it up for this.”
When we finally reach campus, Maverick leads me to his perfect hiding spot while the rest of the group gives us a head start. Over the years, we’ve set some boundaries to where we can hide, but we’ve never lacked creative ways to play the game. Inside fountains, under tables, behind trees and columns. It’s so much more than finding a good hiding spot. Staying quiet and still, things Maverick always struggles with, are what usually get people caught.
Tonight, staying quiet isn’t a problem. I’m lost in my thoughts, wondering what next year will be like. Will those of us still at Valley come here? No, probably not. It won’t be the same. I can’t believe I’ve fallen into the same bout of melancholy my friends have. It isn’t sadness that they’re all leaving. I’m happy for them. They’re all going to do incredible things. The problem is, I’m not.
“Everything okay?” Mav asks as we approach the library. They’re doing construction on one side. Heavy, translucent plastic hangs down, covering the work area.
“Yeah.” I force some pep into my tone. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Not sad we’re all leaving?” He sticks out his bottom lip into a pout.
“I am, but I’ll still talk to Sienna, and she’ll fill me in on Rhett, and Adam isn’t going anywhere.”
“And me?”
“I’ll miss Charli,” I say with a cheeky grin. “Will you send me pictures of her occasionally?”
“Babe, if you want dick pics, then you just gotta ask.”
I laugh despite myself, and he holds back the plastic to let me go ahead of him. A light hangs above me, casting a soft glow on the area, but otherwise, the space is open.
“What are they doing here?” I ask as we both step in, and Maverick lets the sheet fall back into place.
“I’m not sure. Maybe outdoor seating.”
“Oooh, that’ll be nice.” I picture it—sitting outside studying or chatting with the girls. That makes me think of Sienna not being there, and my heart hurts again.
When I turn to face him, Maverick’s gaze is pinned on me. Like earlier, he smirks, but his eyes are hard and swirl with emotion I can’t decipher. I’m blaming the shirt. This shirt was designed with college boys’ dirtiest fantasies in mind.
“Won’t they be able to see us with the light?”
“I don’t think so,” he says, staring out. From our side, it’s only darkness. “I couldn’t see the guys working yesterday when they were in here.”
“Go outside and tell me if you can see me.”
The sheet makes a crinkling noise as he steps to the other side.
“Anything.” I wave my hands at my side.
“Little bit of movement, but when you stand still, I can’t see anything.”
“What about now.” I step closer to the plastic but keep my hands next to my body.
“No.”
One step closer so that I’m almost standing directly against it. “Now?”
He chuckles. “No. Can I come back in before they spot me standing out here?”
I glance at my phone. “They shouldn’t have left yet.”
“Yeah, well, they’re all going to be anxious to find us and go back and bang.”
“And you’re not? Vanilla might have found another set of abs to go home with by now.”
“I’m coming back in.”
“Wait,” I order. His footsteps outside stop. Curling my fingers around the bottom of my shirt, I roll the fabric up. The breeze buds my nipples, and I smile at the daring move knowing he’s clueless. “Anything?”
His response is delayed, and I panic for a second, thinking maybe he can see me.
“Nah, nothing, babe.”
The light flickers above me, brightening and then dimming again. Quickly, I right my shirt and pull back the plastic separating us. “I think we’re all good.”
Mav and I sit side by side against the library wall. He pulls out a bottle of Mad Dog from his jeans pocket and offers me a drink. Humoring him, I take a small sip before handing it back.
“I’ll never understand why that’s your drink of choice.”
“It’s sweet and sticky.” He winks and caps the bottle, then sets it between us. “Actually, I drink it because it pisses my dad off.”
“Why does it piss him off?”
“It isn’t exactly the kind of alcohol you serve at a black-tie function.”
“Let me guess.” I find myself smiling. “You would sneak it in just to get a rise out of him?”