Page 4 of Choosing Skyler

Then, all of a sudden, nothing is funny anymore. I haven’t been to the beach because I couldn’t leave Mom for that long. The only time I left her was to go to class. Devon must feel the weight, too or see where my mind went because the next thing I know, I’m crushed in one of his infamous bear hugs and fighting the urge to cry in front of his girl.

I know what he said, but I see the way they are with each other. It’ll take a lot to convince me that they aren’t meant to be together. Which means I don’t stand a chance.

Chapter 2

Skyler

Brady meets us at the mall for shopping, lunch and people watching. Yep, typical mall rats here. However, it’s different with a third. Especially one that I want to climb like a damn tree. I usually started our shopping trips by trying on the most hideous outfits I can find just to see Devon’s reaction and break the ice of my ever-present fear of opinions. But there’s no way I’m doing that with Brady. I head straight to the dresses and find a couple to try on for the mid-summer bonfire party at Tracey's cabin next weekend.

Tracey Sheppard is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a girl-friend that is actually a friend. She’s never interested in the usual drama that comes with girls our age. She has a huge three-story cabin on forty acres that she inherited from her grandfather two years ago. Most of the time, she uses it as a short-term rental, but she always blocks off a few weeks each year for typical college parties. The mid-summer party has become a staple for Thorngrove and just about the whole student body will be there.

“I don’t know, Sky. That electric blue is going to make you look pale as a ghost,” Devon says when he sees me pull it from the rack.

I really hope he’s wrong because this one is my favorite. It has a halter style top with a flare at the waist and should hit right at my knees, maybe a little higher with my curvy hips and generous rear end.

“See?! I told you not to let him pick your clothes, Beautiful. He has no idea what he’s talking about. That color with your ginger hair and blue eyes will look incredible,” Brady states with a smirk.

Now, I’m blushing,again. What is it about him that has me so off kilter? Oh, that’s right! He’s the hottest guy I’ve ever met,andhe calls me Beautiful.

I head into the dressing room with my three dresses. Of course, the blue one, a red, strapless maxi style dress and a black t-shirt dress. I decide to save the blue for last since it will either be a showstopper or a complete bust. I try the black t-shirt dress first and it is so comfy that I decide I’m buying it whether I wear it next weekend or not.

When I step out of the dressing room Devon chuckles. “Are you buying a dress or a nightgown for your grandma?”

Brady glares at his/my best friend and I laugh at his expression. “It’s okay, he says that every time I pick anything cotton. I like comfort but it seems to offend Devon.” I shrug, still laughing.

“Ooohhh, look at Bulldog Brady coming to the rescue. Looks like you’re not the only one with a crush, Sky.” Devon harrumphs.

“Nope, you’re not getting me like that again, Devon. I’m going to try the red one and you can just shut it.” I glare at him with a knowing look.

He’s trying to get a rise out of me, and I will not do it again. I turn on my heel and head back into the dressing room.

The red dress would be amazing if it wasn’t strapless. I don’t know why I even grabbed it. With my curvy figure and double Ds anything strapless is a no go. So, I don't even walk out. I hang it back up and go for the dress I’ve been drooling over the past half hour.

Brady

“Man, I thought you were about to clock me.” Devon laughs when Skyler goes back into the dressing room.

“I thought about it. I guess I need to learn my place with you two. She’s obviously used to your crazy brand of humor. I should have known. She would have to be for you to be friends for more than five minutes,” I reply dryly.

“Don’t even with that ‘learn your place’ shit. You’re my best friend. She’s my other best friend and I will never be mad at someone defending her. Also, it was a hell of a lot longer than five minutes before I could joke with her like that. She’s, um, sensitive? I guess. If anyone else said something like that to her she would spend half an hour crying in the bathroom and then blame allergies before refusing to leave her room for a week. Then, I would have to kick their ass. She’s comfortable with me because she knows I would never let anyone hurt her, but it took a long time to get that kind of trust from her. Honestly, I’m surprised she even came out of the dressing room with you here. It’s not like her to be so open with someone new,” Devon says, looking a little shocked.

“That’s because she trusts you and she knows that you trust me. I’m a little off with her because I’m still reeling over the fact that she’s ashe.” I laugh.

“Bullshit.” Devon snorts. “You’re off because she’s the first girl that’s piqued your interest in five years. I’m not blind, man.”

Skyler comes back out of the dressing room area in the same black cotton dress she was wearing when she went in, looking a little lost.

“Um, Silly Sky, you tried that one on already.” Devon chuckles.

“No shit, Devil Devon. This was easier to throw on than my jeans and t-shirt,” she snarks. But then her eyes drop, and she says, “I, um, wasn’t sure about the blue and I wanted your opinion. I don’t want to wear it out here if it looks awful.”

“Oh, no,” Devon states. “You’re not getting away with that shit, either. No Shy Sky, here. Get your ass back in there, put that dress on, and come show us the goods.”

She looks at me sheepishly and turns back to Devon. “Can’t you just come down the hall and tell me if it’s awful before I show the whole store?”

That’s it! This is because of the wise ass remark he made earlier about the blue making her pale. I do what I almost did earlier—I smack him in the back of the head. While he’s standing slack jawed, I turn to Skyler and lift her chin with my finger.

“What’s the problem, Beautiful? You don’t want the whole store to see how smokin’ hot that blue dress looks on you? Because I know it does. You just don’t want to make them jealous, huh?” I ask her softly.

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