Page 12 of Stay With Me
Everything okay with you and Travis?
As discreetly as I can with Travis on my other side, I type out a response.
Magnolia
Yeah, he just didn’t want to ride with your brothers, but I told him he had been drinking and it was best he didn’t drive.
Noah
He keeps glaring at Tripp. I thought they were friends?
Magnolia
Me too. I’m not sure what’s going on with him tonight. But I’m determined to have fun and not let his moody ass ruin it.
Noah
You better not! You only turn twenty-one once, and then it’s all downhill!
She laughs when she watches me read her message.
“Bitch.” I chuckle.
As soon as I pocket my phone, we pull into the parking lot.
“You’re here to have fun tonight, okay?” Noah reminds me as we link arms and walk toward the entrance. “Just keep cruisin’ and shake it off. Or whatever Taylor Swift said.”
I burst out laughing at the reference. She’s a closet Swiftie.
Travis puts his hand on the small of my back as we go inside and brings his mouth close to my ear.
“I’m sorry for earlier. I just hate sharin’ you.”
The sincerity in his voice has me smiling. Travis isn’t good at processing his emotions or showing them, so I know it’s not easy for him to express when something’s bothering him.
“It’s just for a few hours, and then I’ll be all yours once we getback to your place,” I reassure him, losing my grip on Noah and wrapping my arms around his waist. “You still owe me a birthday gift anyway.”
He tilts my chin with a devious grin. “And I plan to fulfill it when I get you alone.” His other hand lands on my ass with a smack. “Gonna pop that cherry.”
I roll my eyes, not wanting to argue about it again.
“Want a drink?”
“Yes, please! Somethin’ with a big pineapple in it. Oh, and get a strawberry margarita for Noah.”
He chuckles, then brushes his lips to mine. “You got it, doll.”
“He seems in a better mood, huh?” Noah comes to my side.
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. If his mood swings don’t make me kill him first.” I laugh, but when I glance at her, she’s giving me one of her side-eyelooks. “What?”
She shakes her head, staying silent, but she doesn’t have to say anything. I already know what she’s thinking.
But I’m just going to have to prove to her she’s wrong about Travis this time. We’ve had our problems, but I can tell he’s really changed and wants us to work out.
“Where’d your brothers go?” I ask to change the subject.
“They went to play pool and darts. I’m sure they’ll be back in a bit to babysit me. Oh, I love this song! Let’s go dance!”
