Page 47 of Slapshot
“I wasn’t sure if I should, but Patrick invited me, and Vivian wanted another opportunity to throw a beer in someone’s face.”
“Patrick convinced you?”
She nods. “Yeah.” Then adds, “I mean, no. It isn’t like that.”
“What’s it like?”
“I couldn’t show up here tonight as your… whatever. But since he invited me, it was less complicated.”
“The guys don’t care who you’re hooking up with. Plenty of the guys have girlfriends. Besides, I’m not talking about making out in front of everyone, I just want to hang out at a party with a chick I really like being with.”
“People will know. They’ll figure it out. You’re not exactly subtle.”
“I don’t give a shit about people running their mouths on things theythinkthey know. I like you. I think you’re cool as hell, but I won’t be the guy that you hook up with when there’s no better option but pretend doesn’t exist all the rest of the time.”
“You know that isn’t what I meant,” she argues. “I came here tonight to seeyou.”
“You have a funny way of showing it.”
She steps an inch closer. “I like you too, Lex. I didn’t want to, but I do. I’m here for you. I’m sorry if it doesn’t seem that way.”
“Wow. I feel all warm and fuzzy. You didn’t want to like me?”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re twisting everything I say. I just think it puts me in a weird spot with the guys if I show up here as your girl, or whatever. We haven’t even talked about what it is we’re doing and you’re acting like you need to claim me in front of your buddies to prove something.”
“Should I leave my bedroom door unlocked tonight or does that also put you in a weird spot?” I’m aware that I’m trending toward unreasonable, but damn, it hurts to have her put up these arbitrary rules between us. I don’t want to only be able to talk to her or touch her behind closed doors. And it isn’t about claiming her. It’s about experiencing things with her.
“If that’s not what you want anymore, then I understand.”
“What I want is to not play games, Kait. Or worry about when I can and can’t touch you. You like me or you don’t. You want to be with me or you don’t. It’s really that simple.”
“Lex,” she starts but I walk off saving myself from hearing more of her excuses.
15
Kaitlyn
“He looks like you kicked his dog.” Vivian is staring at Lex across the yard. We both are. He’s in a circle of guys and Jonah is telling a story that has the rest of them doubled over in laughter. Everyone except Lex.
“He’s being ridiculous.”
“Maybe.” Her tone tells me she doesn’t think so.
I shoot her a glare.
“You did come over to the guy’s house and proceed to spend the night hanging out with another dude. One you’re not even interested in.”
“It’s a party. Besides, I’m not his property. We’re just hooking up.”
“So, if he decided to take someone else up to his room later, you’d be totally okay with it?”
White hot jealousy courses through my veins. I’m not an idiot. I know there are lots of girls that would jump at the opportunity. I see the way people look at him. He’s ridiculously hot and he’s charming and nice. Ugh. Even now there’s a group of girls hanging near him and I know if I were to walk out of here tonight, he’d have no problem finding a girl or three to take upstairs.
“Ha!” She points at my face. “I didn’t think so.”
“Still. What am I supposed to do? Go over there and hang on him all night like I’m some pathetic girl hoping he’ll bring me upstairs later.”
“Would that really be so bad? The pathetic part aside. You know you aren’t pathetic. He knows you’re not pathetic.” Vivian shrugs. “Finding a guy I want to hang on, is the sole reason I go to parties. I would way rather a night in, but sadly there are no boys there.”
