Page 57 of Campus Crush
As I sang about dangerous smiles and getting swept away, I kept my eyes on Abby. The crowd seemed to realize who I was singing to pretty quickly, and a path cleared between us, giving me a direct line of sight to her. Her hands were covering her mouth, her eyes wide, but there were crinkles beside her eyes and it was clear she was smiling.
I moved through the crowd as I sang, making my way back toward our table. Drew and Liam were practically falling over themselves laughing, but I ignored them.
This was for Abby.
By the time I reached the chorus again, I was standing right in front of her. I extended my hand out to her and waited with bated breath.
For a moment, I thought she might refuse, but then she took my hand and stood up to join me.
I sang directly to her now, not caring how cheesy it wasor who was watching. As far as I was concerned, there was no one else in the room but us.
Her face was flushed, but she was smiling as she looked up into my eyes, and it was easily the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen.
My heart took flight in my chest because a part of me had been certain I’d never see her smile at me like that again.
The fact that she was gave me a stupid amount of hope.
When the song ended, the bar erupted in cheers and whistles. I handed the microphone back to the emcee, who clapped me on the shoulder.
“That was something else, man,” he said, laughing.
“Yeah, well, don’t expect an encore,” I replied, but I was smiling too.
I led Abby back to our table, where our friends were waiting with varying expressions of amusement and approval.
“I can’t believe you actually did that,” Abby said, her voice somewhere between impressed and mortified.
“Neither can I,” I admitted. “But if they thought they were embarrassing me, they failed. I regret nothing.”
Drew slow-clapped. “I have to say, Kane, I didn’t think you had it in you. That was…spectacular.”
“Truly a masterpiece,” Liam agreed, wiping away a fake tear. “I’m moved.”
“You’re both dead men,” I informed them cheerfully. “You just don’t know it yet. Get used to sleeping with one eye open.”
Gordy raised his beer in a toast. “Worth it.”
“Et tu, Gordy?” I shook my head in mock betrayal.
Abby laughed, the sound light and genuine, andsuddenly the embarrassment seemed like a small price to pay to hear that sound.
We settled back into our seats, and the conversation flowed easily. Abby seemed more relaxed now, leaning slightly into my side when she laughed at something Drew said. Every now and then, someone from another table would walk by and compliment my “performance,” which would set everyone off again.
After about an hour, Sam checked her phone and frowned. “Oh, shoot. I forgot I have to head over to my sorority house to help with our social event we’re hosting tomorrow.”
Abby’s shoulders fell a little. “It’s almost eleven. You have to go help now?”
“Yep,” Sam said, with a look that was far too innocent to be genuine. “The social committee just texted me.”
“Oh,” Abby said, looking uncertain. “Um…I guess I can wait in the car. Do you think it’ll take long?”
I saw my opportunity and took it. “I can give you a ride home. It’s no problem.”
Now I was glad I’d only had the one beer when we first got here.
Abby looked between Sam and me, clearly catching on to what was happening. “Are you sure? I don’t want to put you out.”
“It would be my pleasure,” I said, meaning every word.
