Page 71 of Promising You
“I think you’re right.” I tug his boxers down. “I have to get ready for my next class, so can we do this in 10 minutes?”
“Ten minutes, huh? That’s not much time.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you later.” I turn and start to walk off.
He grabs my wrist, laughing. “Get back here. Ten minutes is more than enough time.”
* * *
The next fewdays go by with far less Carson drama. When I see him at class I consider confronting him over that stunt he pulled with Garret but decide to let it go. He’s been walking around campus with some blond girl, so maybe he’s found someone to date.
Friday night, Garret and I go to the party on Beech Street. We get there around 9 and the house is already packed with people. It’s an old house with cracked plaster walls and scratched-up wood floors and it smells like a mix of beer, sweat, and cologne.
As we walk through the living room, drunk people keep bumping into me and a guy almost spills his drink on my shirt. Now I remember why I don’t go to parties.
“You okay?” Garret says in my ear as the music blares around us. “Because if you’re not, we’ll leave right now.”
“I’m okay,” I tell him, taking his hand.
“Kensington!” A guy from Garret’s floor comes stumbling up to us holding a plastic cup filled with beer. I think his name is Dean. I see him in the hall when I’m going to Garret’s room. He always wears a polo shirt with the collar up and khaki pants instead of jeans. He’s got the whole preppy look going.
“Hey, Dawson,” Garret says.
So I guess his name is Dawson, but he looks more like a Dean.
“It’s about time you showed up at one of these things,” Dawson says.
“What are you talking about? I went to parties all last semester. Almost every Friday night. You saw me there. We talked. Played pool.”
Dawson thinks for a moment. “Oh, yeah. Whatever. You never stayed very long. And I don’t think you drank either. Shit, I don’t even know why you went.”
I know why. Because that asshole, Blake, blackmailed Garret into going, threatening to tell Mr. Kensington about Garret and me if Garret didn’t party with him. I’m glad that’s over. Blake’s long gone and Garret’s dad has finally accepted us dating.
Dawson notices our empty hands. “You guys need a drink. There’s a keg over there in the corner.” He turns to me. “They’ve got some fruity punch for the ladies. But just a warning. That shit’s strong. A girl your size will feel it after one drink.” He takes a big gulp of his beer. “That’s the point, right? Get you girls drunk as fast as possible. Makes it easier on us guys.” He takes another gulp of his beer.
Garret puts his arm around my shoulder and leads me away. “You sure you want to stay here?”
I scan the room. “There’s Carson. Let’s go over and talk to him.”
Carson’s wearing jeans and a black polo shirt that accentuates his huge shoulders and muscular arms. He’s built like a football player. I bet he played in high school.
“Hi, Carson. Did you just get here?” I keep hold of Garret’s hand and scoot closer to him.
“I got here a few minutes ago.” He looks around. “This place is packed. Are these things always this crowded?”
“Yeah, usually. There isn’t much else to do in this town.”
I nudge Garret to join the conversation.
“So you ready to meet some people?” Garret gets right down to business. He has no interest in making small talk with Carson.
“Sure. Can I grab a drink first? You guys want anything?”
“No, we’re good,” I say.
Carson goes over to the keg.
Garret leans down. “The guy drinks, Jade, and you want to be friends with him? When we met, you refused to speak to me after I had a couple sips of beer.”
