Jake’s giving her plenty of attention. The guy may not want exclusivity, but he definitely wants Viv right here and right now.
That’s why I find myself nodding along with the conversation and chiming in with a laugh when everybody else does. It looks like I’m fully engaged, but I’m really just counting the minutes until I can beg off and get out of here. I’ll happily couch surf at Viv’s tonight while she stays with Jake.
Because the last thing I want to do is have an impromptu sleepover at the Kappa House.
The guys seem nice enough, but I’m not looking for anything, not even for a night.
If I were, then I’d summon the courage to talk to the guy who’s been making eyes at me for the last few minutes.
Ok, so I lied. I don’t regret the last fifty-nine minutes of my life. The last seven or so have been just fine.
So fine.
Like magazine-cover-model-fine.
He’s tall and broad with a smattering of tattoos across his chest. His hair is dark, and his eyes are flecked with gold. He’s got an eight pack and a V, and if he sidelines as a stripper, I just might have found my new hobby. Forget working in the garden. I’ll become a pro at ogling this guy five nights a week.
Like me, he’s not wearing a bathing suit, but his gym shorts are a closer match to the dress code than my too-small dress. My boobs are falling out the top and the hem rides up every time I take a step. At this rate, by the time I make it to Thurston Street, my tits and ass will be hanging out. And Viv’s tiny shoes are giving me blisters.
“Do you want a Maggie-rita?” Viv’s eyes are glassy, but her words are mostly clear.
“A margarita? No, I’m good.”
“Your name is Maggie, so it’d be a Maggie-rita. Get it?” She’s giggling, and that means we are past the point of no return.
“As yummy as a Maggie-rita sounds, I’ll pass. Are you staying here with Jake tonight?”
“He’s delicious, isn’t he? We’re crashing at the baseball house tonight. I’m totally not drunk, but I’m totally getting there, so I’m gonna tell Jake we should go soon, ok?” I nod as she turns toward Jake and says, “If we’re fucking tonight, we’d better start walking.”
Half a second later, Jake scoops Viv up into his arms, and I hear more giggles.
It looks like this party is about to break up and for a minute, I consider getting over the new rules I put in place and marching across the lawn to meet Gym Shorts Hottie.
But rules are rules for a reason.
Just as I’m about to break those carefully crafted rules and approach him, I’m saved by the bell. Or, in this case, a few dozen people. I think the volleyball games are over, and for some reason, half these people are naked. I look up to catch one more glimpse of Gym Shorts Hottie, but the crowd is too dense, and I’m too short.
Maybe I’ve dreamt him? Yeah, that’s it. I’m overtired and getting hangry, and my brain conjured up a built tattooed guy to distract me.
It’s definitely working.
And on the bright side, I can think filthy thoughts about my new crush all the way home, and I don’t actually have to talk to him or deal with him or be disappointed when he fucks up or heartsick when he betrays me.
Yep, unrequited crushes are way better than dating.
And I can guarantee that my rabbit vibrator is way more talented than his fingers (and probably thicker than his dick). It’s a win-win. Or maybe a win-win-win. Does the vibrator win?
I’d like to think so.
“Are you coming with us?” Viv asks from her perch on Jake’s shoulder. He’s hoisted her up there like he’s a pirate, and she’s a parrot. Who am I kidding? Viv probably hoisted herself. Knowing my best friend, she dismounted off his knee and flipped in mid-air before sticking the landing on his left shoulder.
“Nah, I think I’ll head to your place if that’s cool. I told Uncle Hudson I’d be back tomorrow morning, and even though it’s not that late, it’s probably easier just to sleep on your couch.”
“Totally. You know the code, right?”
“Yep. I’m all set.”
“You shouldn’t walk there alone,” she says. “Let me get one of the guys to?—”
