“About who?”
Her nostril’s flared. “You know who I’m talking about. With the hair and that song. You know exactly what you’re doing.” She leaned in, her voice threatening. “Listen to me, Nicole, if that’s your real name. Stay away from him. Or you’ll have to deal with me.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Happy birthday!” Greg cried when I stepped into the house.
I gave him a weak smile. It’d been a long day at Jitters. I’d kept screwing up the orders. Even Lou was getting impatient. I couldn’t get Flapper Girl’s words out of my mind, and it was pissing me off. And to make matter’s worse, I didn’t know whether to chew Cooper out and tell him to keep his date off my back or ask him if he was okay.
“Yeah, whoopee.” I whirled my finger in the air and flopped onto a beanbag. There was a loud rip and beans spilled onto the floor.
“Greg, do me a favor and just knock me out or something.” I threw my head back, closing my eyes. This was so not my day. Or week.”
Or year!
“You look like you could use this.” I opened my eyes to the bottle of wine he dangled above me.
Propping myself up, I snatched the bottle out of his hands. “Thanks.”
“I’ll get the glasses.”
When he returned from the kitchen and poured a healthy glass for me, he gazed at me wide-eyed. “I’m scared, Nicole.”
“Hey. Everything will be fine with your mom. She’s coming to see you, isn’t she? That’s gotta mean something.” I placed an arm around him. “I’ll stay with you if you want.”
He took a big gulp from his glass. “No, I have to do this on my own. I didn’t tell you this, but there’s some news I need to tell her, and I don’t think she’ll be able to handle it.”
“What is it?”
“I can’t tell you. Not yet. Don’t be mad.” His eyes pleaded with me. “I need to keep this to myself for a while.”
“Okay. I get it. Remember, I’m here for you no matter what.” I sipped my wine. “This is really good. Where’d you get it?”
“Rainbow. She has a wash tub of it out back.”
I spewed the wine. Splatters flew out of my mouth and onto his face.
“Gross, Nicole! I was just kidding.”
“Serves you right.” I laughed as I wiped his face with a tissue. The image of a hippy version of Lucille Ball stomping on grapes was seared into my mind. I couldn’t stop giggling.
We chatted for a while, drinking and laughing. It’d been a long time since we’d talked like that. I told him how strange Cooper was acting lately and asked what he thought I should do. We must’ve had way too much wine because when he told me to corner Cooper in his office and kiss him to get over all the sexual tension, I actually thought it was a good idea.
“Is that the right time?” I peered into my cellphone.
He looked over my shoulder. “Crap! I’m running late. I have to go meet Mom. And you need to get ready for your date.”
I scrambled to get up. The room swayed a bit.
“Careful,” he said, bracing me. “Wow, Nicole, you really can’t hold your alcohol. You only had two glasses.”
“One and a half. Half of it is on your face and shirt.” I giggled.
“Go get ready for Travis.” He pushed me toward my room.
“Oh, and I want to hear everything that happens with your mom. It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”
Travis screeched his sleek black Corvette to a stop near Club Vortex, sending a small group of college students running for their lives. A guy wearing a Texas State T-shirt and baseball cap slapped the hood of the car.
“Dude! Watch where you’re—oh, hey, Trav! Great game today.”
“Thanks, man.” Travis stuck his hand out the window, giving the guy a fist bump.
“Nice ride.” The guy looked into the car. “And chick.”
“The car’s a rental. Not the chick. Ow! Why’d you hit me?”
“You love those wild ones, don’t you, Trav?” He laughed as he walked away.
I glared at Travis.
“For acting like a moron that’s why.”
“It was a joke, babe. Chill.” He stepped out of the car and jogged to my side, opening the door.
This was not the Travis I was used to seeing in class. He was acting like a complete jerk. I couldn’t believe I’d actually wasted good makeup on him. I even wore the sexy black dress Greg had given me for my birthday. It was way too expensive, but he wouldn’t take it back. I had to admit, Greg had good taste and knew me well. The dress hugged every curve, and its low heart-shaped neckline made me look like I actually had boobs. Even though the dress barely covered my backside, the floral and lace long sleeves made me feel like I was actually dressed and not half naked.
Holding out his hand, he said, “Let me make it up to you on the dance floor.”
I sighed. “Fine.”
When I stepped out, I noticed a tow away sign. “Uh, Travis. I don’t think you can park here.”
“That’s only for during the day. Don’t worry about it.” He grinned, flashing his dimples as placed an arm around my waist.
The crowds grew larger as we neared the entrance of the club. People lined up to get inside. Others seemed to just be hanging out, laughing and talking. Muffled music spilled out of the building and some couples were even dancing on the sidewalk.
A number of people whispered and pointed in our direction. I knew Travis was considered famous on campus, so I expected some people to recognize him, but not this many! They were all gawking as if he were a rock star.
His arm stiffened. I gazed up, surprised by his reaction. He always seemed to lavish on the attention. Wearing a strained smile, he muttered something under his breath. Then he stopped and turned me to him.
“Happy birthday, Nicole.” He drew me to him, ducked his head, and gently kissed my lips.
Amongst the whooping and whistles of the crowd. I waited.
Waited for the fluttering of butterflies. Waited for my legs to turn into goo. Waited for flashing lights or even the freaky-deaky visions I’d had lately. Waited for something to happen.
Nothing. It was like being kissed by Greg.
It wasn’t until he took a step back that I felt it again. The pull.
I glanced across the street at Jitters. It was just as busy as the club. With the cooler weather, more people sat outside on the patio. I spotted Lou rushing around with mugs of coffee and hot cocoa. He spotted me, gave me the “okay finger” sign. I was surprised he recognized me from this distance.
And then I saw him.
Sitting alone at one of the tables was Cooper. I couldn’t move. There was no doubt in my mind that he was staring right at me. It was him that I’d felt. It was him. Always him! Why couldn’t Travis be the one to make my world stand still?
My eyes darted back and forth between Travis and Cooper. The speech I’d prepared about telling him and Flapper Girl off flew out the window. All I could do was stare at Cooper like a love-struck girl. And I hated it. I wanted it to stop. Right now.
Note to self. Do not mix wine and sexual frustration because you’ll end up doing something stupid—like this.
Grabbing Travis by his shirt collar, I yanked him to me. Our lips locked. It wasn’t a sweet, gentle kiss like he’d given. It was mouths open, tongues swirling.
Nothing.
Angry, I kissed him even harder.
Again, nothing. Not a skipped heartbeat, not a flutter, not even a tingle.
Damn it!
Travis lifted his head and looked down at me, stunned.
“Starting early, Trav?” A guy who looked like he could be football player, he was so big, slapped Travis on the back.
The shocked expression quickly disappeared and Travis’s lips curled into a smile. “You bet.”
He took ahold of my waist and led me into the club. Following his lead, I placed my hand around his waist and fought the urge to look back.