In The Together: Where You Are Part 5

I finally escape Jacks' criticism and get to my room. Bethany is waiting on my bed with a big bowl of popcorn and two drinks. "Hi, friend," she says.

I sigh. I had really wanted to just come home and go to sleep. I've had the worse day possible, well besides yesterday, and now I had to give Bethany a rundown.

"Hey, Bethany. We working on Aiden sabotage today?"

She shakes her head and pats the seat next to her on my bed. "Nope. We're hanging out. Grab a bowl, we're watching John Tucker Must Die."

A coincidence? I think not. I don't ask why we're watching this movie, because it's pretty obvious she wants to get some tips. I snuggle under the covers and lay back on my pillow. Bethany points and laughs, then asks if we can do any of the things on the show.

I shake my head. "Aiden isn't an athlete, so I can't spike his energy shake. And no, I won't kiss you to see if I can kiss or not."

She snaps her fingers. "Darn. Because, I was really thinking about jumping your bones." She rolls her eyes. "Have you heard from him today?"

"Have I?" I blow my bangs up. "He texted me all day today, not to mention Jacks and I ran into him at the ice cream parlor."

Bethany gasps, then turns toward me, and sits Indian style on my bed. "What? What happened? This is vital information, you can't hold out on me."

"He was mad...asked me why I was out with another guy. I told him we weren't exclusive. Then I got chewed out on the way home by Jacks. See, I'm not the only one who thinks this is a bad idea."

Bethany waves me off. "Whatever, Jacks doesn't know what he is talking about. What's our next move? Has he texted you since then?"

Digging through my pocket, I pull out my cell. I have five new texts. Jeez. Two are from Heather saying she is on her way home and the other three are from Aiden.

Aiden: Since I have compet.i.tion, I guess I need to amp up my game. Want to be my date to the TKE party tomorrow night?

Aiden: You there?

Aiden: Please, I'll make it worth your while.

Bethany gets up on the bed and starts jumping up and down. "Yes! He always gets some a.s.s during TKE parties. I can't wait for you to turn him down. Woo!"

I roll my eyes. "He won't try it just yet. He'll wait a couple of weeks, unless he has a death wish."

"Well, what's our plan? Are you going to kiss him?" Bethany asks, her voice suddenly low.

I shrug. "I don't plan on it, but we can't keep him coming if I turn him down every time. I may give him a peck, then go throw up in the bushes afterwards."

Bethany sighs. "He is a really good kisser. Watch out."

Doubtful. But, any kiss would probably feel like Heaven to me. I haven't kissed anyone since...Lachlan. I haven't wanted to. I can't allow myself that pleasure. Especially not after what I did.

"Well, I have some homework to do. I'll come over before the party and help you get ready." Bethany jumps up and heads toward the door. She turns once the door is partially opened. "Thank you for doing this for me. I appreciate it." She smiles, then shuts the door behind her.

Pressing my feet into the mattress, I grab my phone. I text Aiden quickly before I lose my nerve.

Me: Can't wait. Pick me up at nine.

I glance down at my phone and look at his text.

Aiden: I'll be there.

I scoff. "I just wish I wasn't going to be there."

Chapter Seven.

Lachlan "I never meant to start a war, I just wanted you to let me in" Miley Cyrus I touched her again. G.o.d, it'd felt so good. I don't know how I controlled myself. I wanted to pry her lips open with my fingers and force my tongue inside her mouth. s.h.i.t, I've got to stop thinking about it, my d.i.c.k is getting hard.

"Is this a Baked Alaska?"

A balding guy with a clipboard and name tag that reads "Dr. Phillips" leans over my dish, tasting it. He seems to be concentrating, so I almost don't answer him.

"Yes, sir, it is."

He lifts an eyebrow and glances up at me. "This is extraordinary. Are you Australian?"

I give him a clipped nod "Yes."

"Hmm," he mumbles, taking another bite. He slips a blue ribbon onto my table and pushes his gla.s.ses up his nose. "I'll see you Tuesday." He glances at the clipboard. "Oh, you didn't sign the sheet. Those d.a.m.n kids, they were supposed to make sure everyone signs."

Pressing my lips together, I take the sheet and sign it. "Thank you, Dr. Phillips. I'll see you Tuesday." He walks off, mumbling underneath his breath.

He has to be talking about Laney. Her and that guy were making sure everyone signed the b.l.o.o.d.y sheet. Everyone but me, at least. She saw my name and took off. She ran, just like before.

I knew I shouldn't have gone after her, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to touch her, talk to her, be near her. She is just as beautiful as the first time I saw her in tenth grade. That a.s.s...G.o.dd.a.m.n that a.s.s. She was leaning over the career fair table, not paying me any attention. I'd asked her if she was aware her knickers were showing. She slugged me in the face. Yep, right in the face.

I thought it would be funny. She didn't get the joke. After slugging me, she got down on her knees and apologized thirty times. For someone so tiny, she packs a mean punch. It was all over from there. She accepted my apology and my invite to the movies that weekend. That was all it took.

Pushing back my memories, I pack up my bag and head toward the door.

Lucas and Savannah are both sitting on the couch when I get home. Both of their heads pop up and look at me. "So, did you make it? Are you going to the finals?" Savannah asks.

I almost laugh. She seems so excited, considering she just met me. "Yeah, I made it."

"d.a.m.n, bro, I knew you could do it," Lucas says, offering me a fist pump.

"I've got skills. I just finished my Baked Alaska and it was all over with."

Savannah claps her hands and stands up. "I'm going to get in the shower really quick. You guys should pick out a movie. I'll be back in a bit." She scurries off to the bathroom and Lucas automatically glances up at me.

"You saw her."

It's more of a statement than a question. Is it that b.l.o.o.d.y obvious? Jesus, I'm such a p.u.s.s.y. "Yes, she was there...with some guy."

Lucas shakes his head. "Ouch, bro. Are you okay? Did you talk to her?"

Sitting down on the loveseat, I swipe my fingers through my hair. "Yes, after I caught her. She ran. Just like old times." I scoff. "I caught her in the alley. She wouldn't look at me...Jesus, she felt so good. I barely touched her and I wanted to rip her b.l.o.o.d.y clothes off."

"Why didn't you? You've never had a problem with girls, Lachlan. Make her want you. Use your magical panty-dropping accent. Make her give you another chance." He grins, like he does when he gets a bulls.h.i.t idea. "How about we crash a party tomorrow night. They're having a fraternity party for the TKE's at the school. Her date at the rehearsal dinner is part of the fraternity. She'll definitely be there."

The thought of seeing her again gives me hope. "I don't know-"

"Come on. Win her back. Make her drop that a.s.swipe Aiden."

"Isn't he going to be family in a few days, Lucas? Maybe you should keep it down before Savannah hears. I'm not trying to force her to be with me, I want her to want me."

Lucas stands and slaps my shoulder. "She will want you, I promise. Just go in there and be yourself; she'll have her panties down to her ankles in two minutes."

One can only dream.

Laney "Just make sure you keep an eye on your drink. Do not take a drink from anyone. Do you hear me, Laney?"

Pressing my fingers to my temple, I nod. "Yes, mother hen. I've got it. Do not drink anything anyone gives me, unless I see them pour it. I promise, I won't."

Heather nods, reaching over and straightening my b.o.o.bs in my dress. I'm wearing a Band-Aid dress, it's obviously Heather's. She finally decided she would let me wear it, if I promised no rips this time.

The yellow makes my black hipster gla.s.ses pop, and these heels make my calves look amazing. "You look smoking, baby doll. I don't think he'll be able to keep his hands off of you."

I pull my hair to the side and lift an eyebrow. "You do know this is a pretend date, don't you? I don't want his hands on me."

Heather rolls her eyes. "It's just an expression."

I'm pretty sure it's not, but I nod anyway. Bethany slings the door open a few minutes later. She is carrying a bunch of snacks and a small video camera. "How are we doing? You look hot, when will he be here?"

"Five minutes," I say.

She nods, unloading her armful of candy onto Heather's bed. I poke my lip out. "Why don't I get any candy? I'm the one doing all of the work."

Bethany tosses me a Snickers and continues to get her gear set up. Heather pulls my hair to the side in a long ponytail. "Be sure to speak into your necklace, make sure it's on at all times. We're going to get this sucker."

"Should we be worried about her?" I whisper to Heather.

She shakes her head. "Nah, she is just a woman scorned. You know what they say about that."

Isn't that the truth.

Aiden is right on time. A few knuckle raps against the door tell me he is here. I open the door. Aiden is holding a bouquet of pink roses. He grins, gaze rolling from head to toe. "You look amazing. I guess I'll be with the prettiest girl at the party tonight."

Lame, we all know that's not true. I fake a smile. Heather reaches around and grabs the flowers. "I'll take those, you two have a great night." She shuts the door, leaving me alone in the hallway with him.

"You ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

The party is loud. I can hear the music from three blocks away. It's only a short distance from our dorm room to the TKE fraternity house, so Aiden decides it would be nice to walk. I, on the other hand, wouldn't have minded a ride in the BMW. These heels are killing my poor feet.

"So, about the other night. I-I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions about that guy and you. I'm sorry...it's just..." he trails off, pulling at the neck of his shirt. "I was jealous."

I'm sure Bethany is having a heart attack right now. I clear my throat and push my hair behind my ear. "We've only been on one date, Aiden."

He nods, squeezing his arm around my waist. "I know that. I-I feel like a girl. I just don't want anyone else to have you."

I fight the urge to roll my eyes, and give him a small smirk. "Well, let's just see how tonight goes. No need to rush into anything."

Aiden nods, even though I swear I see him frown.

I don't know how many drinks have been thrown in my direction. Aiden doesn't seem to notice that I've been dumping them into the plant standing right beside me. I am not about to become that girl.

Aiden has claimed a small corner, close to the kitchen. Easy for him, since he's been slipping away to bring more drinks back for me. He thinks I haven't noticed but I know he has only had one drink. A couple of other guys stand around us.

I'm on my fourth pretend drink, when Aiden leans down to rest his lips just below my ear. It's the first physical contact we've had. It startles me, causing me to dump my drink onto the floor, splattering all up my legs.

"s.h.i.t," I mumble.

"I didn't mean to scare you. You want me to go to the bathroom with you to get cleaned up?"

Yeah, like that's a good idea, I've seen How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. I press my hand to his chest. He misreads me and pulls me close to him, his lips a whisper away. I knew this would happen, I mean, I am bringing this upon myself. Think, Laney. Think.

Instead of kissing Aiden, I wrap my hand around his neck and grab a hold of his hair. "Save my spot," I whisper, before withdrawing and climbing the stairs. I see an excitement in Aiden's eyes. He doesn't even move.

Maneuvering my way through the crowded staircase, I try to calm down. The beer is sliding down to my toes, and my heart is jackhammering in my chest from the physical contact. I haven't had any in years.

A few people are in line at the bathroom. After five minutes of waiting, I push the door open and lock it behind me.

"Gross," I pinch my nose and flush the toilet. d.a.m.n alcoholics.

Stripping my shoes off, I grab a washcloth from underneath the sink and run it under the cold water. Sliding onto the sink, I start to wipe the beer from my skin.

Chill b.u.mps climb up my leg and I shiver. A small knock on the door startles me, and I drop my washcloth.

"Someone is in here," I say.

Three more knocks. Thud. Thud. Thud.

"I said, someone is in here!" I yell, jumping down to find the cloth. I'm in the process of picking up the cloth when I hear the door click and it slides open.

Jumping up, I press my hands against the back of the sink and stare at my intruder. I wish I hadn't.