Tight

He started chuckling. “Plus one?”

Although I felt stupid for phrasing it like that, I couldn’t help but smile. Isaac always had a way of helping me get rid of the tenseness I felt. He was just naturally calming.

Maybe that’s why we got along so well.

“I actually got invited to a party at Roman’s house.” Isaac was quiet for a moment, and I wondered what he was thinking about.

Probably about how freaking insane you are to want to go.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be one of those parties, you know, the drunken booze-fest, or more laid-back—” Isaac snorted. Yeah, I knew it was probably the former type of party. “But I kind of want to go, and was hoping you might wanna tag along with me?”

“You do know how wild college parties get, don’t you?” I could hear the amusement in his voice. “I may be an introvert by nature, but I have gone to some parties, well, they were high school, but I can imagine college ones are even more rowdy. “

I was silent as I thought about what he said. Maybe it wasn’t the best place to talk to Roman? Maybe I should just do it today when he came over to work on my car? But that seemed so ridiculous.

“Hey, Roman. I know you’re fixing my car, but can we talk about how in love I am with you?”

God, that was so cringe-worthy.

Or maybe I shouldn’t say anything at all?

“Is this about a guy?”

Isaac’s words caught me off guard and I found myself stopping in the middle of the sidewalk.

“W-What?” That word came stuttering out and I felt my face heat. He couldn’t see me, but I knew Isaac would be able to read the situation even though we were on the phone. He could tell in my voice, no doubt.

“It is about the mystery guy!” He sounded way too excited about that revelation. “I know I said when you’re ready, but Kennedy, come on, I’m dying here. Who is he? Does he go to the college? Is he in one of your classes? Please tell me he’s not one of those meathead athletic guys. They may look good, but they’re about as smart as a block of cheese.”

I laughed a little awkwardly. Telling someone about Roman after keeping it in for this long felt like the right thing to do … but was also pretty terrifying. And if I was going to tell someone before Roman, it would have been Isaac.

“It’s stupid, isn’t it?” I started walking back home again, having made one large loop through town during my run. “Wanting to go and hang out with Roman and his crowd. People will wonder what in the hell I’m doing there.” I felt really dumb now for even asking.

“You know what, let’s do it. Let’s go, have a kick-ass time, and not care what anyone else thinks.”

I felt myself smiling and looked down, staring at the sidewalk as I walked. Leave it to Isaac to not make me feel like an idiot.

“Really?”

“Yup, really. Maybe it won’t be such a nightmare. But if I’m gonna go with you, will you be my study buddy this afternoon and help me figure out what the hell this trig bullshit is?”

I chuckled. “Deal. Besides, if the party sucks, I know you won’t let me hear the end of it.”

He laughed in return. “Nope, you sure won’t.”

Maybe it was a bad idea, but I wouldn’t know unless I went.

Chapter Ten

Roman

It was one hot fucking day, with the sun beating down on me as I bent under the hood of Kennedy’s car. I lifted my arm and ran it over my forehead, wiping the sweat away.

I’d been working on her car for the past few hours, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t hoped to see her that entire time. The few occasions she’d come outside was to see how I was doing, if I needed any help, which I found utterly adorable. And then she’d disappear again.

I tightened up one of the bolts, having gotten out the old water pump and put the new one in. I was trying to work it into its place, but the fucker was stubborn.

But I also couldn’t deny that I was taking my sweet-ass time. I could’ve been done with this an hour ago, but I was dragging my feet, wanting to spend as much time with her as I could.

I was a sap where she was concerned.

And she still hadn’t told me about tonight, which I was already assuming was a no-go for her. I couldn’t blame her. The crowd that would be at my place was not one she hung out with. And if I were being honest, they were people I didn’t really want her around anyway.

She’d get hit on by drunk and rowdy assholes, and the jealousy would no doubt rise up on me so fast that I’d probably end up kicking some guy’s ass because of it.