“Yeah.”
“Wanna play our game to get your mind off things?”
“No, honestly, with the way everything with Bryce is so perfect, it’s easy to forget about the loser list.”
“Gag! It’s official. You’ve turned into that girl. The girl with the annoyingly perfect boyfriend with stars in her eyes.”
“Isn’t it great?” I smile at her as she rolls her eyes.
“There’s got to be at least one thing wrong with him.”
“Not to me,” I answer dreamily.
“I’ve got one!”
“What could you possibly find wrong with him?”
“He’s disgustingly, head over heels, pussy whipped in love with you.”
“Quinn! Why is that a bad thing?”
“It’s not terrible, but he’s lost some of his man appeal.”
“You’re such a bitch.”
“Call it like I see it.”
“Well, get my ass to my ‘head over heels’ boyfriend.”
We laugh and she turns up the radio and sings to the top of her lungs. After two songs, I join in and we car jam our way into Tennessee.
When we finally pull up in front of Bryce and Nate’s apartment, my worry from earlier is gone. Bryce meets us outside to help unload our bags. Quinn is staying tonight to break up the trip. When he gets to my side of the car, he picks me up and cradles me in his arms. I start to laugh, but his mouth covers mine and cuts me off. I grip his neck tightly kissing him passionately back.
“I’m adding lovesick fool to my list,” Quinn shouts.
I pull back and wink in her direction.
“I’ll own that title.” Bryce laughs.
“Of course you would. You’re so far gone.”
“Quinn, tell me something I don’t know,” he responds, putting me down and lifting my suitcase and leading me into his apartment.
Nate calls and tells us to meet him and a few of their ROTC friends at a sports bar.
When we get there the place is packed and every television set on a March Madness game. Nate and his friends have pulled together several tables together in the back and by the looks of it already polished off a few pitchers of beer.
It must be an inside joke between the guys, because when I’m introduced as the sister and the girlfriend, they give Bryce a funny look. Being around all the testosterone doesn’t change Bryce’s attention towards me. He still holds me close to him. Even when we sit down, he drapes his arm around me so I’m nestled into his shoulder.
When he gets up to take a call from his parents, Quinn slides into his seat. We’re laughing about a commercial when the whole table goes silent. Nate’s eyes grow wide across from me.
“Hey guys.” The sugary sweet voice says from behind and my stomach drops.
I turn around and Holli is standing with another beautiful woman. Her eyes roam around the table and when they land on me darken a bit. She plasters on a fake smile. “Nate! Your baby sister is visiting. How sweet.”
No one says anything to her and the silence becomes awkward.
“Sweetie, I don’t remember your name. There was so much going on when we met.”