Out on the Serve (Out in College 7)

Anna chuckled and rolled her eyes. “I’ll always be your favorite ex, right El?”

“Ha. Uh, right.” Heat crawled up my spine. I had to get out of there. With Braden, who was suspiciously quiet. “Where to next?”

“The Lighthouse?” Sophie suggested.

“I’m in,” Anna said. “Are you coming, Braden?”

“I’m kinda tired. I’m gonna pass. I’ll catch you guys next time,” he replied, thanking the waiter when he set a leather folder next to his water glass. Braden signed the receipt, scooted his chair back, and stood before looking my way. “See you later, El.”

I watched Braden for clues as he said his good-byes. He offered me a wave, then moved toward the exit.

“What about you, Elliot? Or are you waiting for Drew? Invite him to come with us!”

“Yeah, um…I have plans,” I said distractedly. “Sorry about your date, Soph. His loss. Bye, Anna. I’ll see you guys soon.”

I tore through the restaurant, leaping over tables and knocking waiters and well-dressed patrons flat on their asses in my haste to get to Braden. Okay…fine. I retraced my steps, moving as fast as possible through the bar area to reach the crowded lobby. I kept my gaze straight ahead. I didn’t want to chance making accidental eye contact with Drew. I hadn’t even begun to process what the hell that was all about. And at the moment, I didn’t care.

I looked both ways when I reached the sidewalk and headed left when I spotted him striding toward the boardwalk.

“Braden!”

He stopped. Thank God. I tugged his sleeve, pulling him against the wall in between The Rusty Nail and the restaurant next door.

“What’s wrong?” He cocked his head curiously.

I tried to read his expression, but it wasn’t easy in the growing darkness. If I had to guess, I would have said he seemed…fine. As in, not bothered in the slightest. I wasn’t sure what to think about that, so I barreled on.

“That wasn’t what it looked like,” I panted.

“I know. You told us,” he replied calmly.

“Well, I meant it.”

“Cool.” He pulled his keys from his pocket and raised them meaningfully. “I’m going home.”

I grabbed his shoulder. “Wait. This is Karma’s fault.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, it’s mine because I’m the dumbshit who listened to my mother, who historically gives the worst advice ever…but I swear I wasn’t spying on you.” I winced, waving my hand like I was erasing an imaginary chalkboard. “Okay, that was a lie. I totally followed you.”

Braden crossed his arms and fixed me with a patient stare. “I know. The real question is…why?”

“ ’Cause I was jealous.”

“Oh. Okay…”

I raked my fingers through my hair and heaved a sigh. “I don’t know what I’m doing. All I know is…I fucking hate the idea of you with someone else. And yeah, my mom put ideas in my head, and every single one of them sucked.” I paced in front of him, moving like an agitated tiger in a cage. “I thought it was probably Anna and that’s fine, but maybe it’s not fine. Anna’s hot and nice…but what if you actually fell for her and I missed my chance? That would be really fucking unfair. Or maybe it would be poetic justice that my ex-girlfriend ends up with the guy I want. Life is fucked up. I mean, c’mon. Why did Sophie choose that restaurant? Maybe this sounds paranoid, but I wonder if I’m the one who got set up.”

“Wow. You’re losing it, aren’t you?”

I threw my hands in the air. “Yes! And just so we’re clear…I did not kiss him back.”

“I know.”

“You do? How?”

“I saw Drew in the bar. Sophie and Anna said hello to him on our way to our table. He knew I was watching. That was probably for my benefit. But no one told you to come here, El,” he huffed.

“I know,” I mumbled remorsefully. “But I had to tell you that I want…”

He studied me carefully and inclined his head. “What do you want, Elliot?”

I moved into his space and backed him against the wall. I bit his bottom lip and licked it better. “I want you.”

Braden met my gaze with a fiery one that made me wish I could go down on him right then and there. I brushed his nose with mine instead and kissed him. Hard. I poured every ounce of frustration into the connection, softening the pressure when he hooked his arms around my neck and slid his tongue to meet mine.

We made out against the wall, partially hidden by shadows. I didn’t care who saw us, and I had to think Braden felt the same. I got lost in the hypnotic slide of his tongue and the heat emanating between us as our erections collided. My breath hitched. Fuck, I needed him. I was seconds from climbing him like a tree when he pushed my chest and broke for air.