by K. A. Linde
“Thanks,” she muttered.
Lucas turned to walk down the hallway, presumably to his bedroom. Then, he stopped and glanced back over his shoulder. “It’s really good to have you here, Savi.”
She watched him walk away with an ache in her chest that she couldn’t explain. It was good to be here. Even if she’d complained repeatedly about attending. Now that she was here, she was glad that she hadn’t backed out.
Savannah took his advice and found the spare bedroom. The room was bare bones. Just an extra-long bed and a dresser with an alarm clock on it. She dropped her bag off, quickly unpacked her clothes to keep them from wrinkling, and then sent Easton a quick text.
Made it safe. Miss you.
Miss you too. How’s the hotel?
Savannah nearly choked on the question. Yeah, telling him that she was staying with Lucas was probably not a great idea. She knew that she should tell, but it would just cause him undo heartache.
It’s a hotel. Mom is already driving me crazy.
Sounds right. Call me later and tell me how graduation goes.
Will do. xoxo
Savannah spent the rest of the day wandering around Nashville with Lucas. They didn’t meet up with their families until right before graduation. She’d changed into a Carolina blue dress for the occasion. Lucas had rolled his eyes when he saw it, but she’d just shrugged. Basketball was a religion as far as she was concerned.
Lucas disappeared to take his seat in front of the stage.
“Have fun?” her mother asked as they were walking into the alumni lawn together.
“Oodles.”
Her mother shot her a skeptical look, but Savannah kept her face forward.
They found their reserved seats next to the Atwoods. Lucas’s older brother, Chris, sat next to Brady and Clay. His younger sister, Alice, had her hair dyed black and swept across her forehead in a way that screamed emo. She stared down at her phone the entire time. Savannah’s father took the seat next to Lucas’s parents, and then Savannah sat next to her mother.
Before the ceremony got started, Savannah put her hand on her mother’s shoulder. She faced Savannah in surprise.
“Don’t ever do this again,” she told her mother. “You may not believe that I’m an adult, but I can make my own decisions. I don’t appreciate you forcing me to be here or forcing me to stay with Lucas. If you want me to do something, ask me. Don’t make me. I’m not going to put up with it any longer.”
Whatever Marilyn saw in Savannah’s eyes must have said how serious she was because she simply nodded and turned back to face front.
That was good enough for her.
Everyone finally quieted down as the ceremony began. The sun slowly fell behind them as each student walked across the stage and had their name formally called. When the announcer said Lucas Atwood, it wasn’t just their family who screamed in excitement. It was basically the entire student body. Long speeches and cheers and hats thrown, and then suddenly, it was over.
It was probably another half hour before Savannah located Lucas on the lawn amid an array of friends or possibly fans. He was taking pictures with about a dozen pretty girls. She rolled her eyes at the show and crossed her arms. Typical.
When he saw her though, a smile jumped onto his face, and he waved her over.
“Your family is looking for you,” she said. “They sent me to hunt you down.”
“Sorry, kind of got held up.”
“Lucas, one more picture?” a girl asked, thrusting her phone in Savannah’s direction.
She bobbled it in her hands and narrowed her eyes.
“Do you mind?” Lucas asked politely.
“Sure.” Savannah quickly snapped the shot and handed the phone back to the girl.
“See you at the party tonight!” the girl said with big doe eyes.
“Well, that was subtle,” Savannah muttered as they finally disappeared through the crowd, back toward their families.
“Tell me about it. That kind of shit happens all the time. It’s exhausting.”
“I’m sure it is,” she said on a laugh. “Having pretty girls fawn all over you. How horrible!”
“Is that jealousy, Savannah Maxwell?”
“Hardly.”
He grinned and pinched her side. “Don’t worry. You’re still my girl.”
She opened her mouth to disagree with him, but by then, they were back with their families, and everyone was congratulating him. Pictures came next. His mother insisted on individuals and group shots of him in his cap and gown. After she was pushed into a picture with him, she carefully stepped out of the way and allowed the family to do their thing.
And then she just watched him.
His easy smile. His short curls. The way those blue eyes lit up around his family. The sheer size of him.
For a second, just a split second, she wished that they hadn’t ruined everything four years ago. That things were easier between them. That she could forget the taste of his lips…and just have her best friend back.
4
Champagne for My Real Friends
“Are you sure I should even come with you to this party?” Savannah called down the hallway. She’d changed into a white romper that made her tan legs look like they went on for days. She sat on the edge of the bed and strapped on her nude wedges.
“Yes,” he called back.
“But it’s for the basketball team.”
She stood from the bed just as Lucas walked in, looking all exasperated. Then, he got a glimpse of her. He stared at her with his jaw unhinged.
“Uh…do I look okay?” She pulled her long, dark hair over one shoulder.
“Maybe you shouldn’t go.”
“Wait, what? You were the one who told me to go to this thing. Now, you’re uninviting me? Dick move.”
“Every person at the party is going to hit on you.”
She puffed out a breath. “Shut up. No, they won’t.”
“I’m going to have to keep you close tonight.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Anyone with eyes can see that you’re beautiful.”
“Oh.” She shrugged away his words. “I think more people will be interested in you anyway. So, we’re good.”
He arched his eyebrow. “Want to bet?”
“You’re Lucas Atwood. If basketball is anything like it is at UNC, then I don’t have to bet with you to know I’ll win.”
“I’ll bet you a kiss.”
“Ha! You are not getting that!”
“And here I thought, you were going to win.”
She shook her head. “Nice try. But no. I don’t bet my kisses.”
He grinned. “Come on. Let’s go.”
She pushed past him down into the hallway and grabbed her purse. Lucas opened the door for her, and they jumped into an Uber to the house party about five minutes away. The house was massive and already filled to the brim with people. The lawn was overrun, and Savannah could hear the bass from the street.
“Oh God, I haven’t been to a frat party since sophomore year,” she grumbled.
“It’s not a frat. The basketball team is worse,” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and walking them forward across the brick walkway.
When they entered the plantation-style house, she shrugged him off of her. She didn’t want to give anyone the impression that they were together. But judging by the expression on the girl’s face who was walking toward them, it appeared to be too late.
“Lucas!” she cried.
She threw her arms around him. He hastily extracted himself from her grip.
“Amanda,” he said with a head nod. “Have you seen Nick?”
“He’s around,” Amanda said. “I think by the kegs.”
“Thanks,” Lucas said. He grabbed Savannah’s hand and then brushed past Amanda.
Savannah almost felt bad for the girl as they disappeared from her view. Almost. They meandered through the house until they came upon the kitchen. A half
-dozen guys, all as tall as Lucas, stood around a group of kegs. A ton of other girls congregated around them, drinking out of red Solo cups and flirting outrageously with the guys.
When they saw Lucas, they all cheered.
“Lucas!”
“My man!”
One guy slapped his hand, fist-bumped, and then tapped chests. “Hey, bro. This your girl?”
“This is Savannah,” Lucas said. “Savi, this is Nick.”
“Hi,” she said uncertainly.
Nick was looking at her as if he’d seen her before or possibly like he was going to have her for dinner.
“Savannah, Savannah,” Nick said, taking her hand and kissing it. “Such a pleasure to finally meet your fine ass.”
Lucas smacked the back of his head. “Watch it.”
“What have you been saying about me, Lucas?” Savannah asked as she snatched her hand back.
“Nothing.”
Nick crowed with laughter, tipping back his black braids. “Boy is in puppy love. I told him I’d tap that if he didn’t.”
Nick then wrapped an arm around her waist and carefully meandered her through the crowd of basketball players. Her head was spinning a bit. She was surprised to hear that Lucas had been talking about her. Let alone to a degree that other people already knew who she was.
A red Solo cup was pushed into her hand. She glanced down at the red drink filled with fruit and knew this was a bad idea. She should probably hand the drink back and catch an Uber to her parents’ hotel. That would be smart and safe and the right thing to do.
“Don’t just stare at it. Drink!” Nick said with a laugh.
Lucas put his hand on her bare back. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“Bitch, let her have a drink.” Nick pushed Lucas back. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her for you.”
Savannah laughed, taking a sip of the drink and cringing. “You’re outrageous. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call Lucas a bitch.”
“He’s a bitch if he doesn’t tell me who he has meetings with next week.”
“Meetings?” Savannah arched an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Teams want to meet with me and invite me out for a workout,” Lucas said all nonchalant.
“For the draft?”
Lucas nodded.
“You haven’t been filling her in?” Nick asked. “Lucas here is going to go big, big! And next year, when I go out, I’m going to go bigger. Though I already am bigger, if you know what I’m saying.” Nick winked at her.
Savannah snorted. “Oh, I’m sure.”
“Disbelief!” Nick cried, putting his hand to his heart. “You wound me, baby girl. You wound me.”
“So…how big?” Savannah asked Lucas. When his eyes widened as if to say don’t you already know that, she coughed and took a large gulp of her drink. “I mean, basketball!”
Lucas shrugged dismissively. “We’ll see next week. Utah, LA, and Oklahoma City asked for meetings.”
“Fucking hell, LA?” Nick groaned. “I hate you.”
“Nothing is set in stone.”
“Wow,” Savannah said softly. “Those are all…really far away.”
“Aren’t you a reporter?” Nick asked.
She nodded. God, he really did know a shit-ton about her.
“Well, should be easy to get a job wherever he ends up.”
Savannah nearly spit out her drink. “First, that’s not how reporting jobs work at all. Second, why the hell would I move with him?”
Lucas was cracking up laughing. His face was buried in his beer.
“I thought this was happening.” Nick pointed between Lucas and Savannah.
“Nope. I have a boyfriend in DC. This,” she said, gesturing between herself and Lucas, “is not happening.”
“Well, shit. Where’s little ole boyfriend now?”
“Home.”
“Uh-huh.” Nick sounded disbelieving.
“Lay off, Nick. It’s amazing she agreed to come to the party. Let’s just chill and have a good time,” Lucas said.
“Whatever you say, bro.”
Savannah fell into step with Lucas’s friends. Mostly basketball players and the occasional girl. Amanda kept showing up and trying to throw herself at Lucas, but he kept trying to push her off on Nick. Savannah was pretty sure that Nick was all right with that.
They moved into the sitting area. A DJ had been set up, and people were dancing. Savannah was deep into her third glass of punch. She had known she should stop after one, but it didn’t even taste like alcohol. Which was how she should have known not to drink it.
“What…is in this?” she asked, stumbling forward into Lucas.
“How much have you had?” he asked.
Savannah held up three fingers. “And a pineapple. It was so yum.”
Lucas laughed. “Maybe we should get you water. That has Everclear in it.”
“Fuck,” she mumbled. “I might be drunk.”
Lucas took the drink out of her hand and dropped it off on a nearby table. “Water.”
“I’m fine.” She grabbed his hand. “Let’s dance.”
“Sav.”
“Oh my God, this song!” she cried.
Just then “Get Low” came on, and everyone yelled at the same time, “Win-dowwwww!”
Lucas laughed. “Do you remember how we used to all dance to this in high school?”
“And I had no idea what skeet was.”
“Such an innocent, Maxwell.”
“I’ll show you innocent,” she snapped.
She grabbed the cup he’d set down and downed the rest of the contents. Then, with his hand in hers, she veered them out into the crowd. Lucas made no protest. Shocking.
Their bodies twined together in the packed, heated crowd. With loose summer clothing exposing so much skin and sweat beading on foreheads and the music driving everyone along, it was a perfect atmosphere. Lucas’s hands were on her hips. She had hers overhead. Their hips were locked and swayed provocatively. They moved as one unit. As if this were natural. As if they’d done this before. Time and time again.
Someone bumped into her from behind, and she dropped her arms around his neck, giggling. His lips were dangerously close. Inches away. It would be so easy to forget where she was and what she was doing, but she hadn’t had that much to drink. Her heart beat against her rib cage, and Lucas leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers.
“God, I want to kiss you,” he said over the bass.
“I…can’t.”
“I know.”
With a racing heart, she turned away from the temptation of his lips. Not that it made it much better when her ass was pressed up against his dick. Not when it was clear from that position exactly what he wanted. And kissing was only the beginning.
She quieted her mind—or the alcohol did—and she pretended like this was any other night. Any other time. Nothing to worry about. She could handle this. She was a big girl.
Then, the whole crowd yelled to touch her toes, and she was drunk enough to do it. Her fingers touching the tops of her wedges. One of his hands splayed on the base of her spine. The other gripped her hip and pulled her closer. She ran her hands up her legs and flipped her hair.
He pulled her back in again, and she read the word he mouthed, Fuck.
“Maybe…maybe another drink,” she said and then pushed herself out of the dance floor.
She knew he was following her, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to not think about it. About him. She needed to think about her boyfriend at home in DC. The one she loved and who trusted her. The one she hadn’t called after graduation like planned.
Goddamn it! Well, it’d have to wait until morning.
She needed another drink to think about how that conversation was going to go. She downed a fourth glass of punch before Lucas reached for the cup.
“Maybe you should slow down,” Lucas said.
“Why?” She turned away from him and asked for another.
“Savannah.”
“Lucas.”
“Fine. I’ll hold your hair back later or whatever.”
“Ew. No way.”
It was somewhere between glass five and twenty…in the middle of which she’d lost count. She forgot why she should be worried about tonight. She forgot why she hadn’t wanted to be here. She even forgot that she hadn’t even liked this girl Amanda earlier today. Now, they were obviously best friends. Lifelong friends for sure. Roughly five hundred pictures, a chorus of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” and dancing on a table outside later, and she decided her night had been epic.
Lucas, of course, was never too far away. He’d caught her when she almost fell off the table and laughed at their terrible rendition of Cyndi Lauper. He’d probably taken half of the pictures that weren’t selfies. But mostly, he’d just watched her get sloshed with an amused expression on his face.
“What?” she asked in the wee hours of the morning when everything was finally winding down.
“I haven’t seen you like this in a long time.”
“I have fun,” she said, smacking him in the chest.
“Usually, you’re so angry with me.”
She curled her fingers into his T-shirt. “Why would I be angry with you?”
Lucas laughed. “Now, that is a can of worms.”
“Don’t condescend to me,” she slurred.
“Big words for someone as wasted as you.”
“I am…n-not wasted.”
Then, he was laughing even harder. “Maybe we should get you home. Party is basically over.”
She skipped past him toward the entrance once more, and he basically ran to catch up with her as he called for an Uber. She stumbled, nearly falling face-first, and that was about the point where he hauled her into his arms and carried her through the house. The Uber arrived a couple of minutes later.
