Page 53 of More To Us

"I won't make a very good girlfriend. I'm not going to have much free time once classes start. And then I have to study and do homework and work out and—"

"Yeah. I got it." He smiles at me. "You're busy. And so am I. But when I have some free time, I'd like to spend it with you. So what do you say?"

I smile back. "Fine. I'll be your girlfriend." I laugh to myself. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this after swearing I wouldn't have a boyfriend, but apparently you're a good negotiator because here I am agreeing to it."

"I promise you won't regret it." He turns down another street. I'm completely lost. I don't know where we are. He keeps zigzagging through side streets to avoid the traffic. He really knows his way around. "So what'd you think of my family?"

"I like them. They seem really nice. But it was the absolute worst time to meet them. Did you see what a mess I am?" I fumble with my shirt, trying to fix the buttons.

"I'm sure they didn't notice."

"Are you kidding? Your dad totally noticed. He looked right at my shirt. He knew what we'd been doing."

"Yeah? So?"

"So now he won't like me. He told you not to bring girls home and then he finds me in his kitchen, half dressed."

"He didn't care. And you didn't spend the night, so technically, I didn't break his rule."

"I know, but still..."

"Don't worry about it." He turns down another street. "I know my dad and I could tell he liked you."

I finish buttoning my shirt, finally getting it lined up right. And when I look up, we're back at my apartment. That was fast. I'm not ready to say goodnight, but we can't go upstairs. Amber's home and I don't want her talking to Austin.

"You can just drop me off," I say as he pulls into the parking lot.

"It's late, and dark out. I'm walking you to the door." He parks the truck and comes around to get my door. I've never dated a guy who opens doors for me or walks me to the door. Now that I'm thinking that, I'm realizing I've dated some real losers. Even my boyfriend in high school didn't treat me very well.

We get to the door, and as he opens it I say, "Let's just say goodbye here. Amber's probably still up there with her boyfriend and I don't want you walking in on anything."

I used this excuse earlier, even though it wasn't true, because I didn't want Austin coming upstairs to get me. I don't trust Amber to keep quiet about what happened to me. If she told Austin how badly I hurt my leg, he wouldn't let me train hard at the gym, and the last thing I need is yet another person coddling me, not letting me reach my full potential. I don't know why that topic would even come up but I can't risk it.

"You really think they're still going at it?" he asks.

I shrug. "You never know with them."

Amber would kill me if she knew I was talking about her like this, making her sound like some kind of sex addict. That's so not her, but I didn't know what else to say.

"Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Bright and early."

He kisses me, just once, then backs away. It was a good kiss but not enough.

I must look disappointed because he says, "If I keep going, I'll never leave." He smiles. "Now go inside so I know you're safe."

I go in the building and up to my apartment. When I get there, I find Amber on the couch watching TV. Alone. Why isn't Matt here? I know he'd be here if she invited him, so why didn't she? She keeps saying she likes him, but if that's true, then why isn't he here?

I just started dating Austin and I already miss him when he's not around. I would've invited him up if Amber wasn't home. So is that why she's not inviting Matt over? Because of me?

"Hey." She turns and looks at me as I come in. "How was your date?"

"Good," I say, dropping my keys in the little tray we keep by the door. I smile, not able to stop myself.

She jumps up from couch and runs over to me. "What happened? Why are you smiling like that? I need details!"

I take a seat at the kitchen table. "We went to a movie. It was that shark movie that came out a few weeks ago. It was really bad. And this guy coughed throughout the entire thing. We ended up leaving early."

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