Page 63 of Waking Olivia

“Wearen’t headed anywhere,” counters Will. “Olivia’s not even old enough to drink yet.”

“You’re almost old enough, though, right?” asks Brendan.

“I turn 21 in December.”

“I can’t be seen drinking with my under-age student,” growls Will.

“It’s okay,” I say, waving them off. “You go out. I’ll stay home with Dorothy and watch TV.” I see a wistful look cross Will’s face and wonder if he might actuallylikeour nights in.

“No,” says Brendan. “Will and Jessica can go to one place, and you and I can go to another. Problem solved.”

“But—”

“No, it’s okay,” Will intones suddenly, “we’ll just go somewhere away from campus.”

We go to a country bar far to the outskirts of town where Brendan seems to know just about everyone, which is interesting given that he goes to school three hours away. He drapes an arm around my shoulders and we walk away from Jessica and Will. Brendan introduces me to the staff as the next Mrs. Langstrom, and by the time we’ve ordered a pitcher, I’m fairly certain I’ve just met every semi-toothless person in the state.

“How do you know all these people?” I ask.

He grins. “I’m a lovable guy. Surely you’ve figured that out by now?”

“Yes, right around the moment you tackled my coach.”

“It’s so weird that he’s your coach. I mean, isn’t that weird for you?”

“Weird how?”

“You’re almost the same age, for one thing. And the two of you just have that vibe. You know, a couple vibe. When you guys argue, the air is just rife with sexual tension the whole time.”

“You’re watching too much porn.”

He smirks. “That’s entirely possible but irrelevant.Somethingis going on.”

“Nothing is going on.” I can’t help but notice Will, sitting in the corner booth, looking unhappy as he glances over at us. “Should we go sit with them?”

“Nah,” says Brendan. “My brother needs to realize how bored he is by Jessica on his own. And besides, it’s so fun making him jealous.”

“He’s not jealous.”

“Wanna bet?” he asks. “Watch.” He puts his hand on the small of my back and then slowly lowers it until it’s resting on my ass. Before I can smack his hand away, Will is there, pushing between us.

“What’s taking so long?” he snaps, grabbing the pitcher.

Brendan leans toward my ear as we follow him to the table. “Told you.”

It’s pretty damned awkward sittingat the table, given that Brendan and Will aren’t getting along and Jessica and I clearly dislike each other. It’s a relief when Brendan pulls me out of the booth. “You know how to two-step, right?” he asks.

“I just moved here from Texas. I could teach a course on two-stepping.”

We get out on the dance floor and a moment later are joined by Will and Jessica. Will looks like he’d rather be anywhere else. Brendan spins me and then dips me so low my head nearly hits the ground.

He laughs. “You’re so into me right now, aren’t you?”

“Yes, there’s nothing hotter than a guy who gives you a concussion while you’re dancing.”

“You’re such a hard-ass,” he sighs. “No wonder my brother’s so into it.”

“Oh my God. Shut up about that already,” I groan. “You’re making it weird.” I give him my best stink-eye, but he’s as impervious to it as his brother.

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