Page 127 of Just This Once

“What?” he asked, blinking cluelessly.

Not answering, I glanced toward the stairs that led down from the main entrance. But I didn’t see Parker descending them.

I’m not sure why I looked. I didn’t even know for certain if he’d been invited. Oaklynn had been in charge of spreading the word, so it was anybody’s guess as to who she’d called.

When he didn’t appear within two seconds, I exhaled in disappointment and turned as some dude approached our table, calling, “Yo, Pigtails.”

Raina sat up straighter on her swing. “Ooh, that’s me,” she said in surprise before turning to blink at the guy who approached.

He wore a Haverick football jersey with the number eighteen on it.

Pointing at her with the end of his beer bottle, he bounced his eyebrows suggestively and asked, “Wanna dance?”

“Hey, nice jersey,” she told him with a friendly smile. “My boyfriend has one exactly like it. Same number and everything.”

“Oh, yeah?” He leaned against the table next to us to look all cool as he hitched up his chin and glanced around. “So where ishe?”

“He’s stuck on a bus tonight with the rest of the team, heading to Gainesville, Florida,” she answered promptly. “Getting ready to play in the game tomorrow night.”

Cocky smile fading, her pursuer pushed away from the table and straightened in alarm. “Wait.” His eyes grew wide with horror. “You’re?—”

“Foster Union’s girlfriend,” she finished for him, nodding apologetically. “Yeah. That’s me.”

“Holy shit,” he breathed, looking momentarily frozen before he lifted his hands and gushed, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, ma’am. I meant no disrespect. I would never?—”

“Oh, it’s fine,” she tried to assure him, but he looked as if he were going to get on his knees and ask for some sort of punishment next. “It’s really fine.”

To keep him from apologizing further, Xander hurriedly told him, “I’lldance with you.”

He blinked and switched his gaze to her, only to pull back in alarm. “Whoa! Uh, okay,” he answered, and a big, redeeming smile spread across his face. “Really?”

“Sure,” she told him as she stood. “I’d be happy to dance with a Foster fan. He’s my first cousin, you know.”

“Seriously? Wow,” the guy murmured in awe. “I have so many questions about him.”

“And I probably have all the answers,” she teased. “Lead the way.”

I nudged her leg, murmuring, “Get it, girl,” as the guy started for the dance floor ahead of her.

But she sent me a stern frown, hissing, “Shh. I felt bad for him.”

Turning, she followed him to where Hudson already had Faith out on the floor, cutting a rug.

“Huh. That was really nice of her,” Alec commented, watching Xander dance with the stranger.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Keene demanded, slapping his arm. “That douche just took our girl.”

Alec only barked out a disbelieving laugh. “Ourgirl? As if. There’s no way either of us ever has a chance with her.”

“Speak for yourself,” Keene muttered, plucking at his shirt with both hands. “I’ve got a damn fine chance.”

“I think I’m with Dopey on this one,” I said. “Xander’s still pretty set on her ex. Ain’t no wayanyoneis getting with her for a while. You should put your efforts into that table of girls over there who keep checking you out, Sneezy.”

“What?Whichtable?” Keene demanded, sitting upright and glancing around. When I pointed them out with a tip of my head, he lifted his brows in interest. “Well,hello, beauties.”

As soon as he started to stand, however, I lifted my hand to caution him. “Hey, whoa. What’re you doing? Don’t be so eager. You should make them come to you every once in a while.”

He paused, cocking me a slight frown. “I’m not following.”

---