Page 25 of Chasing Xander
Kylie pumped her fist in the air sarcastically, her lips pursed in aggravation. That earned her several whoops of appreciation and even a “hell yeah!” She looked over at Celeste, who laughed. Kylie swam to the edge of the pool, and a hand reached down to offer help. She stared at it for a moment, unsure if it was sincere or another joke with her as the punch line.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” she said, ignoring the gesture and whoever was at the other end of it. She hoisted herself out of the pool and turned to help Celeste.
“Kylie?”
She froze. That voice. Her heart slammed against her chest so hard it was a miracle she didn’t break a rib. She slowly turned around and came face-to-face with those familiar brown eyes and that so-handsome-it-should-be-illegal smile.
“Xander.” His name came out a bit breathless. She’d been starting to think he’d ditched her, but now there he was, standing in front of her, looking a hell of a lot sexier than she remembered.
And here she stood, soaking wet, looking like a hot mess. She’d spent extra time getting ready tonight, too. She’d straightened her hair and let Celeste apply some makeup, which Kylie never wore, but she’d wanted to look good tonight in the hopes she might finally make something happen with Xander. But now she was dripping wet, her hair was probably stringy, and she was positive there were black mascara streaks down her face.
“It’s okay. I got it. I’m out,” Celeste said from behind her. “Thanks for the help.”
Oh shit! She turned to face Celeste. “I’m sorry.”
Celeste shook her head and then twisted the hem of her shirt, wringing out the excess water.
Xander cleared his throat, and she turned back to him. He was trying not to laugh, but he wasn’t hiding his humor very well. “You two were being wallflowers, huh?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Didn’t realize that was a crime punishable by drowning.”
His forced-serious facade cracked, and he laughed long and hard. “Sorry,” he gasped. “I should’ve warned you.”
“Ya think?”
“C’mon, I’ve got some towels up in my room that you can use.” He nodded toward the staircase to his left.
“Forget the towels.” Celeste twisted her shirt again. “I’m going home.”
Kylie whipped around to stare at her. “You’re leaving?” The promise she’d made earlier rushed back at her.If you hate it, we’ll leave.Based on the scowl Celeste wore, she hated it.
“Well, I’m not staying here looking like this.” She waved her hands over her body.
Personally, hanging out in wet clothes didn’t bother Kylie much, but she would like to dry off and make sure she didn’t have raccoon eyes. Plus, she’d just found Xander and didn’t want to leave yet. But she couldn’t break her promise, either. “We can go home and change and then come back?” Hope filled her voice.
Celeste shrugged, then glanced toward Xander. She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “You should stay. I’ll be fine.”
Kylie shifted on her feet. She didn’t like the idea of Celeste walking across campus alone at night. “No, it’s okay. I’ll go with you.”
Celeste looked miserable, and a pang of sadness landed in Kylie’s gut. Nothing about this night was going as she’d hoped.
“I can walk you home,” Xander offered.
Kylie turned to him and smiled. “Thanks, but we can make it back to our res hall on our own.”
“I have no doubt you can. My offer was purely selfish.” He winked, and her face warmed with a blush. Moments like this she cursed her fair, freckled skin. Why couldn’t she sport a permanent tan like Celeste?
“Dude, you trying to move in on my girl?” Finn walked up and put his arm around Celeste’s shoulders.
Celeste’s face split into a massive grin, and she stared up at him like a girl with her first crush. “Your girl?”
“I can take Celeste home if you want to stay and hang out with Xander,” Finn said to Kylie. “If that’s okay with you?” He glanced down at Celeste.
Maybe the night would be salvageable after all.
Celeste turned to her. “You stay and hang out. I’ll go home with Finn.”
“Are you absolutely sure about this?”
