She thumbs toward the door. “We’ll meet you outside.”
I nod and then hurry back to our table to scoop up my things.
Sylvia’s eyes widen. “What are you doing?”
“I found Tina, who works with Reed in the math lab. She’s leaving, so she’s going to take me to my car.”
Concern wrinkles her forehead. “I don’t know…I should take you.”
“Sylvia, I’m fine,” I say forcefully. “You’re having fun. Stay.” Before she can protest, I hurry through the exit, grateful for the fresh air when I make it outside.
Tina and her friends are standing beside two cars, laughing and shouting and clearly inebriated. I realize I hadn’t really thought this plan all the way through. There are seven people in Tina’s group, three girls and four guys. I glance at the cars, both mid-sized sedans. “You know, I feel bad just inserting myself into your plans. I can find another way to get to my car.”
One of the guys snickers. “She just said insert.” The rest of them start laughing and I resist the urge to tell them to grow up. But they’re drunk, and most drunks act like three-year-old kids.
Tina shakes her head and loops her arm through mine. “Come on now, Lexi. We’re practically family, you and me. Between Caroline and Reed, we’re closer than in that damn Kevin Bacon game.”
“I know, but I don’t want to interrupt—”
Tina shoves my head down and pushes me into the back of the open door, sliding in beside me as a guy gets in on the other side. My chest tightens. I don’t want to ride in a car with a drunk driver, but to push my way out at this point would make a scene. I watch as one of the guys gets into the driver’s side. Thankfully, he seems more sober then the rest.
I grab the seat in front of me and lean over his shoulder. “How much have you had to drink?”
He looks over and laughs in my face. “Calm down. I don’t need another DUI. I’m the designated driver. I haven’t had a drink in over an hour.”
His breath in my face confirms his statement.
I ease back in the seat while Tina and the guys laugh.
“You’re an uptight little virgin, aren’t you?” Tina asks, resting the back of her head on the seat.
“I’m not a virgin,” I murmur before stopping to consider what I’m saying.
Tina sits up, narrowing her eyes as she studies me with this new piece of information. “You’re just full of surprises tonight, Curly Sue.” She reaches up and bats one of my curls. “I might just keep you around for entertainment purposes.”
“I just want a ride to my car.”
“We’ll get there.” She leans back again, closing her eyes.
The car backs out and we pull out of the parking lot and head toward the university campus. We ride in silence and I think Tina has fallen asleep until we approach the west edge of campus. “Take Curly Sue to her car,” she murmurs, her eyes still closed.
The car turns into the parking lot and I point out my car, one of the only vehicles left.
Tina sits up again, chuckling. “A Volvo?”
I clench my teeth. I can see why Caroline didn’t have very many nice things to say about her.
The driver stops next to my car and I wait for Tina to move so I can get out, but she just keeps watching me. “I like you, Curly Sue.” She turns serious and looks deep into my eyes. “I think a part of you is tired of being the good girl. When you want to have a good time, call me and I’ll take you out.”
I push on her arm. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll consider it.”
She laughs as she gets out of the car and I slide out of the seat and head toward my Volvo.
“Your secret is safe with me,” she says.
I stop. “What secret?”
“Where you were tonight. You don’t want Reed to know, otherwise you would have called him.” When I don’t answer, she shakes her head in disgust. “Come on, Curly Sue. I’ve played this game before. I’m the master at. But against my better judgment, I’ll keep this between the two of us.”
I narrow my eyes in suspicion. “Why?”
She shrugs and hangs onto the car door. “Call it solidarity.” Before I can ask her what she means, she gets in and the car drives away.
Chapter Nine
Lexi
Reed is waiting for me when I get home. He’s on the sofa, his eyes glued on the television, which is providing the only light in the room.
I shut the door and take off my coat before he finally focuses his attention on me. “I hope you had a good time tonight, Lexi, because you won’t be going out again for a long time.”
I’m too tired to argue with him, but can’t let him think I’m willing to kowtow to his wishes. “Reed, I love you. You know that.” I take several steps toward him. “But I can’t keep doing this. We can’t keep doing this.”
“I’m glad we agree on that.”
“No, Reed. We don’t. You can’t shut me away in this apartment for the rest of my life.”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s not for the rest of your life, Lexi.”
“Then how long, Reed? How long until I can be like everyone else in the world?”
“Lexi.”
“No, it’s a legitimate question.” My voice is soft and controlled. “How long?”
He closes his eyes and rubs his forehead. “I don’t know.”