Indigo (18 page)

“Hmm,” he said thoughtfully. “I like that. Okay, now physically.”

“Flexible,” I replied, blurting out the first word that popped into my head. But then realizing how that might sound, I turned to look at him, a little embarrassed at the implication. “Okay, that didn’t sound right.”

His eyes were dark, but his grin was a mile wide. “Sounds good to me. I like that too.”

I gave him a sardonic look and then kept my eyes in front of me, desperately trying to think of a new word to get this one out of my head. My pulse was freaking’ racing. “No really, I’d say, powerful.”

He repeated the word as if in a question, and I felt some light frustration. “Many people assume just because I’m small, that I’m weak. But it’s not true. Dancing and training for all these years has me much stronger than I look, physically anyway.”

We stopped in front of the entrance to my dorm, and faced each other. Even though he didn’t say it, I realized I am starting to know him well enough to gauge that he understood my explanation, but didn’t comment on it.

“Are we still on for the concert tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I talked to Sabrina earlier, and we were thinking about taking the train.”

Immediately, he shook his head. “I’ll drive.”

“But you won’t be able to drink?”

He gave me a wry smile. “That’s okay. Well, only on one condition.”

As I stared up at him, I felt a little lost in his eyes, which weren’t moving from mine either.

“That you’ll save me a dance.”

That’s it? “Of course. You’re a good dancer. But I don’t think a dance from me will make up for driving a few hours to a random concert.”

It was the expression on his face, the dark tint that came over his eyes just then that rooted me to the spot. So when he slowly reached his hand up, and ran the backs of his fingers over my scar, I didn’t react, didn’t move. No one had ever touched my scar aside from me and the few doctors who examined it right after I was found. Whoa. I inhaled sharply when I felt the slight pressure of his knuckles, and he looked down at my mouth as if watching the air escape from between my lips. He dropped his hand then took a step back.

“It’s worth it, trust me.”

It took me a few moments to figure out what he meant, but I was so shaken by his touch that I didn’t say anything in response.

“Are you going to get inside okay?”

I nodded dumbly, and then fumbled for my key card in my pocket. “Thanks for walking with me.”

As I turned around toward the building, I felt his eyes on me, heating my back, and I hurried inside. 

What the heck am I doing? I’m not ready for this. I’ll never be ready for this.

KENNEDY

Tonight is the night.

I am going to ask Indigo if I can kiss her. Never in my life have I asked beforehand as I’m definitely more of a just do it and hope for the best type of guy. If anyone ever told me that I would be asking a girl I liked in college if I could kiss her, I would have laughed and then punched whoever it was in the face.

But Indigo was different, and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure if I would be turned down. The last thing I’d want to do is make her skittish or pressure her, especially because she’s probably a little inexperienced, or maybe even a lot inexperienced. The idea that I would be the first person privileged enough to touch her lips nearly filled me to bursting with pride.

Taking my cologne out from behind the bathroom mirror, I think about all I learned about her this week. I tried to keep my questions on the lighter side, and now I’m beginning to color in the black and white image of her I have in my head. Of course, there is a huge black spot that we haven’t touched on, and I definitely plan to, but hopefully in the days and weeks following our kiss, she’ll be much more comfortable telling me.

Thinking about kissing Indigo has the power to fire me up instantly, so I push the mental fantasy out of my mind when I hear the door slam.

“What time are we leaving,” Shawn calls out. I see him fling a big bag down on the bed, and curious, I head towards it.

“Like 40 minutes. What’s this?”

I peer inside the bag and see a brand new button up shirt, price tag still on. “Did you get a new outfit for this concert Shawn?” I tease him, and he looks a little sheepish.

“I’m going to give things with Sabrina one more try,” he admits, pulling off his t shirt. “She did invite me to meet her brother, so maybe she just takes a little more time than most to come around.”

“I think you’re right.” I debate on whether or not to tell him about my plans for Indigo. Considering he just told me how he’s feeling about Sabrina, I figure why not. “I plan on making a move on Indigo tonight.”

Shawn pauses in the act of buttoning up his shirt and grins at me. “Is that why this entire room smells like your fucking cologne?”

I give him the finger and he laughs. “You’re thinking Indigo’s going to go all the way with you?”

In my fantasies she already has. That, and a million other things. “I wish. Tonight I’m just seeing if she’ll let me kiss her.”

“Has anyone ever turned you down before? Actually, speaking of Indigo...” He trails off as he heads into the bathroom and I wait impatiently for him to finish his sentence.

“Yes? What about her?”

“You have some competition. I saw one of the football players hitting on her at lunch. He couldn’t take his eyes off her tits it was a little pathetic. I was going to go over and say something but it looked like she brushed him off on her own.”

My blood boils as I think about anyone else staring at Indigo, or thinking about her the way I do. She isn’t my girlfriend, but these past couple weeks I’ve felt that she’s been kind of mine. “God damnit.”

“You’re not the only one who wants her. Sabrina either, apparently, if John wasn’t talking out of his ass.” His words start coming out faster, a clear indication of whatever he’s about to say, he doesn’t like.

“So what are you saying?” I ask, still thinking about what the football player might have said to Indigo and picturing myself rearranging his face.

“Apparently, they’re considered the hottest new meat on campus, and the upperclassmen on the football team have a bet going about who will bag one of them first.”

I’m instantly filled with red-hot fury. “Fuck. That.” is my reply. “Not happening.”

“I’m telling Sabrina tonight just in case. I know she’ll be offended if she finds out about the bet, then she’ll never give any of them the time of day.”

“So is that insurance for yourself, or for her?”

“Both.”

INDIGO

Walking down to the car to meet the boys, I’m freaking out.

I told Sabrina it was only a little apprehension about going out, but that’s only partially true. Everything else I totally blame Kennedy for. He’s been singling me out, giving me a lot of attention, and truth is, I want it. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I could become involved--or whatever we are--so soon, but instead of being happy over my first real crush, I’m terrified. His questions have helped relax me, in a way, but he knows nothing about what really matters. And I know nothing when it comes to this kind of thing.

All I do know is, I could never be the kind of girlfriend he wants, or that he’s used to. He didn’t seem to understand the first time I told him, so I’ll just have to tell him again. With that resolution in place, I raise my chin up a notch and walk down the steps a little lighter.

With two hands, I reach below my armpits to grab both sides of the black dress I’m wearing and adjust it into place.

“You look hot,” Sabrina tells me, who also has on a black dress. That’s where our similarities stop however. I feel like a child standing next to her tall slender form and big hair. “You want to hear something funny?”

“Sure,” I tell her. We stop at the bottom of the stairs and I take in her mischievous smile. “What is it?”

“The football team has a bet on us, apparently. We’ve both landed on their radar.”

I think about the guy who came up to talk to me today out of the blue in the cafeteria and my stomach drops. “What bet?”

“Which two of them get into our pants first.”

Her answer shocks me and I almost lose my balance. “Seriously?” That explains number 41 who couldn’t seem to look anywhere but at my chest. “Are you sure this wasn’t just about you?”

She gives me a look to tell me she doesn’t like the question. “Nope. The both of us. I got one of the freshman football players to tell me today after he couldn’t stop following me around.”

“How did you get him to tell you?” I ask, a little wary to hear her answer. Her responding grin confirms my worst suspicions.

“I have my ways.”

We push the door open, and we both comment on the night’s unseasonably warm weather. “I’m not sleeping with any of them,” I tell her after.

She rolls her eyes at me. “Of course you’re not. I’m certainly not either. But if I do, I would pick the ugliest, skinniest one and totally fuck with their dynamic. “

We both bust out into laughter as we stand on the sidewalk in front of the dorm. As if they planned it that way, Kennedy pulls up in his huge Jeep at that very moment.

Once it slows down, Shawn hops out of the passenger seat, his eyes honed in on Sabrina. “Holy fuck you’re sexy!” He shouts as a way of greeting, making Sabrina preen. She told me she isn’t sure what she plans to do about Shawn, but every time they’re together, she totally falls for his brand of charm.

Still a little apprehensive, I pretend to watch Sabrina and Shawn to avoid looking at Kennedy. When I do summon the courage, he’s already looking at me.

“Hi,” he says, with a knowing smile. Am I that transparent? “You look incredible.”

His words warm my cheeks, and I lift my hand to touch them. I run my fingers over the puckered skin of my scar, but drop it instantly when I know he’s following my movements. “Thank you.”

I start making my way toward the backseat, but he stops me. “You’re up front with me.”

“Great idea,” Shawn says, dragging Sabrina into the backseat, making her giggle.

“All right.” I shoot Kennedy a quick smile before placing one heeled foot in the car and hopping in awkwardly. The pulling made the top dress fall pretty low, and I hastily pull it up before he notices.

His eyes are fixed on the road, so I assume I’m safe. Once I shut the door, he pulls off.

“Are you excited for tonight?”

He flicks his eyes towards me, and I lean a little closer toward the center console so he can hear me. He smells amazing and I try not to scent him too obviously. “I’m looking forward to meeting Sabrina’s brother,” I say honestly, half answering his question.

“I’m really looking forward to tonight.” His already deep voice is low, and it sends a lick of sensation up my spine.

He’s different tonight, more serious somehow. He seems relaxed, his left hand on the steering wheel, his right resting on the console, but I can sense a sort of pent up energy. He’s wearing a tight-but not too tight-black t shirt, and dark jeans, his casual demeanor as he commands the huge car incredibly hot to me all the sudden.

But his words have put me on edge and I’m desperate to lighten the mood. “Was that your question for me today, if I’m looking forward to tonight? I’m disappointed, that’s your easiest one yet.”

For some reason, his answering smile looks cryptic. “Nope, that wasn’t my question. I’ve got the best one yet planned for tonight.”