The Hazards of Skinny Dipping (17 page)

“Way to rub it in.” I finished off my drink.
Sweet mixed drinks are so easy to drink fast.

“Sorry, I’m just saying.” He actually looked
as if he felt bad. “Want another?” He pointed to my empty
glass.

“Please.” I glanced at my watch. I was giving
my friends another ten minutes before I left.

He opened a few beers for people and then
brought me my second drink. “Maybe you should spend more than five
minutes on this one.”

“I’ll try.”

“Juliet! Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry we’re
late.” Cara slid onto the stool next to me. She looked hot in her
angel costume.

“What happened to you guys?”

“We got held up at dinner. I tried
calling.”

“So did I. Is your phone off?” Mallory came
around my other side. She was dressed up as a devil. Believe it or
not, the angel-devil thing was random.

“I don’t know.” I pulled it out of my pocket.
I had six missed calls.

“I guess I didn’t hear it ring.”

“Hey, I heard you finally dumped Dipshit.”
Aaron patted me on the back.

“Yeah, Dylan’s history.”

“Good for you.” Aaron ordered drinks for Cara
and himself. Bill did the same for Mallory.

“Are you here alone?” Bill asked.

“Oh my god. If one more person asks me that,
I’m going to scream. Wait, I’ll do it now.” I was already tipsy. I
stood up. “I’m here alone and dateless. I’m a loser, okay? There
you have it.”

“Juliet.” Cara touched my arm. “I’m really
sorry we’re late.”

“It’s not a big deal. I’m just going to go.”
I looked at the bartender. “What do I owe?”

“It’s on your friend’s tab.” He picked up my
empty glass.

“What friend?” Mallory asked.

“Amanda.”

“What?”

“She felt bad for me. Listen, have fun, guys.
I’m going to get a cab.”

“You should have invited Reed.” Aaron said it
like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“I kind of did.” I said it quietly, but I was
sure they heard.

“He said no?” Aaron asked.

“Isn’t that obvious? He already had
plans.”

“Plans?”

“He’s at the Sigma crush party.”

Aaron got a funny expression on his face.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t leave, Juliet.” He touched Cara’s
shoulder before walking off.

“I’m sorry to ruin everyone’s fun, but I’ve
had it.”

“No, wait. Let’s go dance or something,” Cara
suggested. I knew she would feel horrible if I left, but I wasn’t
in the mood to dance. “I’m okay right here.” We sat and talked for
a few minutes, and Aaron returned.

“What was that about?”

He grinned. “You’ll find out in about ten
minutes.”

I let it go and sat back down on my
stool.

“Does that mean you need another drink?” My
good friend the bartender was back.

“No, I think I should probably switch to
water.”

“Here.” He slid a bottle of water over to
me.

“Thanks.”

I was about to yell at my friends to go dance
with their dates when someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

Reed took a pair of plastic fangs out of his
mouth. “I heard you were in need of a vampire.”

“I thought you had plans. You didn’t ditch
your date, did you?”

“My work was done. She was only using me to
make someone jealous.” He took the seat next to me that Mallory had
quickly vacated.

“You knew that going in?”

“Of course. I didn’t care, and the guy needed
a push. She’s been waiting for him to make a move for a while
now.”

“That’s kind of noble of you.”

“Yeah? Well, that’s enough about me. How are
you holding up?”

“I kind of suck at this whole independent
woman thing.”

“No, you don’t. You’re here, aren’t you?”

“If I wasn’t worried about upsetting my
friends, I’d have already left.”

“Want a picture?” Those annoying event
photography people came by. Sometimes it was fun to get pictures,
but I so wasn’t in the mood.

“Yeah, we’d like one.” Reed put his fake
fangs back in and pulled my neck toward him. The flash went off
just as he placed his fangs against my neck. There was something
almost intimate about it even though he was goofing around. Part of
me wished the fangs weren’t in the way. Was I really thinking that
about Reed? I certainly didn’t need to be.

He released my neck, grinning when it took me
a moment to regain my balance on the stool. I was such a
lightweight. “Do you like scary movies?”

“Talk about a conversation change.”

He stretched out his legs. “There’s a
Halloween marathon going on at an old theater a few blocks from
here. Want to check it out?”

“That actually sounds kind of perfect.”

“Do you guys want to catch a Halloween movie
marathon?” Reed asked his friends.

“Not a chance.” Cara leaned on Aaron. “I hate
horror movies.”

“If you get scared, you can spend the night
with me.” He grinned.

“I’ll spend the night with you if you don’t
make me watch one.”

“All right. I guess we’re staying here.”

“What about you guys?” Reed looked at Bill
and Mallory.

“I think we’re good.” Mallory gave me a funny
smile.

“I guess it’s just us, Oakley.”

***

The marathon was at this really old theater
downtown. At first, I thought it would be creepy to watch horror
movies at an old place, but I was totally wrong. The atmosphere
bordered on comical.

“Are these seats okay?” Reed led us to seats
in a nearly empty balcony.

“Perfect.” I slipped off my jacket.

“Do you always get Twizzlers at the movies?”
He sipped his soda.

“Yes. I love them, and popcorn is the worst
movie theater food.”

“The worst? This I have to hear.”

“You can’t eat popcorn without getting
thirsty, which means drinking a lot, which means going to the
bathroom during the best scene of the movie.”

He laughed. “All right, because that isn’t
the weirdest explanation ever.”

“You’re not a girl. If you have to go, you
run to the men’s room for two seconds. A woman has to wait ten
minutes in line.”

He laughed harder, but then he leaned in.
“Are you drunk?”

“Maybe. Why?”

“You’re funnier than usual. I was wondering
if this was a post-Dylan thing, or just a drunk thing.”

“Let’s not even mention his name.”

“Good deal.”

The movie started, and I settled in my seat.
I liked scary movies, but I definitely got jumpy. Thankfully, Reed
was hilarious.

“Don’t go back there, idiot,” Reed whispered.
“If you’re ever in a slasher movie, remember not to have sex. As
soon as you take your top off, you’re toast.”

I laughed. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“Good.”

Even though I knew what was coming, I still
jumped, grabbing onto Reed’s arm as I shrieked. He laughed as he
put his arm around me. “Are you going to be able to sleep
tonight?”

“Probably…with the lights on.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. Just don’t
sleep naked, and you’ll be fine. You’re not a good victim if you’re
not naked.”

I nudged him. “It’s really good I don’t sleep
naked then.”

“I do, but it’s the girls they want naked.
The slasher would probably run the other way if he saw me
naked.”

Reed naked. I didn’t need to think about
that.

“Are you picturing me naked, Juliet?”

“No.” Oh my god. Was I really staring that
badly?

“I don’t mind. Feel free.” He looked forward
again, keeping his arm around me.

***

Reed dropped me off out front of my dorm.
“You all right? You were kind of jumpy the whole way home.”

“I’m fine. I’ll just put on my most
unattractive flannel pajamas.”

He laughed. “You do that.”

I reached for the latch to open the door.

“Juliet?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have plans tomorrow?”

“I’m newly single, and I don’t have anything
Delta Mu related until Sunday night, so no plans. Please tell me
you don’t need me to work.”

“It’s not work.” He smiled. “Have you ever
played paintball?”

“Paintball? Nope. My brother Brandon did it a
lot, but he wouldn’t let me come with him. He said it was too
dangerous.”

“Dangerous? It’s not exactly hand-to-hand
combat.”

“He’s my brother.” I said it like it
explained everything.

“Want to try? I usually play with some guys
once a month, and we’re down a man.”

“I’m not a man.”

“No, you definitely aren’t.” He smirked. “But
you shoot like one. What do you say?”

“What time?”

“I’ll come get you at ten?”

“Sounds good.” I started to get out again but
stopped. “Thanks for a fun night.”

“Same to you. We’ll have to make that a
Halloween tradition.”

I liked the thought of having a tradition
with Reed.

I got out of the car and headed up to my
room. I used my key to push open the door, and then I took a step
back.

“What the hell are you doing in here?”

Dylan was lying down on my bed. “Hello to
you, too. I was just making sure you came home tonight.”

“Whether I did or not isn’t your business.
Just like it wasn’t my business when you fucked Amanda last
night.”

“I thought you hated that word.” His shirt
was partly unbuttoned, revealing a good portion of his chest. I was
positive it was intentional.

“I do. Look, Dylan. I’m exhausted. Just get
out. How’d you get in anyway?”

“Tally let me in. She’s really
understanding.”

“Did she let you fuck her too?” I crossed my
arms. Tally had been rude since finding out we’d broken up. With
everything going on, I didn’t appreciate it.

“That’s not nice, Juliet.”

“To her, or you?”

“Either. Come on, baby, this is just
stupid.”

“Don’t call me baby. Let’s go. Move it out of
here.”

“You’re too proud to admit you
overreacted.”

“That’s definitely not true.”

“Do you want me to beg? Is that it?” He sat
up, and I had no doubt he’d drop to his knees if I asked him to. He
walked toward where I stood in the doorway.

“No! I don’t want you to beg. I want you out
of my room.”

I used his momentary surprise to push him out
of the room. I slammed the door and locked it. He banged on the
door. “Juliet! Come on, we need to talk.”

I didn’t even bother to listen. I put on my
headphones and found the perfect song: Beyoncé’s Independent Women.
On impulse, just as I was about to fall asleep, I texted Reed.

Do you really sleep naked?

LOL Still thinking about me naked,
Juliet?

I’m just worried a female slasher might get
you.

I appreciate the concern. I’ll be sure to
lock my door. You do the same.

I already did. Dylan’s on the other side of
it.

Do you need me to come over there?

Nope. It’s under control.

You sure?

Positive.

See you in the morning, Oakley.

If you make it.

I will. I’m not missing the chance to take
you paint balling.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Hey

Dear Amy,

Things are looking up.

Just Juliet

“I like the ponytail.” Reed tugged on the end
of my hair to make his point.

“I figured I’d blend in better this way.”

“You’re not going to blend in, but I like the
look.”

I glanced down at my worn out hooded
sweatshirt and jeans. “This is the real me.”

“I know, and it’s nice.” He pulled away from
the curb.

“Where are we going exactly?”

“A field in North Charleston. It won’t take
too long.”

“And who are we playing with?” Surprisingly,
I hadn’t questioned that yet.

“It’s mostly Al’s friends and a few guys I
went to high school with.”

“Does that mean Al’s going to be there?”

Reed turned. “Yeah. Is that a problem?”

I remembered how awkward our first meeting
had been. “I don’t think I made the best first impression.”

“Yeah you did. He thought you were cute and
humorous.”

“Humorous?”

“Yes. Evidently you were funny before I got
there.”

“Not intentionally,” I mumbled.

Reed must have heard me because he
laughed.

I tried not to get too nervous about playing
a game I’d never played with a bunch of older guys, but it was a
little bit intimidating.

Reed pulled into a parking lot, and I
prepared myself. By the time I got out, Reed already had a black
bag slung over his shoulder.

I pointed to the bag. “What’s in there?”

“My equipment.”

“Was I supposed to bring my own?”

Reed laughed. “Yes. I expected you to buy
your own equipment in less than twelve hours.” He shook his head.
“I have gear for you.”

I followed him over to where a group of guys
waited. Al noticed us and took a few steps toward us. “You brought
Juliet?”

What? Al didn’t know I was coming?

Reed didn’t seem concerned about his uncle’s
reaction. “She’s our secret weapon. Trust me on this.”

I grabbed Reed’s arm. “Secret weapon?”

He grinned. “That’s what you are.”

After introducing me to his other teammates
and the guys we were playing against, Reed sat down on a bench and
unzipped his bag. I got even more nervous. All but two of them were
dressed head to toe in camo. What the hell had Reed gotten me
into?

I watched in disbelief as they all pulled out
guns, ammo, and other things I couldn’t name from their bags.

“Heads up.” Reed tossed me a pair of
goggles.

“Where’s my gun?”

“Cutting right to the chase, huh?”

He handed me a gun and showed me the basics.
“I think I’ll catch on.”