I'll Always Love You

I'll Always Love You, Chapter 3

Jeremy grabbed two large bags of Doritos, thinking of the keg at Kurt's house—well, Kurt's parents' house, actually. Even though the guy was a dick, the parties were always at his house. He spotted a bag of Miss Vickies malt vinegar chips and grabbed that, as well. He was thinking of grabbing a package of jerky as he made his way over to the deli when he spotted Tiffy Cahill, he was sure, taking a package of cold cuts from one of the deli clerks.

Her hair was longer, pinned back at the sides, and he had to tell himself to keep walking, to breathe and put one foot in front of the other. He cut through the tables of baked goods as she tucked the package into her red grocery basket. He'd ask her out, maybe tonight, and skip the party.

He was so close, and she turned, flicking her eyes up, the odd hazel that was a shade darker than her brother's. She wore a tank top with a gray cardigan and faded blue jeans, and he realized she was looking right at him, and the smile she'd worn seconds earlier had faded. There was no recognition, and she pulled her gaze away as if she hadn't even seen him.

Damn, he couldn't believe it. How could she have forgotten? She was walking away.

"Tiffy," he called even though he knew he shouldn't. He should let her go, let her walk away. He should just pay for his junk food and get the hell out of the store before Alex learned what he did to his sister.

He saw her freeze about ten steps from him. Her back stiffened before she turned, and he could see she couldn't hide her reaction to him.

"Hi," he said. "I thought I saw you at the lights in town."

She turned around fully, holding her basket, but there was no friendly smile, nothing that said she knew him.

She opened her mouth, he thought to say something, but instead she let out a breath as he stepped closer again. Awkward was all he could think. She had to know who he was. How could she not? He took in her curves as his gaze swept over the body he remembered, the same full pink lips, her perfect chin. She wasn't looking right at him. It was an awkward glance to the side, down and to the baked goods, before her gaze landed back on him.

"Yes?" was all she said, as if he were a stranger.

Like, what the fuck?

"It's been a long time," he said. The last time he'd seen her, she'd been naked under him on a blanket outside at the lake, a night he swore he'd never forget.

There it was, a tight smile. "Yes, I suppose. Well, I have to get going. I'm..." She gestured over her shoulder and started to step back, her lips firmed. "Take care" was all she said, not Great to see you! How are you? or anything of the polite conversation he'd expected. He realized there was not a chance of anything happening between them, which was just as well.

He just stood there, holding those damn Doritos and a bag of Miss Vickies, and watched as Tiffy Cahill hurried away to one of the cashiers. She set the basket on the counter and unloaded her groceries, then looked up and back over to him. What he saw staring back at him for a second confused the hell out of him, because it seemed as if she was angry. Really? She pulled her gaze away and flicked a smile to the cashier before paying.

He felt so many things in that second. He'd never been so confused in all his life. Women! was all he could think before his phone dinged again, and he knew it was likely Alex wondering where the snacks were.

* * *

He could hear music from the two-story gray house where cars were parked up and down the street. It was an older area of town, ultra conservative, and he wondered how the neighbors handled the craziness that often came from Kurt's.