You Don't Know..What you Don't Know

Chapter Forty Three: Winter

"All I'm asking," Randy said, pouting as I grabbed my backpack, "is for you to spend the night with me."

I laughed and crossed my arms. "Staying overnight with a guy is still out of the question. And I don't exactly have a group of girlfriends to use as an excuse."

"I already talked to Tammy," he said hopefully. "She'll cover for us."

I wanted to tell him no.

Instead, I found myself smiling.

We'd spent the last few weeks together whenever our schedules allowed. Somehow, every goodbye seemed harder than the one before.

"Fine," I finally sighed. "But Tammy needs to pick me up like we're actually going somewhere, and she'll have to bring me home tomorrow morning too. If we're going to fool my mom, we have to commit."

His grin made the decision worth it.

After showering, I found Mom in the kitchen.

"Tammy and I are going to the concert at the fairgrounds tonight," I explained. "Since she lives closer, I'm staying at her house afterward."

Mom smiled warmly.

"I'm glad you're hanging out with girls again. I love Gary and Jake, but it's nice seeing you branch out."

Guilt pinched my chest.

I hated lying to her, but I also wanted one carefree night before practices, homework, and the championship game consumed my life.

I pulled on my red Rockie jeans, struggling to zip them as usual. Black boots completed the outfit, along with my favorite scoop-neck T-shirt that read If I Could Do It Again in honor of Corey. A little smoky eye makeup, bright red lipstick, and a messy bun finished the look.

Tammy whistled when I climbed into her car.

"Okay," she laughed. "Now I really understand why my brother is completely gone over you."

I rolled my eyes.

"Your brother has enough confidence without you feeding his ego."

She laughed all the way to the apartment.

The moment Tammy dropped me off, Randy opened the front door before I could knock.

"You made it."

His smile alone was enough to make the drive worthwhile.

He grabbed my backpack and disappeared upstairs while I stepped into a crowded living room filled with familiar faces. Over the past few weeks, I'd gotten to know most of his friends, but walking into a room full of them by myself still made me a little shy.

Pete noticed me immediately.

"Vision!" he shouted dramatically before dropping to one knee. "You've had weeks to realize Randy isn't worthy. Marry me instead."

I burst out laughing.

Before I could answer, Randy appeared beside me, slipped an arm around my waist, and kissed the back of my hand.

"Keep dreaming, Pete," he said with a grin. "She's already taken."

The room erupted in playful groans and laughter.

It felt...normal.

Like I belonged there.

We piled into Justin's SUV, Randy and I settling comfortably into the back seat together.

He leaned close enough that only I could hear him.

"Those jeans are going to distract me all night."

I raised an eyebrow.