Evangeline Lawrence has a secret. A big secret. One involving her birthday, the player, August Griffin, who's (almost) like a brother to her, and a kiss the night before he ran away. No one else knows about it, aside from August, of course, and Evan...
The second we're off the highway and on the road leading to the college, I realize this was probably not the best idea I've ever had. In fact, it doesn't even run in the top 300. I really shouldn't have done this. This is stupid. Nathan is going to kill me for 'running away' and August for, well, being there. My hands are suddenly slick on the steering wheel and they're shaking slightly. August seems to notice and places a hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay. Just take a deep breath. You're not the one he'll kill."
"Was that supposed to be comforting?!"
"Sorta." He replies, smiling a little. "We're almost there though, and you already told your friend, what's her name?"
"Lisa" l reply dryly.
"Yes, Lisa. Well, you already told her we're coming. There's no point in turning back. All that would do is piss her off and make Nathan call your parents."
I swear to God that he can read my mind sometimes. "How'd you know I wanted to turn back?"
"I guess I just know you," he replies. I can here the smile in his voice and I'm about to respond when I see the parking lot in front of Nathan's building. We're here.
I slowly pull into one of the parking spaces. The second I park the car, I see them. Nathan and Lisa walking hand-in-hand together on the sidewalk near the parking lot.
"Damn it!" I mutter.
"What is it?" August asks, apparently having heard me.
I look over to where they are walking and he follows my gaze. He mutters something incomprehensible under his breath and I glad I didn't here it. He swears like a pissed-off sailor when he's angry.
"Might as well get this shit over with," he says after a minute. I stay where I am, frozen.
"It's better we get out before they notice up. Besides, you're gonna have to do this no matter what. Might as well get it over with."
I ponder this for a minute, trying to figure out if I can simply ignore Nathan for the rest of my life. I nod 'yes' to August after concluding that there is no way to shut Nathan out of my life. August opens the passenger door and steps out. Then, he walks around to the driver door and opens it, offering up his hand to help me out. After a moments hesitation, I take his hand and climb out of the car.
I haven't gone an inch however, when August suddenly stops up. He looks down at our hands, fingers interlocked and palms pressed together so that every line on our hands align. Then he takes his hand out of mine and suddenly I feel empty. I look at the ground, wondering if I did something to make him mad.
"Before we... you know, give me your phone."
I shoot him a confused look.
He rolls his eyes, "To put my number in," he clarifies.
"Okay, but only if I get to put mine in your phone."
He leans in close to me and whispers, "I wouldn't have it any other way, princess."
I blush and roll my eyes while I hand him my phone. Then, I grab his phone and put my number in. I'm about to hit the done button when I have an idea. I quickly delete my contact name and type in Her Majesty, Queen Ann of Avila Beach. Then I turn his phone off and hand it to him. He hands me my phone back.
"We should get going"
I nod, my mouth suddenly dry. I stuff my phone into my back pocket and take his hand again. He squeezes my hand gently and we start to walk towards where Lisa and Nathan have stopped up ahead.
We have only gone about 5 yards, however, when Nathan glances over his shoulder. He must have seen me but it seems like he hasn't processed that yet. He's just staring at August, frozen. His whole body is suddenly very tense and ridged where as two seconds ago he was the most relaxed person ever. Lisa slowly turns around to look at us. She meets my eyes, worried. She is obviously excited August is here but the fact that her boyfriend seems to have turned to wood is making her nervous. I smile at her weakly, then turn my attention back to Nathan.
He's staring straight at August with a mixture of horror, shock, and disgust written across his face. There was no way he didn't see me but right now he doesn't seem to care that I'm standing there, hand-in-hand with August. The way Nathan's looking at him chills me to the bone.
I squeeze August's hand, moving closer to him as I do so. This does not look good. Even though I should be the most pissed off person here, I'm not feeling anything but ice cold dread. Shivers shoot up and down my spine and my eyes dart back and forth between the guys, wondering who will speak first.
Then Nathan opens his mouth.
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