“Last night was one of the best nights of my life.”
I turned to see his expression. When I saw that he was serious, I shot him a dubious look. “Sleeping in between the toilet and the tub on a cold, hard tile floor with a vomiting idiot was one of your best nights? That’s sad, Trav.”
“No, sitting up with you when you’re sick, and you falling asleep in my lap was one of my best nights. It wasn’t comfortable, I didn’t sleep worth a shit, but I brought in your nineteenth birthday with you, and you’re actually pretty sweet when you’re drunk.”
“I’m sure between the heaving and purging I was very charming.”
He pulled me close, patting Toto who was snuggled up to my neck. “You’re the only woman I know that still looks incredible with your head in the toilet. That’s saying something.”
“Thanks, Trav. I won’t make you babysit me again.”
He leaned against his pillow. “Whatever. No one can hold your hair back like I can.”
I giggled and closed my eyes, letting myself sink into the darkness.
“Get up, Abby!” America yelled, shaking me.
Toto licked my cheek. “I’m up! I’m up!”
“We have class in half an hour!”
I jumped from the bed. “I’ve been asleep for…fourteen hours? What the hell?”
“Just get in the shower! If you’re not ready in ten minutes, I’m leaving your ass here!”
“I don’t have time to take a shower!” I said, changing out of the clothes I fell asleep in.
Travis propped his head on his hand and chuckled. “You girls are ridiculous. It’s not the end of the world if you’re late for one class.”
“It is if you’re America. She doesn’t miss and she hates being late,” I said, pulling a shirt over my head, and stepping into my jeans.
“Let Mare go ahead. I’ll take you.”
I hopped on one foot, and then the other, pulling my boots on. “My bag is in her car, Trav.”
“Whatever,” he shrugged, “just don’t hurt yourself getting to class.” He lifted Toto, cradling him with one arm like a tiny football, taking him down the hall.
America rushed me out the door and into the car. “I can’t believe he got you that puppy,” she said, looking behind her as she backed out from the parking spot.
Travis stood in the morning sun, in his boxers and bare feet, clutching his arms around him from the cold. He watched Toto sniff a small patch of grass, coaxing him like a proud father.
“I’ve never had a dog before,” I said. “This should be interesting.”
America glanced at Travis before shoving the Honda into gear. “Look at him,” she said, shaking her head. “Travis Maddox: Mr. Mom.”
“Toto is adorable. Even you will be putty in his paws.”
“You can’t take it back to the dorm with you, you know. I don’t think Travis thought this out.”
“Travis said he’d keep him at the apartment.”
She raised one eyebrow. “Of course he will. Travis thinks ahead, I’ll give him that,” she said, shaking her head as she slammed on the gas.
I puffed, sliding into my seat with one minute to spare. Once the adrenaline absorbed into my system, the heaviness from my post-birthday coma settled over my body. America elbowed me when class was dismissed, and I followed her to the cafeteria.
Shepley met us at the door, and I noticed right away that something was wrong.
“Mare,” Shepley said, grabbing her arm.
Travis jogged to where we stood, and grabbed his hips, puffing until he caught his breath.
“Is there a mob of angry women chasing you?” I teased.
He shook his head. “I was trying to catch you…before you…went in,” he breathed.
“What’s going on?” America asked Shepley.
“There’s a rumor,” Shepley began. “Everyone’s saying that Travis took Abby home and…the details are different, but it’s pretty bad.”
“What? Are you serious?” I cried.