“Then don’t.”
“This is hard for me, ya know. I feel like any second you’re going to figure out what a piece of shit I am and leave me. When you were dancing last night, I saw a dozen different guys watching you. You go to the bar, and I see you thank that guy for your drink. Then that douchebag on the dance floor grabs you.”
“You don’t see me throwing punches every time a girl talks to you. I can’t stay locked up in the apartment all the time. You’re going to have to get a handle on your temper.”
“I will. I’ve never wanted a girlfriend before, Pigeon. I’m not used to feeling this way about someone…about anyone. If you’ll be patient with me, I swear I’ll get it figured out.”
“Let’s get something straight; you’re not a piece of shit, you’re amazing. It doesn’t matter who buys me drinks, or who asks me to dance, or who flirts with me. I’m going home with you. You’ve asked me to trust you, and you don’t seem to trust me.”
He frowned. “That’s not true.”
“If you think I’m going to leave you for the next guy that comes along, then you don’t have much faith in me.”
He tightened his grip. “I’m not good enough for you, Pidge. That doesn’t mean I don’t trust you, I’m just bracing for the inevitable.”
“Don’t say that. When we’re alone, you’re perfect. We’re perfect. But then you let everyone else ruin it. I don’t expect a one-eighty, but you have to pick your battles. You can’t come out swinging every time someone looks at me.”
He nodded. “I’ll do anything you want. Just…tell me you love me.”
“You know I do.”
“I need to hear you say it,” he said, his brows pulling together.
“I love you,” I said, touching my lips to his. “Now quit being such a baby.”
He laughed, crawling into the bed with me. We spent the next hour in the same spot under the covers, giggling and kissing, barely noticing when Kara returned from the shower.
“Could you get out? I have to get dressed,” Kara said to Travis, tightening her robe.
Travis kissed my cheek, and then stepped into the hall. “See ya in a sec.”
I fell against my pillow as Kara rummaged though through her closet. “What are you so happy about?” she grumbled.
“Nothing,” I sighed.
“Do you know what co-dependency is, Abby? Your boyfriend is a prime example, which is creepy considering he went from having no respect for women at all to thinking he needs you to breathe.”
“Maybe he does,” I said, refusing to let her spoil my mood.
“Don’t you wonder why that is? I mean…he’s been through half the girls at this school. Why you?”
“He says I’m different.”
“Sure he does. But why?”
“Why do you care?” I snapped.
“It’s dangerous to need someone that much. You’re trying to save him and he’s hoping you can. You two are a disaster.”
I smiled at the ceiling. “It doesn’t matter what or why it is. When it’s good, Kara…it’s beautiful.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re hopeless.”
Travis knocked on the door, and Kara let him in.
“I’m going to the commons to study. Good luck,” she said in the most insincere voice she could muster.
“What was that about?” Travis asked.
“She said we’re a disaster.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he smiled. His eyes were suddenly focused, and he kissed the tender skin behind my ear. “Why don’t you come home with me?”
I rested my hand on the back of his neck and sighed at the feeling of his soft lips against my skin. “I think I’m going to stay here. I’m constantly at your apartment.”
His head popped up. “So? You don’t like it there?”
I touched his cheek and sighed. He was so quick to worry. “Of course I do, but I don’t live there.”
He ran the tip of his nose up my neck. “I want you there. I want you there every night.”
“I’m not moving in with you,” I said, shaking my head.