“Let’s go,” Austin said and got out of the car.
Opening my door, I got out and spoke over the roof. “I can walk from here. I’m okay.”
Austin searched all around him, his face serious. My stomach tightened somewhat. I wondered if he was looking for any Heighters.
“I’m walking you to your sorority house. No arguments.”
Shrugging, I joined him on the footpath. I realized I would like that.
A few minutes later, Austin pulled me to a stop by my sleeve, and I spun around to see a strange expression on his face. “So you gonna meet me tomorrow night?” he said, not meeting my eyes.
Shock filled my every cell. “Meet you tomorrow night?”
Stepping closer, I smelled his unique scent. It reminded me of rainwater. That addicting smell you get after a summer storm when the rain has pounded against hot asphalt. It was bewitching.
“Yeah. You. Me. Out. Away from here. Alone.”
I took a huge swallow and said, “Like… Like a date or something?”
Austin froze and his gaze narrowed on mine. “Like us talking more. Just you and me, on our own… like we did tonight. Not a fuckin’ date. I don’t date.”
I didn’t think it was such a good idea. “Mmm… I don’t—”
“I just wanna hang out again. Talk.”
Tingles ran down my spine and my head felt light. I knew I was blushing deeply, but I nodded slowly in response and whispered, “Yes. I would like to meet you tomorrow.”
Austin seemed to exhale in relief, stepped back from me, and began walking away, only pausing to shout back, “Summerhouse. Seven p.m.”
With my fingers playing over my mouth in nerves, I dipped my head in agreement and walked to my door.
Austin Carillo was the first guy in my life to ever ask me out on… mmm… whatever we were labeling it.
Chapter Eleven
Lexi
“And where are you going all spiffed up?”
I looked to my doorway and Cass was leaning against my doorframe, arms folded across her chest.
Threading my spiked silver earring through my ear, I fixed it so it wouldn’t come out, then pulled at the loose material of my black floor-length dress to check it wasn’t clinging to my figure.
“I’m just going out with some friends from the team,” I replied, hating telling my best friend such a barefaced lie.
Cass entered my room and shut the door, moving to take her usual seat on the loveseat. “Oh, good.”
I sighed at her dejected tone and walked to where she sat on the edge of my bed. “What?”
Cass shrugged and said, “I just feel like you’ve been pulling away from me over the last few weeks. You don’t seem as happy lately.” She studied my reaction, but my expression never changed. “Has something happened to you?”
I shook my head. “No.”
Cass leaned forward and rubbed her hand down her cheek. “You never eat with us anymore, ever. You’re out all the time, and the peppy Lexi I know seems to be losing her spirit.”
“Cass—”
“You’re my best friend, Lex. You’ve been my sister for over three years here at this school, and I know something’s up. Molly and Ally have their own thing going on—studying, other groups of friends—but you and me… well, we’ve always been tight.”
My stomach rolled with guilt. But I just couldn’t tell her I was struggling with eating. And I definitely couldn’t tell her about Austin.
Standing, I laid my hand on her cheek and said, “Cass. I’m all good. You’re reading too much into things. I’m busier this year with the squad, and you’re not used to it. You’ve also got Jimmy-Don now too. Nothing’s changed, okay? I promise. Especially between us.”
Cass stared at me for a second too long, and I worried she was seeing through my fa?ade. But when she slapped her hand on her thigh and stood up grinning, I knew she was back to her usual self.
Throwing her arms around my neck, she pulled me in for a hug. My eyes clenched and I worked on not panicking. Cass suddenly wrenched me back and eyed me weird. “Fuck, girl! You losing weight? I swear I can feel your friggin’ ribs!”
My voice got stuck in my throat with fear and my pulse began to race. My secret has been found out. It has been found out!
Luckily, Cass dismissed her comment with a wave and, walking out my bedroom door, shouted, “I know this amazing burger joint. We’ll make plans to go out and feed you up! Too much exercise, girl. Just tone it down. I don’t want you gettin’ sick.”
She left me standing in the middle of the room, trying like hell to calm down. That was too close.
Once I’d stopped shaking, I reached for my purse and made my way toward the summerhouse, all the time thinking up a plan to get out of going for burgers.
Austin was waiting for me outside the summerhouse door and immediately led me to Rome Prince’s Dodge. As soon as I entered the truck, the smell of barbeque hit me and my stomach recoiled.