Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire Read Free Book Online Page B

“Yes,” I sighed.
    America squealed and hugged me, and then I felt Shepley’s hand on my back. “Thanks, Abby,” Shepley said.

Chapter Three
CHEAP SHOT
    Finch took another drag. The smoke flowed from his nose in two thick streams. I angled my face toward the sun as he regaled me with the recent weekend of dancing, booze and a very persistent new friend.
    â€œIf he’s stalking you, then why do you let him buy you drinks?” I laughed.
    â€œIt’s simple, Abby. I’m broke.”
    I laughed again, and Finch jabbed his elbow into my side when he caught sight of Travis walking toward us.
    â€œHey, Travis,” Finch lilted, winking at me.
    â€œFinch,” Travis said with a nod. He dangled his keys. “I’m headed home, Pidge. You need a ride?”
    â€œI was just going in,” I said, grinning up at him through my sunglasses.
    â€œYou’re not staying with me tonight?” he asked. His face was a combination of surprise and disappointment.
    â€œNo, I am. I just had to grab a few things that I forgot.”
    â€œLike what?”
    â€œWell, my razor for one. What do you care?”
    â€œIt’s about time you shaved your legs. They’ve been tearing the hell outta mine,” he said with an impish grin.
    Finch’s eyes bulged as he gave me a quick once-over, and I made a face at Travis. “That’s how rumorsget started!” I looked at Finch and shook my head. “I’m sleeping in his bed…just sleeping.”
    â€œRight,” Finch said with a smug smile.
    I smacked Finch’s arm before yanking the door open and climbing the stairs. By the time I reached the second floor, Travis was beside me.
    â€œOh, don’t be mad. I was just kidding.”
    â€œEveryone already assumes we’re having sex. You’re making it worse.”
    â€œWho cares what they think?”
    â€œI do, Travis! I do!” I pushed open my door, shoved random items in a small tote, and then stormed out with Travis trailing behind. He chuckled as he took the bag from my hand, and I glared at him. “It’s not funny. Do you want the whole school to think I’m one of your sluts?”
    Travis frowned. “No one thinks that. And if they do, they better hope I don’t hear about it.”
    He held the door open for me, and after walking through, I stopped abruptly in front of him.
    â€˜Whoa!” he said, slamming into me.
    I flipped around. “Oh my God! People probably think we’re together and you’re shamelessly continuing your … lifestyle. I must look pathetic!” I said, coming to the realization as I spoke. “I don’t think I should stay with you anymore. We should just stay away from each other in general for a while.”
    I took my bag from him and he snatched it back.
    â€œNo one thinks we’re together, Pidge. You don’t have to quit talking to me to prove a point.”
    We engaged in a tug of war with the tote, and when he refused to let go, I growled loudly in frustration. “Have you ever had a girl—that’s afriend—stay with you? Have you ever given girls rides to and from school? Have you eaten lunch with them every day? No one knows what to think about us, even when we tell them!”
    He walked to the parking lot, holding my effects hostage. “I’ll fix this, okay? I don’t want anyone thinking less of you because of me,” he said with a troubled expression. His eyes brightened and he smiled. “Let me make it up to you. Why don’t we go to the Dutch tonight?”
    â€œThat’s a biker bar,” I sneered, watching him fasten my tote to his bike.
    â€œOkay, then let’s go to the club. I’ll take you to dinner and then we can go to the Red Door. My treat.”
    â€œHow will going out to dinner and then to a club fix the problem? When people see us out together it will make it worse.”
    He straddled his bike.