The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2)(6)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“If you say so.” She shrugged. “By the way, have you called your dad yet?”

I crossed my arms. “No.”

“Mallory, you need to thank him. If you’re that opposed to calling, send him a thank you note. That was a nice birthday check he sent you.”

“My birthday was over six months ago, Mom. Am I supposed to thank him for the incredibly late gift or for one that was early?”

She shook her head. “You won’t care when you spend the money.”

“Should I send the thank you note to him or his assistant? That wasn’t a very good forgery.” Maybe I should suggest he find a better secretary, one who remembered dates and could halfway sign his signature.

“Just send a note or pick up the phone. No one has ever won in life by being inconsiderate.” There was a warning in her tone. She didn’t want to go any further with the conversation. My relationship with my dad was beyond complicated, and I doubted he’d care whether I thanked him for the money.

“I will, but I should probably get going.”

“Do you want to wait and have lunch first? You haven’t given us any time to say goodbye.”

“I’ll be back for Fall Fest. Wasn’t that one of the requirements of taking a car?”

Rob smiled. “It’s important to Davie that you come home for it.”

“Like he cares.” My relationship with my younger brother was pretty typical. We had fun spending time together occasionally, but we definitely lived different lives.

“Of course he does. It’s his senior year, and he’s the quarterback. It would do you good to watch at least one of his games.”

“I could always come back a different weekend.”

“Mallory.” Rob gave me his signature ‘you’re treading thin ice’ look.

“I’ll be back for it.” Fall Fest was bigger than Homecoming. The whole town got into it.

“Have fun, sweetie.” Mom hugged me. “Know we love you, and we’re always here.”

“I know. Tell Davie I said bye.”

Mom shook her head. “No, you can do that yourself.”

“But he’s at football practice,” I protested.

“So? The field’s on your way out of town.”

“Okay. I’ll stop. Love you guys.” I hugged Rob and grabbed my backpack, tote, and purse. We’d already packed everything else in the bed of the truck. I guess that was one benefit of driving the thing. I only hoped it didn’t rain.

I pulled out of the driveway, not happy about making a pit stop at the high school. It’s not that I didn’t want to say goodbye to my brother, but I didn’t feel like seeing his friends. I found a spot in the nearly empty lot and walked through the sticky August heat to the field.

Luckily, Davie was on the sidelines, so I didn’t wait long.

“Hey, Mal. Late night?” He tried to play it cool, but I could tell he was curious as hell.

“Yeah, I was with Annie.”

He put a sweaty hand on my shoulder and led me away from the rest of his teammates. He leaned in to whisper. “That’s not what I heard.”

“What did you hear?” I tried to stay calm. There was no way he knew.

“You and Colt? Wasn’t dating one of the Waters enough for you?” He was actually close with Colt, but he hated his older brother—Jack.

“Hey. I don’t know where you got the info, but it’s wrong.”

“Oh, really? Then why were people talking about him bagging my sister? Supposedly, you two were hot and heavy last night and went off somewhere. ”

“What?” I gaped at him. “That’s just gossip.”

“Is it? If it’s more than that, it’s going to get back to Rob.”

I groaned. I hated living in a town the size of a matchbox. Nothing stayed secret. “Yeah, well I guess it’s good I’m leaving today then.”

“You’re leaving?” He didn’t hide the disappointment in his voice. It made me feel a tad guilty about leaving on such short notice. I was going to miss him.

“I need to get back for rush.”

He grinned. “Can I come?”

I pushed his arm. “Hell no.”

“I’ve seen your pictures. You’ve got hot friends.” He wriggled an eyebrow.

“Hot friends that are completely off limits for your perverted daydreams.”

“It won’t be just daydreams.”

“Davie.”

“Sorry, but what’s the point of having an older sister if she can’t hook me up with girls? You never helped me when you lived at home.”

“Because you’re two years younger.”

“So? Didn’t you know that cougars were the thing now?” He gave me his signature wry grin, letting me know he was kidding.

Despite his smile, my stomach churned. I’d just slept with a younger guy. “Listen, I need to go.”

“You’ll be home for Fall Fest?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

“Cool. Have a good trip.” He hugged me, and I tried to ignore the sweat he left behind. I’d have to change before I got to campus.

“Be good, Davie.” I waved and headed to the truck. I watched him run on to the field. How had my little brother grown up so fast? He was a senior already. My senior year felt like forever ago. It wasn’t a time in my life I ever wanted to relive.

The trip to Charleston was three hours, and I only stopped once for gas. I changed into one of my Delta Mu t-shirts and got back in the truck. My phone rang just as I turned the engine on. I hoped it was Juliet, one of my roommates, calling me back. Instead, it was Colton. I pulled out of the gas station lot, waiting to see if he left a message.

He did. I held the receiver to my ear and took a breath before the message played:

Hey, Mallory. I hadn’t heard from you, so I thought I’d call. I had a great time last night. Are we still on for tonight? I’d love to take you out. Well, just let me know either way, okay?

My chest clenched. Was he asking me out to ease his conscious? Did he think he owed it to me? If so, he didn’t need to worry. There was no way I could handle calling him back, but I didn’t want to leave him waiting around too long. I pulled to the side of the road just before the ramp back onto the interstate.

Texting was always an easy way out.

Sorry. I already left town. Enjoy the rest of summer.

I hit send and tried to push him from my mind. He was probably just being chivalrous, or his version of it at least. He’d get the hint that I didn’t care.