I study him closely, wondering if he’s for real. He seems dead serious and kind of confused about why I’m staring at him.

I decide I’m going to do it. I’ve already taken a few big steps tonight, so why not just keep going? Nothing bad has happened yet. I can do this.

“Okay, I’m always down for clubbing.” I retrieve my phone again. “I’m going to text Greyson, though, because I’m not about to run down the sidewalk after him. It goes against my lifetime vow of never exercising.”

He laughs, plopping down in the chair again. “Sounds good.”

I pause, thinking about what I should say in the text.

Me: Hey, so Luke Price and an unknown girl invited me to the Red Ink. He invited u, too.

I hit send and quickly type up another message.

Me: Oh yeah, I’d really like it if u went.

“How do you even know Greyson?” I ask Luke while I wait for Greyson to reply.

“We’re in Bio together. He’s actually my lab partner. He seems pretty cool.” His attention whips to the side as headlights shine through the window. “And there’s our ride.” He hops to his feet and heads to the door with me following.

By the time we reach the parking lot, Greyson hasn’t text back. Totally deserved, I think to myself, for blowing him off so often.

I’m about to climb into the car when my phone vibrates. I smile as I fish it out.

Greyson: Sure. I’m down. I’m about four blocks down, but I’ll turn around.

Me: No, just wait there. We’ll pick u up.

I duck into the car, feeling nervous, but giddy. The giddiness remains even when I look down at my scars. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to conquer my fears and my past after all.

Chapter 9

Seth

“Luke, Luke, Luke,” I tsk him from across the booth. “Where the hell did you find that girl? On the street corner?”

Luke glances over his shoulder at the brunette that brought us here, who grins at him and slides her hands down her body, right there for everyone at the bar to see. “She’s not that bad, is she?” he asks, looking at me.

“Well, I’m not the best judge, but I’m going to go with a no.” I turn my head to Greyson, who’s sitting in the booth beside me. “What do you think?”

Greyson snorts a laugh as he stirs the ice in his whiskey tonic. “You think I’m a better judge than you?”

“True.” I direct my attention back to Luke. “All I know is that the leopard print dress she’s wearing is tacky and don’t even get me started on those fishnet tights. I’d say her shoes are okay alone, but the whole outfit together,” I make a gagging face. “So gross.”

“So, you’re basing who she is on how she looks?” Luke questions in surprise. “That’s harsh.”

“No, I’m basing who she is on the sole fact that she thinks the,” I make air quotes, “’person’ in the GPS system sounds super hot and she wonders if he’s single.”

“Okay, she might not be the brightest chick in the room, but she’s still hot.” Luke picks up his drink and swallows it in one shot.

“That’s debatable,” I argue, scooping up the drink in front of me.

Greyson chuckles as he slides his arm along the booth, so the crook of his elbow is resting just behind my head. Even though he’s not touching, I can feel his nearness all over me. Panic flashes through me and I take a few measured breaths as I glance around the busy club. People are dry humping each other on the dance floor, flirting at the bar, and hanging out in booths. All having fun, totally relaxed, like I should be.

“She’s just a hook up,” Luke explains, setting down his empty glass. “It’s not like I’m trying to date her or anything.”

“Have you even dated anyone, ever?” I ask with doubt.

He rolls his eyes like what I said is the most absurd thing he’s ever heard. “Yeah, right.”

“Never once?” I question. “Not even in high school?”

With his jaw set tight, he looks out at the dance floor. “It’s not my thing, okay?”

I open my mouth to press more, but Greyson brushes his finger across the back of my neck and shakes his head, signaling for me to let it go. The touch causes my mind to instantly go back to the kiss we shared earlier and I start getting wound up all over again. It makes me a bit nervous, though, being out with people.

Luke abruptly rises to his feet. “I think I’m going to go get a drink.” He strides off toward the bar, pushing people out of his way.

“Are you my voice of reason now?” I ask in a low tone, leaning in toward Greyson.

“Hey, you’re the one who said you cross personal boundaries sometimes.” His smile lights up his eyes. “I thought I’d help you out. He seemed a little upset.”

“I wonder why.”

“I’m sure he has a reason, but I don’t think he wanted to talk about it.”

I swish the ice around in the glass. “What about you?”

His forehead furrows. “What about me?”

I roll up my sleeves and rest my arms on the table. “How many guys did you date in high school?”

He lifts the brim of his glass to his mouth and sips a long drink before setting it back down. “You really want a number?”

I nod, even though I’m not really sure I do.

He huffs out a sigh then counts down on his fingers. “Five total.”