3. Porter
PORTER
“You’ll never guess who just literally ran into me on the stairs,” I say in greeting as I join my friends in the corner of the basement and hand them the drinks they requested.
“Who?” Josie asks before taking her first sip. “Oh my god, thank you for this. I swear you’re the only person I trust to make a decent Tequila Sunrise. Best barista-turned-bartender ever.”
“I know, I know, I’m the best.” I shrug, smiling and batting my eyelashes playfully for a moment in response to the praise before I focus back on my story and direct my answer at Abbey. “But anyway, Will Carter! It looked like he’d just gotten another drink thrown in his face.”
Abbey cringes while smiling. “I still feel kind of bad about that. It was a bit of an overreaction. We weren’t dating, even if I wanted to be. Thank god that didn’t happen though.”
“Oh my god, no, don’t feel bad!” Josie assures her. “He’s an asshole. Remember what he did to Porter’s bike that same semester?”
I nod along as Abbey’s eyes go wide. “Shit! I forgot about that.”
“I’ll never forget. The coldest year on record, and I had to walk everywhere.” I shiver just thinking about it. He’s clearly one of the most self-centered people I’ve ever encountered.
Abbey holds her drink up to cheers. “Then I guess I’m glad he’s still facing the consequences of his actions.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Josie and I clink our cups with hers.
“Well, I have much more exciting news in the men department,” Abbey adds with a big smile. “Do you remember that guy who was in my econ class last semester? Ty? He officially asked me out on a date next weekend!”
“Love that for you.” I grin, meaning it. Abbey has wanted to be in a relationship for a long time, so hopefully this new guy is a good one.
“Can you show us his socials again?” Josie requests. “I can’t remember exactly what he looks like.”
“Of course.” Abbey pulls up his accounts, and we online stalk him. He’s very tall, very cute, and Abbey assures us he’s also very kind, which I think will be really good for her.
Josie must be thinking a similar thing because she scans the party with a look of determination. “I want to find someone to take me on a date, too.”
“That easy, huh?” I tease. “Just gonna pick someone out of a crowd and make them fall for you?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m a ten with a personality to match. As my best friend, you should really know this.”
I laugh, but don’t argue.
“Okay, so who’s asking you on this date?” Abbey prompts as I look around the room too, trying to guess who she’ll focus on. Josie doesn’t have any set type when it comes to who she’s interested in. Since she’s bi, the pool is wide, so I’m not sure what I’m even looking for.
“Her.” Josie nods decisively in the direction of a tall curvy girl with curly red hair and freckles.
“Well, lucky her.” I wink, hyping her up, and Josie laughs. “Want a wingman?”
“Nah, and don’t wait up,” she teases before confidently walking toward her target. Sure enough, the girl’s face lights up when Josie starts talking to her, and she’s quickly blushing.
“Wow, I hope my date swoons over me that easily,” Abbey comments.
“You said you were texting him all of winter break? That seems very promising.”
“Yeah, I hope so. I really like him so far, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on it, ya know? We’re only juniors, so we have time. What about you, though? Anyone catch your eye lately?”
For a moment, Will’s curly brown hair and blue-green eyes flash through my mind.
The stubble on his sharp jaw and the soaked shirt clinging to his abs…
but I shake off those thoughts. Even if he wasn’t a major dick to me years ago or hadn’t slept with one of my best friends, he was also very quick to point out that he wasn’t interested in me, and I definitely won’t be lusting after another straight man after the way Robbie ended things between us. Never again.
“Nah. You know me. I don’t mind being on my own,” I finally answer.
“Maybe in a few weeks after you turn twenty-one, we can finally hang out at the bars and you’ll meet someone,” she offers hopefully.
“Maybe,” I agree noncommittally. “But like I said, I’m not worried about it.
” And I wish that were true, it really would be so much easier, but like she said, we’re young.
No need to stress about dating or worry that I’ll end up alone forever just because I haven’t been in a serious relationship yet.
It’s not my fault I always seem to pick guys who are bad for me.