Chapter 15
Cory
I keep an eye on Livvy as Jenny tries to wrangle the crowd into doing the whip and nae nae dance with her. I was hoping Livvy would join them, but it looks like she’s in a heated conversation with her sister. So, I stroll up to the dancing girls and mirror their dance moves, making them all laugh.
When I step in front of Skyler, she takes a timid step back. Joey wasn’t kidding about her being shy. She finally loosens up and takes my hand after Jenny introduces us with a joke about spiking Skyler’s drinks with vodka. I pull Skyler into a slow dance just as the song changes to a slow country song.
“You’re quite the dancer,” I tell her honestly.
“Th…thank you,” she stutters as she smiles.
I can’t help but notice that the sight of her blushing cheeks doesn’t affect me the way Livvy’s does. I glance in the direction where I last saw my girl to see Alexis storming toward the house and Livvy shaking her head in disappointment.
I’m about to excuse myself to go check on her when Joey’s shout pulls my attention. “Hey, Cory! You’re gonna want to take your hands off the big guy’s girl before he completely loses his shit.”
My dance partner spins out of my arms before shouting excitedly and running to throw herself into the arms of the ‘big guy’ that’s stalking toward us like he’s ready to take my head off. Thankfully, once his girl is in his arms, his focus shifts to her.
I didn’t miss the name Skyler shouted—Devon—is the same as the guy that Joey and his girlfriend, Tracey are infatuated with. I can’t help but laugh at Joey’s scheming as I turn to make my way to my own girl.
I stalk my way toward Livvy, relishing the way her smile brightens with every step I take.
“Hi,” she says with a bright smile when I’m standing in front of her.
“Hey, pretty girl .” I lift my hand to reach for her before letting it drop back to my side with a sigh. As much as I want to claim her in front of the whole party, I won’t until she’s ready. Instead, I ask, “Is everything okay with your sister? It looked like you were arguing.”
Livvy lifts her shoulders and lets them drop with a huff. “I told her about us.”
My shock must show on my face, because Livvy giggles before stepping toward me and wrapping her arms around my waist, under my jacket. It’s innocent compared to the embraces of other couples scattered around the party. But it’s huge for us. It’s public. She’s claiming me the way I wanted to claim her just moments ago.
I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer, feeling like I’m on top of the world. I don’t think anything could bring me down…until I hear a familiar scoff behind me.
I step back and turn to face Alexis, trying to keep myself between the sisters so that Livvy doesn’t have to face more of the wrath she obviously received earlier. But Livvy keeps her left arm around my waist, tucking her hand into my back pocket as we face her sister together.
“So, it’s true?” Alexis glares at me. “You’ve been fucking my sister behind my back?”
“No!” Livvy says at the same time I say, “Yes.”
I hold up my right hand. “We’re together. Not fucking,” I clarify.
“Semantics,” Alexis scoffs.
“No.” I return her glare when I feel Livvy tense beside me. “Facts.”
“Whatever.” Alexis rolls her eyes before looking toward Livvy. “We’re leaving.”
“We who?” Livvy asks with a sarcastic edge to her voice. “You got a mouse in your pocket?”
“Don’t get smart, Olivia. We…” She waves a hand between herself and Livvy. “Are leaving. Now.”
“I’m staying,” Livvy declares. “The ball hasn’t even dropped yet. And I intend to kiss my boyfriend at midnight. Don’t wait up. I won’t be staying at the dorm tonight.”
Alexis steps forward and reaches out like she’s going to grab my girl.
“Don’t!” I bark as I take a step back, pulling Livvy out of her sister’s reach. When Alexis drops her hand and turns her scowl on me, I tell her, “You can be mad at Livvy for keeping a secret. You can hate me for being the bad guy that stole your little sister’s attention. You don’t have to be happy about it, but you do have to accept it. It’s Livvy’s life…not yours.”
I turn to kiss Livvy’s forehead as she beams up at me, acknowledging our relationship in front of her sister for the first time. “I’m going to refill our drinks before midnight. Do you need a minute to talk to Alexis alone?”
“Please,” Alexis says with a plea instead of the animosity her voice held before.
Livvy nods and I turn to make my way toward the cabin.
Just as I reach the steps, I hear Livvy say, “I’ll see you later.”
I keep walking without eavesdropping on any more of their conversation. I just hope she wasn’t talking to me.
Livvy
I’m disappointed when I catch the smug look on my sister’s face as soon as Cory turns his back.
“I’ll see you later,” I say, deciding that I don’t want to waste another minute of tonight arguing with her.
“Wait!” she says when I turn to follow Cory. “I’m sorry. I just… I don’t want you to get hurt, Livvy. Cory is…” Her voice trails off.
“What, Alexis?” I ask. “Too old for me?” I hold up one finger and then raise another with each following question. “A bad boy? Your ex?” I throw my hands up dramatically. “I know all that, but he’s also…” I drop my hands and shrug. “He gets me.”
Alexis shakes her head. “I was going to say…Cory is different with you. He never looked at me that way. Even though he definitely wanted more from our fling than I did. He cares about you. I still don’t like it but—if you’re happy—I’ll try to get on board. Just, be careful.”
I nod. “Thank you,” I tell her earnestly. “And if it makes you feel any better…we haven’t slept together. He wouldn’t until I told you about us.”
Alexis rears back in shock before a rare grin appears. “Wow. He must really care about you. That does actually make me feel better. Go on in. I think I may actually hang around until after midnight.”
“I’m still not coming home with you,” I tell her.
“I know.” She scoffs. “Just let me hover for a bit. I want to make sure he’s treating you right now that your secret is out.”
I sigh. “Fine. Just hover from a distance, please, ” I beg.
“I will,” she promises before stepping forward to hug me. “I love you, Livvy.”
“I love you, too,” I admit as I hug her back before turning and jogging into the cabin.