Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(25)

“Not really,” I admit, forcing down another drink of the beer in my hand.

It’s not the first time I’ve had beer, but I swear it’s worse than the last time I tried it. Even still, I continue to drink it, determined to make myself like it even if it tastes like animal pee.

“No?” he questions, pointing to the Ducks hat and hooded sweatshirt I am currently wearing.

“Harlee—” I explain, “—She wanted me to fit in.” I straighten the bill of the hat before adjusting my ponytail through the back.

“Well, you wear it well.” His smile deepens, his blue eyes fixed on mine.

He’s a good looking guy, one that I have met one time before today. If I remember correctly, he used to date Angel which you would never guess by watching them together. They seem more like brother and sister than people who would date each other. Even still, it’s not hard to see what Angel saw in him.

He’s at least six-two, broad shoulders, very athletic looking, but it’s his smile that’s the real kicker. It’s one of those brilliant dimpled smiles that make even the most uninterested girls do a double take.

“Thank you.” I finally acknowledge his statement, turning my head to look out over the twenty or so people that have gathered in our area to tailgate before the big game.

It’s only four in the afternoon but most of our group is already drunk, having started drinking before noon. And while I have nursed a couple of beers as to not be the odd woman out, I have taken them down slowly enough that I feel completely sober.

“So you’re from the east coast right?” Travis pulls my attention back to him, sliding off his hat as he scratches his forehead.

“West Virginia.” I nod.

“I’ve never been out that way. Is it much different?” he asks, clearly just trying to find a reason to talk to me.

Normally I’d be flattered, maybe even interested, but unfortunately given the events of this week, his feeble attempt to connect with me annoys me more than anything.

“Completely.” I give him a short answer before throwing a small wave at Angel who is leaning into the side of the truck next to us watching me intently.

She raises her eyebrows up and down and throws me a wicked smile before turning and crossing the space to where a large group of people are playing a game of corn hole.

I can’t help but roll my eyes. I know what she’s up to and it’s not gonna work. I’m not like her, I can’t just sleep with someone and then turn around and forget all about them. I’m not programmed that way.

I wish I could say the same for Decklan who clearly is programmed that way. I also wish I could say that I saw this coming; the blow off that follows a one-night stand, but I wasn’t even a little prepared. I think that’s the worst part; thinking that there’s more to it than just sex only to find out there’s not.

“Did you hear me?” I jump slightly, realizing Travis is once again talking.

“Sorry. What?” I shake off the fog surrounding me and turn to find him studying me curiously.

“I asked if you were hungry.” He smiles. “They have some amazing hamburgers over there.” He points to a food tent set up just a few yards from us.

“No, I’m good, thanks.” I take another long drink of my beer that despite the cool temperatures have gotten warm over the last hour that I’ve been drinking it.

“You sure you don’t want to walk over with me; might warm you up to move a little.” He adds when a small shiver runs through me.

“I’ll be fine.” I force a smile, not missing the irritation that briefly crosses his handsome face as he stands and pushes away from the truck.

****

I want to enjoy myself, I really do. I want to feel the excitement that swarms over the crowd as the Ducks continue to dominate their opponent, but I just can’t get into it. I thought getting out would help get my mind off Decklan, but it’s actually only made it worse.

Of course, it doesn’t help that Travis made a point to sit in the seat directly next to me or that he’s spent the first half of the game hitting on me; the amount of alcohol in his system clearly giving him a false confidence on his chances of landing me.

It makes me angry that I can’t enjoy the attention he’s giving me and even angrier that all I can do is compare him more and more to Decklan with every moment that passes. To say he doesn’t stack up is the understatement of the year. Truth is, he doesn’t even come close which in turn only causes my frustration to mount.

Is this what I signed up for? To be used and in turn ruined for any future man that may come into my life? I just don’t get it. I don’t get how he can just disappear after the night we spent together.

I tried calling the bar once, having never gotten his phone number, but I was given the run around by the female who answered and decided not to call again. It’s bad enough that I can’t stop thinking about him; I don’t need the rest of the world to see how pathetic I am, too.

Lifting the beer bottle to my lips, I drain the remaining contents as the crowd around me once again erupts in triumph. I have no idea what’s happened nor do I care. As desperate as I am to get the full college experience and really put myself out there, I am more desperate to see Decklan.

I don’t know what I expected from him. I guess that just goes to show that no matter the connection you feel to a person, it doesn’t change who they are at their core.