Almost Perfect - Brian Katcher [82]
My sister had to clear her throat several times before we stopped making out. But hell, she was dating someone, too. I magnanimously decided I wouldn’t break Mike’s nose the next time I saw him.
The sun began to hang low in the sky, and Sage reminded me that we had to get back. As I walked through campus, one arm around my girlfriend’s waist, the other clutching a bag of her clothing purchases, I felt almost serene.
Sage and I were going to have difficulties. I knew that. Maybe it wouldn’t work out. But other couples had overcome obstacles. Men and women of different races, different religions, different social classes. Of course, the problem with Sage wasn’t our differences, but what we had in common.
We’d just have to talk, when the time was right. It didn’t have to be soon. We could take a couple of weeks to get our thoughts in order, and maybe squeeze in some alone time again. And again and again.
While Sage gathered up her stuff from Laura’s room, I ducked into Brian’s room to say goodbye. The window was open, and he was sitting at his desk reading. He smiled when he saw me.
“Taking off, Logan?”
“Yeah. It was nice to meet you.” We shook hands. In the light, he didn’t look half as scary.
“You too. Hey, you ever play paintball?”
I shook my head.
“Well, if you’re interested, we’ve got a team. Look us up in the fall. It’s a lot of fun.”
I found Laura standing outside her dorm room. She was pacing like she had to pee or something. When she saw me, she glanced over her shoulder.
“Logan!” Her voice cracked; she was agitated.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked back down the hall again and shook her head. “Nothing. It was really good to see you. Come back soon.”
“Hey, we’ll be back in August. Maybe we’ll double date.” I was trying to be accepting of Mike.
Laura suddenly looked glum.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Did Mike do something to you?” ’Cause I can break his head if you want me to.
“Huh? Oh, no. It’s just …” She turned suddenly and noticed Sage coming toward us. Laura took a breath and pasted on a smile. “It’s nothing important. I’ll call you tonight.”
I tried to get her to talk, but she was too busy helping Sage with her bags. I was probably imagining things. Sage tried to thank Laura for her hospitality, but my sister hurried us down the hall. She hugged me in front of her building, then quickly dashed inside.
“Is she okay?” asked Sage.
“Something’s on her mind. Probably that asshole Mike upset her. We’ll talk later.”
“Be nice, Logan. Your sister likes him, which means he’s probably a nice guy.”
I grabbed one of Sage’s bags. She linked her arm in mine, and we walked back to the parking garage.
When we reached her car, she wordlessly allowed me to load her bags. That was my job now. Just like opening the car door or pulling out her chair at a restaurant or remembering our anniversary. There was no point in pretending otherwise.
That night at the movies had been our first date. New Year’s was our first fight, and Tim’s birthday was our first making up. The past week had been my first attempt at second base. And last night …
I’d been Sage’s boyfriend for months now. I’d only just realized it.
chapter twenty-nine
SAGE HAD CHANGED out of her dress and was now wearing jeans and a Mizzou sweater she’d bought earlier. As she climbed into the car and fished through her purse for her keys, I stared at her, thinking about the previous night. That powerful yet soft and smooth back. That ticklish belly. Those strong, freckled arms with the gentle, gentle hands. A dopey grin spread across my face.
Sage noticed my smile and flashed me her braces in return. It was all I could do not to lean over and kiss her.
And then I remembered there was no reason not to.
We made out in the hot parking garage for nearly ten minutes. It wasn’t nearly as passionate as the night before. We found a nice, steady pace and just kissed, something we should have been doing for months now. This felt so natural.
Of course, I wasn’t so starry