PEACHES: Did you literally cream your pants?

ME: Yes!

PEACHES: No! AUSTIN BURATHON of the FUCKHOT GUYLINER and SUAVE AMAZINGNESS!!?

Okay, both Peaches and I had had middle school crushes on Austin. She grew out of hers, preferring the football players in our class. I never grew out of it, and Peaches knew it.

PEACHES: CALL ME

ME: I can’t. I’m in class. Then after class Austin said we’re getting my stuff.

PEACHES: I wanna come visit soon.

ME: Pffft

PEACHES: Soon, TAYLOR.

I put my phone on airplane mode and tried to focus on class. I couldn’t let my grades slip during this upheaval. My scholarships depended on it.

* * *

I used my phone’s camera to check my hair and redid my messy bun. Then I wondered if that’s how Austin would style me. God, how I wanted him to style me.

After I got my backpack together and wrangled up all the butterflies in my chest that were excited to see Austin again, I headed out. The door was being held open for me.

As I thanked the guy for the service, he tipped his chin in my direction. “No worries, pretty girl.”

I felt myself glow at the compliment. I’d been in this class for months, and this cute guy picked today to talk to me? Maybe thinking about Austin was making me put off welcoming vibes.

I’m sure the blond clean-cut guy was just being nice. I hustled back to the front of the building, and sure enough, Austin’s car was waiting for me—double parked again.

The passenger side opened up and I saw that the car was packed. Three people in the small backseat and one in the passenger side. The beautiful woman patted her lap for me to sit on her.

I gave Austin a confused look. He had clearly gotten his friends and returned ready to storm my old castle.

He patted the beautiful woman’s lap, too. “This is Tinsley. Have a seat. She’s stronger than she looks and only bites on the weekends.”

Tinsley threw her head back and howled with a cackle. The horns started up again. I didn’t have time to question it. I hung onto the roof and swung into Austin’s low-set car. This wasn’t a safe way to drive anywhere.

The introductions started as soon as Tinsley and I settled into a very cozy situation.

“I’m Fred.” Fred was a girl as well, but she was built in a way that I was pretty sure she could punch straight through the roof of the car if she wanted to.

“I’m Caesar.” Caesar held out his hand and I awkwardly tried to complete the shake. I felt his lips kiss my knuckles. He was a beautiful man.

“I’m Fiona.”

I waved to her.