Destiny's Detour (5 page)

We spend a few hours hanging out in the living room, music playing softly in the background, and the guys chilling with beers. Amy and I sit together nursing some wine coolers. This is not a night to get drunk. We have a long week of practices ahead of us and none of us wants to be hung over for them.

The week goes by smoothly, and Troy and I still act the happy couple anywhere Buffy might see us. Holding hands, chaste kisses, and lingering hugs are all part of our little game. My brother just rolls his eyes, while Amy gives us knowing looks. The rest of the guys seem to forget it’s all an act. Hell,
I
am having a hard time remembering it’s an act sometimes, especially after that kiss we shared in my bedroom. Buffy has not been happy with me all week. Not only am I still with Troy, but I’m also getting front, lead positions in almost all of our dances. The drama is all around and classes haven’t even begun yet.

Friday night is finally here and we decide to hang at the house before heading out to a party that a fraternity on campus is hosting. After a week of hard work at dance practice, I think I have earned the right to party tonight.

Jessica and Megan have come over to the house to get ready with Amy and me. As we primp, we can hear all the guys in the living room. For some reason, David has decided that I can’t go to the party without the escort of him and his friends. Sometimes his overprotective, big brother junk annoys the crap out of me.

The girls and I are all ready to head out to the party. I have chosen to wear short jean shorts that mold to my bottom. The simple, off the shoulder top shows off my tan, and a pair of heels that make my legs look a mile long finishes my look. My hair cascades down my back in dark ringlets.

As I walk down the hall, Troy steps out of his bedroom door and stops to check me out. I throw a smile over my shoulder as I pass, and he just reaches out for my hand, pulling me back against him.

“You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Destiny.” He bends his head down and whispers in my ear.

“Thank you.” His words send a shiver down my spine. “You look pretty good yourself.” I can’t help but notice that he is wearing low-slung jeans and a black V-neck that fits tight across his chest. I swear every muscle is defined through the T-shirt, right down to his sculpted V. Another shiver hits me. I wonder if I should be concerned about all this flirting and touching that Troy and I have been doing, so I step back. “We better get downstairs. We got people waiting.”

David and Amy are downstairs trying to figure out who is driving and who is riding with whom. David decides he will drive in his car with Amy, Ryan, and Chase. Mark and Keith are in Mark’s car, and Jessica and Megan are riding with them. Mark is not thrilled with driving, and even tries to talk Keith in to taking his car. The way these two argue reminds me of an old married couple. They finally settle down and Mark reluctantly agrees to drive.

“That means I get my girl all to myself,” Troy impishly replies.

I snap my head to Troy, and moving my hand to caress his chest, I dryly say, “I may break up with you tonight and let Buffy have you.”

This causes everyone in the room to laugh. All but Troy, that is. I notice he isn’t laughing, but then again, neither am I. This whole pretend relationship is getting to me.

“Destiny, please don’t leave me. I will do anything you want, but don’t leave me.” Troy pouts as he issues his plea.

This makes everyone laugh more. I look at Troy as if he has lost his mind but struggle to hold in my laughter at his pleas.

Troy finally leads us to his car and even opens the door for me as a gentleman would. I wonder where he’s been hiding these manners. Although honestly, looking back, I don’t recall Troy ever having a serious girlfriend that he would treat with this kind of respect.

When I was a freshman in high school, David and Troy were juniors and the big men on campus. They were on the football team, and notorious players on and off the field. That year shaped me into who I am today. I constantly had girls trying to befriend me because I got to hang out with the football players. The girls that had been dumped always tried to get me to help them get back with the guys. It was constant drama. Amy and I were popular in our own grade because of our nature, and it didn’t hurt we were on the dance team. However, my brother and his friends had us hanging out with them before school, at lunch, and after school and that sent us straight into the middle of high school drama. I was so glad I had Amy because I never could trust other girls.

“Destiny.”

Troy’s voice brings me out of my trip down memory lane. I look at him and shake my head to clear my thoughts.

“Sorry, Troy, I was lost in my thoughts. What did you need?”

He smiles at me and says, “I was trying to thank you for this whole Buffy thing.”

“Troy, you know I’ll always do anything I can to help you.”

Suddenly, Troy pulls over on the side of the road, turns, and looks at me.

“Destiny, I know this is going to sound odd coming from me, but we have known each other our whole lives. I know many people think I look at you like a little sister, but believe me, I never have. The things I want to do to you should be illegal in 50 states, but I consider you one of my very closest friends. I want you to know that I respect you and appreciate you. Always have, always will.” He gives me a sweet kiss on the cheek.

I am shocked by Troy. Troy does not do feelings.

“Troy, we’ve always had a unique relationship, but I consider you a close friend, too. Thank you much for what you said. It means the world to me. I have to admit, though, I am still a little surprised that David is lettin’ us get away with all this flirting.”

“It is a little strange, right? He hasn’t said anything about it. He’s always quick to say something when it comes to you.”

I notice that as he speaks there is a slight hesitation, but I put it to the back of my mind.

“Maybe he is finally letting me grow up.”

We both snicker at that. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what is going on with David. He is being a little too accepting of this whole fake relationship. Especially since we have no problem with making it look real.

Troy restarts the car and we head off for the party once again. We arrive at the fraternity house and I am surprised by how many students are already on campus and attending a party. This place is packed and loud bass is pumping through the windows. Troy helps me out of the car and takes my hand to lead me up the steps. It still feels strange holding hands with Troy. The boundary lines of our friendship keep getting blurred. Fake is starting to become a little too real for me.
Damn.

When we walk through the house, I notice the girls are wearing even less then I am and I am not covered up. The guys all pretty much have on jeans or shorts with a T-shirt. We find our friends in a back room near the bar. I am not surprised to see them close to the alcohol. Troy asks me if I want a drink and I say yes so he makes his way to the bar while I go stand near Amy. Amy smiles as I walk up to her. She is giving me one of her ‘I know something you don’t know’ smiles.

“Amy, what is up with you?”

“Nothing, my dear, best friend. I am just happy.”

Troy comes up and hands me my drink.

“Thanks, Troy.” I drop questioning Amy any further as the music pulsates around us. I don’t think I want us to have this conversation in front of Troy.

“No problem,” he says with a smile.

Sigh.
That boy has one hell of a smile. I really need to get a grip.
I go back to talking to my girl. After finishing my drink, we are ready to hit the dance floor. I let David know where we are headed. He nods his head to acknowledge that he hears me. I know better than to walk off without letting my brother know where I am going.

The girls and I spend the next hour on the dance floor. We decide to break for a round of drinks and make our way back to the bar. No surprise, the guys are still hanging out in the bar room although they have moved to pool. We go up to the bar and all of us order a shot and a beer. We down our shots together at the bar then grabbed our beers and walk over to the pool table.

I am standing there drinking my beer when strong arms circle around my waist. I look over my shoulder to see Troy standing behind me.

I smile, and I don’t know why but the question just pops out of my mouth. “Troy, doesn’t it suck you can’t pick up girls at the party because you are stuck with me?”

A flash of emotion crosses his face before he smirks. “No, because I already hooked up with the most beautiful girl here and plan to take her home with me.”

That makes my stomach do flip-flops. Yep, not good. I am heading into dangerous territory.

One of the guy's scores a round of shots for everyone and that seems to kick off my night. From that point on, I lose count of how much alcohol enters my system. I am feeling good, and Troy and I have been hanging all over each other, sneaking little kisses here and there. I want him to spend the night in my room tonight, but I’m not saying anything about that to him just yet.

At one point, David pulls me aside and asks, “What are you doing, Destiny?”

I look at him funny because I don’t get what he means.

“Destiny, I am talking about you and Troy. I think you guys are pushing this pretending thing too far.”

Ha, that line has been crossed already, big bro
, but I am not telling him that.

“David, don’t worry. I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing. Your little sister grew up two years ago when you weren’t there to look over my shoulder every second.”

“Destiny,” he groans out.

“Aw, come on, Bro, you know I can’t be a little girl forever. Please let me spread my wings some.”

“Enough,” he laughs out. “I think I regret startin’ this conversation with you.”

I laugh as he walks off to join our friends again. I decide now may be a good time to find the bathroom.

As I walk back to my friends, Buffy stalks towards me. I roll my eyes and mentally groan. I am not in the mood for this shit. If I keep telling myself that I am an 18-year-old adult and not in high school anymore, it might help control my need to slap her.

“Bitch, you just don’t know how to listen, do you? I told you to stay away from Troy.”

“Buffy, first, Troy is an adult. He can decide who he wants to be with all by himself. If he wants you, he would have come after you, but he didn’t. He is with me. Why can’t you get that?”

She has a look of pure fury on her face. She is so angry that she is struggling with what to say first. “I will get Troy back. Just you watch. He loves me and you’re just an easy lay. Just remember, Destiny, I can and will make your life hell.”

That’s it. I am tired of this shit. I get up in her face. “You don’t scare me, Buffy. I can handle anything you throw at me. I suggest you back off before I show you what a real bitch I can be. Believe me when I tell you, I am not the little peon you think I am. You can’t bully me, Bitch.” I walk around her and keep making my way toward my friends.

Amy is the first to notice me. I take the first available drink in front of me and down it.

“Destiny, what happened?” she says, her eyebrows raised.

“I had a run in with Buffy. She pissed me off. I don’t know how I kept from punching her in the face. I really wanted to.”

Amy laughs lightly. “Aww, look at you all growing up and shit.”

“Shut up, Amy.” I finish the first beer, and as I begin on my second, Ryan walks up to us.

“Did I just see you and Buffy going at it a few minutes ago?”

“Yes, let’s not talk about it. She has seriously pissed me off.”

He nods his head, stands quietly by us, and finally speaks again. “So, what can you tell me about your friend Megan?”

I start chuckling. “Does someone have a crush?” I cry in a singsong voice. I think I actually see some pink cross his cheeks. Now, how sweet is that? Amy and I talk to Ryan about Megan. We tell him she is a sweet girl and that if he is going to go after her to be serious about it and not just string her along. She was not the type to be just a booty call.

I finally calm down after my run in with Buffy and start having a great time with my friends. The party is still going hard and it is already two in the morning. I am glad I have nothing to do on Saturday because I have a feeling I am going to need the day to recover.

Troy finally comes up to me and asks me to dance with him. He takes my hand and we make our way to the dance floor. I can’t help but be excited. If there is one thing Troy is good at, it is moving that sexy body of his. We begin grinding against one another. We are hot and sweaty from the last three fast songs when a slow song finally comes on and he pulls me in close. I am sure anyone watching us is getting a show. Our moves are as close to having sex as they can be. He begins kissing my neck and I tilt my head to the side to allow him better access. The feather light sensual kisses light my body on fire.

He whispers into my ear, “I want you tonight. I miss this sexy body of yours underneath me. You’re my drug, Destiny. I need my fix.”