Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire Page B

half the contents before slamming it to the bar.
    â€œYou think that is going to change anyone’s mind about us?” I said, pulling my hair to the side, covering the spot he kissed.
    He laughed once. “I don’t give a damn what they think about us.”
    I shot him a dirty look and then turned to face forward.
    â€œPigeon,” he said, touching my arm.
    I pulled away from him. “Don’t. I could never get drunk enough to let you get me on that couch.”
    His face twisted in anger, but before he could say anything, a dark-haired stunner with pouty lips, enormous blue eyes, and far too much cleavage approached him.
    â€œWell. If it isn’t Travis Maddox,” she said, bouncing in all the right places.
    He took a drink, and then his eyes locked on mine. “Hey, Megan.”
    â€œIntroduce me to your girlfriend,” she smiled. I rolled my eyes.
    Travis tipped his head back to finish his beer, and then slid his empty bottle down the bar. Everyone waiting to order watched it until it fell into the trash can at the end. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
    He grabbed Megan’s hand, and she happily traipsed behind him to the dance floor. He all but mauled her for one song, and then another, and another. They were causing a scene with the way she let him grope her, and when he bent her over I turned my back to them.
    â€œYou look pissed,” a man said as he sat next to me. “Is that your boyfriend out there?”
    â€œNo, he’s just a friend,” I grumbled.
    â€œWell, that’s good. That could have been pretty awkward for you if he was.” He faced the dance floor, shaking his head at the spectacle.
    â€œTell me about it,” I said, drinking the last of my beer. I barely tasted the last two I had put away, and my teeth were numb.
    â€œWould you like another one?” he asked. I looked over at him and he smiled. “I’m Ethan.”
    â€œAbby,” I said, taking his outstretched hand.
    He held up two fingers to the bartender, and I smiled. “Thanks.”
    â€œSo you live here?” he asked.
    â€œIn Morgan Hall at Eastern.”
    â€œI have an apartment in Hinley.”
    â€œYou go to State?” I asked. “What is that … like an hour away? What are you doing over here?”
    â€œI graduated last May. My little sister goes to Eastern. I’m staying with her this week while I apply for jobs.”
    â€œUh-oh … living in the real world, huh?”
    Ethan laughed. “And it’s everything they say it is.”
    I pulled the gloss out of my pocket and smeared it across my lips, using the mirror lining the wall behind the bar.
    â€œThat’s a nice shade,” he said, watching me press my lips together.
    I smiled, feeling the anger at Travis and the heaviness of the alcohol. “Maybe you can try it on later.”
    Ethan’s eyes brightened as I leaned in closer, and I smiled when he touched my knee. He pulled back his hand when Travis stepped between us.
    â€œYou ready, Pidge?”
    â€œI’m talking, Travis,” I said, moving him back. His shirt was damp from the circus on the dance floor, and I made a show of wiping my hand on my skirt.
    Travis made a face. “Do you even know this guy?”
    â€œThis is Ethan,” I said, sending my new friend the best flirty smile I could manage.
    He winked at me, and then looked at Travis, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
    Travis watched me expectantly until I finally gave in, waving my hand in his general direction. “Ethan, this is Travis,” I muttered.
    â€œTravis Maddox,” he said, staring at Ethan’s hand as if he wanted to rip it off.
    Ethan’s eyes grew wide and he awkwardly pulled back his hand. “Travis Maddox? Eastern’s Travis Maddox?”
    I rested my cheek on my fist, dreading the inevitable testosterone-fueled story swapping that would soon ensue.
    Travis stretched