Keri sat at her table watching the people dancing as she drank her water. She was supposed to be the driver that night, not that she wanted to. She was always the driver, she never got drunk, or even drank. Maybe it was because so many people in her family died because of alcohol. Maybe it was because she just didn’t like the taste. She didn’t really know for sure which it was. She frowned when she saw her friend start to drunkenly flirt with a guy. He was attractive, no doubt about that. But Liz, her friend, was making an utter fool of herself.
Sighing, Keri got up, walked over to Liz, grabbed her arm, and tried to pull her away.
“No, I was talking to this sweet guy.” Liz slurred. Keri looked at the guy apologetically. He was standing there with his arms crossed, towering over both of the girls. Keri couldn’t help but notice his well built form. He was at least six and a half feet tall, and a good two-hundred and fifty pounds. All of it was muscle too. His eyes were a beautiful blue that reminded her of the small creek that flowed through the property her parents lived on. His hair was brown and mused, it wasn’t very long, but it wasn’t a buzz cut either. His bronze skin made his eyes stand out all the more. She felt a blush creep over her cheeks and she looked away.
“Sorry,” She muttered tugging at Liz again.
“Keri, your red as an apple.” Liz laughed. Keri felt like slapping her over the face, but decided against it. She tugged at her friend’s arm again.
“Liz, let’s go before you make a bigger scene.” Keri whispered.
“Am I making a scene?” Liz laughed looking at the guy. “I don’t think so.” She suddenly doubled over and started throwing up. To Keri’s dismay Liz was throwing up all over the guys shoes! She groaned and ran to the closest trash can putting it under Liz’s face where she continued to empty her stomach. Keri grabbed a handful of napkins and ran back to the guy who had stepped away from Liz.
“I’m so sorry.” She muttered handing him the napkins. He laughed, the first noise she had heard from him all afternoon. It was a nice laugh, easy and deep.
“Not your fault.” He smiled sitting down and wiping his shoe off. It was a pair of Ariat boots. “Your friend is lucky to have someone looking out for her.” He flashed those beautiful blue eyes at her and she felt herself being drawn into them.
NO! You know better then to let a guy take hold of you! She thought, she had been in a relationship once, and it didn’t turn out well.
“Well, I’m the only one that actually doesn’t drink.” She smiled, “I was kinda elected for the position and wasn’t allowed to say no.”
“How many friends do you watch out for?” He asked standing up after getting the rest of the vomit from his shoe.
“There are three of them. Liz, Beth, and Kate.” Keri replied, “They are all roomies, I’m just a friend of Liz’s so I got to know them.”
“College student?” He asked as they moved away from the throw up.
“Ya, well kinda, this is gonna be my last year. My parents need me back at the farm.” She smiled, “I don’t mind, I don’t like the big city part of this college.”
“Don’t blame ya. I hated college, but I had to go.” He replied,
“Why?” She asked looking up at him.
“Rules of th…” He stopped, “Of my folks.” He smiled,
“Ah yes, we get to be adults and we still have to listen to them to an extent.” She laughed,
“Looks like your friend feels better.” He said motioning to where Liz was dancing with some guy. Keri rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
“Not surprising.” She smiled, “Liz is a big flirt, and she knows it.”
“I’m Ryder.” He smiled sticking his hand out. Keri took it shaking it, he had a firm, but gentle grasp.
“Keri, do you go to this college?” She asked looking around. The floor was covered in dancing bodies and the smell of sweat and beer was terrible, she had gotten used to it though.
“No, I used to. I’m just back up here visiting friends.” He smiled.
“Oh, ok.” Keri was a little disappointed. She wouldn’t get to really know him. She sighed, she knew nothing would work.
