"You want me to fall back in love with you? How do I do that when I haven’t ever stopped?"

- The Best of Me, coming to theaters October 17

Chapter 4

Ramsey

I was walking next to Josie behind our group of friends through the tailgaters that filled the campus, and something was clicking. I had no clue what I was doing, but we were clicking. The way she grabbed my hand earlier was solid proof that she liked me ... or at least somewhat liked me. I turned my head to look at her, and she immediately turned her head toward me, meeting my stare. My eyes roamed down her face to her lips. I would kiss those lips. I didn't know if it would happen today, but it was going to happen. I would make sure of it. Her tongue slipped out and licked her bottom lip as I watched her. She was going to kill me. The need for her to fill my arms was dire. There was just that one problem.

I had no clue what I was doing.

I exhaled as I forced my eyes away from her lips. I was going to be a doctor and I couldn't make a move on a girl. My shoulders sagged with that thought. If I wanted to be a doctor, I couldn't let Josie stand in the way.

Could I for just the day? Could I just be close to her for one day? When the day was over, I could explain everything. Could I do that to her though? Could I do that to myself?

I glanced at her one more time, and she immediately looked up at me with a shy smile. Tomorrow be damned. I reached down for her hand, and she wasn't unsure about gripping mine back. I looked down at her, hesitation filling my voice, while I asked, "Is this alright?"

She smiled that hypnotic smile of hers and said, "Perfect."

A smile rose up my cheeks as one rose up hers with the blush, and she bowed her head. Tomorrow didn't matter. I was going to enjoy the day. She was mine for at least a day.

We made it to our little tailgating section which had grown by about twenty people. I squeezed Josie's hand and said, "I'm gonna go grab a couple of chairs from Phil's truck. Do you want something to drink?"

She pretended to think real hard about it and said, "Let's go crazy and have a Coke."

I laughed and said, "I like how you think."

"Is that all you like?"

She bit her lip after her question. I bent down to her ear and whispered, "Nope."

Her face reddened again, and I couldn't believe the affect I was having on her. I squeezed her hand again before letting go, and I said, "Don't go far."

She nodded as I stepped away. Out of the corner of my eye, Sara and Camille swooped in and took my place. I felt bad for leaving her with the interrogation, but it was bound to happen with those two.

I walked through the throngs of tailgaters and got to Phil's truck. Just as I opened the back, he walked up and said, "So ... how's it going with Josie?"

I sighed as I pulled out two folding chairs and answered, "It's going too good."

"Why do you not look happy about that?"

I hooked the straps of the chairs on my shoulder and grabbed two Cokes from the cooler while I said, "I just don't know if I can do it."

"Well, if you don't try, I'm going to."

I looked at Phil with his shit-eating grin and popped him in the shoulder as I left to find Josie again.

I pushed my way back through the people and found her standing under a tree and talking to Camille. Josie whispered something, and Camille turned around, leaving Josie alone within an instant. At least I had her for a little while. I smiled when I approached and she reached out for the Cokes while I unfolded the chairs. She sat down, placing her Coke in the cup holder, and I sat next to her. I didn't like our chairs so far apart so I scooted mine closer. I could feel her looking at me. I didn't look back at her but I smiled.

"So, if we're not drinking, what are we gonna do?"

I glanced at her after her question, getting lost in her eyes for a moment. I just never imagined we would be sitting under a tree together, sharing a Coke.

"Why don't we make fun of the drunk people?"

A mischievous smile slid up her face, and she asked, "Can we start with Phil? He's all over the place."

I turned to see Phil attempt to dance and try to pull Camille into one with him. She was smart enough to step out of the way. Chad joined him easily enough though. I didn't think they had been out here that long. I guess I was driving the truck back to the apartment after the game, even if they did sober up some.

The sweetest sound of laughter came from beside me. I turned to Josie as she said, "Is there something going on between those two?"

I chuckled. "I don't think so. Maybe just beer."

"Are ya sure?"

I glanced back as Chad was shaking his butt a little too much. "Well, not sure about Chad there, but I know Phil is straight."

"Roommate intuition?"

I laughed again. "No no. He totally has the hots for you."

She raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

I nodded. "Would you rather him be sitting here instead of me?"

It was a brave question to ask, but it was time I was brave in some aspects. She looked over at Phil, who was now wearing the chip bowl on his head, and she bit her lip to hold in laughter. She glanced back at me, her lip still tucked in between her bite, and she shook her head, answering my question. I reached over and grabbed her hand. This was going to suck tomorrow when I had to keep my distance and give all of this up.

She glanced down at our hands and smiled, squeezing it within hers. "So, what medical school do you have your eyes on?"

"Probably dental school at this rate."

"I'm being serious, Ramsey. Where do you want to go?"

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I'd like to go to LSU Medical School in New Orleans."

"And knowing you, Bourbon Street won't distract you."

I laughed and said, "No. I don't let anything become a distraction.

"What about anyone?"

I looked into her questioning eyes and shook my head slowly. Her grip on my hand loosened but she didn't completely let go. I tried to smile even though I knew it was a sad one. She tore her eyes away from mine and stared ahead. I couldn't read her. It was like she was there but she checked out. The corners of her mouth quirked as a smile slid up her face.

"I know we said no drinking, but we have to go take part in what is about to happen."

I glanced back at the crowd of friends as they started playing some sort of game. "What are they playing?"

She gasped. "Have you not played Flip Cup?"

"I have not."

She yanked me out of my chair as she explained, "It's like a relay race. You chug like an ounce of beer, and then you have to flip your cup upside down. Then the next person on your team goes."

"Oh, someone knows this game then." I smirked, trying to get back on her good side.

"I own this game."

I laughed and asked, "Should we make a bet?"

We came to the table, and she went to the opposite side. "Winner's choice."

I nodded with a smirk, agreeing to her terms. Red Solo cups were passed around with a small amount of beer. Someone down at the end of the table counted off. I glanced across the table at Josie as she rose her cup out to me. My cup met hers as she said, "Good luck. You're gonna need it."

"Go!"

I chugged immediately, the carbonation from the beer tickling my throat. Just as I finished chugging, I started to attempt to tap my cup upside down. I looked across at my compitition, and her arms were folded across her chest. Damn. I lost. I gave it a few more tries and finally got it.

I followed her back to our secluded tree while I wondered what I would have to endure. "So, what's my punishment?"

She skipped around the chairs as she said, "I don't think it'll be that big of a punishment."

She pressed her back against the tree, and I stood in front of her, taking small steps closer until I was a few inches away, and I whispered, "What do I have to do?"

Her eyes searched mine as she asked, "What would have been your bet?"

My hand immediately went to her waist. My eyes roamed up and down her body, memorizing the way the felt. When they landed on her lips, I exhaled a shaky breath, and whispered, "I would have just kissed you."

Her hands cupped my cheeks and pulled my lips down to hers. My heart thumped each time her lips danced over mine. I pulled her closer, pressing our bodies together.

This was the best distraction of my existence.

She pulled her lips away and whispered, "I plan on doing that again sometime. I plan to distract you at least a little bit."

"You already do."

I kissed her again. Tomorrow be damned.