I gave them my middle finger.

Kurt laughed out loud through the screen, clutching his stomach. He was in his dorm room in Alabama, while we were video calling with the rest of the crew.

Oz nodded to me and said, "Let's celebrate your birthday when we're back for Thanksgiving break."

"We don't have to," I replied, shaking my head.

"Doesn't feel right to break tradition."

I looked at him. "Dude, we're in college now. It's cool."

"Nah, Oz is right," piped up Alfie, setting down his gatorade between him and Oz. "Let's throw a party."

I sighed, getting sick of parties. "I'm good with just having dinner at the diner with you shitheads."

Frisco had a knowing smile on his face, and I flashed him a questioning look.

"Just dinner?" asked Kurt, clearly not on board.

"Boo!" chanted Alfie, with his thumbs down. "Laaame!"

Oz studied my face. "I'm still throwing a party that weekend, anyway."

I rolled my eyes. "You just wanted to use my birthday as an excuse."

Oz smirked at that. "I don't need an excuse."

Hmm, touché.

"Hey, Con," leered Kurt. "You break any balls yet?"

"You mean hearts?" teased Frisco, clearly amused.

I wanted to choke him to keep him quiet, and I caught Alfie's face darken.

"Nah." Kurt shook his head, as oblivious as ever. "I meant balls."

"If you're here, yours will be the first one," I told him with a sweet smile.

But it wasn't exactly true because elevator perv got the feel of my kick between his legs last Halloween.

"Damn," laughed Kurt. "I missed your feisty ass."

There was a knock on the door, making me glance up. It wasn't completely closed so I didn't have to get up and let the person in.

"Come in!" I yelled instead.

Scout walked in. "Hey, you r—"

I straightened up and quickly said, "Sorry, Madeline's not here."

Scout's eyes widened, looking from the laptop propped on my lap then to me. He raised his hands. "Sorry!" he mouthed, closing the door behind him.

"Who was that?" asked Kurt.

"My roommate's boyfriend," I answered smoothly.

Scout raised his eyebrow at me.

"His voice sounds familiar," remarked Oz, frowning.

Alfie's eyes narrowed at me, seeing right through me.

Frisco, on the other hand, tried to cover up his snickers by grabbing the bag of chips on his desktop and starting to munch on them.

"Can we wrap this up?" I asked them. "I'm going somewhere."

Scout was taking me to Cali's Point today.

For a second, I seriously thought Alfie was going to flip but then he leaned back and sneered. "What, you got a date or something?" He was baiting me.

"And that's your business, how?"

Kurt laughed. "Oh, burn!"

"Don't get all defensive, babe." Alfie smirked, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I'm just asking." He laughed for good measure, but I knew it was an act. "Man, that practice got me hella hungry. Yo, Oz – you in the mood for some gingerbread?"

Oz gave him a what-the-fuck look, while Frisco's eyebrows went so high up they almost reached his hairline, his expression was the epitome of 'yikes.'

Kurt looked confused. "You like gingerbread?"

Fuck it, this was my cue.

"Alright, I'm gonna go," I told them. "See you assholes on Thanksgiving."

After saying another round of 'happy birthdays' and their collective goodbyes, I ignored Alfie's devil grin and I hung up.

"I see Alfie isn't over it," commented Scout.

I closed my laptop. "He's just being a dick 'cause he knows it's you who came in."

I got off the bed and began grabbing my stuff on my desk. I put on my leather jacket and slung my bag over my shoulder.

But then I stopped when I saw Scout's expression.

"Hey, we good?"

Scout rubbed his face. "I can't be jealous every time you talk to him."

I felt a pang in my chest. Stepping forward, I reached up and gently stroked his cheek. I couldn't blame him for feeling this way.

"He'll always be my best friend – just my best friend. But Scout, you..."

You're becoming something so much more that I'm scared shitless to even think about it.

He looked into my eyes for a moment, before turning his head so he could kiss my palm. Then, he smiled his goofy Scout smile.

"What?"

"You said my name."

That was right, I didn't use his last name. This was probably the first time I called him by his name to his face.

"Come on," he said, before grabbing my hand and pulling me out of my room while he had no idea that I was trying to calm my crazy beating heart.

"You know how to drive a stick?" he asked, when we got to his car.

"Oz taught me."

Scout nodded to his camaro. "Want to drive her?"

I tried to mask my surprise. "You're willing to let me drive your Camaro?" His spotless white camaro.

"Why not? It's your birthday."

"What, I don't get a real gift?"

He burst out laughing, pulling away from me so he could bring out a small box from the inside of his jacket pocket. "Here you go, miss."

"What is it?" I asked, watching him place it on my palm.

"Open and see."

I did, and I blinked. It was a necklace with a small delicate star-shaped diamond on it. It looked so pretty and delicate.

"You once told me that I was like a star, pretty to stare at but hard to reach," he reminded me, taking the necklace from the box and putting it on for me. "But what you haven't realized is, it's actually the other way around." He stared at me and tucked a loose hair strand behind my ear, before whispering, "Happy Birthday."

My heart was beating so fast and my mind was in a jumble that all I could say was a small, "Thank you."

God, Connie. What happened to your voice?

Scout smiled at me before opening the passenger's door and asking, "You sure you don't wanna drive?"

I shook my head no, as I got in. "You know the way."

"Okay."

He closed the door behind me and headed to the driver's side. After about an hour of singing along to the radio, Scout dropped the bomb.

"By the way, we're going to my grandparents' house to eat." He said it so damn casually that it was like he was announcing the goddamn weather.

"No," I gasped, my eyes widening as I turned to him.

He grinned, biting his bottom lip.

"No way."

"We'll only drop by for a bit," he assured me, resting his right hand on my thigh. "They'll skin me alive if they find out we went to Cali's Point and didn't visit them."

"But dude, meeting your grandparents? That's like, super next level shit."

I hadn't even met Oz's parents, and he was my freaking best friend. I met Alfie's mom once, but that was only in passing.

Now I was going to meet Scout's grandparents?

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't mind."

I scoffed in disbelief, and muttered, "He doesn't mind."

"What're you so worried about?"

The truth? I was afraid that they might not like me, that was what I was worried about. Beats me why I cared so much what they would think of me but I did.

"They'll be fond of you."

"Yeah, sure."

"Hey." Scout pulled the car up on the side of the road, put it in park, and faced me. "Connie, look at me."

I reluctantly met his eyes.

"Would it help if I told you that you're not the first girl I'm bringing to meet them?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, my blood simming in jealousy even though I knew it was already in the past. "No."

He grinned. "Good, 'cause that's a lie. I never had the chance to bring anyone here."

That was interesting. "How come?"

"Like you said, this is some super next level shit."

My lips curled up, deciding to tease him. "Guess I'm special, huh?"

His face softened. "Yeah, you are."

His eyes traveled down to my mouth, the intensity of his gaze made me heat up at the thought of what he wanted to do with me.

"You can kiss me, you know," I whispered.

He leaned in, looking so tempted... but then he stopped and only brushed his lips against mine instead. I closed my eyes and moved forward to press our lips together but he pulled away the tiniest bit.

"Scout..."

"Tell me you're mine."

My eyes snapped open.

He rested his forward against mine. "I won't steal anymore kisses from you."

"They're not stealing if I'm willing to give it to you."

"Yeah, but what I want you to give me... is this." He placed my hand on my chest, right above my heart. "I want the package deal, Connie."

"You want a lot."

He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed my fingers. "I want all of you."

Well, fuck me if I didn't melt into goo right then and there. Damn.

"And I want..."

I want the same thing but I was too chicken shit to admit it.

"I want to meet your grandparents so we can get it over with. The sooner we meet them, the sooner we can leave, right?" I added, flashing him a sweet smile.

He stared at me for a moment, then he sighed but I caught a smile.

"Alright, let's go."

And so, we continued on our way.

It wasn't long before we arrived at his grandparents' rustic beach house. Scout opened the car door for me as I stared at the beautiful coastal home. With his hand on my back, we headed to the house together.

He knocked on the door a few times, and we waited.

This couldn't be different from meeting Frico's parents, right? He had a happy family background like Scout's, so they'd probably be the same.

When the door opened, an old man who looked like Robert Redford laughed and threw his arms wide at seeing Scout.

"Scouty, my boy!"

I forced myself not to snort at the nickname, as Scout greeted his grandfather's hug. I couldn't wait to call him that.

"Darla, they're here!" the old man shouted over his shoulder.

"I'm coming!"

There were running footsteps, then a woman I could've sworn was Jane Fonda came out and stopped at the sight of us on their doorway, wearing an apron and looking all homey and lovely. Was I in a hollywood movie right now?

"Oh, goodness! Hugh, you should've let them come in!"

Scout's grandfather, Hugh, laughed. "I was too excited."

"Well, come on then!" Darla called to us, waving us over. "Come in, come in."

Scout led me inside, saying, "Grandpa, Grandma – I'd like you to meet Connie."

"Uh, hello," I managed to choke out, unsure on what else to say. I never had to please anyone's parents before, let alone grandparents. "Nice to meet you."

Darla beamed. "Hi, dear."

I caught Hugh nudging Scout and whispering in a not-so-discreet voice, "She's a knockout."

"Hugh!"

"What?"

Scout looked sheepish as he turned to me. "Connie, these are my grandparents. They can get too smothering at times but they mean well."

"Oh, stop it," said Darla, as if that was the most ridiculous thing she ever heard. "We don't smother. We never smother."

Hugh covered the corner of his mouth with his hand so he could mouth to me, "She does."

Darla put her hands on her hips and faced him. "Hugh, really?"

I chuckled, catching Scout's eyes.

He leaned closer and whispered, "You okay?"

I gave him an assuring smile.

"Right, let's get some food in you kids," declared Darla, turning around to the direction of the kitchen. "I heard you like anything peanut butter, Connie. I whipped out an old recipe I learned when we traveled in Southeast Asia."

Southeast Asia? "Is it Kare-Kare?"

Darla looked at me in pleasant surprise. "How'd you know that, dear?"

"My neighbors were Filipinos," I explained. "They used to cook a huge serving and give us some." Their food was the only home-cooked meal I ate until I was old enough to learn how to cook on my own.

"Well, yes," she beamed. "It is a Filipino dish."

"Can I help set up the table?" I offered.

"Oh, you don't have to."

"I'll be glad to help."

She smiled softly. "Alright, then."

Scout stepped forward. "I'll help, too."

"You kids are making me look bad," laughed Hugh.

"You can wash the dishes after," Darla told her husband, making him groan playfully but then he grinned and pecked his wife.

"It's the least I can do."

I couldn't help but watch them, wondering if one day I'd ever have something like that. Scout entered my line of vision as he placed some plates on the table. When he straightened up, he caught me staring and winked at me.

Even if I refused to let myself believe it, I could see myself having this kind of future with him.

* * * * *

Scout sighed, as we walked hand-in-hand down the beach.

"I'm sure you'll get your chance," I told him.

"Yeah, I know." He chuckled humorlessly, shaking his head. "I'm just not used to being benched this long. I get it. I'm a freshman, but how could I prove myself if they wouldn't give me the opportunity?"

"Greek Week is coming up," I reminded him. "You won't be benched then."

He only gave me an amusing smile.

"Oz threw so many beach parties here," I said, when we passed by a group of high school kids. "I'm actually surprised the home owners didn't complain."

"They've been our age. They get it."

I smiled at a distance, seeing the cliff where we used to jump off like some kind of tradition. A part of me wished I could go back to that time.

God, I missed those assholes.

"We never really got to party together," said Scout, watching a couple of boys set up a bonfire.

"We did."

He shook his head. "Not together."

Ah, like together together.

I shrugged, my eyes traveling to the sunset. "You wouldn't be able to handle it."

He barked a laugh. "Is that right?"

I grinned at him. "We were too wild for you."

"You don't have to be wild to have fun, you know."

"It beats being boring," I muttered.

He burst out laughing, then glanced at the bonfire that was now well lit. A grin spread on his face before taking off to the guy manning the speakers.

I raised an eyebrow when Ellie Goulding's Dead In The Water started playing.

"You made him play this mellow song at their beach party?" I asked in disbelief, when he returned. "Yeah, way to bum everyone out."

"I'm trying to prove a point."

"And that is?"

He reached out to grab my hand and tug me forward. "Dance with me."

"What?"

"Dance with me, Connie Anderson."

"Why?"

"So I can prove to you that you don't have to be wild to enjoy yourself."

I let him drag me near the bonfire, biting my bottom lip because despite the cheesiness... I kind of liked it.

He placed my hands on the back of his neck while his arms snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. With the sky turning pink, the bonfire warming the cold breeze, the chill of Ellie Goulding's voice, and Scout near me like this...

I couldn't help but feel... at peace.

I laid my head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat calmed me even more. I felt him kiss the top of my head before resting his chin on it.

"What's the verdict?"

"Mm?"

He chuckled. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Maybe," I murmured, refusing to give in to him and admit that he was right.

I didn't want to admit that if I could be like this with him for the rest of my life, that would be okay with me, too. I didn't want to admit that I'd give up the thrill of being wild and reckless if it meant I would have days like this with him.

But I was willing to admit, at least to myself, that I was in fact falling hard for Scout Crimson – hard enough that it was as if I was already his.

_____________

Next update: Thursday (April 2)

#SavageMeWP