Free Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) by Victoria Adams

makin' passes at her."
    "Ooh, I love it when men fight over me." She fluttered her eyelashes. "Sorry, I don't know a thing about football. I'd love to stay and watch, but I have to go."
    Robert walked her back to the car.
    "Can we start tonight?" Julie pulled her keys out of her purse.
    "Sunday evenings is excitin' times. I spend'em at the Laundromat. Either that, or go naked all week."
    She paused while a fantasy skipped through her mind. "I've never been to one."
    "Then you haven't lived."
    "Seven o'clock?" She opened her car and slid onto her seat.
    "Sure, meet me at my place." He shut her car door.
    Julie started the engine, shifted the car in to drive and pulled away.
    Robert walked back to the game.
    "You gettin' serious on this girl?" Paul slapped his best friend on the back.
    Robert looked in the direction of the car. "Naw, she's Westland. We're just classmates." A hint of sadness tinged his voice.
    Paul leaned closer to Pete. "He's got it bad. And he don't even know it yet."
    ***
    At five after seven, she parked her car near the bakery and tapped her nails on the steering wheel. So what do I want to talk about? I definitely want a peek at the mystery behind him. Why was he sent to Westland? Who gets sent to a school? And why?
    She exited the car and walked up the stairs. He said it was either Westland Prep or he does time. As in jail time? This is so going to be a challenge. She raised her hand and knocked on Robert's door.
    When he opened it, the smell of pizza and beer greeted her as she stepped into the room. His friends were scattered about the apartment.
    She shook her head to an offered beer. "The last time I was here, you had a party. How do you get any work done partying all the time?"
    "That one wasn't my party." Robert snorted. "Or my friends." He dropped the beer back into the case and grabbed a slice of double pepperoni pizza.
    "You had a party for strangers in your apartment?"
    "Those were Lauren's friends." He swallowed the last of his beer and tilted his head to the door. "Ok guys, out. I said I was kickin' you out when Julie got here."
    The door opened and Lauren peeked around the edge. She smiled when she saw Robert, but when she spotted Julie, an angry glare settled on her face.
    Robert grabbed her arm and pulled her into the apartment. "What the hell are ya doin' here?"
    Lauren stepped close to Robert and cooed. "Ooh, Bobby baby, you know I didn't mean all those nasty things I said. I had…well, you know, just a little too much to drink."
    "Excuse us." Robert pushed her towards his bedroom.
    With a triumphant pose, Lauren stared at Julie as the door closed. Robert's voice was muffled, but from the tone, Julie understood he was angry. The crack of a slap was clear. The door jerked open. Lauren stormed from the room and slammed the apartment door. Robert exited rubbing his cheek. "Girl doesn't handle rejection well."
    "I think she likes you." Julie tried the diplomatic route . And really hates me .
    Paul walked over to his friend. "Cheek's red, man. She got ya good." He turned to Julie. "Hi, I'm Paul. Lauren's just using him."
    Robert shrugged. "She's using me for status. I'm using her for sex."
    "I guess it's true what Francine said. She said...." Julie stopped.
    "Said what?" Robert's brow crinkled. Julie opened her mouth to speak, but Robert interrupted her. "Hold it. Guys, out." He pointed at the door. "Paul, see ya 'round, man. Don't let the ol' lady get on your case." They man-hugged.
    "I know. See ya. Let's go guys." Paul hustled everybody out.
    As his friend left, Robert explained, "He's my best bud. We've been through a lot. We joined Shoresmen together. Right now, he's got domestic problems."
    "He's married?"
    "Yea. He got Kaley pregnant, married her, then she lost the baby, and now he wants his freedom back, but she don't wanna let go." Robert grabbed a bulging duffel bag and two helmets, handed one to Julie, then exited his apartment.
    "Hey, you forgot to lock your door." Julie followed