My Geeky Valentine

by Jeanne McDonald

  No one could figure out why we were best friends. Some assumed that I had a crush on her since I didn’t date guys. While she was flattered and had even questioned my sexual preferences at one time herself, she knew that I wasn’t into her that way. Others believed it was because I did her homework for her, which was far from the truth. Gretchen was brilliant. As smart as me, if not smarter. We could talk about anything and never get bored.

  Well, almost anything. When she went into her fashion tangents, I zoned out. Nothing against the fashion industry, I held it in the highest regard for its artistry, but it simply didn’t matter to me what I wore.

  I was most comfortable in sneakers, jeans, and t-shirt. While I had contacts, I wore glasses. They were easier to deal with. I rarely wore makeup, and I kept my long brown hair tied back in a ponytail. I didn’t want to cut my hair, but I also hated how it dangled in my face when it was loose.

  “You know, Sloane, if you would wear your contacts people could see those pretty brown eyes of yours,” Gretchen grumbled as we pulled into the parking lot.

  I pushed my glasses up my nose. “You know, Gretch,” I grumbled, “People could see those pretty blue eyes of yours, if you’d stop wearing so much goddamn makeup.”

  “Someone didn’t get their triple shot of espresso this morning.”

  “That would be you, my friend. I don’t drink coffee.”

  Gretchen pulled down her visor and flipped open the mirror, checking her makeup. “Which still shocks the hell out of me with as many all-nighters as you pull.”

  “I’m high…” Gretchen’s head jerked in my direction. I flashed her sardonic grin. “…on education.”

  She rolled her eyes and laughed. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t be high on anything good.” She slammed the car door and started around toward me.

  Everything happened so quick, I had no time to think. A black Mustang, all pristine and shiny new, came barreling around the corner toward the empty spot beside us. I barely had time to pull Gretchen back before the car hit her.

  Gretchen threw her arms in the air, screaming, “You could have killed me, fucker!” She shoved herself from my grasped and marched straight over to the driver’s side window of our new arrivals. At least she wasn’t’ hurt was my first though quickly followed by utter humiliation over the scene she was making. “What the hell were you thinking? Who the fuck taught you how to…”

  Her words were halted when the car doors opened. She stepped back, and her mouth dropped. Mine followed shortly after. I had never seen anyone capable of silencing Gretchen, yet this guy had managed to do it without saying a single word. He rounded on her blazing the cockiest smirk I had ever seen.

  “Good morning, Pipsqueak.”

  Oh shit! That was going to cost him. Blonde, bronze, and handsome would surely get Gretchen’s wrath. No one who knew her would ever comment on her height and using a term like “pipsqueak” was a sure-fire way of having one’s balls handed to him on a silver platter.

  But it didn’t happen. Nothing but a smile appeared on her ruby red lips.

  “You have something against my car?” He checked out his reflection in the window.

  It took all I had not to slap my hand over my face. These two were a match made in hell. Conceited through and through.

  Gretchen sauntered up to the guy. I knew this approach all too well. She was officially on the prowl. “No. I have nothing against the car,” she cooed, “simply the asshole who’s driving it.”

  White teeth appeared on his face. “Is that so?”

  Gretchen leaned against the car, crossing her ankles. “It is. Someone really should teach you how to treat a lady.” She patted the car, but Mr. Perfect and I both knew what she was really referring to.

  “I’m betting a little squeaker like yourself could show me?” he bantered.

  I stood there watching Gretchen in awe. The girl had no fear. At least when it came to men. Spiders, that was another story.

  “Oh, doll, that’s the least of what I can show you.”

  He leaned forward, resting his hand against the car just above her shoulder. “I’m Tyson. And you are?”

  “Late for class.”

  My mouth dropped again. Gretchen pushed off his car, and started to march away, leaving me standing there like an idiot.

  “That’s all I get?” Tyson called out.

  Gretchen cut her eyes over her shoulder and grinned. “Not if you start walking.”

  Tyson didn’t hesitate. He grabbed his bag from the backseat of his car and dashed off to follow her. Once again, there I stood flabbergasted. I was completely forgotten.

  “Don’t feel so bad. This happens to me all the time.”

  Every hair on the back of my neck stood up on end. Never in my life had I heard such a beautiful voice. My lungs felt almost as if they might collapse in my chest as I turned my attention to its owner.

  Tyson had been tall, bronze, and beautiful, but this guy, who was basically an exact replica of Tyson was captivatingly gorgeous. His blonde hair was more strawberry, and it seemed to be blowing even without the wind moving. Light freckles played peekaboo across his nose, and a crooked smile teased the corner of his lips.

  “I…I…ah…what?” I muttered.

  “Tyson does this shit all the time. He has no clue he’s doing it either.”

  His voice! Good God, it was like angels singing. The choirs of Heaven opened up, and I was somehow lucky enough to get a live performance.

  “Hi, I’m Emerson Hayes.” He thrust his hand out toward me. “And if you haven’t already guessed, Tyson’s my twin brother.”

  I just stared at his hand.

  “I realize the resemblance is uncanny, but trust me, I’m the better of the two.”

  Still nothing. I couldn’t breathe.

  “Are you okay?”

  Nope. I certainly wasn’t. I was about to hyperventilate. I had to pull it together. I slung my bag over my shoulder and forced myself to exhale. “Sorry. Yeah. I’m fine. I’m Sloane. Sloane Roberts.”

  “Bueller,” he crooned in a monotone voice.

  “Huh?”

  “Sloane, as in Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend.”

  For the umpteenth time in less than thirty minutes, my mouth dropped.

  “I can’t believe you know that. No one ever does.” I chuckled. “My dad had a crush on her when he was a kid.”

  “Your dad has great taste. Mia Sara is a total babe.”

  “Don’t you mean was?” Somehow, we had started walking toward the building without me even realizing it. He walked so close to me I could feel the heat permeating off his body. The hair on my skin still felt like it was standing on end. My body was alive with electricity. I had never felt like this before.

  “No, I mean is.”

  “So, you like older women?”

  I almost smacked my hand over my mouth. That was rude of me, and kind of flirtatious, which wasn’t like me. I dared to take a peek into the greenest eyes I’d ever seen. They sparkled in the sunlight. I was so captivated that I nearly tripped over my own two feet.

  Lucky for me, Emerson was there to catch me. His long fingers wrapped around my arm, holding me steady. I blew my hair back from my face, only to find the most beautiful lips parted in a seductive grin. “I have a thing for brunettes.”

  Fuck me!

  I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from doing or saying anything stupid. All I knew was in that moment I wanted nothing more than to kiss Emerson Hayes. And that thought terrified me.

  “Sloane? What are you doing…”

  Before Emerson could finish his sentence, the worst memory of my life replayed before my very eyes. Brianna Pingleton appeared out of nowhere.

  “Oh my God, Sloane. I’ve been looking for you. Professor Torres is looking for you.” Her eyes cut to Emerson and I knew all bets were off for me. “And who are you?” she directed to Emerson.

  “Emerson, and you are?”

  “Brianna. So, what are you two talkin
g about?”

  “Nothing, really,” I muttered, uncertain what Brianna had just interrupted.

  “It sounded like something to me.” Brianna’s eyes darted back and forth between Emerson and me.

  “No. Nothing at all,” I insisted, hoping Brianna would take a hint and disappear.

  She didn’t.

  Emerson glanced at me, his smile fading. He rushed his fingers through his hair, seemingly a little off kilter. “Nothing, I guess…” His brow pinched together, and the brightness of his eyes seemed to fade.

  “Lucky for me, then.”

  She slipped her arm in his and began walking with him toward the building. Once again, I stood there, alone, with my mouth gaped open.

  From my understanding, that night Emerson and Brianna went on their first date.

  So much for him having a thing for brunettes. Brianna was as fake, platinum blonde as she could be. Not that it mattered. Once a girl like Brianna entered the picture, I bowed out. It was better for me, rather than suffering another Scottie situation. There was no competition between us. She was gorgeous, and I was me.

  And so, my life went back to semi-normal. Though, things changed somewhat. My little group grew when Gretchen and Tyson became an item. Brianna joined our group because of Emerson, and somehow Emerson became my new best friend. Don’t ask me how; we just clicked.

  We liked the same music, the same movies, and even the same kinds of food. Everything was easy between us. Like breathing. Natural. Perfect.

  It was okay that he was with Brianna. Actually, it made things easier, at least that’s what I told myself. I had lived without a boyfriend this long, no need to change things now. College then med school. That was my trajectory. I didn’t need romance to muddle that up.

  So, things went along as such.

  It wasn’t until one night when I heard Brianna rip Emerson a new one that I realized people might misconstrue our relationship.

  Tyson and Gretchen had demanded some alone time, so they went at our place, and I crashed at theirs with Emerson. Innocent. At least I thought it was. Brianna, on the other hand, didn’t think so.

  We were jamming out to the Pixies when Brianna called.

  I was only privy to Emerson’s side of the conversation, but that was enough to get the full gist.

  The phone rang, and he answered, “Hey, babe.”

  Emerson smiled and winked at me. “Just chillin’ with Sloane. Whatcha up to?”

  I flipped the album cover over, pretending to read. It was only polite to give him some semblance of privacy.

  “Nah. They’re over at Sloane and Gretchen’s place.”

  And that was the beginning of World War Bri!

  “Whoa! Hold the phone. We’re just hanging.” He paused, and I fought the urge to look at him. “You know it’s not like that. We’re just friends.”

  That stung, but I brushed it aside, because it was the truth.

  “Bri, stop it. You’re being ridiculous.”

  That was my cue. I mouthed and thumbed toward the door, “I’m gonna go.”

  “No, you’re not!” Emerson yelled in response to me.

  My mouth dropped, but I froze in place.

  “I’m not talking to you. I was talking to Sloane.” He pointed to the foot of his bed, demanding I sit down. I stood frozen in place. “Yes, she’s right here, and you’re being silly. You know she’s just my friend. Nothing more.”

  The knife in my cut twisted. “Babe, you know I adore you.”

  I pointed to the bed again. “Sit down!” he mouthed-yelled at me.

  That time I obeyed. He got up, leaned into me, holding the phone away from his mouth so Brianna couldn’t hear. “I’m gonna step outside for a second. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere. We’ll watch a movie when I get back.”

  “’K,” I whispered.

  He closed the door behind him. From that moment on, I did everything in my power to ensure he and I were never alone. Or at least not without someone in the house with us. I wasn’t trying to infringe on Brianna’s girlfriend rights. Believe me, I knew my place. There was no way someone like Emerson would ever see me as anything more than his best friend. While that hurt, I was content with it because at least I had him in my life. But I also understood appearances. He never seemed to realize what I was doing, which was fine by me.

  Things went on like that for months and before we knew it Christmas break was upon us. Tyson and Emerson’s parents were off on some cruise, which meant they would be staying in town. They went on and on about their older brother Franklin coming to visit them for the holidays.

  Franklin was some hotshot investment banker, living in New York. The day he arrived, Emerson and I were hanging out watching Black Mirror, which Gretchen and Tyson did whatever it was they were doing in Tyson’s bedroom.

  In our typical fashion, we were curled up together on the couch. Emerson had his arm wrapped around my shoulders, and I sat in the crook of his side with my legs resting on the length of the sofa.

  There was no knock at the door, it merely flew open, crashing against the wall. I jumped nearly three feet off the sofa, as this huge brawny guy came barreling into apartment. He threw his bags on the floor, eyeballing me as Emerson stood up to greet him. “Franklin! You’re early.”

  “I caught an earlier flight. Damn, bro, you said your girlfriend was hot, but you never said she was blazing.”

  Intense heat spread across my face and neck. I only prayed they couldn’t see the blush that developed on my skin.

  “She’s not…”

  Franklin ignored Emerson and marched over to me, thrusting his beefy hand in my direction. “You must be Brianna?”

  I took his hand and almost regretted it instantly. He squeezed so hard it felt like every bone in my hand was crushed.

  “I’m Sloane,” I choked, rubbing my sore hand. I tried to look around Franklin to Emerson for some help, but he was nowhere to be seen. At least not around his humungous brother.

  Franklin rolled his lips toward his nose contemplating my words. “That explains why you’re not blonde.”

  “Possibly.”

  Emerson appeared around his brother’s side, his eyes wide with embarrassment.

  “I just figured the way you two were sitting, you had to be the girlfriend. My bad.”

  “No harm done.”

  “Other than me making a complete ass of myself.” He shrugged. “Though, it’s nice to finally meet the girl who stole my brother’s heart.”

  “You get that I’m not Emerson’s girlfriend, right?” Heaven help anyone who might trust this guy with their money. He didn’t have the sense God gave an ameba.

  Franklin laughed and pulled me into a hug. “I know exactly who you are. He talks about you constantly.”

  “Me?” I gurgled, a little shocked that Emerson would even mention me. Then again, It couldn’t have been anything good if he thought I was Brianna at first.

  “Let’s see if I remember this right.” Franklin tapped his chin, his huge smile miraculously widening.

  Emerson’s face brightened, and his jaw tensed.

  “Sloane Roberts,” Franklin began, “smart, funny, caring, talented, witty, and…and…what am I forgetting? Hmm…”

  An evil grin played over his features as he opened his mouth to finish his thought.

  Before I knew what was happening, Emerson pounced Franklin, effectively knocking me out of the way. They were wrestling on the floor. Emerson screamed at Franklin to keep his fat mouth shut, while Franklin was muffled by Emerson’s hand. I knew he was trying to tell me something, but I couldn’t understand a single word he said.

  Just as Franklin pulled away from Emerson’s hand, I heard him bellow, “He said you were…”

  I wanted to kill Tyson because before Franklin could finish his sentence he flew into the room screaming, “Dog pile!”

  I laughed heartily as the three men wrestled on the floor like little boys. Gretchen appeared at my side, disheveled. It was then
I realized that Tyson was shirtless.

  Franklin wrangled Emerson and Tyson to the ground and glanced up at us. “Hey, Gretchen.”

  I cocked my head to the side, a little confused. “You’ve already met?”

  Gretchen shook her head. “Nope.”

  “I recognized you from the photo these two knuckleheads sent me.”

  “Which one?” Gretchen demanded. “My hair better have looked good.”

  Emerson and Tyson attempted to break free from their brother’s grasp. He tightened his hold and continued, “The one of you four at some Christmas light show.”

  “Oh, I looked totally hot that night. Good call, Ty,” Gretchen cooed, planting herself on the couch.

  “The Christmas light show?” I mumbled, confused. Brianna wasn’t able to go to the show because of some final paper she had to complete. It was only us four, which meant Franklin had to know exactly who I was when he entered the apartment. Not as dumb as he appeared to be after all.

  My mind whirled with this realization. Not only was I important enough to mention, but I was important enough to share a photograph of.

  But what did that mean?

  “Earth to Sloane. Come in, Sloane.” Fingers snapped in front of my face. I blinked a few times, clearing my head. There, in front of me, was Emerson, so close I could smell the coffee on his breath.

  “Where were you?” He tucked my hair behind my ear, his fingers lightly grazing the shell.

  My eyes fluttered closed. A small moan bubbled in my throat.

  His warm breath caressed my skin, as he whispered ever so slightly in my ear, “Some place good, I hope.”

  I opened my eyes to discover him standing so close that our bodies practically touched. The intensity of his eyes made my knees quiver. He was so close that all it would have taken was me popping up on my toes to reach his mouth.

  Though, I’d never kissed a guy before. Ever. And he didn’t belong to me. The moral and physical dilemma running through my head was overwhelming.