Ava jumped out of bed and opened the microwave to retrieve her coffee. She tested it and then blew across the top, all of while she avoided looking at me.
“Ave?” I pulled a red henley over my head. “Are you okay?”
“Of course.” She attempted a smile. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know, you got a funny look on your face. Did Liam say something else last night? When I got home, your eyes almost looked like you’d been crying. You can tell me if Liam was a jerk. I really don’t care.”
“No, I told you everything. He was trying to find out why you’re seeing all those guys, but he says it’s just because he doesn’t want you getting hurt. I asked him why it mattered to him, when he hadn’t done a very good job of not hurting you himself. He said he felt like it would be his fault if you were doing it just to get back at him.”
I flushed. “I’d say his ego was a little inflated if he wasn’t actually on to us. So he’s not interested in me because I’m unattainable again, he’s worried that my broken heart is making me a little too attainable. To other guys, at least. Lovely.”
Ava turned away from me. “Where are the donuts?”
“Over on my desk. Seriously, Ave, are you okay? You look...weird.”
“I’m fine, I’m just a little tired still. I think I’ll crawl back under the covers and go to sleep for a while.” She snagged a donut and napkin from the box.
“All right. If you’re sure.” I ran a brush through my hair and caught it up into a high ponytail. My boots were lost in the bottom of my closet, so it took me a few minutes to dig them out and get my coat. By the time I was ready to leave, Ava’s eyes were closed, and her even breathing told me she asleep. Or doing a darn good impression of it.
I left the room as quietly as possible, still wondering what was going with my roommate.
I didn’t spend very much time near the sports complex on campus. I’d had a yoga class there during freshman year; it filled the physical education requirement without forcing me into a competitive sport. I’d been to a few basketball games when Liam made me go with him, but since the track and field facility was on the other side of the campus, we spent more time there than in the gym.
There was more than one event going on that morning, so it took me a little while to figure out where the wrestling meet was taking place. I was just about to open the door when I heard someone calling my name.
“Julia?” A man about my height, stocky with red hair, walked toward me. He smiled as he came near.
“You are Julia, right? I’m Dean Lester.” He held out a hand. “Good to meet you.”
“Yes, I’m Julia. Hi, Dean.” I forced a smile I was far from feeling.
“My brother tells me we have a job to do today.”
“Oh, really? And just what did he tell you? I like to know what my friend Giff is saying.”
“Just that I’m supposed to keep you company, make it look good. Like we maybe have something going.”
“Mmm.” I nodded. “Okay. Well, don’t worry too much about that. Let’s just have a good time, and maybe you can even explain to me how these matches work. I am totally clueless about wrestling.”
“You’ve come to the right place. I’ve been wrestling since I was five years old.” Dean opened the swinging door, and I followed him inside.
The gym wasn’t full by any means, but there were more people on the bleachers than I would have expected for a cold Saturday morning. I was aware right away that Liam and Giff sat midway up in the center section.
“Let’s sit over here.” Dean guided me with his hand on my lower back. We climbed up a few rows on the right side and sat down. I left a judicious amount of space between us and looked down at the mats.
“So what’s going on down there?” I propped my elbows on my knees and leaned my chin on one hand.
“That’s Jennings, there. He’s about to wrestle that dude from Cramer.”
I made a face. “I don’t like their outfits. They look like giant baby suits.”
“They’re called singlets.”
“Yeah, well, they don’t leave much to the imagination, do they?”
“They’re designed to keep opponents from grabbing onto clothing during matches.”
“Hmm. Okay, I guess that make sense. What about the thingie on their heads?”
“Headgear. It’s protective. Are you anti-all sports or just wrestling?”
“Hey, that’s not fair. I’m not anti-any sports. I actually am quite the sports fan. Just not this. I mean, check out at how they look down there, compared to eleven men on a hundred yards of vivid green. Not dressed in funny-looking onesies.”
Dean shook his head. “Football. Really? A bunch of guys trying to move pigskin down the field ten yards at a time? Don’t get me wrong, I dig a game now and then, but it doesn’t even approach the artistry of what you’re going to see here.”
He pointed to the mat, and I focused on two men who paced just outside the ring that was painted on the foam. At the signal from someone I assumed was the referee, they both approached center and dropped on their haunches to a crouch. They moved in wary half-steps from that position. The man in the red onesie—I mean, singlet—grabbed the other guy by the head. In turn he grasped his opponents’ arms, and they went around and around.
“So far it doesn’t look much different than two boys fighting it out on the playground.” I kept my voice low; I didn’t want to offend any of the fans around us, who apparently saw more than I did if their yelling was any indication.
“Just watch.” Dean’s eyes never left the match, and they were bright with attention. I stifled a sigh and turned my attention back to the men on the mat.
“Oh, now wait a minute. What is this?” The ref stopped the match and said something I couldn’t hear. The blue wrestler dropped to his hands and knees, and red wrestler came up behind him, in some kind of backwards hug. It looked downright...pornographic.
“He’s going to—oh, dude! Did you see that escape?” Blue guy had executed a sort of fancy twist and gotten to his feet, knocking red guy away in the process.
“Yeah, that was something.” There was more of the head grabbing, some arm and shoulder grasps, and then a whistle blew.
Dean let out a breath and leaned back, rolling his shoulders as though he’d been in on the match.
“What’s happening?” Both wrestlers had moved to side, were conferring with other men and chugging water.
“End of the first period. If there’s no decisive win or disqualification in the first three minutes, there’s a second period.”
“And then that’s it?” If he heard the hope in my voice, so be it. Wasn’t like I really cared what he thought of me, anyway.
“Well, depends. If nothing happens in the second period—that’s two minutes—then there’s a third. And then if it’s still tied, there’s overtime. That’s sudden victory, tiebreaker, second overtime round--”
“You have got to be kidding me.” The wrestlers were returning to the mat as I watched. “What do they have to do to win? And which one there is from Birch, ‘cause I’ll start cheering now, if it ends this whole thing sooner.”
Dean seemed not to notice my lack of enthusiasm. He kept his eyes on the match as he began.
“There’s point scoring, and you can win that way. It’s called a technical fall. But you can also win by fall, by decision, by default...”
He kept talking, but I tuned out the words. I loved to learn anything new, but I was fairly certain understanding wrestling was not going to enhance my life in any way.
As I pretended to be absorbed in his explanations, I let my eyes drift to the next set of bleachers. Giff was leaning back on the empty bench behind him, his blond hair artfully mussed. He wasn’t so much watching the wrestling as he was the side lines—I supposed they were called that—where a guy who bore a passing resemblance to Dean was studying a clipboard.
Aha, the brother. I couldn’t get a good look at him, but he
seemed to have a similar build to Dean. His hair wasn’t red, though; it was jet black, and he raked his hands though it as he flipped over papers and spoke to wrestlers on the bench.
I glanced back, hoping to catch Giff’s eye and give him a wink, but it was Liam who was looking my way instead.
His dark brows were drawn together, and his jaw was tight. I shrugged and turned back to the wrestlers just as a cheer went up.
“Did you see that? He just won the match. Awesome.” Dean’s enthusiasm didn’t spread my way, but I did my best to clap as though I cared.
“So he won...it’s over now?” Yes, that was hopefulness spiking in my voice.
“His match is over, but now other wrestlers will compete.”
“How many?” Visions of my entire Saturday consumed by this farce danced behind my eyes.
“Two more. In this weight class, I mean. And then there’s nine other classes.”
“Nine other classes?” I dropped my head into my hands. “So you basically hang here all day watching this?”
Dean spared me a quick glance. “Well, yeah. I came back just to see this meet.”
“That’s right.” I turned again to see if Giff were paying attention. He wasn’t; he had instead taken advantage of the momentary break in the action to snag a few minutes with Dean’s brother. And Liam was nowhere to be seen. I assumed he had fulfilled his roommate duty and blown this joint. I was about to do the same.
“So, listen, Dean, this was fun. I really appreciate you teaching me a little about wrestling. I feel much more informed.”
He grinned. “Sure, anytime. There’s a lot more to see and learn. The next match is about to begin.”
“Yeah, I see. But unfortunately I have a few things I need to get done today. So I’m going to have to head back to my dorm. Thanks again. It was...interesting.”
Dean seemed to look at me a little more closely than he had since we entered the gym. “You know, I’m down here quite a bit. I’m work for a financial services company, and I travel. Maybe some time I could call you up, take you to dinner?”
Oh, dear God, the last thing I needed was another male in my life right now.
Aloud I said, “Thanks. That’s nice of you. Let’s see what happens, but I’m kind of, um, seeing someone else right now. Sort of. I mean, it’s new.”
He nodded. “I get it. Is it the guy you’re trying to make jealous? ‘Cause I’m not an expert or anything, but that doesn’t seem like a good way to start off.”
“No. That’s someone else. He’s—well, it’s complicated.”
“Sounds like it is. Well, it was nice meeting you, anyway.” He smiled as the next match got underway.
I climbed down the bleachers and headed toward the exit. The hallways beyond the gym were quiet, and with tremendous relief, I pushed open the doors to fresh cold air and freedom. I stood for just a moment, glad that was over.
“Julia.”
“Oh, my God!” I jumped as Liam stepped from around a column. “You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you.”
I swallowed my nerves. “I’ve never had a stalker before. It’s creepy. You should give it up.”
“I’m not stalking you.” Liam’s lips were drawn together and his eyes dark.
“Then why are you skulking behind columns outside the gym, waiting for me?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’ve spent more time wanting to talk to me in the last few days than you did the entire time we were dating. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
He ignored me and grabbed my arm. “Can we go somewhere and sit down? It’s cold out here.”
“Liam, I don’t have time for that. I’m sorry.”
“Why? Got another date waiting for you?” His tone was suggestive and snide at the same time, and I held back a wince. This was what I’d been working toward, wasn’t it? Getting Liam’s attention, making him want me again?
“Not this morning.” I tossed it back to him. “I’m going to hang out and study with Ava.”
It was Liam’s turn to react as though I’d smacked him. His frown deepened, and I saw his throat work as he swallowed.
“I just want a few minutes. Look, come sit in my car. It’s parked right over there. I promise, I only want to talk.”
I threw up my hands. “Fine. Whatever. But five minutes, tops. Then I need to get back to my room.”
He nodded and turned toward the parking lot. I followed him to where the black BMW was parked and climbed in when he clicked the button, aware again of the differences between my ex-boyfriend and Jesse.
He didn’t say anything as he turned the key and upped the heat. When he did shift to face me, I was surprised by the conflict in his eyes.
“Julia, I wanted to talk to you about all these guys you’ve been...with. What’s going on?”
I raised one eyebrow. “What do you think is going on, Liam? And why is it any of your business?”
“Because I think it’s my fault. I think I broke your heart, and now you’re trying to get attention wherever you can, but you’re not thinking about this right, Julia. You--”
“Whoa.” I held up one hand. “Stop right there. You know, just when I think I’ve reached the bottom level of your jerkiness, you show me that you’re even more of a dick than I thought. You broke my heart? Really?”
He looked away, uncomfortable. “Yeah, I think I did. I mean, I did what I needed to do, but I can see that it must have been hard on you.”
“My God, Liam. You are incredible. You needed to do that? You needed to humiliate me in front of our friends, and even some strangers? Explain that to me, please.”
He lifted one shoulder. “It was time. Things had gotten too serious between us. I was ready to move on.”
“So you’re ready to move on. Fine. I get that. A normal guy would tell his girlfriend that. He would man up enough to actually break up with her. You are so damaged, Liam. I really don’t know why I wasted ten months of my life on you.”
“You weren’t complaining at the time. I think you liked being Liam Bailey’s girlfriend. Which is why I had to do what I did. At the party. If I had talked to you, there would have been drama and tears and shit. This way, it was done. Like a surgical strike.”
I reached for the door handle. “You know what, Liam, we’re done here. I don’t have anything to say to you, and I definitely don’t want to hear any more from you.”
“Wait.” He grabbed my shoulder.
I glared. “Get your hand off me unless you want your arm back without it.”
He sighed. “Why does everything have to be so complicated, Julia? I just had something to say, and you made this into a big deal.”
“So say it.”
“Okay.” He took a breath and looked out the window beyond me. “You don’t need to chase after all those guys. If you’re missing me, we can work something out. You know, nothing serious. Like friends with benefits.”
I’d heard of people being choked with rage, but I’d never had it happen. I did now.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hissed the words, too angry to yell. “You think that’s why I’m...God, Liam. Your balls are bigger than even I thought. And when were we ever friends? Tell me that. Benefits we had, but friendship, not so much.”
“Hey, hey, I’m just trying to help you out here--”
“Yeah, help me out. I’ll just bet. How selfless you are, Liam. It just brings a tear to the eye. Umm, let me think. No. I’d prefer the self-service plan to your benefits any day.”
“Nice, Julia.”
“The truth hurts. You’re worried you broke my heart? Here’s some news for you. You never had it to break.” I had said the same thing to Jesse the night before, and I was struck anew at how true it really was.
“That’s bullshit. You’re just still pissed about my birthday, and I get it, but come on. Try to be a grown up about this.”
“It’s not bullshit, it
’s the truth. Think about when we first started dating. Tell me about that. Who was after who?”
He shifted in the driver’s seat again, looking decidedly ill at ease. “I don’t remember.”
“Liar.” I pointed a finger at his chest. “It was you. You stopped me outside biology that day and asked me to go to some frat party with you. I said no. So then two days later, you asked me to some movie thing on the campus green. I said no.”
“Yeah, you played hard to get.”
“I wasn’t playing, Liam. I didn’t want to go out with you. I didn’t like you. I thought you were pretty much what I think about you now.”
He frowned at me. “Then why did you finally say yes?”
I sighed. “Because...you seemed so subdued and quiet when you asked me the third time, to go out to dinner. And you hit me on a bad day. Someone else I really liked had just started dating a girl I knew. I thought, why not go out with someone else?”
He rubbed his hands across the steering wheel. “So I was convenient.”
“Maybe. Wasn’t I convenient for you? And we had a good time that night, remember? I came home and told Ava maybe you weren’t that bad.”
“Please, Julia, don’t try to flatter me. You know what? None of that matters. Why we started dating, why we stopped, it doesn’t matter. It’s the here and now I’m talking about. You’re hanging around with all these guys, and people are starting to talk. I mean, Jack Duncan? Seriously.”
I gritted my teeth. “Jack is a decent guy. You wouldn’t know about that. And I’m fairly certain I said before...it’s none of your business. You were done with us, right? Move on, Liam. I have.”
He smirked, that maddening half-smile that always went right up my spine. “It’s my business because you were mine first. Or should I say because I was your first?” He lifted a shoulder. “Let me put it to you this way, Julia. Letting you screw around with these other guys would be like me going to a gourmet restaurant and then giving my leftovers to the bums on the street."
Best Served Cold Page 11
