I ignore Colton’s call the way he ignored me last weekend at my party and pray to God that Cami hasn’t invited him to the second one. I swear I won’t stay if he’s there again. My phone keeps blasting its ringtone while I fetch the bag of my new clothes from the trunk. Then I lock the car and climb the stairs to my apartment.
“I’m back!” I yell, closing the door behind me.
No answer.
“The birds have flown the coop again,” I inform the empty hallway, and then I carry the bag into my room, where I throw myself across the bed and stare at the ceiling for a minute. But then my phone rings yet again. “Jesus!” I snap, answering the call with a bark. “WHAT?”
“Wow. Did someone kill your cat?”
“Who is this?” I ask, not in the mood for games of any kind.
“Alexis Kingston. I’m calling on Linden’s behalf.”
“Wow. Are you his secretary, too?” I ask. Though I sound bitchy, I can feel myself calm down a little. At least it’s not Colton.
“You know, he’s really very shy, which makes it hard for him to call a girl up.”
“He doesn’t need to, does he? He’s already got a girl.”
“Yeah, but he wanted to call you about that dinner,” Alexis explains.
“Fine. What is it?” I can’t help being curt.
“He wants to know whether you’re free on Saturday night,” Alexis says, sounding unfazed.
“No. I already have plans. Friday would be better.” Why did I just say that? I don’t want to go to dinner. At all. I want to bury my head in a pillow. I bite down to stifle a scream of confused frustration.
“I guess he’ll have to fight that out with the doctor, get an early discharge. Could you give me your address so he can pick you up?”
“I think he should give me the address of the restaurant he wants to go to,” I suggest. He could easily find out my address by checking the admittance form I had to sign, but I don’t want to make this easy for him. Why should I? He’s engaged to another woman, so I shouldn’t even think about any of this too much.
“Linden wants to cook for you,” Alexis declares.
“Does he even remember how?” I blurt out, immediately regretting my lack of tact.
Alexis laughs. “I assume he’s going to consult a cookbook,” he says dryly.
“Okay. Then please text me his address and the time, so I can be punctual on Friday.” I take a deep breath, bracing myself to sound convincing. “I gotta go. Bye, Mr. Kingston.” And with that, I simply hang up. Sighing, I flip over onto my belly, letting the entire day pass before my eyes again. Then I remember to send my father the picture Theo took of my new hair.
A few minutes later my father texts me back. You look very pretty, Darling. I look forward to having you home again.
I reply that I look forward to coming home again, too, because I’m Texan through and through. I like Miami, but I like Austin better, and I also think I’ll have better chances at finding a job there after college. My father knows a lot of people, and I bet a few of them owe him something.
Dad doesn’t reply to my last text, but that doesn’t surprise me; he’s probably still at work. And I’m exhausted by the day. I don’t usually hang out in a hairdresser’s chair for hours on end, and I’m surprised at how exhausting it was to sit still for so long.
After yawning a few times, I feel heaviness descend, and finally I fall asleep.
Chapter 4
Wednesday morning. I slept in. Happy Groundhog Day!
I race through town like a madwoman until I finally reach my usual parking spot. I’m annoyed to start my week being late. Well, not actually late for classes, but late for our breakfast under the palm tree. Now I have all but twenty minutes to sit with my friends, sip my cold coffee, and then get to my lecture. I grab my backpack and lock the car, and then I run toward our meeting point, which proves rather difficult in my high heels.
When I reach the palm tree five minutes later, I’m panting.
“Good morning, slowpoke.” Delsin grins.
“Hey, everyone,” I gasp, taking off my jacket and spreading it on the ground to sit on.
Delsin leans against the tree, and Cami is sitting between his legs. She studies me from head to toe and asks, “What are you going to wear for your dinner with Linden?”
I roll my eyes and take the paper coffee cup Dale hands me. “I have no idea, but if I go at all, I’m going to use that ‘no questions asked’ card you still owe me.”
“Why?”
“Because the only reason I have to go is Hailey and her big mouth.” I look around for her. “Where is she, by the way?”
“She’s sick. Got the flu from Logan,” Cami answers.
“Great.”
Next to me Dale has started to giggle, which draws my attention. Ave is tickling her. “Stop it, please,” she begs through laughter.
He seems to be enjoying himself immensely. “Only if you say it.”
“I love you … I love you … ” she gasps, and then Avery kisses her.
My eyes wander over to where Cami and Delsin are making out now, too, and then on to Kelsey, Sky, and Blake, who seem just as annoyed by this PDA as I am—they’re each miming putting a finger down their throats.
I clear my throat loudly so my friends stop what they’re doing. “You’ve got the whole day and the entire night to make out and do whatever else you like to do. Is it asking too much that you stop while I’m around? I’m sick of watching.”
“Sorry,” Cami says softly.
“Forget it. Maybe I should just skip our morning meetings for a few days,” I say, after Delsin has pulled her close again for another kiss. “I really should.” I rise.
“Where are you going?” Avery asks.
“Away from all you lovebirds,” I answer hoarsely as I put on my jacket. “I’m sorry, but right now I just can’t stand your whispered declarations and all that.” I pick up my backpack. “I’ll be in the lecture hall.” I start walking.
“Thally, wait up,” Cami calls after me.
I turn around but keep walking backwards. “I’ll call you later.” Then I whirl back around and march across campus.
***
“Why did you run away?” Delsin asks as he sits down next to me in one of the two seats I saved for him and Ave. Avery takes the other.
I feel their inquisitive glances and place my forehead on the cool wood of the table. “I just can’t stand your smooching and kissing and touching at the moment.”
“Why not?” Delsin prods.
“Isn’t that obvious, dude?” Avery cuts in. “Colton is taking up with Pearl, and he won’t even look at Thally anymore.”
“Would you pass me the salt, so I can rub it into my wound a little more?” I hiss. How unbelievably unsympathetic men can be!
“Shit! Sorry,” Ave says, scrunching up his face in a show of pity.
“It’s okay, but maybe we could all focus on Professor Jonsen now,” I say in a low voice as our professor paces around at the front of the room.
He tells us that statics are the most important aspect of any building, while design and height come second and third. I’m glad he’s starting out with a recap of last semester’s stuff, because I wasn’t paying much attention during most of my first year. I take a lot of notes and really listen to everything he’s talking about, and then I have to concentrate even harder, because Delsin and Ave are having a whispered conversation beside me.
“Shut up,” I scold them under my breath. “I want to hear what he’s saying.”
Ave looks at me. “You want to what? Since when are you interested in what Professor Jonsen has to say?”
“Since I learned that I have to pass these damn classes in order to go here next semester,” I reply in a huff, which makes both of them smile.
“Do you want us to help you study?” Delsin asks.
“No, but you could give me the notes you took last semester.”
“I rarely ever write anything dow
n,” Delsin admits sheepishly.
“Oh, I see, the prodigal son doesn’t even need to pass his courses. You’re only here because you don’t have anything better to do, right?” I really am miffed.
“Mr. Rough, Mr. Morrison, and Miss Leroux.” Jonsen’s voice suddenly cuts through all of this. “Could you please let us all be part of your conversation?”
Both guys poke my thighs under the table simultaneously. Great. I’m the one that’s supposed to get us out of this. Again. It’s always me somehow. “I just asked Mr. Rough and Mr. Morrison to repeat your last point for me because I didn’t catch it,” I answer, flashing him my most charming smile.
“Well, Miss Leroux, I’m going to ask you to turn to me from now on when you have any questions. Better leave your fellow students alone and not distract them.” He nods and adjusts his glasses.
“It won’t happen again, Professor Jonsen.” I lean back and hiss under my breath, “You both owe me one.”
“Thanks,” they mouth silently.
I make a face.
After that, we all focus on the lecture and keep quiet. I’m actually glad Jonsen caught us right away, for if he hadn’t, Delsin and Ave would have talked and talked and talked. At least now I can focus.
***
Once the last lecture of the day is over, I yell, “Party,” as soon as we’re out of the building.
“You’re aware that this is your comment daily after finishing classes?” Delsin says with a grin.
“Yep.”
“Babe!” Cami squeals and practically jumps into his arms. Delsin catches her, but he loses his own balance in the process, so Ave has to steady him lest they both tumble to the ground. Neither Cami nor Delsin seem to notice the averted accident, because they’re already locked in a heated kiss.
“Sweet Jesus!” I mumble. How can anyone be this much in love? They’ve been a couple for many months, and yet they’re still in their honeymoon phase—it’s just awful! And don’t get me started on Ave and Dale, because they’re at least as horrible. I mean, I’m still happy for them, but it’s just unbearable.
“Hey, Ave,” Dale says in her usual soft voice, before resting her head against his shoulder.
Ave smiles down at her. “Hi, honey.”
Lo and behold, they finally discarded the “precious” pet name. Ave probably realized it was more suitable to a cat than his girlfriend.
And yet somehow I envy my friends for experiencing this lasting happiness, and for finding true love. So far, I’ve only chalked up a few brief affairs and two relationships, if you can even count my childhood sweetheart at all. He was more of a pal, and we never went beyond first base. I basically just practiced kissing with him. And then there was Damon, my first love, in a more adult sense, but we broke up before I came to Miami, because he didn’t want to have a long-distance relationship.
“I’m leaving,” I say, loud enough for kissy Cami to hear me.
Delsin lets her slide down to the ground again, and she comes over to me. “Do you have another minute?”
I nod. “Sure.” Then I look at the rest of them. “See y’all tomorrow. Stay classy.” I grin and start walking, Cami at my side.
“What’s going on?” she asks as soon as we’re out of earshot of the others.
“I’m just a frustrated bitch.”
“Why?”
“Because y’all are so damn happy in your relationships, and I’m the only single girl among a bunch of Siamese twins,” I admit.
She gives me one of her I can see inside your soul looks.
“And I miss Colton,” I add sheepishly.
Cami sighs. “Honey, I’m sorry he dumped you like that, but he’s not the only fish in the sea. You deserve someone better anyway.” She runs a hand through her brown curls. “Why don’t you go to this dinner with Linden Priest with the intention of having a lot of fun? Don’t even think about breaking it off because you think you’re not in the mood. Maybe this Linden is a great guy and you’ll like him. Just give it a chance.”
“He’s engaged,” I reply dryly.
“Okay, then don’t give it a chance, but enjoy the evening anyway.” She grins.
I have to smile in spite of myself. “I’ll see how it goes. But if it gets boring, you’re going to have to be my fallback. Promise you’ll call me when I text you for help.”
“I’ll be there if you need me, yes.” She nods. “And don’t worry your pretty head about Colton. I bet he’ll come crawling back to you soon with his tail between his legs, same as last time.”
“We’ll see if I still want him then,” I pout.
“Déjà-vu.” She laughs. “That’s exactly what you said a few months ago, and yet you took him back again.”
I shrug and offer her an innocent grin. “Well, sometimes I don’t seem to know what I really want.”
“Nobody knows until they feel it. Do you remember when I met Delsin?”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me. A story for a cheesy soap opera, if ever there was one.” I giggle.
She boxes my upper arm playfully, but then she laughs. “Okay, you have a point. It was bad.”
“I know,” I agree dryly. “But now I really gotta go. There are a few things I still need to study for tomorrow’s exam. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.” She hugs me tightly. “Talk to you then, and don’t let anyone get you down. Promise me that.”
I pull away and kiss her on the cheek. “Promise.”
***
I head straight for the kitchen and fix a strong pot of coffee for my study session. Then I drop my backpack in my bedroom and change into my comfy clothes. It’s just a pair of capri pants and a crop top, but those are my favorite at-home clothes. Then I head into the bathroom to braid my hair and take off my makeup. I don’t intend to leave the house again before class tomorrow, and I don’t need to look like a poster girl while I’m sitting at my desk. I mean, I don’t wear a lot of makeup anyway, but without it, I feel much better. I do cover up the ugly scar on my chin every day. Only Cami, Hailey, and Colton have ever seen it. I got it when I was in a stupid bike accident as a child, and even though it has faded a lot, it still looks kind of bad. People tend to think I’m flawless, but I’m actually far from it. I mean, nobody’s perfect, right? Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has flaws that make them unique. I don’t aspire to be perfect, I love myself the way I am. Even if I do hide this scar from everyone. Sure, it’s part of me, but that doesn’t mean the world must see it. On my tanned skin, it’s a stark white line. Not pretty to look at, and what’s makeup for if not covering up our little flaws?
The coffee machine beeps, so I rush back into the kitchen. I pour the contents of the pot into my large thermos and take a mug from one of the cabinets. It’s an insulated mug, too, so I don’t have to drink cold coffee if I get too immersed in my notes.
“Hey,” Draven interrupts my thoughts of the task ahead.
I raise my eyes to meet his and smile. “Hey. How was your day?”
“Ugh,” he sighs. “Don’t ask. I should have chosen a different major.”
I don’t even know what his major is. “Uh … Did we ever talk about what our majors are?”
“Music, Thally. And yes, we did.”
“Oh … Sorry, I must have forgotten that.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not that important. How was your day?”
“The first class was a recap of last year, so that was good, but then the two that followed were pure horror. Both professors are way too fast for me, and we’re going to take a bunch of tests right away. I need to study a lot, or else I’ll be starting all over again.”
“Sounds shitty.”
“Yep, sounds as craptastic as it is,” I confirm, picking up my thermos and the mug. “Which is why I’m going to hunker down and start studying now. Oh, and later tonight, if you hear the doorbell, could you yell? That’ll be my dinner, and I often don’t hear it in my room.”
“Aye, captain,” Draven says.
<
br /> “Thank you.” I leave the kitchen and walk into my room, setting the coffee on my desk. I sit down and pull the books and notes from my backpack, sighing one last time before delving in.
***
“Thally, your pizza is at the door!” Draven calls.
“Coming!” I spent four full hours going through all the material I have. My head is spinning. If it were possible, I bet steam would be coming out of my ears right now. My brain has done overtime. Anything I don’t know now, I won’t know tomorrow. I’m done, and I don’t want to risk a blackout, which happened once in high school when I overtaxed myself—I forgot everything right in the middle of the test. I think I’d be able to get a B or C on the test we have tomorrow, and a C would be sufficient to pass, even though I’d love to see a B or even an A at the top of my exam for once.
I rise, stretch, and walk to the front door. “Hey, Jim,” I greet the delivery guy. He’s become almost a pal, because I’ve seen more of him than my friends recently.
“Hello, Thalia,” he says, blushing. He’s always blushing, and I think it’s cute. He studies engineering, too, and we’re in some of the same lectures, though we rarely ever talk when we meet on campus. Most of the time all we say is hi, because he’s a real loner. I give him twelve bucks for the pizza, plus a generous tip, because I know he gets no money from his parents and needs this job to get by. He does have a grant, as he once told me, but it hardly covers the cost of tuition and textbooks.
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow in class,” he says as he pockets the money.
“Yeah. Do you think you studied enough?”
“Hardly, but this is a topic I’m good at.”
“Okay. Then I guess I’ll be the only loser tomorrow,” I say with a half grin.
“What exactly do you need help with?” he asks.
“Oh, there are a few things I just can’t seem to keep straight, but I’ll go over those one last time while I eat. The rest is hoping I’ll pass.” I shrug.
“Sit next to me. I’ll help you when Salters isn’t looking.”
“Salters has eyes in the back of her head, but thank you anyway, Jim.” I smile.
Linden: Rocking Pleasure: New Adult College Romance (Coral Gables Series Book 3) Page 6
