Oh no. Fuck! How can I avoid him now? “Fight for her,” I repeat. “You’ve been together for such a long time! It would be crazy to throw it away now.”
“She thinks I’m interested in you, because of the way I was looking at you. I thought it was a perfectly normal way of looking at someone.”
“I thought so, too,” I agree.
But Nate told me the same thing just a few minutes earlier. That’s two people who think we’re in love. Could it actually be true?
“So can I see you tonight?” he asks.
“Come to The Heat around ten,” I say, my voice very small now. “I gotta go. Bye.” Before he can say anything else, I hang up.
Hanging my head, I hide my face in my hands. All of this seems like a crazy, bad dream. I’ve more or less inserted myself into their relationship, haven’t I?
“I want to die,” I groan into my cupped hands.
“The world would mourn its great loss, honey.” Delsin’s amused voice startles me. I didn’t hear him coming.
I slowly lift my head and stare at him. “How long have you been standing there?”
“I followed you when you left the skatepark. What’s wrong?” he asks, taking in my wide-eyed expression.
“I think I just destroyed a relationship.”
“Whose?”
“Linden’s. I didn’t know he was here today, too, and of course I had to run smack into him. It was an accident by the way! I didn’t do it on purpose!” I sigh. “Anyway, I met his girlfriend, and a few minutes later, after Nate and I moved on, I got a text from Linden.” I hand him my phone and show him the text to illustrate what I’m talking about. “And Nate already said earlier that he thinks Linden is in love with me, because of the way he looked at me. His girlfriend seems to think that, too, and now she’s given him the slip because of that, if I understood him correctly.” I blurt all of this out, sounding sheepish and slightly frantic at the same time.
Delsin puts an arm around me and pulls me close. “You know I treated you like crap when I was after you. And let’s not get into the way Colton treated you, because that was shitty, too. But this Linden seems really interested in you. Not in the way Colton and I were ‘interested,’ but in a genuine way. Maybe you should give it a chance and get to know him. Doesn’t have to mean you’ll dive headlong into a relationship. But you could enjoy being adored and cherished, being treated like a lady for once.”
I stare at the path before us. “Cami has changed you a lot.”
“She has a little, but that doesn’t bother me. Deep down, I’m still a bad boy,” he says with a grin. “But Caramel is my life, and I love her more than anything in the world.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I want something like that. But I think that after Damon, I’m no longer able to commit to a relationship.”
“I said the very same thing to Camille, right before drinking myself unconscious at that frat party, remember? When Ave dragged me off and delivered me straight to her bed.”
I giggle. “Seems like you and I have a lot in common.”
“That may well be the case. Thally, I’m not very good at giving pep talks. Somehow I always manage to say the worst things possible. But I just want to say: Don’t tell yourself you can’t let Linden get too close. Relax and let down your guard.”
“How do you know that’s what I’ve been telling myself?” I ask, surprised by his accuracy.
Delsin grins sheepishly. “I talked to Draven when I got here. He told me about your conversation in the car.”
I exhale loudly. “I’m really being unnecessarily tense, right?”
“Just a tiny little bit. But after everything that’s happened in the past few weeks, I can understand that. If I were you, I’d probably have taken the first flight to Austin to get away from all the bullshit.” He pats me on the shoulder.
“Linden wants to come to the party at The Heat tonight,” I say, realizing too late that I just gave away the fact that I know about their surprise.
“Who told you?” Delsin asks surprised, feigning anger. “Hailey or Ave?”
“Ave warned me, but only because I was about to refuse to go out at all after last week’s craptastic attempt at a party,” I explain.
“Please pretend to be surprised, okay? Caramel will be upset if she finds out you knew.”
“I’m going to be so surprised and excited tonight, you’ll have to give me an Academy Award for my performance.” I grin.
“Awesome.” Delsin plants a kiss on my forehead and then lets go of me. “I’m heading home now. Cami’s already called.”
“Tell her hi from me, and tell Ave I’ll be ready at eight, okay?”
“Will do. See you tonight, Thally.”
“Bye, Delsin.”
We both rise and walk away in different directions. I roll back toward the skatepark, where I strain my eyes to find Draven and Nate, both of whom are having fun on the half-pipe.
I’m surprised by how many people are here today, both men and women. I’m mostly surprised by the number of girls who are just sitting around, making eyes at the guys. My stomach turns when I realize I was like them only a short while ago. I was really bent on chalking up the largest possible number of flings and adventures during my time at college.
With a sigh, I sit down on the low wall closest to where Draven and Nate are doing their acrobatics. While I take off my wrist, elbow, and knee protectors, I think about the phone conversation with Linden again. It was all too confusing. Yesterday, the relationship was working just fine, and today it’s supposedly over? I pull the skates from my feet and put on my shoes, which I left next to Draven’s backpack.
My eyes search for my friends in the pipe. Should I follow Nathaniel’s and Delsin’s advice and go after Linden, or would it be better to leave him alone? I don’t know what to do. It’s probably best if I wait to see what happens tonight. Maybe we won’t even get along and will mess it up completely. Or things go a bit too well, and I fall hard for him …
God, I hope I don’t lose my heart. I’m scared to. I thought our dinner would be all casual, a one-time thing, but he managed to confuse me completely with just one kiss. Now I don’t know what is right and what is wrong. Taking up with a taken man is definitely wrong. But seeing him more often now suddenly seems so very right.
At first, I didn’t want to see him at all, but that was when he was taken. Now he’s free, right? On the other hand, I don’t think he’ll want something new right away, let alone with me. Oh, whatever!
I struggle to push back those thoughts, because I’m utterly confused. My mind reaches for a distraction. Let’s think of summer break instead. I’m looking forward to going home to Texas, even though I won’t be spending the entire summer there.
Chapter 7
After Nathaniel and Draven have finally had enough, we go home and prepare dinner. It’s actually my turn to cook, but the boys are helping me cut vegetables. I’m not a great cook, but my wok-style stir-fry always comes out great. While I’m searing the strips of turkey breast, Draven comes to stand next to me, setting down the bowls of sliced carrots and mushrooms. I don’t really like the latter, but the guys love them, so into the stir-fry they go.
He looks at me. “You seem pensive.”
“Surprise! I’m actually thinking about something,” I say sarcastically.
“About what?” he prods.
“What to do tonight. I don’t want to just sit here, so I was thinking about calling Hailey or Cami and asking them if they want to see a movie.” I stifle a smile. The boys don’t know that I know that my second party is on, so I pretend. “Or maybe I should call Linden and ask him. He told me earlier that his girlfriend dumped him out of the blue. He might need a little distraction.”
“You’re not a distraction, Thally,” Draven scolds. “And I bet he has enough friends to take care of him.”
I smile at him. “True. Then maybe I’ll stay home and study again after all. That will be for the best.”
&nb
sp; Draven grins. “Do you need any help?”
“Do you understand anything about the theory of structures? Statics and all that?”
“Uh, I know a building will collapse if it’s not properly calculated,” he ventures.
I start to laugh. “True again, but I know that much already, so it doesn’t help much.” I pour the veggies into the wok and stir.
“All right, no helping then.”
I nod at him. “Nope.”
When I finish preparing the food, we sit down to eat. The boys have set the table, and we all remain silent as we focus on the food on our plates. I don’t want to annoy them with talking about Linden again, and they rarely talk much while they’re eating, anyway. Colton used to be very quiet at the table, too, and come to think of it, I’ve yet to meet a man who genuinely enjoys a nice dinner conversation. Men, I guess.
After we’re all done, I retreat to my room. When I sit down on my bed, the guitar in the corner catches my eye. I fetch it and play a few chords. It’s way out of tune. With a patience that is unusual for me, I tune it and then play the chords again.
After I’m satisfied with the sound, I start to play a song. I rarely look at sheet music; I usually play by ear.
“When I call you at home and he answers the phone or I get your machine and I don’t hear me. When I lie in my bed with the thoughts in my head, when we danced and we stand and we laughed all night. Ooh da bop bop, baby, please, don’t let me go. Can’t live my life this way.” I sing with abandon as soon as I find the rhythm and melody of it.
I play the entire song, singing along with all the soul I possess. Here in the U.S. it isn’t a song many people are familiar with, but I was in England when it was a hit there. I remember buying the album after just one listen. I normally don’t like pop music, but I loved these guys. I wasn’t even thirteen, but I bought all Westlife’s CDs, and I still like to listen to them sometimes. Too bad they broke up.
There’s a knock on my door, and I immediately fall silent. “Yes?”
Nate sticks his head in. “Are you singing?”
I nod. “I was, but I’m done now.” I put the guitar aside.
“But why? I was lured here by your voice. Why don’t you play another one?”
I sigh. “I can’t sing in front of people.”
“Have you tried?” He comes in and sits down in the armchair in the corner of my room.
“More than once.”
“Would you try again?”
I take a deep breath. “Only if you promise you’re not going to laugh at me.”
He makes a victory sign with his right and nods. “Promise.”
I take another deep breath and tell myself it’s only Nate, not a professional singer. Then I grab my guitar again and start plucking. I start singing another Westlife song, “Soledad,” again aiming to put a lot of soul in my voice. “If only you could see the tears in the world you left behind. If only you could heal my heart just one more time. Even when I close my eyes … ” During the first verse, I pay attention to what my fingers are doing.
Then I launch into the chorus. “Soledad. It’s a keeping for the lonely. Since the day that you were gone. Why did you leave me, Soledad? In my heart you were the only and your memory lives on. Why did you leave me, Soledad?”
I stop and look at Nate. “Tell me it was bad, go on.”
He looks at me with wide eyes. “I don’t know the song, but that was amazing, Thally!”
Someone clears their throat, and I stare at the door.
“If I hadn’t peeked, I would have sworn it was a CD,” Draven says, smiling.
I blush. “That was a one-time singalong, and you’re not going to hear it again,” I say softly.
“Aw, come on, Thally. You’re really talented, so why would you keep that from people?” Nate demands.
I shake my head. “You’re the first who have ever heard me sing like that. I didn’t even do it for Cami and Hailey, even when they begged.”
“Well, that’s a start,” Draven says. “You don’t have to go on stage or anything, but you could sing for your friends.”
“Guys, don’t pressure me now. I’ll sing again when I feel like it, but you’re going to have to stay in the hallway and listen secretly,” I say with a self-deprecating smile.
“I can live with that.” Nate chuckles.
“Me, too,” Draven agrees.
I grin. “Fine. Now get out so I can study.”
They leave the room, and I close the door behind them. I should start getting ready for the party, but I feel rather tired. A short nap can’t hurt.
***
When I wake up, it’s already six thirty. I jump out of bed and rush into the bathroom, ejecting Nate, who was in the process of styling his hair. He can do that in his room, but I need the shower now. I quickly shuck my clothes and step into the shower. I lather up and wash my hair in record time, because I want to have enough time to do my makeup properly.
When I’m done, I towel myself dry and put on the clothes I selected for the night. Then I blow-dry my hair and take the curling iron to it. I pin back the curls into a messy, sexy bun. The bangs fall into my face, but that’s exactly what I want. And then I finally put on some makeup, but not too much. Even if this is my birthday bash at a club, doesn’t mean I have to go all out, does it?
The main thing is that I feel comfortable, and I do the way I look now. As a final touch, I put on some lipliner and gloss, rubbing my lips together to distribute it evenly. The glossy auburn finish will prevent me from readily kissing anyone—that would smear and ruin the look.
“I’m done in the bathroom,” I yell, but there’s no answer. I return to my room after cleaning up. They boys have probably already gone to The Heat to help or something. One glance at the clock tells me that I managed to get ready just in time.
And as if on cue, the doorbell rings. I run to the intercom. “Yes?”
“It’s me—Ave. Are you coming down?”
“Give me five minutes, tops,” I say. I race back into my room, fetching a suitable handbag from my closet and pouring the contents from my regular one into it before leaving the room again.
“Hey, hey, pretty woman,” Avery greets me when I get outside.
“Hello, hottie,” I answer with a smile, after I’ve looked him up and down. This is not your typical Avery Morrison outfit. He’s wearing long jeans, which is rare in itself, and a black formal shirt with white pinstripes. It does have short sleeves, however. “All dressed up.”
He grins. “I need to look good for one of my best friends, don’t you think?”
“Of course I do, and dear God, now I wish I were in Dahlia’s shoes,” I joke.
His eyes widen in shock for a second. “What? No!”
“No,” I laugh and give him a hug. “You’re a great friend and maybe you’re also Prince Charming, but not my Prince Charming.”
“That’s a relief. It was a piece of work, getting Hailey to accept Dale as my girlfriend, and it took ages to get there.”
“I remember how she didn’t like Dale in the beginning. And that I thought it was dumb, because she has Logan, so what was her problem? But you know Hailey. She gets that way if she doesn’t get what she wants.” I grin.
Avery opens the passenger door of his car. “May I ask you to get in now, Miss Leroux?”
“Oh, that’s too kind of you, Mr. Morrison.” I giggle, take his hand, and slide into the car.
He walks around and gets in the driver’s side. “Sweets is totally excited and anxious about getting it right tonight, after last week’s disaster,” he says as he starts the engine.
“Well then I don’t want to disappoint her. I’ll do my best to scream in surprise.” I smile.
“You do that. I’m already looking forward to the ultimate trademark Leroux scream.”
I laugh. “It’s not my fault you can’t keep anything secret.”
“That’s true.” He nods as he makes a left turn. “Did you have to cancel any hot
dates for tonight?”
“No, but I invited Linden to come. Seems his girlfriend gave him the slip today, and he was adamant about seeing me again. I thought the party was a good starting point, because I don’t want to be alone with him,” I explain. And then the whole story comes tumbling from my mouth, including the small skating accident, meeting Trish, Linden’s text and call, and the conversation with Delsin afterwards. I tell Avery everything.
“Man!” he blurts at the end. “That sounds like some screwed-up movie plot.”
“I know, and it’s damn awkward,” I reply, staring out the window at the passing palm trees.
“Why is it awkward?” he asks.
“She broke up with him because he looked at me … the way he looked at me. I didn’t see anything wrong in his gaze, but obviously she did. And Nathaniel said the same thing.” I tell him that part a second time, and in more detail, because sometimes it’s better to be extra detailed with Avery, or else he forgets it all within five minutes.
“Right, that’s what you told me before,” he sighs. “Sorry, I’m a little frazzled today.”
“Oh, why is that?”
He clears his throat. “Dale and I had an argument,” he admits.
“What do you two have to argue about?” I ask, genuinely puzzled.
“I was a little upset about her always talking about you and Linden. It was really dumb, but I asked her if she likes him and whether I should get out of the way. She started crying. And then she yelled at me that maybe she should end things if I managed to be jealous of a guy who only has eyes for you.”
“Oh. Sometimes I want to switch positions and have your kind of problems,” I murmur.
“I don’t know what got into me, honestly. We made up in the end, but she’s been avoiding me since. I don’t understand why she seems to be taking this so seriously. When I told her earlier that I love her, she didn’t answer. She got into Cami’s car and ignored me.”
“Maybe she just wanted to get back at you. I mean, Dale is nineteen, and you’re twenty-four, and in many ways you’re worlds apart. You know we’re the only friends she’s ever had, and that she has a hard time dealing with affection sometimes. Maybe she also has a hard time dealing with arguments, Ave.”
Linden: Rocking Pleasure: New Adult College Romance (Coral Gables Series Book 3) Page 12
