by Blue Saffire
“Are you kidding,” Taylor and Joelle say in unison.
“No,” I shrug again.
Before they can jump me with questions, like I feel they’re about to, the professor calls class into session. I’m relieved. I don’t want to have to explain myself.
The professor explains that the baseball team will be interviewing us, to see who will give them the best chance to win the competition. While he’s talking, I keep my head down, doodling on the paper in front of me. As much as I would love to help a charity, I don’t think this whole thing is for me.
My attention is dragged away from my drawing, as I feel warmth beside me. The air seems to be sucked out of my space, causing me to take notice of the chairs scraping the floor and the eerie silence that is now at my table. I look around the table to see the girls all looking pass me in awe.
I look up to find none other than, Perry staring back at me with those startling blue eyes. Wow, they’re not just blue. They’re blue-grey. I feel like I can’t breathe, as I get lost in his stare.
What is wrong with me? I never have this intense a reaction to guys. I realize how close he is to my personal space and try to tell myself that that’s the reason for my response.
I shift in my seat to gain some personal space back, but I stop when his eyes narrow into a squint and his lips press together. Something about the action triggers something in me. I tilt my head to stare back at him. The trance is broken as the pretty blonde from earlier appears at his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Perry looks over at her, as he flinches, but immediately moves his big frame a few steps back from me. Dakota, as I remember him calling her, pulls over two stools and the two of them sit next to me. I frown a little not sure how to take any of this.
“Hi,” Dakota sings as she holds out her hand.
I stare at her hand for a few seconds before reaching out to shake it. “Hi,” I mutter.
“I’m pretty sure your pictures could look like shit and Caleb would still want you to work with him. But your professor said we should at least look at your work before deciding to work together.”
I looked at her, confused for a moment. Taylor nudges me in the side and clears her throat. “The athletes are supposed to interview you,” she whispers to me. Then to the two sitting before me, she says. “She wasn’t paying attention. She doesn’t want to participate.”
I blush for not paying more attention in class and look at Perry and Dakota. He’s staring at me again. It’s making me so uncomfortable. Why would he stare at me like that in front of his girlfriend? What is more baffling, is that she doesn’t seem to care that he’s doing it.
Perry clears his throat as I look on confused. Dakota looks as if she’s going to speak again, but his words cut her off. “I want to work with you.”
“I…um…I really hadn’t planned to do this. I work with landscapes and things. I think you’ll have a better shot with someone else,” I stammer.
He shakes his head at me. “No, I don’t think so. I want you,” he says with no expression at all.
I have no idea how to read this guy or his girlfriend. She’s looking at him just as stunned as I am. She quickly snaps out of it and turns to me.
“Would you reconsider?” Dakota pleads, throwing me for another loop.
“I...,” I start to chew on my lip as I think of the charity that stood out to me. Perry is gorgeous, I’m sure I can take some great shots of him and the calendars would be a cinch to sell out. “I’m sorry. I just don’t think I can.”
“What if we paid you?” Dakota’s eyes brighten up with the request.
I snort and shake my head. “I don’t need your money,” I snap.
I feel insulted. Do I look like I need their money? I stiffen in my seat, ready for them both to leave me alone.
“Dakota,” Perry groans.
“What? I’m just trying to help, Caleb,” Dakota pouts.
I furrow my brows, as she calls him by a different name from the one I assumed was his. Perry or Caleb, whatever his name is, seems to study my face for what feels like hours, before he presses his lips and squints at me. A few more moments pass before he stands.
I notice him shaking his right hand as his eyes clouded over. “Think about it, okay,” he says simply before turning and leaving out of the classroom, leaving a stunned Dakota, sitting with her mouth open. She remains until he’s out of sight, then turns to me as she stands and gather her things.
“You’ll think about it, right?” Dakota asks pleadingly, biting her lip nervously.
I’m more than confused with these two. I nod at her, not sure what to say and watch as she rushes off to find her boyfriend, I suppose. I hope she plans to tell him how not cool he is, for him to look at me that way, with her sitting there.
“Oh, my God,” Joelle bounces over to me, after she finishes her interview. “Caleb, freaking, Perry. I can’t believe you turned down Caleb freaking Perry. I mean the fact that the guy even spoke to you is enough to agree to do it.”
“What?” I murmur.
“Caleb is always all brooding and no one gets close to him, other than Dakota and his brother Cameron. And trust me, every girl on campus has tried,” Joelle fans herself. “That boy is seriously hot, brooding and all.”
“I photograph landscapes,” I say lamely.
Joelle lifts a brow at me and shakes her head. I wrap my arms around my middle, feeling exposed and out of place. “He has a girlfriend, what does it matter if I don’t want to take his pictures,” I say bitterly, now feeling like I’m being attacked.
Joelle lifts her hands in surrender. “Whoa, where are you getting your information? No girl has been lucky enough to hold that title.”
I shrug. “I thought that…well who’s the blonde?”
Joelle falls into me, in a fit of giggles and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “That’s Dakota, she’s his cousin. I don’t blame you, we all thought the same thing freshman year,” Joelle says through her laughter.
“Oh,” I reply, mentally kicking myself. Not that I would have taken the assignment even if I knew.
chapter Four
Crush
Caleb
I paced outside of the art building trying to get my shit together. I don’t know what got into me. When we walked into the classroom and I saw Nicole, I just had one thought. I have to work with her. I never thought that she would say no.
Girls are usually trying to pry their way past Cameron and Dakota to get to me. As soon as the professor said we could start the interviews, I forgot about needing Dakota, and rushed right over to Nicole, before anyone else could get to her. The look in her eyes, I’m not sure what it was.
Damn, I push my fingers through my hair totally frustrated with myself right now. I’m still trying to process the whole situation. Did she tell me no because she seriously doesn’t want to be a part of the contest or is me? Did I weird her out?
“Fuck,” I groan as I continue to pace.
“Hey,” I hear Dakota’s heels clicking toward me, but I’m not ready to talk to her.
The one thing I know about what just happened is that Nicole was pissed that Dakota offered to pay her. I hated to see her upset. I had to get out of there.
As confused as I may have been with Nicole ’s other reactions, I have become very familiar with anger. I didn’t like seeing it on her pretty face. Those oval shaped light brown eyes didn’t seem right, angry.
“Caleb,” Dakota tries again.
I whirl around and glare at her. “I wanted to do this one thing on my own, Kota. Just this once, I needed to do this on my own,” I fume.
“I’m sorry, Caleb. I was just trying to help. I could see how much you wanted to get her to work with you,” Dakota says in a small voice, so unlike her.
“I…what just happened, Dakota? Did I fuck that up? Do you think she really doesn’t want to be in the contest or did I freak her out?” I ask furrowing my brow and biting my lip.
“Oh, honey, you d
id awesome in there. Hell, you shock the hell out of me,” Dakota says, giving me a big grin. “You like her a lot, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” I nod. “That’s why I can’t fuck this up. Do you think she’ll change her mind?”
“Relax, if she doesn’t do portraits, we will get someone else and we’ll figure out how to get you on a date with her.”
I nod and stop pacing. “Okay, okay,” I murmur.
“Let’s go get something to eat,” Dakota offers.
Food, I can do. I’m always starving. I follow my cousin as my head stays filled with thoughts for me to filter through.
We arrive at one of our favorite spots right off campus and I’m still lost in my thoughts. I’m annoyed with myself because I can’t freeze out the thoughts, to focus on anything else. I clench and unclench my fists as I follow Dakota to a booth in the back.
Once we’re settled in our seats, Dakota levels her eyes on me. I press my lips in frustration. I realize that I’m blinking rapidly, so I take in a deep breath and focus on my cousin’s eyes. Dakota gives me a smile when the blinking stops.
“Wow, Caleb. I haven’t seen you like this in a long time. Then again…Nicole is very pretty,” Dakota tilts her head to the side. “She’s not what I thought your type would be. I mean I’m so used to Cameron picking your hook ups.”
Dakota stops talking to roll her eyes at that thought. Cameron usually does have a big hand in who I hook up with. I’ve never considered a type.
I know what I like, I think. Breasts, I fucking love tits. Other than that, maybe I’m not sure on my type, but Nicole. I love her eyes and her ass. The way it sat spread against the stool in the photography class, my eyes were glued to it as I made my way over to her.
“Why is she wrong?” I blurt out and wrinkle my brows as I squint at Dakota.
“Oh no, I didn’t say she is wrong,” Dakota’s face changes and I wonder what I’ve done to make her angry. “Promise me something, Caleb. If you and Nicole do hook up, you never let anyone tell you it’s wrong to be with her. If you like her, if you end up falling in love with her. Never ever let anyone tell you that it’s wrong.”
I process her words and nod. “So, she’s not wrong for me,” I murmur.
“No, Caleb. Honestly, I think you two looked adorable next to each other. It’s the girls that you and Cameron usually choose that I think are all wrong for you. Nicole…she’s…perfect. I think she’ll be perfect for you.”
“But you only talked to her for a few minutes,” I knit my brows further.
“Trust me, Caleb. I’m right about this one,” Dakota smirks.
“Right about what?” Cameron grunts as he appears and slides in next to Dakota.
“Where’s Kay?”
“Dude, I can go places without her,” Cameron grumbles in his southern accent.
“You’re fighting again,” I state not needing him to answer. It’s nothing new.
However, if I’m right. Something has changed. Cameron and Kay have been fighting for years, since they started dating in high school. Although, lately I’ve picked up on new emotions and more intense tension around them.
“Can we order some food. I’m starving,” Cameron waves the waitress over.
We all place our orders. Cameron and I order enough to feed a small town, while Dakota sits shaking her head over the amount of food the two of us can consume. It’s always this way.
Dakota eats like a bird and Cameron and I devour a ton of food. I guess that could account for us being so large. Cameron and I are only mere inches apart, me being the taller one.
“What are you right about,” Cameron turns his attention to Dakota to ask once more.
Dakota shrugs, but has a smile on her lips. “Caleb has a crush,” she coos out.
Cameron turns his eyes towards me and lifts a brow. “Really, on who?”
“I think she’s new,” I reply to my own summations in my brain.
“New and gorgeous. And Caleb let her touch him,” Dakota says as she makes this goofy face.
“Wait, touch him like how?” Cameron says, with what I assume is shock written on his face.
“They were holding hands,” Dakota sings.
“We needed to get to class. It was the best way not to lose her in my rush or to knock her over again,” I frown.
“Knock her over,” Cameron asks, as he studies my face.
“I almost knocked her on her ass. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” I reply.
Cameron turns back to Dakota. “So, what does she look like? Did he get her number?”
“We’re not talking about her and stop talking about me like I’m not sitting here,” I scowl.
Cameron’s head snaps in my direction. He looks me in the eyes, but doesn’t say anything for a long moment. Then his face breaks into a smile.
He nods. “Okay, little brother. You’re full of surprises today. Heard you want to do your calendar alone. You have a little girlfriend and now you’re barking out command like you found your balls. Nice.”
“Whatever, Cam,” I grunt and with a straight face, I say. “I’ve always known where my balls are. You shouldn’t be mad mine are bigger than yours. I promise, I won’t show Kay.”
“Oh, shit,” Dakota bursts into a fit of laughter. “Oh, my God. That is the second good one today. I love it.”
Cameron just sits with his mouth hanging open. I smile and pat myself on the back internally. I’ve wanted to work on my humor so badly. Everyone loves Cameron. Over the years, I’ve come to believe it’s because of his humor and charm. I’m working on that.
“You little shit. That was fucking awesome,” Cameron finally laughs out. He reaches across the table and slaps me on the shoulder. “Real fucking proud of you, Bro. I couldn’t have delivered that shit better. But watch your mouth or I’ll kick your ass.”
I sit and stare at Cameron’s face. Maybe I went too far, but as I look in his eyes, I shrug it off. He is returning my teasing, that’s all.
As if reading my mixed up mind, Cameron’s smile broadens. “I’m teasing, Cal. That shit was funny. I’m proud of you.”
I nod my head on the outside, but my chest swells on the inside. I love my big brother. He always does his best to make sure I fit in. I know someday he won’t be there, so I’m getting ready for it.
“Now, back to this girl. You want some help,” Cameron locks eyes with me again.
“No, no, I think I got it,” I say feeling more confident.
“Alright,” Cameron nods and changes the subject.
Chapter five
Stolen Kisses
Caleb
It’s been a week since I first ran into Nicole. I haven’t had the courage to walk up to her like a normal guy, and ask her out. Well, honestly, the team just returned from a three-day road trip, for an away game.
So, I haven’t had time to try to talk to Nicole or to find a different partner for the contest either. While I’ve been nearly obsessed with how to ask Nicole out, I haven’t given much thought to what I will do about all of the rest.
Cameron has offered, more than once, to let me in on his calendar. Just like Coach had suggested, but a part of me is still holding out hope for Nicole. I keep hoping that the week has allowed her to change her mind.
I’ve just finished working out at the team gym with Cameron. Now, I’m grudgingly taking a shower in our apartment. I wish I could stay under the hot spray, rather than having to get out and get dressed for this party tonight.
Stepping out of the shower, I look in the mirror at my wet hair. It has gotten pretty long in the last few days brushing my shoulder in the back and meeting my cheekbones on the sides. I use my fingers to push the damp strand off my forehead. I make the decision in my mind to wear a baseball cap to the party in hopes to hide.
I get dressed in a light blue t-shirt, with a grey V-neck sweater over it, and a pair of dark blue jeans. I tug a pair of tan work boots on my feet and shrug. Dakota has been a pain in my life for longer than I�
�d like to admit, concerning fashion.
I pretty much know what will keep her happy now. I’m happy to say it’s the one thing I have picked up better than Cameron. According to Dakota, I just have a natural swag. I’ll take that, since I have to work so hard at everything else.
Once dressed, I walk out to the living room of our apartment. Only to find Dakota sitting on the couch, looking uncomfortable. Kay and Cameron look as if they’ve just had another of their fights.
I ignore the tension and let them think I just don’t get it. Sometimes people’s assumptions about what I pick on and what I don’t, works in my favor. I let this one seem to fly over my head, so that we can get out of here and get this over with.
“You don’t have to go to this party if you don’t want to,” Kay says, as I shove my keys in my pocket.
“Really?” Cameron growls.
“What Cameron, this is stupid. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone,” Kay hisses back, her green eyes narrowing.
“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, but I want to go. Hamilton asked and I’m going for my teammate,” I say, with a shrug and open the door to leave. “If you guys don’t want to come, it’s fine.”
“Thank you,” Cameron exclaims. “Now do you see, this is his decision? I didn’t push anything on him.”
“Fine,” Kay snaps and storms out of the apartment ahead of everyone.
“Dude, this is going to be a long night,” Cameron sighs and pats me on the back.
I heave a heavy sigh and shake my head, as we pile into his car. This being a long night could suck. I just want to show my face and come back home.
~B~
Nicole
I can’t believe I let Taylor and Maribel talk me into coming to this party. I could strangle them both right now. This is so not my thing.
I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb. I haven’t seen Maribel or Joelle for the last two hours. Then, Taylor keeps dropping random guys off to, “get to know me,” as she put it.
I haven’t wanted to get to know any of them and it has probably shown. I’ll admit that the last guy was kind of cute, but that made it worse. I couldn’t stop blushing and my bronzed brown skin has done nothing to hide it.
