“She’s easy to be with, and she lets me be me.”
“Josie was a bit of a control freak,” Beth remarked. “And you, being the sweet guy you are, were too nice to tell her off.”
Nick laughed. “Michelle has passed the Beth Test, then?”
“Mmm-hmm. I just hope she enjoys dancing as much as I do. Because you truly are a gifted dancer, Nick.”
“She does.”
“Went out dancing a few times this summer, did you?”
“You bet. Had a great time, too.”
Beth smiled up at him. “She seems like a really great girl. But didn’t I already say that?”
“You did. Hey, shall we ask the band for something a little more upbeat?”
“I wonder if they play anything we could swing to.”
With his fingers still loosely twined with Beth’s, Nick made his way through the thinning crowd of dancers to the stage and made his request to the band.
The lead singer grinned. “I’m pretty sure we can help you out with that.” Into his microphone, he said, “All right, folks. We’re going to pick up the pace a bit with one of our own songs.”
The drummer started with a rousing beat and was soon joined by a trumpet. Nick deftly spun Beth, and the skirt of her flirty turquoise sundress flared as she twirled. The other dancers moved back to give them room, watching for a while before hesitantly joining in. Beth smiled brightly as they danced, and occasionally her rich laughter added to the music. She’d been his dance partner on too many occasions for Nick to accurately count, and it showed. They moved seamlessly together, knowing almost instinctively the other’s move before it was made.
Nick was disappointed when the song ended, but applause greeted him when he finished the dance by spinning Beth to him so her back was pressed against his chest. Smiling, he nodded in acknowledgement and thanked the band.
“Are you up for another one?” the lead singer asked. “It’s nice to see a couple who actually knows how to appreciate a little swing, and we don’t often get to play our music.”
“I imagine his girlfriend would like a dance with him,” Beth remarked, waving Michelle over. “Unless she doesn’t like swing.”
“She does, but it’s still pretty new to her. Hey, sweetie, are you up for getting a little dizzy?”
“Sure,” Michelle replied.
“Thanks for the dance, Beth,” Nick said as he changed partners.
“You’re welcome. It was fun, as always.”
Beth headed back to the bar, and Nick watched as she draped her arm around Trey’s waist, frowning when her boyfriend impatiently waved her away. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Michelle, who glanced between Nick and the other couple with a quizzical frown.
“What?” he asked.
“Have you and Beth ever dated?”
“No. Why?”
“You just seem very in tune with each other. More so than just friends. Watching the two of you dance… that was incredible.”
“We’ve danced together a lot—Guinea pigs for my parents when my mother decided it would be fun to teach dance as a hobby. If you think Beth and I dance well together, you should watch my parents sometime. They’re incredible.”
“I bet. I guess that would explain how you two are able to move like you do.” Michelle tilted her head and smiled as she slipped her hands nervously into his. “I’m a little jealous, though. I’d love to dance like that.”
“Give it time and a little more practice and you will. And I’m sure Mom would love to give you some lessons.”
The band took up another fast-paced swing-inspired song, and he started her out with simpler steps, reminding her to relax and trust him. They were soon twisting away, though without the same effortlessness with which he and Beth danced. Still, she was a fast learner, and by the end of the song, she was laughing breathlessly.
They danced for almost an hour, and the band was happy to play their own music for them. Twice Michelle asked for a break, and while she sat at the bar to catch her breath and chat with her friends, Nick danced with Beth. Finally—and a little unwillingly—he admitted that he needed to call it a night. As the song ended, Nick folded Michelle in his arms and hugged her, beaming. Despite his misgivings about going out with Beth and Trey tonight, he’d thoroughly enjoyed himself.
“We really need to come down here more often when these guys are playing,” Michelle said, grinning. “That is so much fun.”
“Isn’t it? Swing is my favorite style of dance.”
“Obviously. Hey, I know you have homework you need to get to work on, so do you mind if I hang out here with Jen, Kasey, and Grace for a little while longer?”
“I don’t mind at all, but please don’t walk back to campus alone. Either walk with your friends or call me, and I’ll come get you. I know Devyn is a quiet little town, but it is Wednesday.”
“I’ve never understood why Wednesday is drinking night in Devyn.”
“I don’t know how that came to be, either, but be careful, all right?”
“I promise I won’t walk home alone. Jen drove, and she’s not drinking, so I’ll just catch a ride with her.”
“Sounds good. Have fun, call me when you get back to your room, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Or maybe later tonight. I have a rain check.”
Frowning, he asked what she meant. When she grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him with a tantalizing urgency, brushing her free hand back through his hair before curling her fingers around his neck, he remembered. “Ah, right. That rain check. Don’t worry about it. Have a good time with your friends, and we’ll make it up some other time.”
“You’re incredible, you know that? I don’t know too many guys who would let their girlfriends enjoy a night out with their friends when an offer of sex is on the table.”
“What can I say? I’m not that selfish.”
“If I didn’t know how you felt about me, I might think you weren’t that serious.”
“I’m glad you know it’s not a lack of interest… because it isn’t.”
“I do know,” she whispered and kissed him again.
Nick took her hand again and walked back into the bar with her. He was glad to see that his brothers had left and hoped they’d gone back to the dorms. With a nod to Michelle’s friends, he bid them goodnight before stepping over to the pool table where Trey was playing yet another game against Beth’s ex. Beth sat in the chair beside the nearest keno machine, ignored by her boyfriend and clearly unhappy about it.
“Come on, Trey,” she said. “We need to get started on that radio ad for Keller’s class.”
“It can wait,” Trey replied.
“I’m going to call it a night,” Nick interrupted. “Thanks for badgering me into this, Beth.”
“Yeah, sure. I need to call it a night, too,” she said, directing her latter statement to Trey.
“So walk home with Nick,” her boyfriend replied. Annoyance tinged his voice as he lined up his shot. “I’m going to finish my game.”
“Come on, Beth,” Nick said. “I’d rather you didn’t walk home alone, either.”
“Thanks, Nick. I’m glad someone is looking out for me.”
If Trey heard the remark, he showed no sign. Beth hesitated a moment longer before heading toward the door with irritation stiffening her strides.
A few stars twinkled in the deepening twilight, and the street and sidewalks were bathed in the orange glow of the street lamps. Nick hadn’t realized they’d been in the bar so long. Crap. It was going to be a late night. Once they were around the corner of the bar and heading east toward campus, he asked Beth if she was okay.
“He completely ignored me,” she replied. “This was supposed to be a relaxing night out, and then we were supposed to go home and get started on our project. But, no, he’s going to waste time playing pool and talking to my ex like they’re the best of friends. What is that all about? They never used to be so chummy.”
“I don’t know that I’
d call it chummy so much as competitive.”
“What do you mean?”
“They both looked pretty intent about that game, like they were trying to kill each other in pool. Since you dated Darryl before you started dating Trey, I imagine Trey might feel like he has to prove his dominance.”
“I’d ask if all men are such territorial idiots, but you aren’t, so I know it’s not true.”
“Thanks. I think.”
She glanced at him and said flatly, “That was a compliment, Nick.”
He laughed. “I know it was.” More seriously, he asked, “What is Trey’s deal these days? And what was with the ‘walk home with Nick’ command? Since when did he start talking to you like a servant?”
“He’s protective,” Beth replied with a shrug.
“I doubt that’s it. I’m not sure he cares much about anything but himself anymore. Even you.”
“Are you saying I should break up with him?”
“I don’t know, Beth. I just know that I’m seeing things I don’t like. But, out of curiosity, have you been thinking about it?”
Again, she shrugged, but the frown that pinched her brows was a pretty clear indication that all was not perfect between her and Trey anymore.
“He knows my boundaries,” she said slowly, “but he’s been trying to push them more and more lately.”
“If he can’t respect your choices… maybe it is time to call it quits.” Nick paused to subdue the flare of anger. “If Michelle had wanted to wait, I would have absolutely respected that.”
“I thought you said you weren’t her first.”
“I wasn’t, but that’s not the point. The point is that I respect her and I respect her choices. And Trey should respect yours. If he won’t, he isn’t worth your time.”
“I’m starting to feel guilty about it,” Beth admitted. “I mean, we’ve been going out for almost a year, and for someone… experienced… like Trey, I imagine that’s a long time to go without.”
“It doesn’t matter how long. With a little discipline and actually caring about someone other than yourself, it’s pretty easy to wait, so don’t you dare let Trey convince you he needs it.” Nick grinned, but there was no humor behind it. “And if he doesn’t want to listen… I could always kick his ass for you.”
“Oh, come on, Nick. You’ve never been in a fight in your life—no, roughhousing with your brothers does not count. Besides, Trey’s bigger than you.”
“Wider, maybe heavier, but that doesn’t mean he’s stronger. Or faster. You forget we both wrestled in high school and play on opposite sides of the football.”
“You seem to have done a lot of thinking about this.”
“Not really.” He stopped and looked at her as a thought entered his mind. “Should I be complimented that you’re more concerned about me than him or insulted that you don’t have any faith in me?”
“I….” She took half a step back and stared at him with an expression that said something had just dawned on her. He had a feeling that if he were ever cruel enough to ask her to choose between him and Trey, her boyfriend would lose. Her next words confirmed it. “I have every faith in you.”
She fell silent, and neither of them spoke again for almost a block. Finally, she said, “I’m glad we decided to walk. I know it’s only eight blocks, but we usually drive, and it’s too nice a night to be sitting in a car.”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Nick said, glancing skyward. More stars had appeared while they’d been walking, and the indigo bowl above them glittered.
“So, what’s it like dating a girl almost as tall as you this time around instead of some shorty like me like you usually date? And how tall is she, anyhow?”
“Five-ten, and I can’t say that it’s any different.” Chuckling, he rested his arm on top of Beth’s head. “Well, maybe there are a few differences.”
“Ugh. Maybe I should hate her, but I really can’t. She’s too nice to hate.” Beth laughed and shoved his arm away. “Smart aleck.”
“Yeah, but really, five-four isn’t that short. And you know you love me.”
“Always.” She shook her head, smiling. “When Vince passed me when he was in middle school…. I still haven’t recovered from the shock, and he sees fit to remind me on a regular basis. I can’t believe he’s already a sophomore in high school.”
“In high school? My brothers are sophomores in college. You have no room to complain, little missy. Then again, at least they only caught me in height and didn’t pass me.” Nick sighed. “I know I’m only two years older, but why do I feel like an old fart compared to them?”
“Because you’re the big brother, and you’ve always looked out for them and kept them out of trouble.” She wrapped her hands around his upper arm and rested her head against his shoulder for a moment. “Just like you’ve always looked out for me. Face it, Nick, you’re doomed to be the protector.”
“Is that your way of telling me to stop whining about it and accept it?”
“Yes, it is.”
They walked the last three blocks to campus in companionable silence. When they reached the northwest door of Mathews Hall, Nick unlocked it, reminded yet again that it was getting late and he still had a lot of work to get done before he could sleep. He glanced at the clock above the door. It was already a little after ten, but he walked Beth down the stairs into the basement and all the way to her door.
“How late are you going to be up tonight?” he asked.
“A while. I have that paper for Rodnick’s class to finish and the radio ad for Keller’s class that Trey and I need to work on.”
“Would it be all right if I bring my paper down when I get a little farther on it so we check each other’s?”
“That’d be great. When do you want to come down?”
“Oh, it’ll probably be almost midnight, if that’s okay.”
“I’ll see you then.”
He pulled her door closed and waited until he heard the snick of her lock. Content that she was safe, he headed up the southern staircase to his room on the next floor. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, leaving the door open in case anyone stopped by, turned his radio on with the volume low and pulled his assignment notes and textbooks out before sitting down at his desk with a sigh. “Midnight, here I come.”
Michelle called him shortly before eleven to let him know she was home safe in her room, and not long after that, he finished typing his paper. He hit print and waited, cringing when grinding and crunching issued from the machine. “What the…?”
Pulling the beast apart, he discovered the problem—a paper jam to end all paper jams. Bit by bit, he yanked the shreds of paper out and tried again. Another paper jam. Swearing, he cleared it and was about to hit print again when some subliminal cue made him pause. He straightened and listened, his senses heightened by the first trickle of adrenaline.
Over the country song on the college radio station, he heard an indistinguishable sound that made the hair on his neck stand on end. He turned his music off and padded to his door. Unsure of the source or even what he’d heard, he peered down the empty hallway. Everything appeared to be quiet, but instinct urged him forward, so he closed and locked his door, then paused again. He heard it again, louder and clearer this time—a woman screaming. Without thinking, he sprinted toward the sound of her voice with his heart pounding and adrenaline now flooding his veins.
Beth.
Beth was nearly finished with her paper for Rodnick’s Agriculture and Business class when a knock sounded on her door. She set her work down and walked around her desk to see whom it was, glancing at the clock beside her bed. It wasn’t quite eleven, so she doubted it was Nick. She didn’t think it’d be Trey, either, because he had been known to stay out until the bars closed, but that’s who stood on the other side of the door when she peered through the peephole. She unlocked and opened the door for him. He tucked an arm around her waist and planted a kiss soundly on her lips before locking the door behind himsel
f and heading over to her bed. He flopped on his back with his head pillowed on his hands and his lower legs hanging over the side. A wide smile curved his lips.
“You seem to be in a better mood,” she remarked.
“Darryl is such a weasel. What did you ever see in him?”
Beth ignored the comment and glanced at her desk. She was close enough to being done with her paper that she could finish the rest tomorrow, so she dug out her tape recorder, the notes for the Advertising Media radio ad project, and her rough draft of the script and brought them over to the bed. As late is it was, she doubted they’d get much of a start on it tonight, and anyhow, it wasn’t due until next Friday, but she wanted to run through her script a few times with him to see where she could improve it. Besides, she didn’t know what else to do to occupy what remained of their evening. She hadn’t yet had enough time to digest Nick’s remarks, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that her best friend was slipping away because of Trey—an intolerable possibility.
She studied her boyfriend for a moment. With that smug light in his brown eyes, he wasn’t nearly as handsome as she usually thought him. Nick’s half-joking offer popped into her head, and she wondered if he was right. He might not be as cut as Trey, who at the same height of six feet outweighed him by a good twenty pounds of solid muscle, but he certainly wasn’t a weakling. At a glance, a stranger might be tempted to think Trey was the stronger of the two, but she had seen Nick take him down in wrestling practice with a speed and agility that bested Trey’s brute force every time.
Why am I even thinking like this?
“You could have stayed out later,” she said. She sat beside Trey on her bed and shoved her troubling thoughts from her mind. “I still have to finish my paper, anyhow, and our project can wait a little longer.”
“You seemed pretty pissy about it,” he replied. “Besides, I made my point.”
She started to ask what point he’d made, but he sat up and went after her neck so quickly that she let out a squeal of shock. It soon tumbled into laughter as he playfully attacked her shoulder. Delightful tingles rippled all over her body, and she turned more fully toward him as her worries evaporated. This was the Trey she loved—the silly jokester.
First Instinct Page 3
