"Girl, she is pissed, but I'm glad you're going with my brother instead of that slut. I can't believe he went for that," Tisha turned to Ginger's room, "piece of work."
"Never a dull moment is there?" I settled with a sigh. "So I've got to study for my Bio test, and don't forget about the new pledges tomorrow, you two." I stood and headed to my room, but stopped at the end of the hall.
"Oh yeah, I nearly forgot, Eric and I had dinner tonight. He's supposed to call me tomorrow so we can set up another date." Grinning, I walked away.
A few seconds later, Alyssa walked into our shared room. "Okay you can never say something like that and then walk out of the room. I need every detail, starting with how you ended up on a date with Eric when you were supposed to be helping Tristan pick out a suit."
I didn't internally shut down when I heard Tristan's name and his engagement in the same sentence anymore.
Today when I leaned in and whispered in his ear, I could tell he was nervous. He'd held his breath and moved in a little closer. Especially after I told him about the fake black, strapless dress I wanted to wear.
The great part though, I didn't react the way I imagined I would. Instead, I felt the power shift had changed between us, and I liked the feeling. So when Eric asked me to dinner, I was more than willing to try out my newfound self-assurance.
"I left Tristan when Kellie and her friends showed up. I wasn't up to playing nice with her." I rolled my eyes, but conveniently left out what happened between us. I wasn't sure how Alyssa would react. "Eric was leaving the gym when he caught me walking out. That's when he asked if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. Oh, and I met his family." I couldn't contain my smile.
"First official date and he's introducing you to his family. Nice start, Elle." Alyssa sat on my bed. The excitement shining in her eyes changed to concern. "Are you okay with this? I mean, are you ready?"
I understood what she meant and I'd never been more ready, especially after today. I could do this. I could move on with my life.
Chapter 11
Tristan
I couldn't get in my car fast enough. On the way, I tried like hell to push the way Elle's body felt against me out of my head. It didn't work, so I drove faster. The quicker I got to alcohol, the better. Fifteen minutes later, I arrived at destination “hammeredville."
"Daniels made it," Robbie announced when I walked in. "You wanna beer, bro?"
"Sounds great," I said, and followed him to the kitchen.
"Catch." I caught the bottle one handed, getting a nod from the dick. "You're pretty good with your hands."
I twisted the top, downed the amber liquid, and then tossed the bottle in the trash. "Hit me again." Apparently my ability to down a beer impressed him, and he tossed me another cold one.
"So, you and that chick you're always around."
I eyed him carefully, wondering what the hell he was getting at.
"What of it?" I was still pissed off, but I didn't like the way his mouth formed in an “I'd like to hit that" kind of smile.
"You together, together?" His cocky tone was gonna get him in a lot of fucking trouble if he didn't back off.
"Yeah, so stay the fuck away. Got it?"
Robbie raised his hands in the air.
"Bro, just asking a simple question. I heard y'all were engaged or something. So, you gonna join the frat?" That fuckin' cocky grin spread across his face again. "I'm sure you've figured out by now that we get plenty of killer babes." He shrugged his shoulders. "You know, in case you get tired of your girl."
I took a deep breath, ready to put him in his place when someone walked into the kitchen.
"Daniels, about time you got here." I looked up at Jarred standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, I needed to get away." I glanced at Robbie, and he quirked an eyebrow at my comment.
"So hey, you thought about joining the frat? Your dad pledged here, right?"
"Uh, yeah. Pledging just isn't my thing."
"Suit yourself. You know we throw some killer parties. It's cool though, whatever." I liked Jarred. We had plenty in common, and he was cool to hang around along with the other guys, excluding Robbie. I was about to give in when I got a text from Kellie.
I opened the text. Baby please call me. I love you. I texted back, letting her know I loved her, but was at the frat house and would call her later.
"We're gonna play some pool upstairs. You guys up for a game?"
I looked up at Jarred and smiled. A game of pool, yep, just what the doctor ordered.
"I'm game," I said, and Robbie agreed too.
Once upstairs, we formed into teams. Jarred and I paired against Bret and Robbie. When Robbie broke, I did my best not to laugh. He sucked.
"Dude, what the fuck was that?" Bret’s eyes blazed.
Robbie shrugged his shoulders. "Don't wanna give my skills away too soon."
Bret shook his head and cursed. Jarred walked over and took his turn, landing us two shots. We were solid. Cool. I started relaxing after I tossed back my beer and opened another one.
"Daniels, you got a visitor," James, another guy from the team said, walking in with Kellie. So much for relaxing.
"Can we talk?" Kellie looked at me pleadingly.
I shook my head, and her eyes widened as I turned away. Shit, I didn't want her to make a scene, especially not after Robbie's sudden interest in our relationship. I circled back around.
"Yeah, we can go out on the balcony," I said, ignoring the whip sounds from some of the guys.
When we walked outside, I gripped the handrail, looking out over the lawn. The grass, now changed from green to yellow, still looked amazing from up here. But the scenery didn't help settle my pent-up frustrations. I refused to say anything, and figured if she wanted to talk she'd have to start–and she did.
"Baby, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I keep hearing that." I still didn't turn to look at her.
"Give me something to go on, Tristan."
The muscles in my jaw tensed. Was she fucking kidding me?
"This is hard on me."
My head snapped up, and finally, I turned around to face her.
"Hard on you?" I threw my hands in the air. "This shit you pull, every time I'm near another woman, regardless of who it is." I paused, clenching my jaw to keep from completely losing my calm. "I've kept a distance from Elle, but that doesn't seem to satisfy you. In fact, you bitch more. Now explain that shit for me."
"I know I go a little crazy–"
"Crazy? Hell, you go fucking insane, and I'm tired of it, of this. Us fighting. I've got classes and football to worry about. Here you are pushing my fucking buttons–all the damn time–I don't even know who you are anymore." My fists clenched and unclenched, seething from being so pissed off.
"Tristan, you don't mean that." Kellie inched closer.
"Do not tell me what I don't mean, because I've had it. Really had enough." We were standing face to face. My chest rose faster with every word I spoke. This wasn't what I wanted, but how did I tell her?
"Tell me what you want. I'll be better. We can work this out. Just don't say we're over." She turned her back to me. The setting sun shined through her hair, catching the highlights with it. I didn't know if I wanted to run my fingers through its layers or just walk away.
"Kellie this isn't..." The door opened, cutting off what I wanted to say.
"Man, get your ass in here already. It's your turn." I wanted to punch Jarred right then.
"Give me another second," I said.
"Fine. But if you're not in here within five minutes, I'm kicking your ass."
When Jarred shut the door, I caught a glimpse of Robbie leaning against the table and changed my mind.
"I've got a game to finish. You gonna stay or go?"
She turned around, her cheeks dimpled when she smiled back at me. "Stay."
We headed back in and I grabbed a stick, chalking the end before taking a shot. Still amped up with anger, I hit the cue ball too hard and
scratched.
"Dude, what the hell?" Jarred’s voice hardened.
I looked up at him and shrugged my shoulders. Bret laughed and Robbie took his turn. He made his shot, but not the second time around.
Jarred took his turn and made a nice bank shot. "That's how it's done, boys," he said, rounding the table, and lined up his shot but scratched. Bret took his turn and made a shot along with four more. The next shot would give them the win.
I downed the rest of my lukewarm beer, waiting to start up another game when I heard Kellie laugh. I glanced over my shoulder and found her and Robbie talking. I clenched my jaw, ready to ram my stick up his ass when I heard someone talking...about Elle.
I turned and found Eric Green. After seeing Elle laughing with the tall, geeky-looking dude the night Kellie puked her guts out, I asked around about him. I'd learned his name, but not much else. I leaned in to hear more, but Bret's loud ass pulled my attention away.
"Who's up for another game?"
"I'm done," Robbie said. I noticed him still talking to Kellie. A small voice in the back of my mind said to break up their conversation, but my focus had shifted. Curiosity of what Green had to say about Elle overrode everything right then. I wanted, no, needed to find out more.
"Daniels, you in?"
I turned to Jarred and shook my head. Someone took my place and I casually walked over, standing closer to Green while pretending to watch the game.
"Elle and I are officially dating. We hooked up this afternoon and ate at my parents’ restaurant."
My stomach rolled and my mouth instantly dried. She'd left me and went on a date with him. Son of a bitch.
"Man, I didn't think I had a chance. She's always been kind of stiff when we hung out. I was planning on calling her tomorrow, but I don't want to look like a pussy."
You are a pussy.
"Dude, she's hot. I'd make your move fast before she has time to over think." The other guy laughed. "She may wise up and turn your ass down."
I glanced over at the guy talking to Green. I recognized him, but couldn't think of his name. Didn't matter though, not after the doubt he planted in Green's head. I immediately liked him.
"Screw you, Matt."
"Daniels, you ready to play again?" I stopped listening and looked up at Bret, then back at the table. Surely the game wasn't over yet. But apparently so, all the balls on the table were gone.
"Yeah, give me a second to refill."
“All right, bring me a round, too." Bret turned around, talking to Jarred and some other guys.
When I turned, Green had already taken off downstairs, heading to the front door. Dammit. By the time I ran down, he'd walked out. I headed to the kitchen, grabbed a hand full of beers, and went back up. I hadn't noticed Green hanging around before, but planned to find out if he pledged here.
As soon as I made it up, most of the beers were plucked out of my arms. Fuckers.
"Let's do this," Bret said, then gulped his beer.
I grabbed my stick and chalked the tip. I noticed Kellie and Robbie were still talking, and they'd moved farther away from the crowd to a more secluded corner.
"Kellie, you wanna play?"
She looked up and frowned. "You go ahead. I don't like pool that much."
Robbie grinned when she turned her attention back to him.
"Daniels, it's your break."
I slowly walked over, trying to calm down. Stupid fucker better keep his hands to himself. Pissed off or not, Kellie was still mine.
"Ready to lose," I said, bending over to break. With a swift hit, the balls scattered and I'd landed two solids. Nice.
"We'll see," Bret taunted.
My next three shots were good, along with the beer I'd downed in the process. When Bret's turn came around, I figured I’d drill Jarred for information.
"Is Eric Green a pledge here?" I knew most of the guys from the football team pledged, and the others here played different sports.
"Green, yeah. He's been here since freshman year. Plays baseball."
"You're up," Bret said, not too enthusiastically.
I looked at the table and smiled. "Dude, you suck." I laughed when he flipped me off and made two more shots before scratching. Bret had most of his balls on the table, and I only had the eight ball left. I headed back to Jarred. "What can you tell me about him?"
Jarred cocked his brow. "What's with the questions?"
“He’s dating Elle, and I want his story."
Jarred smiled and shook his head. "Green's cool. I wouldn't worry about him."
His explanation didn't make me like him any more. I really wanted Jarred to give me some dirt; give me the excuse I wanted to kick his ass, but no.
"Fuck a duck," Bret shouted.
"I told you I was going to kick your ass." I rounded the table. Bret gave me a nice and easy shot at victory. I leaned over, barely hit the cue ball, and then turned away. I didn't need to look to know I'd made my shot. "I need another beer," I said with a cocky grin. Bret flipped me off again when I headed downstairs for another round.
A six pack or so later, I'd joined their fraternity. I asked about the logistics, but Jarred said everything had been taken care of already. Apparently, my dad had been paying dues. I would've been more pissed had I not been fucked up.
Besides, Kellie said she wanted me to join a while back. As far as me and Kellie went, I didn't know what to do. I didn't quit, ever, but I didn't think I had it in me to pretend Kellie was who I wanted anymore.
Thinking back, I hadn't seen her in a while. After playing another game, I looked around the house, but didn't find her. Drunk off my ass, and figuring she'd gone back to her dorm, I slumped on the floor and passed out.
Elle
The next day after my Bio test, I felt sure I'd aced it, but the spur of the moment assignment in my journalism class had me on edge. Luckily, we were allowed to pick our subject. I chose football. Even though I knew more about the game than most guys, I didn't think my teacher would appreciate my enthusiasm. Thank goodness tomorrow was Friday. I'd have the weekend to get over the more than likely crappy grade I'd get today.
As of now, I hoped to walk away with a C. After the first day of class when I stumbled over my words, Mr. Edwards had been riding me hard. Every time I turned in a paper, thinking I nailed the assignment, I was sadly disappointed.
One assignment I thought for sure I'd get an A. The paper focused on children in Africa. I sighted facts on how vaccines were poorly dispersed among children and families. I added tons of statistics as well as how the world health organization should push for better health care facilities in areas where modern diseases weren't obsolete.
He replied with, "Miss Richards, you have failed to display the heart of this assignment." So, when I wrote my next paper on government policies and how they affected US citizens, and I made sure to give more feeling and less facts.
He replied, "Miss Richards, your paper poorly displays facts and statistics. I found, quite obvious, your own opinion biased this assignment."
I seriously thought he suffered from a multiple personality disorder. My small time dream of becoming a journalist faded a little more every day. At least I didn't have to worry about any of my other classes.
Depressed over my probable low grade point average, I decided to study. I had an hour of free time and figured the library would be a perfect place to study in peace. I needed to go over some notes for my psych class tomorrow, and maybe find a disorder for my journalism teacher. On my way to the library, I contemplated calling Eric, but changed my mind. I didn't want him thinking of me as one of those clingy girls.
I walked into the large open space and found an empty table near a window. I always loved the library, even as a kid. The quiet atmosphere helped calm me down, especially when my house sounded like a warzone.
I sat my bag on the table, took out my notes, and got to work. The human mind fascinated me, and thirty minutes in, highlights and pen marks covered my paper. I glanced at my
phone, making sure I had plenty of time before English class started, when a familiar, deep voice greeted me.
My insides immediately stirred with excitement. Time hadn't calmed the effect he had over me. I looked up and smiled.
"Hey, Spud. How was class?"
Even after seeing him yesterday, I missed him. But mostly, I wished we could hang out like we used to.
"Bio was a piece of cake, but Mr. Edwards spur of the moment assignment...not so much." I sighed. "I swear he has it out for me. I'm hoping I can get my GPA up by the end of the semester and not be summoned to a Kappa standards meeting. How's classes and football going?"
Right then I heard giggling and noticed some girls across from me looking our way. The place had been super quiet until Tristan walked in. Go figure. Their eyes suggestively roamed over his delicious body. I quickly looked away and focused on Tristan.
"Eh, it's okay. Coach has us practicing more since homecoming is coming up next week. Iowa’s gonna be a challenge this year." His jaw clenched.
"What's the deal? I can tell something's up." I crossed my arms, waiting for him to explain.
“I only field a few plays per game and I’m dying to get some real action." He turned his attention out the window. "I wish things were different." Sighing, he turned back to me, his face tense. "Sometimes I'd really like the chance to go back and change things, ya know? Tell people what I really wanted before–" He stopped when his phone rang.
Damn if my heart didn't betray me along with my nervous stomach, because I desperately wanted him to finish his sentence. But he said the wrong name when he answered his phone, and I snapped back to the here and now.
"That was Kellie," he said. "She's meeting me for lunch." The look in his eyes showed a mixture of dismay and need, though I didn't want to venture where I fit into the equation.
“Well, be sure to eat well. You've got to keep your strength up for football," I said, turning my attention back to my colorful notes.
"All right, thanks for the talk. See ya," he finished, and headed out. As soon as he left, I had an overwhelming urge to call Eric–clingy or not. I gathered up my stuff and dialed Eric's number on my way out.
Distraction Page 10
