by M. E. Carter
Satisfied we’re done and starting to feel drained from the day, I walk to Frankie’s favorite booth where Alex is laying down and tap him on the foot.
“Hey,” I say quietly, but it’s no use. He lifts his head and breathes in quickly like I woke him up. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call you an Uber? You fell asleep in the booth.”
“That’s because it’s the most comfortable booth anywhere.” He reaches his long arm up to the top of the booth and pulls himself up to a sitting position. “No wonder Frankie’s name is on it. He was right. Damn.”
“I know. But that still doesn’t mean you’re awake enough to drive home. It’s late and you have to drop us still.”
“And I’m still doing that.” His tone gives me no room to argue. “Let’s go.”
I grab my purse, flipping off lights as the three of us head to the front door. We make our way through the parking lot, the evening air humid but with a crisp quality to it that gives me hope things are finally cooling off. I’ve lived in Central Texas long enough to know the weather lies regularly though.
We pile into Alex’s non-descript giant black SUV. I’m not sure why he needs something so big, until he climbs into the driver’s seat. It’s sitting back so far to accommodate his legs, suddenly it makes sense why half the team drives something similar. They don’t fit in anything else.
The drive to my… er… Kade’s apartment just takes a few minutes. The area is well lit but Alex takes his job seriously and won’t take no for an answer when he says he’s walking us to the door. He’s such a great guy. If I wasn’t so hung up on Kade, Alex would be just the type of guy I’d go for.
Quickly I use my key to let us in and once Alex has safely delivered us, he salutes Jaxon with two fingers and takes off.
“’Night Alex. And thank you!” I whisper shout as he bounces down the stairs.
I no more than turn around to find Jaxon and Annika are already out the door. Annika grabs me into a quick hug.
“I meant what I said. If you need me, just call. I’ve been there. You won’t hear any judgment from me, no matter what.”
“Thank you.” As soon as I release her, they leave, hand in hand.
Shutting the door, I make sure it’s locked up tight. I’m really tired and don’t want to come back out here to triple-check.
As I turn around, movement catches my attention. I startle before my brain realizes it’s just Kade standing up slowly from the couch.
“Oh, Kade.” My hand covers my heart. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you were still up. I expected to see you dozing on the couch or something.”
“Will you go out with me?”
His words are so unexpected, the meaning of them doesn’t seem to translate.
“What?”
“I’m asking you on a date while it’s late and I’m half asleep because it makes me brave and I’m terrified to ask you, so I’m doing it now. Do you want to go on a date with me?”
I can’t help it. My lips begin to quirk up as the words finally sink in. He’s nervous that I’ll say no. It’s so endearing, there’s no way I can reject him.
“Yes. I’d love to go on a date with you.”
He opens his mouth but then he stops to regroup. “Really?”
“Of course, I would.”
He looks so perplexed it makes me want to laugh. “Huh. I did not see that coming.”
“That I’d say yes?”
“Yeah, I kind of just assumed you’d say no and give me that whole ‘we’re friends’ speech.”
“Well, we are…”
“I knew it.”
I take a quick step forward, trying to take back what he thinks he heard. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to see if there’s more than friendship there, too. I like you Kade.”
“You do?”
“I do. So yes. I’ll go on a date with you.” He continues to look baffled and I realize we need to end this conversation quickly. At this point, he might come to the conclusion he dreamed it. “You’re right though. It is late and we’re both half asleep at this point, so I’m going to get ready for bed. We can talk more about it in the morning okay?”
“Okay.” He glances around like he’s not sure what else to say. So, I put him out of his misery.
“Sleep well, Kade.”
“You too, Nicole.”
I make a pit stop in the bedroom to start my nighttime routine, and shut the door, leaning against it with a smile on my face. Just a few seconds later I have to put my ear to the door to see if I’m actually hearing what I think it is. Sure enough, it’s the unmistaken noises of a guy doing some sort of happy dance moves floating through the door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kade
No one would ever mistake me for being a romantic kinda guy. I’m allergic to half a dozen different kinds of flowers, I don’t know the first thing about flirting, and I broke out into a sweat trying to decide what to do on this date. After a week of mulling it over with not a lot of distraction since it was Thanksgiving week and people all but disappeared, my anxiety was so high I was going through deodorant like an athlete. So, I did the unthinkable—I asked Tammy for advice.
There is a possibility she and I have totally different ideas of what the word “date” means. She immediately recommended a book on kama sutra and a good lube. Her words, not mine. It was not the most comfortable conversation, that’s for sure. But she did say one thing that stuck with me.
Go simple.
Of everything she said—most of it I suppressed to save my own mental health—that one made the most sense. By her logic, a date is about spending time with someone. Getting to know them on a deeper level. The more I thought about it, the more I realized all Nicole and I need to do is get away from our normal, everyday lives and distractions to just talk.
Today seemed like a great day to be outside with highs in the mid-60s. Now, we’re trudging up this small hill, her carrying a large blanket and me carrying a couple of large bags.
“This would look so much better if I’d had a picnic basket.”
Nicole laughs, her long blonde hair blowing gently in the breeze. “I don’t know anyone who has a picnic basket. Besides, can you imagine how heavy one of those things would have to be to carry everything we need? I’d rather the bags. At least you can throw them away when we’re done with them.”
“You do have a point. And at least the weight is balanced equally on both sides.”
We get to the top and Nicole points out a spot underneath the giant oak tree. “What about there?”
“Works for me.”
We spread the blanket out and begin unpacking all the food from the bags.
“I wasn’t sure what to bring so I brought a little of everything,” I admit.
Nicole pulls out a container and opens it, eyes lighting up when she sees the cheese cubes. “Cheese, olives, crackers, salami—I feel like it’s a make-shift charcuterie board. Just in plastic containers instead of on one of those wooden boards.”
“That’s what I was going for. I wasn’t sure what to bring so I searched for some ideas online and this seemed like a good one.”
“It’s perfect.” She pops an olive in her mouth and takes a deep breath in through her nose, a look of total contentment on her face. “The view from here is so pretty.”
My cheeks flush at her compliment. “That’s why I picked this hill. It’s got the best scenery of anywhere on campus.”
“And you’ve seen all the places?” she jokes and pulls a large bottle out of the bag. Her nose crinkles as she asks, “White wine?”
“Sparkling grape juice, actually.”
Her lips quirk up in amusement. “Really?”
I shrug my response. “With as much time as we spend at the bar, I’m not all that interested in alcohol. But I figured it would be nice for the ambiance.” I pull out two wine glasses I bought specifically because they seemed fancy enough for a picnic but not over the top. Handing them to her, I take the bott
le and begin twisting the top open. Yes, it’s a twist top. I didn’t want to accidentally shoot myself in the eye with a cork.
“Have you decided if you’re going to take that night class?” I ask, remembering the last conversation we had close to here.
“I don’t know if I can,” she says as she pulls out another plastic container, this one filled with chocolate sauce for dipping fruit.
“Why not?”
She looks at me like it’s obvious, but I can see the disappointment behind her eyes. “I can’t take three weeks off of work to take chemistry just to see if I can hack it in college again.”
“Why not?”
She picks up the glasses and holds them out so I can pour the liquid in each one. It really does look like a sparkling wine. “I just started working and Paul needs the help. The class starts in three days. I can’t just leave him in a lurch like that.”
Closing the bottle, I balance it on the ground next to us, hoping it doesn’t fall over. “Okay, I can see your hesitation. But maybe instead of assuming it’s not doable, you need to ask him about it first. Wasn’t Paul just saying the other day that the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are pretty slow?”
“Well, yeah.”
“If he can swing it with the schedule and it’s what you want to do, why not?”
She grabs a slice of salami and pops it in her mouth, taking her time to eat it before continuing the discussion. “I also kind of need the money.”
This is news to me. “Why?”
She looks me dead in the eye and says, “I need to start paying you rent.”
Ah. So that’s her issue. She feels like a freeloader.
“No, you don’t.”
“Kade.” She smacks my leg gently. “I’m putting my foot down on that. I’ve been there for almost a month now. It’s time for me to be a better roommate. It was one thing when I was crashing at your place. But I’ve basically moved in.”
I shrug shyly, my cheeks flaming again. “I like that you’ve moved in.”
Nicole’s eyes widen just slightly before she bites her bottom lip. “You do?”
I nod, feeling uncomfortable telling her these things that feel so intimate, but wanting so badly to be confident that she feels the same way about me. Here goes nothing.
“I like having you around. I like hearing you laugh when you talk to Carson on Facetime. And I like all your girly shit in the bathroom. I like seeing you come out of the bedroom first thing in the morning with your hair all messy and sticking up. I don’t… want you to leave.”
She takes a sip of her drink and makes a noise of satisfaction. “I don’t really want to leave either, but you’re making it sound like we’re living together living together. This is our first date. Everything else sounds so… fast.”
If only she knew how fast I would love to take this, even though I know she deserves so much better. Still, if Jaxon is right about her feelings for me, I have to at least try. A heartbreak, in the end, is worth getting to spend a little more time with her.
“I’m not asking you to move into my bedroom,” I clarify as I open the last couple of containers of mixed vegetables and dip out, setting them on the blanket. “We can stay just friends at the apartment. We don’t have to kiss or hold hands or anything you don’t want. I just… I just want you to stay.”
Nicole’s hand reaches for my knee where it stays while she looks up at me, big blue eyes drawing me in. “I want to stay too. As long as you’ll let me. And as long as you’ll let me contribute to rent.”
I could argue with her, but I won’t. If paying rent is a deal-breaker, I’ll just use her money on getting her favorite foods and chocolates anyway.
I’ve never felt myself smile bigger. As we look at each other, her hand still on my leg, the vibe begins to change. I take a chance and move closer. I won’t do more than that, though. Not without her permission.
I force myself to gulp back the lump I suddenly have in my throat. “Is it, um… is it okay if I try to kiss you?”
She cocks her head and furrows her brows. “Try?”
“I don’t know if I’m any good at it.”
“Have you not done this before?”
The extent of my making out is limited to a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven and a girl named Carol Watson. It was neither seven minutes, nor heaven as Carol bitched almost the whole time about getting stuck in the closet with me. I don’t want Nicole to think I’m a total loser though, so I lie. “Not very often.”
The resulting smile is not at all what I expected from her. Nor is her response. “Good.”
Taking the reins, she leans in and kisses me. It all takes me by surprise, her initiative, the softness of her lips, the way it sounds as we move our mouths together. I slide my hand behind her neck and she sighs softly into my mouth.
When our tongues finally touch, I about come undone with emotion. I have loved this woman for so long, my heart feels like it’s beating for the first time.
Her hand comes up to my cheek, gently cupping my jaw as we continue to kiss. I never want this to end. I’m so grateful we’re in public because I realize quickly I don’t have very much self-control when it comes to anything sex related. Even something as innocent as a little tongue kissing.
As if she can sense my hesitation, Nicole pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Are you sure you aren’t very experienced?”
That’s not at all what I expected her to say. “Was it okay?”
“You kiss like a seasoned pro.” I feel like a million bucks, especially as she leans in for more. “Let’s do that again.”
So, we do. I hear nothing, see nothing, feel nothing except her gentle breath on my lips and her soft tongue on mine. I can’t make out many thoughts, fully in the moment. All I know is she’s content, she’s making happy sounds as I kiss her, and I may have convinced her to go back to school.
For the first time in my life, I’m finally doing something right.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nicole
Kade was right.
I should never have assumed Paul would frown on me taking a night class. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to convince him I needed to take three weeks off.
At first, he hemmed and hawed because who wants their employee to take so much time off? But as soon as he found out what it was for, Paul practically dragged me down here to help me register. I keep checking to make sure he isn’t having regrets, but Paul continues to be insistent that I need to take this step and it won’t inconvenience him or the bar at all.
It helps that the protection order came in within days of Jeremy being arrested. Now he can’t get within one hundred yards of me. Not that I expect him to try anything in public. That would be really stupid of him when he’s waiting to go to trial. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.
So, after all that concern and even more coordination, here I am… officially a college student once again.
Walking into my first class since I dropped out, I can’t help but smile. It feels good to be back, to be working toward my goals again, even if I’m not sure what they are anymore. I can’t even be mad I’m taking a chemistry class. Sure, I was hoping to ease my way back in with something more my speed like beginning art, but the options were pretty limited.
With that thought in mind, I refuse to focus on the fact that I hate chemistry. While it’s going to suck to be here for four hours every night, if I can knock it out in three weeks, it’ll be worth it. That alone is something to be happy about.
Looking around the room, I try to decide where to sit. There is a dozen or so lab tables to choose from, each with two chairs. I assume that means whoever I sit next to will be my lab partner for the duration of the course.
Most of the tables are full and of the ones that have a seat open, the other is occupied by a guy. It shouldn’t make me afraid. We’re in a classroom with other people for goodness sake, but it does. I can feel my anxiety increasing, worrying my lip so much I’m
sure all my lipstick is gone. Finally, I spot one seat open next to another woman. The relief I feel is palpable as I walk in her direction. Until recognition hits me.
She’s the woman I saw at the store, Faith.
The same woman who confronted me at the bar.
She’s Jeremy’s new girlfriend.
From the way her eyes narrow and her lips purse, it’s obvious she recognizes me too.
As uncomfortable as I may feel, though, I don’t think she’s a threat to my safety, so I continue on. Sitting gingerly, I place my backpack on the floor and pull my laptop out in preparation for class to begin.
One of her hands smacks down on the table as she huffs furiously. “Do you really have to sit here?” The venom in her voice is palpable. I do my best to ignore it.
“There aren’t many other choices.”
She looks around and gestures with her hand. “I see at least three other empty chairs.”
Deciding I don’t want to spend the next three weeks fighting with her, I try to level with her instead and address the topic both of us would probably rather avoid.
“I’m still nervous around men, okay?” I say quietly so no one will overhear. This is our business, no one else’s. “I know you blame me for Jeremy being arrested but you being angry with me is still better than wondering if the guy I’m sitting next to is dangerous and will hurt me. As much as this isn’t my preference any more than it is yours, can you at least pretend I’m not here so we can make it through the next three weeks?”
She blinks a few times, probably not expecting me to share something as vulnerable as my lingering fear of men. And if I’m right about her own relationship with Jeremy, part of her probably understands my plight as well.
“Fine,” she concedes. “But I don’t want to talk to you or become buddies or anything.”
“Fine,” I reply curtly. “Your name is Faith, right? Just in case I need it?”
“Yes,” she says without looking at me.