by Anna Albo
I bit on my lower lip. He seemed nice and all, but this conversation had to stop. Now. "I don't like talking about her."
"I know. Why?"
"Because. And if you can see that I don't want to talk about her, why do you keep asking?"
"I'm curious, I guess. I think it's strange she took off."
"Well, she did."
"Okay," he said, throwing his hands up in surrender. "I'll respect your wish and go start the barbecue."
I watched him as he went outside. A few of the others converged on him and Becca, his princess, leapt to her feet, a look of annoyance on her face. Was she jealous of me? Seriously? They spoke a few words and the light expression he'd been wearing moments ago vanished in an instant.
Two more days with these people. Two long days of pretending to like them. Had it not been for Zach, I would have already written it off. And while I still had a lingering feeling he had some hidden agenda, he did seem like someone I could let my guard down with, at least.
I set the table and kept to myself. Zach came in to grab the potatoes and steaks.
"Come out and talk to us," he said.
"In a minute," I lied.
I managed to stall until all the food was ready. I excessively cleaned the kitchen, checked on the cake, and sorted through the fridge and pantry. When the group filed in and took their seats, Becca sat across from me at the huge round table and glared at me some more. The other princesses begrudgingly admitted my food was great while the princes openly complimented it. Their admiration didn't change my feelings for any of them.
I didn't say much through dinner, which no doubt annoyed Jake, but I wasn't as open and outgoing as he was. Except for Zach, these people weren't exactly warm and fuzzy. Most of the conversation centered on someone named Lori and her exploits, which apparently included sex in public washrooms, a nasty case of genital warts, and a rampant alcohol problem. Hardly a conversation I wanted to insert myself into.
"I'll clean up," I offered.
"Why don't you hang out with us instead," Zach suggested. The hint of a welcoming smile on his face made me consider the offer.
"If she wants to clean up, let her," Becca said. She whined like a five-year-old.
"Why don't you clean up? She was kind enough to make this great dinner. Could you at least appreciate it?"
"It's okay," I said, getting up and taking away plates. "I really don't mind."
"See," Becca said, satisfied.
"Then I'll help," he said, standing up.
That wiped away her smile.
Everyone else wandered back outside with their drinks, cigars, and joints. I groaned inwardly. Since when did Jake smoke pot?
"Great dinner," Zach said. "The broccoli was delicious and I don't even like broccoli."
"Why didn't you say something? I could have made something else."
"You had the meal planned out. I didn't want to ruin it."
He loaded up the dishwasher while I tackled the pots and pans. I watched over my shoulder as he haphazardly found places to put the plates. I'd fix it once he was out of eyesight. Rich kids.
"You know, you don't have to help me. Hang out with your friends. I do enjoy cleaning up. I find it relaxing."
"I think talking to you is relaxing."
This guy was good. "I think you're feeling sorry for me."
"Not at all. If I didn't want to talk to you, I'd be outside with the other losers getting wasted."
I rolled my eyes and he laughed.
"Tell me about Emma. This is your first year at Western?"
"Yes. I took last year off."
"Why?"
"I guess I wasn't ready. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I still have no idea."
"That's normal," he said.
"What are your plans?"
"Law school. That's what's expected of me."
"Your parents have it all mapped out for you?"
He scratched his head and sighed. "Yes and no. Do they want me to be a lawyer? Absolutely. But if I decided to pursue another dream, I think they'd be fine with that too."
"What's your other dream?"
"That's the problem. I don't have one."
I giggled. He was funny. "I wanted to go to culinary school but Grandpa didn't want me to. He didn't think it was the right career. My dad was fine with it." I handed Zach a pot to dry and lamented, "My dream is to have my own bakery. I got a job at Julian's and they have me making pastries and other baked goods."
A rush of adrenaline raced through me. I was giddy telling someone about my job. Other than Jake, Dad, and Grandpa, I hadn't told anyone else because there really wasn't anyone to tell. But Zach actually seemed interested.
"That's cool. Good for you."
"I'm baking a couple of times a week and working the odd shift here and there. It'll help pay for rent and other stuff."
"Do you make éclairs? I love them," he said.
"I've only made them a few times. I should try making them for Julian's."
"Text me when you do. I'd love to get a few."
"Let me get my phone and I'll add your number."
I rummaged through my purse and discovered I'd forgotten it. Crap! I usually texted or called Dad every night. I'd have to get a hold of Jake's later. "Forgot it," I said.
"No problem. Give me your number and I'll text you with mine." He slid his phone from his pocket. He punched in my number and we finished cleaning up.
"Let's eat cake in here," Zach suggested. "If they want cake, they can drag their asses inside and get it themselves."
"Okay. And I know it's not a good pairing, but how about some beers with that cake?"
He grinned. "I like the way you think."
He cut two huge slabs of cake and spooned out enormous heaps of vanilla ice cream. We sat back down at the huge table and my heart thawed a bit. Zach was normal. This weekend wasn't going to be a complete horror show.
"What high school sport did you excel at? Because you're the type of guy who starred in something."
"Busted. I played high school football but I was an amazing hockey player. I could have played college hockey, but I knew I wasn't going to get anywhere with it."
"Are all those teeth yours?"
He gave me a toothy grin. "All mine," he said, tapping on them.
"And you were probably a straight A student?"
"Guilty."
"A million girlfriends? Never single?"
"Am I a cliché?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so."
He speared a huge chunk of cake and devoured it. "My turn,” he said. “Let me use my crystal ball to figure you out. Bookworm, great student, and you played some sports or you work out like crazy because you're in sick shape."
My cheeks burned again. "Tennis."
"Still play?"
"Recreationally only."
"You must have been good."
"Ranked second in the state."
His jaw dropped. "Second in the state?"
"Yeah, but I quit when I was sixteen. My grandma died and I didn't want to compete anymore."
His face took on a more thoughtful expression. "Wow. You must have been really good. Don't you miss it?"
"Not really. It was something Grandma and I did together. She was my biggest cheerleader. With her gone, it didn't feel right anymore."
"But you still play?"
"When I can. I belong to a club and teach kids in the summer."
"Let's play sometime."
"Sure, but be prepared to get your ass kicked."
Becca came into the cabin reeking of pot. She stared at both of us and despite her elevated state, she clearly wasn't happy to see us laughing and sharing cake.
"Are you coming outside now?" she asked Zach.
"Right away. Got the munchies yet?"
"Fuck off." She turned back around and went outside.
I glanced over at Zach but he didn't appear to care about her slight. "Well, I guess I better get out there. Are you going to join me?"
"How did I know you were going to blow us off?"
"You're clairvoyant?"
"I wish. See you in the morning."
I went to the room I shared with Jake, changed, and crawled into bed with my book unable to wipe the smile from my face.
CHAPTER TWO
ZACH
"What's up with the broad?" Brett asked. We'd finished our last joint, and I was taking in the effects. Everyone else had hit the sack.
"Becca?"
Brett blinked a few times. "No, the chick Jake brought."
"Emma? What would be up with her?" I grabbed the bag of Doritos and polished off the last few chips.
"You were talking to her a lot. It was pissing off Becca. You know, the chick you came here with."
"I don't give a shit what pisses Becca off. I was being nice to someone who cooked and cleaned for us. Is that horrible?"
Brett's eyes narrowed. "You've got to be kidding. While you were inside being nice to her, we got the low-down from Jake. Poor guy is stuck with her the entire year. He didn't sound too happy about it."
"Because Bianca isn't happy about it?"
"I guess so."
"I think Emma's all right."
"You don't have to live with her," Brett said with a snort.
"She's a great girl. I don't get what Jake or Bianca have a problem with."
Brett leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm thinking you've got a thing for this weirdo."
"First of all, you can stop calling her names. As for Emma, I was being kind to a girl that everyone else was ignoring."
"You'd fuck her given the chance."
"Okay, we're done here." Arguing with him was a waste of time. "I'm going to crash. You guys want to wake me up this time? Before taking off?"
Brett gave me a thumbs up. I headed to my room and got into bed. The buzz of a few beers, chocolate cake, and a joint had a way of making me forget I had to spend the weekend with Becca. She didn't know it yet, but it was going to be our last. I'd already committed to this getaway and didn't feel right breaking things off just before the last weekend of summer.
We’d nearly made it six months, but only the first few had been good. Then the veneer stripped away and what was underneath hadn't been pretty. I toughed it out all summer but I couldn't go through a school year with her hanging off me all the time. Sure, she was hot. Fucking hot. But the jealousy and the constant bickering were too much. I'd stuck this one out way too long.
"You were talking to that loser all night," she said, putting an array of creams and potions on her face. The room reeked like a cosmetic counter.
"If you're referring to Emma, she isn't a loser."
"All she wants is to get into Jake's pants. He's her only friend. That makes her a loser. You should stay away from her."
She talked to me like she expected me to obey. When had she gotten comfortable enough to think that? I didn't mind when a girl called the shots. I even liked it, but not when she was spewing this kind of crap. Becca had made her mind up about Emma before the girl walked through the door. Man, what did I ever see in this chick? Other than the body she was an empty, bottomless pit. Yes, she came from a good family, but I was long past getting involved with girls for their pedigree.
"I'm going to consider myself her friend. So now she has two."
Becca rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she said and put on what must have been her tenth face cream. "I'm sure she's trying to give him a hand job while we speak."
"When you're finished doing whatever it is that you're doing, turn off the light because I'm tired." I put my pillow over my head and tried to block out the light. A few minutes later she got into bed and seconds after that her perfume-laden hands were slithering down my chest. I grasped onto her hand before it reached her desired location. She'd be disappointed with the results.
"I'm wiped. Goodnight."
She abandoned her attempts and grunted a goodnight.
I COULDN'T SLEEP. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. A little before three in the morning. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. Sleep wasn't coming. I got out of bed and looked over my shoulder at Becca. Her face was pressed into the pillow and she emitted a drone-like snore. If I told her she snored, she'd get pissed off. Maybe she'd dump me. Something to consider.
I eased out of our room. Waking her would create all kinds of problems I didn't want to deal with. I shut the door with a dull click. Then I set down the silent hallway and into the kitchen, my feet padding on cold tiles. I pulled out a plate and cut a huge slice of chocolate cake. I took it outside and sat on one of the deck chairs, taking in the serenity of night. Other than a few crickets, I was alone.
And being alone wasn't such a bad thing. Moving out of the frat, cleaning up my act, all good things. Sure, there were times I missed the old days, but what I didn't miss was waking up in the morning next to some random girl, then trying to explain to her that it was a one-off, we didn't have a future and I wasn't going to see her again. Those days were behind me.
I took another bite of cake. Emma had whipped it up like she was making an omelet. The girl could cook like no one I knew, but on the flip side, she didn't strike me as a girl who was domesticated, or planned on living her life pleasing her husband, unless that husband happened to be Jake. What made him special? A quintessential social climber who'd been sucked in by Bianca Smythe, a girl whose goal in life was to marry rich. Jake didn't fit the bill and likely wouldn't be around long. I wasn’t even sure what she was doing with him at all.
And Emma. I couldn't figure her out. She seemed grounded and flailing all at the same time. Her devotion to Jake was going to play out like a bad romantic triangle. Jake had zero interest in her and yet she pined for him. She had a lot going for her except that lack of confidence holding her back.
I finished the cake and pondered another slice. I had to get a few hours’ sleep or the guys would leave without me again and the thought of another morning with the ladies made my head hurt. If they did take off, I could spend time with Emma, but then the gossip would start. I couldn't win no matter what I did.
I passed on the cake and decided to go back to bed. Sleep would come eventually.
THE ALARM ON MY PHONE buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it before it woke up Becca. I managed to sleep a few hours. I took a quick shower and met the guys in the kitchen. Emma was already preparing breakfast and smiled at me. I smiled back and couldn't help but notice the white t-shirt she had on that hugged her figure and showcased her perky breasts, or the shorts that fit her just right. How did Jake keep his hands off her? Did Bianca have his balls in a jar somewhere?
"Got to go," Brett said the second I finished my eggs. I grabbed two slices of toast for the road and waved goodbye to Emma.
"Breakfast was a pleasant surprise," I said.
"It put us behind," Brett complained.
I gave him a look. "Are we on some schedule? The fish have other plans?"
"You know I like being out early."
For the zero fish he was going to catch?
Matt and Jake loaded up the beer-laden cooler while Brett and Troy prepped the boat. I stood on the deck, finishing off my toast.
"Care to join us?" Brett asked.
"I'm coming."
With the cabin still in sight, Jake was already passing out beers. I declined. It was too early for me.
"Thanks for keeping Emma company," Jake said, snapping back the tab. "The break was nice."
He put his feet up on the edge of the boat and gulped his beer. I scratched my head. "Sorry, what?"
"It was nice that you talked to her. You don't have to, though."
What an ass. "Am I missing something? You brought her here. If you needed a break, you could have left her back in the city."
"I'm trying to get her to meet new people."
Matt chuckled. "Those girls are not going to make it easy for her. All last night I had to hea
r about her from Brandi. It's like they've already decided to hate her."
"What the hell? She didn't do anything," I said. Maybe I should have said something to Becca, to make sure she gave Emma a chance today, although that would have been a waste of my breath.
"She's not exactly like us," Brett said.
"I can't believe this. She made dinner and breakfast, and you guys are crapping all over her."
"No, just pointing out the obvious," Brett said.
"I guess I don't understand," I said to Jake. "Are you trying to make her feel left out?"
"I'm not sure what the big deal is," Jake said, an edge rising in his voice. "I figured that she'd try to get to know some people. You don't know what it's like. I had no choice but to let her move in with me. It's not an ideal situation because she doesn't make friends easy and Bianca isn't a huge fan of hers."
"You could have done a better job of helping her out instead of leaving her behind."
"I can't look after her all the time. I have a life."
I looked at the other guys. "What about you? None of you have had a conversation with her. I'm the only one who made an effort."
"I think I know why you made an effort," Brett said with a sly grin. "Remember, you came here with Becca. You should probably leave with her."
Fucking Brett. Jake glared at me. "Emma's a nice girl. If your intention is to screw around with her, back off."
If I could, I would have thrown Jake and Brett off the boat. "Look, I've got no interest in Emma, but I find it hilarious that you're suddenly concerned about her welfare."
"You're not going to sully her reputation."
"To be honest,” Brett said, “I'd tap her too. She looked hot in that little T-shirt this morning."
"Okay, enough talk about Emma," I said.
The subject was dropped. The guys drank while I fished. By early afternoon, we called it a day. As usual, the fish weren't biting. We got back to the cabin and the other guys lied about all the fish they almost caught. That's when I saw Emma. Something wasn't right. Her hands were shaking and her face was flushed. She was clutching her backpack and trying in vain to get Jake's attention. I had a feeling the room was about to erupt.