“Because of that,” I waved my finger up and down in front of them. “I don’t care to see or hear whatever sounds are going to be coming from that side of the room.” I huffed as I resumed my position of staring at the ceiling. When I had flopped back on Mel’s bed the scent from her body lotion wafted in the air. Her blankets and sheets smelled like apple scented body spray. “Lying here isn’t helping me either. I smell her all around me. Let’s go somewhere, please?”
“I came here to be with Em. You invited yourself along. I’m sure if you walk around campus for a few minutes you can find a willing co ed,” Brock chuckled at my expense.
“I don’t want just anybody. I want her,” I mumbled. What the fuck was wrong with me? I sounded like a prepubescent boy who’d never been laid before. This wasn’t me.
“Why don’t you tell her that?” Brock shifted to sit up straighter and a blank expression washed over his face. “You say you like her; tell her that. Tell her you want a chance to prove it to her. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“She could tell him to go fuck himself,” Emma jumped in, putting my rising mood right back down where it’d been.
“Thanks, Em. You really know how to pump a guy up,” I lifted slightly to get my phone out of my pocket.
“Well, I’m just saying… if you really like her as much as you claim to, maybe you shouldn’t have let some other skank blow you in front of her,” Em glared at me and as her words sunk in, I fumbled with my cell.
“Shit!” I hissed.
“Exactly. She was there with you,” she stabbed her finger in the air, “and you let some beach bunny service you. She saw it, and you didn’t even acknowledge her.”
“I didn’t know she saw that. You don’t’ get it,” I growled as I punched the bed, causing more of the apple smell to fill my nose. “Girls like her don’t like guys like me. She’s the kinda girl you marry, the forever type. If we get together and it doesn’t end well, how am I supposed to think anyone like her would want me?”
“What if she’s perfect for you? Did you ever think of that? What if you get together and it’s beautiful? What then? Would you destroy it just to prove a point?” she crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell him,” she nudged Brock.
“Whoa! I’m not getting in the middle of this,” he shook his head. “His screw ups are not going to put me in the doghouse.”
“Good to know your dick is more important than our friendship,” I muttered.
“I’m just saying we should stay out it,” he shrugged.
“But,” Emma pouted.
“No buts. If he really likes her as much as he says he does, then he’ll find a way to get through to her. Now,” he turned to face Emma, “stay out of it.”
“Fine,” she sighed. “Let’s go get ice cream at the student center. It’ll give dumbass a chance to talk in private,” she stood and held out her hand to Brock.
“Yes, dear,” Brock chuckled. “Text me when you’re done. Maybe we can go get a drink somewhere.”
“Will do,” I nodded as they slipped through the door, leaving me in silence.
I took a few deep breaths before I woke up my phone and stared at the screen. I already had Mel’s number from when I conned Emma into giving it to me last week. I’d texted her a few times, but she’d pretty much told me to drop dead. I was hoping that she’d at least talk to me tonight after our earlier run in.
I pushed the auto dial and leaned against the wall waiting for her to answer. “Hello?” she sounded unsure of herself when she picked up.
“Hey,” my voice cracked and I swallowed.
“Who is this?” her voice faded like she pulled the phone away to look at the caller ID.
“It’s Aaron. Please don’t hang up,” I rushed the words out hoping that I’d catch her before she disconnected the call.
“What do you want?” she sounded monotone. There was no emotion present, none whatsoever. It hurt to know I’d done this, but at least it wasn’t anger.
“I just want to talk,” I sighed. “I miss talking to you.”
“Un huh,” she scoffed.
“Really. I’m not trying to do anything other than talk,” I waited to see if she’d stay.
“So talk,” now she sounded annoyed. We were making progress. Still not what I wanted, but she stayed on the line.
“I was wondering if maybe we could hang out this weekend. I’m going to be here until Brock goes home, and I was thinking maybe we could meet for coffee or something.” I waited, and waited, and waited for her to say something… anything.
“I can’t.” Except that. “I have a lot to do this weekend. Family stuff,” she clarified.
“So if you weren’t busy, we could hang out?” I sounded desperate.
“Maybe,” I heard some rustling in the background, followed by muffled voices.
“Ok,” Mel was talking to whomever was in the room, but I took advantage of it hoping that her being a nice girl would overrule her annoyance with me.
“Perfect! How about next weekend?” I grinned as my entire demeanor changed.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” she was back to being pissed.
“Too late. You can’t back out now,” I pushed.
“I didn’t agree to anything, Aaron. I’m busy next weekend too.”
I sucked in a deep breath and blew it out, “How about the weekend after that then?”
“I’m busy every weekend,” she snapped.
“I know. Em said you are, but who can study that much? Take a weekend off. You did over the summer,” reminding her of the summer was supposed to help me, but instead it only reminded her that I’d been an ass.
“Oh, I remember the summer all right. Thanks for that, by the way,” her voice sounded like ice and I prayed she gave me just one more minute.
“I’m sorry. Please, one night, that’s all I want. Let me take you out on one date, and then you can tell me to go to hell if you don’t want to see me again,” I was begging but I didn’t care. I needed this girl. Something about her called to me. I didn’t know what it was, but there was kind of an invisible connection that formed when we first met. I knew if I could start over with a clean slate that things would be different.
“Aaron,” she sighed.
“That wasn’t a ‘no’,” I chuckled.
“It wasn’t a ‘yes’ either,” she corrected.
“One night. Promise,” I pressed my lips together as I waited for what felt like years on my end of the conversation.
She finally answered, “Fine, but I’m meeting you there. Where are we going?”
I would take it. I didn’t like the idea of her driving herself, but she was letting me have a night to prove myself. “Let me do a little research on the area, and I’ll let you know,” I smiled.
“I need to know by midweek so I can make arrangements. I’ll have to borrow my mom’s car,” she clarified.
“Just let me pick you up then.” I didn’t know why she wasn’t letting me fix a problem that was so easily solved.
“No,” the word flew out of her mouth so fast it was as if she didn’t want me to meet her family or something. “I can meet you. I just need to know where.”
“I’ll text you midweek, and Mel?” I chuckled.
“Yeah?” I could hear the skepticism in her tone.
“Thanks,” I waited for her to say something, but she didn’t. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
“See you Saturday,” she replied before the line went dead.
It took me a minute for it to all sink in. I had a date. A real date. A date that had to be perfect. I had to make this the best date she’d ever been on. If I failed, I was sure to never get another one again.
Chapter 4
Aaron
The weekend actually went better than I thought it would. While Emma and Brock spent all their time together, I borrowed Brock’s car and drove around the area scouting places for my date with Mel. I found a couple of nice restaurants, but nothing like we had at h
ome. If we were in Wilmington, I would take her to the beach. It was nice, there were plenty of places to hang out. I wasn’t your typical guy when it came to dating. First off, I rarely dated. Most nights were hookups that followed a group outing. It was just easier to not get involved. I’d never wanted to until now.
Being in an area that I wasn’t familiar with made things that much more challenging. I wanted to find something nice, but I also wanted something different; something that would set me apart from the other yo-yos that had taken her out.
When Sunday rolled around, I loaded our things into Brock’s car as the two lovebirds said goodbye. Emma cried, and made Brock promise to call as soon as he got home. Brock made some comment about how it wouldn’t be long until Spring Break, and they’d get an entire week together. The more I watched them, the more I wondered if anything could work with Mel and me. I mean, they’re engaged and have a hard time. How am I supposed to date someone long distance? I have school just like she does. We’re going to be six hours apart for at least two more years.
“So did you decide what you’re going to do?” Brock turned onto the interstate, beginning our long drive home.
“Not really. I have to think of something before Wednesday. She gave me a deadline,” I grumbled.
Brock chuckled, “Sounds like you got your hands full.”
“It’s not fucking funny,” I narrowed my eyes and slugged him in the shoulder.
“Do you want to walk home?” he glared.
I huffed as I crossed my arms over my chest, “No!”
“Then don’t hit me,” he shook his head. “What’s the problem?”
“I need an idea that’s going to knock her socks off. I need to stand out,” I ran my palms down my face.
“How about try being nice to her,” he flipped his hand in the air. “Don’t be a douche and actually listen when she talks to you. I bet if you start acting like a man, and not a boy, she’ll like whatever you choose.”
“When did you turn into such a pussy?” I teased.
“Watch who you’re calling a pussy. I’m the one that’s engaged. I AM a man. I went through this stage before I hooked up with your cousin,” he chuckled. “I get laid on a regular basis with the girl that I want, you… not so much.”
“Fine, fine, fine,” I waved my hand at him. “What do I do?”
“A little research. Find out what she likes, and go from there. Show her you care enough to find out,” he shrugged like it was so simple. The only person I knew that could answer those questions was Emma. If I went to her, she’d have me begging and offering to do God knows what as payment.
Melinda
When Wednesday morning came and went with still no message from Aaron, I assumed he gave up. Maybe my request was too much for him, and he decided dating me would be too much work. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I didn’t really feel like dealing with his playboy attitude, but going out sounded nice.
I haven’t really been on a date since I broke up with Jason. Things ended right before I started school at Eastman, and I’ve just been too busy to find someone new. My life is anything but simple, and between keeping my grades up, and helping my mom on the weekends, I don’t really have time for boys. I don’t really want a boy like Jason was anyway. All those things you hear about how you’ll look back and regret not listening to your mother? Well, they’re true. My mom told me he was nothing but trouble, and she was right.
I’ve spent the last year and half fixing my relationship with her, and being the daughter that they thought I was. I’ve worked hard to change, and I have no intention of going back.
When I stepped outside the physics building, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I carefully navigated the icy sidewalk as I pulled it out to check my messages. I figured it would be Emma asking about lunch. We usually met in the student center to grab a bite before our afternoon classes. I was shocked to see Aaron’s name pop up. I’d written him off when I didn’t hear anything that morning. He’d been so insistent last weekend that I’d assumed I’d have a message waiting for me this morning.
Aaron: Saturday night, 6pm, meet me at McGill’s Pub
Mel: ok
I left it at simple response due to my shock. McGill’s was my favorite place to eat. My parents took me there all the time as a kid, and I go there at least once a month now. The idea that I might run into someone I knew didn’t even cross my mind. Being seen out with Aaron was the last thing I wanted. What if he said or did something to make someone think I was back to my old ways? I’d meet him there, but I had to convince him to go somewhere closer to campus. I couldn’t risk my reputation.
When Saturday came, I went about the day as usual despite my nerves. My mom agreed to let me have the car, and after working out a few details with her I prepared for what I hoped would be a low key evening. It was still pretty cold out, so I dressed myself in a simple blue sweater and a pair of skinny jeans. I tied my hair back in a low pony, put on some light makeup, and made my way to McGill’s.
When I pulled into the parking lot, Aaron was parked in his Jeep right by the front door. Our eyes connected as I parked the car, and hope filled his. His door opened and after climbing out, he made his way over to mine. I left the car running and rolled my window down when he approached. His brow furrowed and his outstretched hand clenched and went into his pocket. I cleared my throat before mustering up the courage to tell him I couldn’t eat here. “I can’t eat here,” I swallowed.
“But Em said this was your favorite,” he scratched his head. “She said you come here all the time.”
“I do,” I slowly nodded. “They all know me,” I swung my eyes to where several patrons were laughing as they were coming out the door.
“Okay,” Aaron drew the word out slowly.
“So, I’m not going in there,” I closed my eyes, praying that he’d let it go. I didn’t want to argue and it was sweet that he asked Em about me, but having someone from my old life share something with him was just too much. The chance was too great, and the consequences could destroy anything that we have before we even know it.
“I see,” he pressed his lips together and bobbed his head. “You don’t want to go in there with me.” He was mad. Hurt flitted across his face before anger replaced it. “You said you’d give me a chance. Was that a lie? Was this all a joke to you?”
His words stung as they mingled in the air between us. “I am giving you a chance. Just not here. We can go somewhere else.”
“You know what? Just forget it. I’m never gonna win with you,” he waved his arm at me as he turned to go back to his Jeep. “I was kidding myself to think you’d actually give me a shot.”
Part of me knew I should just let him go. If I kept quiet and let him leave that would be the end of it. There wouldn’t be any more phone calls or texts. Aaron would go back to Wilmington and I wouldn’t have to see him until Emma’s wedding. That part of me was the smart part. The girl in the car tonight, she was the dumb impulsive one. “Wait!” I shouted out the window to his back. I took a few deep breaths before rolling the window back up, cutting the engine, and climbing out. I hadn’t worn a coat, so I wrapped my arms around myself as I rushed after him. He’d stopped a few steps away, and paused. “I’m sorry. Here is fine,” I relented. If someone said something, I’d lie. No one around here knew Aaron. I could play off an excuse as to why he was with me.
Aaron didn’t even say anything as he reached for my hand, turned us, and led me inside. For a Saturday, it wasn’t very crowded. We only had to wait about ten minutes before we were led to a table. The hostess smiled at me like she was going to say something, but then opted not to before walking away and leaving us there in awkward silence.
“What changed your mind?” Aaron mused as he picked up a menu and began reading it.
“You have this perception of me that’s wrong. I’m not perfect,” I folded my arms in front of me on the table, leaving my menu untouched.
“You’re as close to p
erfect as I’ve seen,” he refused to look up at me. His mouth twisted as his emotions rolled across his face. “Shit!” he berated himself. “I’m fucking this all up.”
“Why are you trying so hard?” I tipped my head to the side as I stared at him. “I mean, you could have anyone. Why are you working so hard to get me to give you a chance?”
“You’re different. I don’t know what it is, but I can tell. You’re different than the girls I usually hang out with. You see me, not the hot lifeguard,” he folded the menu and set it aside. “I want to be enough,” he murmured as he shook his head.
“Stop trying to impress me and just be you,” I smiled.
“You didn’t like me. I was me this summer, and you hated that guy,” he shook his head.
“That wasn’t you. That was the Aaron that your friends know. I want the guy that hung out with me when it was just us. When no one else was around you were a pretty nice guy. Where’s that guy?”
By this point our server was on her way over. As soon as she laid eyes on Aaron you could see she was trying to get his attention. When she took our order and he didn’t even blink at her, I was impressed. “Do you think she’s pretty?” I asked as innocently as I could.
“Is this a test, or do you really want to know?” he leaned back on his chair as he studied me.
“I really want to know,” I nibbled my lip.
“No,” he didn’t even look in her direction before answering.
“You didn’t even look at her. How do you know?” I furrowed my brow. I don’t know why I was pushing him, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“Don’t need to. She’s not you,” he shrugged before sipping his water.
“That is such a line,” I scoffed.
“Maybe,” he shrugged again. “Guess you’ll just have to give me a chance to prove otherwise.”
“Un huh,” I lifted the straw in my diet soda and slowly sucked, making sure Aaron was watching.
“There’s a little vixen in you yet,” he chuckled.
“There’s a lot you don’t know,” I mumbled just as our food arrived.
Trusting You (The Sutter Family Book 2) Page 3