by Eliza Freer
“Okay, so how about…What’s douchier on a guy? Axe Body Spray or gold chains? I like it.” Izzy starts writing the question and answers down on the sign separating the sides of the tip jar.
“While I think it’s brilliant, do you think all our customers will love the word “douchier? But, you know I’d never hamper your creativity.” I turn around after setting up the espresso machine and watch her write.
“Well, I hate anyone who isn’t you, so I couldn’t care less what they think.” She closes the dry erase marker, apparently decision made. “Cool, done. What haven’t you finished?”
“Putting out pastries, basically. I’ll go check the coffee station, make sure everything is filled.”
As I head over, Izzy yells over her shoulder. “So, hey. My brother, and I quote “really enjoyed talking to you” last night. I think he’s kinda got a thing for you. He mentioned you were dragged away by a football player? You never told me last night what happened.”
I laugh. “Oh, right. Well I guess there’s some chick who stalks the football team, seems Blake in particular she’s fascinated with. Anyway, she was at the party last night, and Blake needed to be seen with a date so she’d skedaddle. So he came and legit carried me over to the beer pong table to pose as his date.” I add more straws to the container on the table before I turn around. “However, I think the explanation he’s gonna have to use for why we went on one date and are no longer together, is going to be more complicated than he thinks. But, I’ve decided that’s not my problem.”
Izzy watches me walk back over to the counter while she finishes putting out the pastries. “Femme, I know they’re your boys, but girls get CARAZY about the team. Just watch your back until people know you’re not dating.”
I start making myself a latte. “Great. Well, those boys can also spread gossip faster than a sorority girl, so hopefully it’s done in the next couple days. I do trust them. They won’t let it turn into something.”
Izzy heads toward the front to unlock the door. “But just to get this out of the way, because I’m one hundred he’ll ask you, it’s cool with me if you go out with my brother. No harm no foul on this side, kapish?”
I take a sip of my coffee. “Um, thanks?” I set my drink down. “Look, what if we go out, he clearly falls in love with me, and I’m just not feeling it? I don’t wanna mess up what we’ve got just to go out with a guy.”
She turns the lock and faces me. “Then it goes nowhere. You’re both adults. I’ll hold nothin’ against no one, unless he hurts you and then I’ll kill him. I like you more than him, anyway.” She throws open the door. “Okay, girl, let’s open her up!”
********************
The day passes rather uneventfully, the same regulars, the same headaches, and only a couple murmurs that maybe our question shouldn’t include the word douchier. Izzy shuts that down pretty quickly, though. My phone buzzes at the end of my shift with a text from Riley.
RILEY: East. won’t be there today. coach is pissed some idiots showed up hungover.
I smile and type back
ME: No worries. i’m cool. i’ve gotta run home quick to head to orientation anyway.
I stick my phone back in my pocket, grab my tips from Izzy and head out the door. As soon as I turn the corner, I see Wilder walking out of the bookstore.
“Seriously? Did you know I’d be here? Are you actually stalking me? Is that what you meant when you said, see you tomorrow?” I pause in front of him and he gives me that too charming smile.
“Woman, calm yourself. I meant I’d see you at orientation, cause, remember, I’m helpful like that. This is pure coincidence. I am registered for classes ya know. I will need books. Books are a thing.”
I check my phone and notice I’m limited on time so I start heading towards my house across campus. Wilder falls into step beside me. "So, no escort today? What about your friend from the party?”
I sigh “Blake is just a friend. He’s on the football team, which you obviously know, but he needed to rid himself of a stalker, not unlike you, so I did him a solid. Pretend to be a date and voila she disappears.” I pause for a moment, unsure why I’m telling him all this. “However, I am a bit concerned because it seemed a bit too believable for those who don’t know who we are to each other in real life.”
Wilder quickens his step to match mine. “Ah ha! I knew there was more to it. It was honestly pretty convincing, and if we hadn’t talked about your no football player, we’re just friends rule, I might’ve believed it. But I wouldn’t worry, they’ll shut it down before it gets too big.”
I shake my head. “Yeah, they said the same thing. Being friends with boys is the worst.” I turn my head towards him. “So, what, you think you’re walking me home or something? Feels like you shouldn’t know where I live. I don’t want you showing up with a boom box over your head or have you throwing rocks at my window or something.”
He sighs. “Look. I’m persistent, but not crazy. And I prefer to be Patrick Dempsey over John Cusack, so I’d be more likely to invite you on a lawnmower ride. Once I found a riding lawnmower that is.” He pauses for a minute. “But really, if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll just see you at the quad.”
I groan at the unexpected reasonableness emanating from him. “Fine. But when we get to my house, you stay outside! I’ll only be inside for a minute, and then we can head to the quad together. Cool?”
He puts both his hands up. “Cool.”
We walk the rest of the way in silence, and when I get to my house, true to his word he stays outside on the front porch while I change and grab my stuff. I may or may not have taken an extra couple minutes to make sure I look casually pretty before heading out again.
I step on the porch, lock up and Wilder says to my back, “So, I know you live here with your dad, but what’s the story with your mom.”
I turn around and pause, not saying a word. He notices my reaction and quickly backpedals. “No sweat, you don’t have to say anything. Tends to be a simple question, but…”
I cut him off. And say a little sharper than I probably need to. “No, my mom doesn’t live here with us, nor has she ever lived with us. She was running out of the hospital before I even had a name, so I don’t know shit about my mother. My dad’s all I’ve ever had, okay?”
I start walking quickly towards the quad, not wanting him to see how much that question affected me. Even though it’s my choice to know nothing about my mom, it still stings. Dad has offered a few times to tell me her name and what she was like, but I feel like anyone who is selfish enough to give birth and leave without a single look back isn’t someone I need to have any knowledge of. I didn’t matter to her, so she doesn’t get to matter to me.
Wilder is quiet for a minute but keeps pace with me. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything when I asked. You didn’t have to tell me. Sorry I brought it up.”
I look over at him and he seems genuinely upset that he caused me any sort of pain so I let it go. “It’s fine. Not like you knew. I don’t even really know why I told you all of that. What about you? Your parents still together?”
He nods his head. “Yep. Chloe and Richard. My dad and I have a complicated relationship. He’s not abusive or anything, just dismissive and a dick.” He pauses and I look over at him. “I just don’t want to end up like him, ya know? Just another asshole who doesn’t care about any one else’s feelings. I know I come across like that sometimes, but I’m not that guy. I give people what they want to see until I let them see who I really am. I have a feeling you know what I’m talking about.”
And I do. I’ve got my own stuff I don’t talk about. There are very few people that know all about my past, and I tend to keep it that way. I want to know the people in my life are in it for the right reasons, and even those that have only the knowledge about who my dad is and what he does, are kept at arms length until I know they deserve it.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, I get that. And for the record, I don’
t think you’re the asshole I thought you were when we first met. I still think you’re an asshole, just not ONLY an asshole.” I smile at him, hoping to lighten the mood.
He flashes me a big smile, laughs and says “That’s good to know, Easton. See, wearing you down bit by bit.”
“You can call me East, if you want. Most people do.”
He smiles and nods. We finally hit the quad and Kyle raises an eyebrow when he sees us walk up together. “Well, then. Good afternoon, Easton. Has Wilder been behaving himself?”
I look at Kyle and snort. “No. He followed me home like a little puppy, but I haven’t had to break any of his fingers yet, so, so far so good.”
Kyle laughs and claps his hands together to get everyone’s attention. “Okay, everyone. You have these activities today, and then in two weeks you have the back to school dance. It’s exactly what it sounds like. So, partner up. It’s time for twenty questions.”
I turn to my right, assuming Wilder will immediately partner with me, when I see an unfamiliar guy standing next to me. “Uh, hi.” I glance around him to see Wilder standing behind him, furrowed brow and all. “I’m Easton. You’re…?”
My new partner holds out his hand. “Charlie. Nice to meet you Easton. Didn’t I see you at that party last night with the football team? You’re dating Blake Wilson right?”
I look at the ground, knowing this would happen, but not knowing it would happen at my orientation games. I hear someone clear their throat, so I look up and see Wilder staring down at Charlie. God, he’s tall.
“Beat it. She’s taken.” Wilder glances my way, knowing he just saved me. Crap.
Charlie scurries away, and I take a step towards Wilder. “Hey, so, thanks. That’s gonna get old.”
Wilder shrugs. “It should die down soon. Ready for twenty questions? You wanna start today?”
I flash Wilder my biggest smile and ask, “Did you have a Magic 8 ball as a kid?”
He looks confused. “Yeah, I guess so. Didn’t every kid?”
“Probably. So, since you’ve been stalking me for three days and have already played, like, fifty questions, we’re going to play this my way.”
“Okay, so what does that have to do with a Magic 8 ball, East? You’re kinda strange you know that, right.”
“It’s part of my charm. I will give you ten questions using only the responses of a Magic 8 ball. So choose wisely, there will be no freebies, but I will answer honestly within the confines of the game.”
Wilder looks amused. “Okay, game on. First question, am I your type?”
Knowing all of his questions will have something to do with the question of “us” I’m not surprised by this. “As I see it, yes.”
Wilder grins. “Two. Are you really upset that I’ve been so persistent these past few days?”
“Better not tell you now.”
He frowns. “Hey you said you’d answer honestly. That feels like a dodge.”
“Reply hazy, try again.”
He groans. “Ugh. I don’t feel like that was a question, but whatever. Okay, four, are you really interested in any of those football players romantically?”
I scrunch up my nose. “My reply is no.”
Wilder laughs. “Thank god. Okay, five. Do you honestly know how beautiful you are?”
I blush, like he knew I would. “Reply hazy, try again.”
He sighs. “So, I’m guessing by the rules of your game, I don’t ACTUALLY get another question, so that makes this, question 6. But it’s more like a statement, so I’ll give my statement and then follow it with a question. People watch you not because of the company you keep, but because you alone, Easton Collins, are worth watching. But my question is. Why are you hiding in plain sight?”
This is getting a little deep for my ridiculous game, but I keep my word and answer as honestly as I’m able to at this moment. “Better not tell you now.”
He shakes his head. “Fine, but you know you can trust me, right? I mean we’ve known each other not long, but for some reason we tell each other stuff we don’t tell most people. So that’s question seven. Do you know you can trust me?”
This is a much more complicated question than he’s aware of, but if I’m being honest, I kinda do trust him already, which is uncomfortable for me, because trust isn’t an easy thing for me anymore. “Signs point to yes.”
This clearly makes him happy. “Me too, just so you know. Number eight. When you met me and Kyle, we both flirted with you, and you blew both of us off. I just took more effort. So, do you find Kyle more attractive than me?”
Kyle takes a step forward, so I’m immediately uncomfortable. I know he’s asking this to get under Kyle’s skin and not mine, so I won’t give him this round.
I roll my eyes and wink at Kyle. “Outlook not so good.”
Kyle laughs and smacks Wilder on the back. “You’re kinda a dick, but I love you any way.” He walks away knowing no more questions will be about him.
Wilder smirks. “Fine, Femme. Nine, will you go out with me?”
“Ask again later.” I smile and look down.
He smiles back. “Well that’s not a no, so last question. You know I won’t give up until you say yes, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Chapter 5
On my way home I call Tassie. She answers after the first ring. I think she’s bored.
“Yankee, what’s the haps?”
“Tassie. No, no. What’s the haps? Are you watching all those ‘90s TV shows again?”
“Stuff it, what’s up East?”
“I need you soul mate, you’re my only hope. How about my house, you, me, burgers, fries, ice cream sundaes and I’ll even let you pick whatever movies you wanna watch? I’ll double check with my dad, but I have a feeling he’ll be holding the guys late tonight. Some players showed up hungover, and you know my dad.”
“Yikes. Idiots. Okay, sounds great. I’ll grab the burgers and fries, and you get the stuff for sundaes? Text me when you know we’re all systems go.”
“I’ll text him now. He never takes too long getting back to his precious baby girl. Talk soon.”
I hang up and text Dad.
ME: Hey, heard you might have to put the guys through some extra abuse tonight to teach a lesson. you going to be out late?
I only have to wait a couple minutes for him to respond.
DAD: Yep. don’t worry, they’ll learn soon enough. probably practicing late, and i’ve got some stuff to finish up here after. you okay?
I think I’m lucky my dad didn’t raise me like he does his team.
ME: Ha. good luck. yeah, I'm good. was gonna have tassie over for some junk food and movies. wanted to make sure you’re okay with that.
DAD: Absolutely. you girls have fun. save me some ice cream. love you
ME: Love you too pops.
I go back and type quickly to Tassie.
ME: All systems go. see you in an hour
Unsurprisingly, she replies
TASSIE: Copy that. so an hour my time right yankee?
ME: Wouldn’t expect anything else Tass. See you in two.
My best friend, ladies and gentlemen.
********************
While I’m waiting on Tassie to show up my phone rings from an unknown number. I don't answer unknown numbers, if they have something to say, they’ll leave a voicemail. It rings through, and they don’t leave a message so I let it go. A few seconds later a text message pings from the same number.
UNKNOWN: Hey, Easton. It’s Grant, Izzy’s brother. Sorry, might be weird getting a call from an unknown number. Didn’t think of that. Izzy gave me your digits. If that’s okay with you then give me a call.
Of course she did. So I call him back. He picks up after two rings.
“Hey, Easton.”
“Hey, Grant. Sorry, I don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. Can't be too careful and all that. So what’s up?”
“Well, I was wondering if you might consider going out with me sometime. I know we don’t really know each other, outside of our brief moment at the party before Thor’s brother carried you away to play an impressive game of beer pong, by the way, buuuuuuuut….I figure I have the Izzy vouch so that helps right?”
I mean. It’s not like I’m dating anyone right now. I still haven’t committed to going out with Wilder. If we’re being honest, we know it WILL happen, it just hasn’t yet. There’s something there, but I’m just not sure I trust it yet. I don’t feel the same sparks with Grant, but it seems pretty non-threatening, and Izzy seems okay with it, so there’s no harm.
“Um. Okay. Sure. When were you thinking?”
“Really? That was easier than I thought. Not that you’re easy, you just seem…in high demand.”
“So, are you trying to get me to take back my yes, or are you just awkward on the phone?”
“Sorry, awkward, I swear. I feel like I shouldn’t give you the opportunity to back out, so how about tomorrow night? Seven-thirty? You aren’t working are you?”
I laugh. “Well, gotta love a man that traps you from the beginning. I work tomorrow morning, so tomorrow night works for me.”
“Sounds great. So. See you tomorrow. Text me your address so I can pick you up like a gentleman, will you?”
“You got it. Bye Grant.”
“See you soon, Easton.”
I hang up feeling pretty satisfied. I haven’t really dated a guy for some time, and Grant seems like a good guy to get back into the game with.
********************
After demolishing our dinner and settling in with our too big ice cream sundaes, Tassie whips out the DVDs she brought and hides them behind her back.
“Okay. You have two choices. Categories include 1990s superhero movies or 2000s superhero movies.” Tassie hops from one foot to the other in anticipation of my answer.