“Troy is over six foot with an eight pack, and I’ve got mabs.”
“Mabs?”
He gives me a reluctant grin. “Maybe abs?”
I burst into laughter, and he shakes his head with a groan.
“I can’t ever seem to get a damn leg up with women. Ever.”
“Well, I’m in the same boat. And do me a favor, don’t ever introduce me to that asshole.”
“Wasn’t planning on it, but why?”
“The first reason is obvious, he’s my kryptonite. But the real reason is because l will rip his balls from his body.”
His lips turn up.
“It’s cute you think I’m kidding.”
“I have no doubt you would.”
“Oh, I will. It’s the version of Crazy Laney you never want to meet.”
“You’re a good friend, Laney.” His voice is soft, face crestfallen due to what I’m sure is a burning image of his ex-girlfriend post roommate romp.
“I’m so sorry. But I assure you, that particular brand of poison never tastes as sweet as the first sip. After that, it’s just nasty aftertaste. Abs definitely don’t make the man.”
I palm his cheek. “And I might’ve been a little trigger shy in revealing this to you, Theo, but you aren’t anything to sneeze at. Like at all.”
His eyes connect with mine fully, and there’s a sort of recognition in them I’ve never seen before.
“There’s been times I’ve wanted to tell you,” nerves fire off as he studies me carefully. “It’s just never really been fittin’ to admit it, b-because we’re friends.”
Something heavy lingers in the air, and I pull my hand away. I’m not allowed to touch him again until I know for sure if I want more than friendship. But don’t I know? I’m jealous right now that he’s jealous about his ex. Isn’t that sign enough?
Hey, Gina, now would be the time to speak up.
But it’s not my nether region that’s pulsing faster by the second, it’s the organ in my chest that’s starting to make the most noise.
“Anyway, I’ve got just the thing for today.” Opening my locker, I pull out the metal container that my buddy, Fraz, gave me in case of emergency and open it, before approaching Theo. “Trust me?”
“Not even remotely.” He eyes the gummy. “What is it?”
“It’s a pot gummy, you know, an edible.” I waggle my brows.
“I don’t do pot.”
“No one says ‘do’ pot. You smoke it. Or in our case, eat it. And we’ll do it together.”
“What are you doing with that in your purse?”
“Saving it for days when my new best friend has a meltdown. That day has come, my friend.”
He gives me a wary glance. “I have class in an hour.”
“Then class will be a blast. It’s supposed to be super mild. I think.”
“You think?”
“I mean we aren’t smoking it, so it can’t be as harsh, right?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never done it.”
“Me neither. I’m doing it with you.”
“I don’t think this is the answer.”
“Neither is obsessing about your ex, and I’m not in the mood for a hangover. Live a little, Houseman,” I say, tearing the disc in half and popping it into my mouth. “Down the hatch,” I instruct holding the other half up to him. “Just a little buzz to take away the blues.”
“Right,” he takes half of the gummy, chewing it while cringing before he swallows. “I can’t believe I just did that.”
“Ex-hate will make you do stupid shit, and now we’re both going down the rabbit hole. What class should I pick you up from?”
“Music Composition. Sam Houston building. 203.”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting outside the door when you get out. Go, it shouldn’t hit you until you get to school.”
“That was stupid,” he says, shaking his head and readjusting his backpack.
“I got it from an old high school friend a couple of months ago. I trust him. This will be great, you’ll see.” I raise up on my toes and wrap my arms around him. He hugs me back while murmuring a low, “Thank you.”
Backing away, I kiss his jaw, loving the sensation of his beard tickling my lips. What I see in his eyes, lights a fire in me. His gaze travels to my lips, and I sense the hesitation to pull away and grow more curious about the fire brewing in my chest. I want to be kissed by him, but not when he’s in the midst of mourning his past with another woman. I nudge his shoulder.
“Go. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Forty-five minutes later…
“Devin. Devin? Devin! Can you hear me? I feel like I’ve been in this bathroom for hours.”
“Yes, yes, I can hear you, stop yelling, moron. What’s up?”
I press my cell closer to my ear and whisper. “What in the hell did Fraz put in this gummy?”
“Oh my God, you took it?”
“No, I just called to tell you I didn’t. Things are totally normal, and I haven’t locked myself in the bathroom at school. This is what high feels like?”
“I wouldn’t know, I’m not high. Why did you have to do this on inventory day? I can’t even come watch you freak out.”
“I got off my shift and came to school to grab Theo like I promised. But once I started walking down the hall, my legs turned into noodles, and I felt like I got shot in the neck with a tranquilizer dart. Everything is getting…slower. I’ve been sitting on this toilet hiding ever since, and I swear this song has been playing forever.”
“Girl, don’t drive.”
“I can’t even walk.”
“How much did you take?”
“Half that disc.”
“You were only supposed to take an EIGHTH! Those edibles are strong!”
“Oh no,” I lift my hands up in front of me. “I think my hand’s webbing. Is this normal? I hope Theo is okay.”
“He took it too?!”
“Yes.”
“All those times I asked you to get high with me and you wouldn’t but for him, you will? And Theo doesn’t seem the type to do something like this. What were you thinking?”
“Stop making me out to be the culprit.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Yes. But for good reason. I had to pull out the big guns. Emergency high. His roommate screwed his ex last night. Wretched bitch. I just didn’t want him thinking about her all day. He was so sad.”
“You sound jealous.”
“I’m pissed for him. I care about him a lot.”
“Uh huh.”
“I swear to God if you start singing Christmas Carols right now.”
“I won’t.”
“Good, can you please tell me how to get out of the bathroom?”
“Jesus. Maybe Dad could cover for me so I can rescue you two.”
“I’ve got this. We’ll Uber it home.”
“Swear to the Lort?”
“Aww, you Madea’d me. You must really love me.”
“Of course I love you, you idiot. You need to leave school now. Get Theo and get the hell out of there before it hits harder.”
“On it. Wait, it’s going to hit harder?”
“I don’t know, just go get him.”
“Just have to figure out who makes this toilet. It feels like Jell-O on my ass.”
“Seriously?”
“It’s comfortable.”
“Laney, go get him. If he’s in as bad of shape as you, this could be disastrous.”
“Oh,” I snort, yanking at the toilet paper. “That’s right. He’s got a rep as a Grand Band Man.”
“And he’s on scholarship, remember? I’m pretty sure getting stoned at school is frowned upon.”
That sobers me. “I gotta save him!”
“You think?”
“I think this song’s on repeat.”
“It’s been like fifteen seconds.”
“I don’t believe you,” I mutter as I glance around the bathroom stall. “You have got to try
out this toilet.”
“Laney, FOCUS! Get Theo and get out of there!”
“Right. I’m on it. Devin?”
“Yes, girl?”
“Why don’t we eat more Jell-O together?”
Theo
My legs won’t move no matter how much I will them to. I feel like I’ve been sitting here for years.
Everything is vibrating.
I’m going to die.
Pulling out my phone, I text Laney.
Theo: I nees to leave. I don’t tink tis is mellow.hi. Can come now?
Laney: I’m working on the Jell-O.
Theo: ?
Laney: How long is this song!
Theo: IDknow. I cat ducking feel my fat.
Theo: Fet
Theo: Fet!
Laney: I coming to slave you.
“Hey man,” someone says to my left, and I jump back in my seat and clutch my phone to my chest.
“What do you want?” I grunt, lifting a shoulder and lean away from him.
Three rows of students turn back to look at me as the guy widens his eyes. “Wasn’t talking to you, bro, chill out.”
I concentrate on opening my eyes as wide as his to appear more normal and hear a giggle from beside me.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“I have something in my feet.”
“Oh shit, he’s probably on Molly,” the girl whispers. She’s not pretty like Laney.
“I’m not,” I whisper. “Not on that.”
“He’s trippin’.”
“Please don’t say that to people,” I whimper. Just then, the door to the classroom bursts open, and everyone, including my instructor, looks toward the open door at Laney as she lands a plane. She’s looking right at me mouthing in slow motion, and I lean into my desk straining to hear her.
“Dude, I think she’s here for you.”
Laney speaks up, taking a few steps into class. “Excuse me, sir, I need an urgent word with one of your t-t-udents, students.”
“You’re interrupting my lecture, young lady.”
She nods in perfect understanding. “I polizise. He’s having an allergic reaction to his medication and needs this,” She pulls out an EpiPen. She probably bought it in case I have a reaction around her because she’s my best friend in the whole world. And I don’t want to have sex with her all the time.
“Go right on ahead.”
Laney waves me down to her.
“Medication, my ass,” someone snorts from below.
“Oh man,” the guy next to me says. “I would give my left nut to be on your level right now. And with her too, damn.”
I shake my head. “That’s not what’s happening. I’m not going to let my feet not move.”
“Okay,” he says with a chuckle as Laney looks at me and waves her hands slowly.
She’s so beautiful it makes my chest hurt. I rub it with my fist and hold it up to her so she can see before pulling myself to stand. Uneasy on my feet, I slowly make my way down the steps thanking each one in sincere gratitude. “I appreciate you.” Laughter erupts to my right just as Laney grabs my arm when I reach the last one.
“He probably won’t be back,” Laney says. “Sorry about that.”
Outside the class, she grabs my face with both hands and pulls me down eye level with her. Honey eyes bore into mine while her lips shine like diamonds.
“I may never return to them,” I tell her feeling a lump form in my throat.
“Return to what?”
“My feet.”
“Hang in there, okay?”
“I love your hands on my face.”
“Listen to me, Houseman. We ate too much. We are Snoop Dogg at the Chronic Olympics high. We have an Uber coming in five minutes. I need you to find your feet.”
“I dunno that’s plauisbble.”
“Dave in the white Taurus, do you believe in Doritos?” Laney asks from beside me in the back seat as I study the lines dancing on my jeans.
“I believe in Doritos,” I tell her.
She grabs my hand. “I know you believe. I want to know if Dave believes.”
“Why? He’s not your boyfriend.”
“He’s a person.”
“He looks like Carrot Top without hair.”
“That’s not nice, Houseman. Dave, I think we should stop for tacos.”
“We do not need tacos. I need feet.”
“Jesus, are you two drunk? It’s 10:30 a.m.”
“We’re doing weed,” Laney snorts softly before her lips quiver. “Forgive us.”
Dave smiles at her in the rearview, and I want to tell him not to smile at her like that, but my tongue is swelling. “Imma need that apic pen.”
“You don’t need it. I promise.”
“I’m thinking you two don’t do much weed.”
“First timers!” Laney proclaims. “Does this window go down?”
“Sure,” Dave says. “Do you mind changing your destination for tacos?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “No tacos. Everyone knows what’s happening to us.”
“What’s happening to us?” Laney asks, pushing the button over and over. I stop her hand before I run my fingers through her hair.
She moans. “That feels so good.”
“Thank you. I want to do it sometimes a lot.”
“You can do it all the time,” Laney says, leaning down to put her head in my lap.
“You’re going to make me cry,” I rub my chest.
She puts a hand on my face from below, looking up at me with earnest eyes. “Don’t cry, Theo.”
“I hate to break this up, you two, but we’re still here.”
“Sorry?”
“We arrived five minutes ago.”
Laney slowly raises to sit and looks out the window. “Look alive, Houseman. We made it.”
“My eyes feel so slippery.” I blink them over and over.
“Come on,” Laney says, pulling at my arm. “We have to get out.”
Dave opens the door, and I wince from the sun reflecting off his head. “Do you two need help inside?”
“I just need to feel,” I admit, emotion clogging my throat.
“It’s going to be okay, man,” Dave says.
He’s so close when he speaks, I jerk away from him.
Laney grabs my hand, pulling me from the car. “I’ve got you, Theo. Bye, Dave.”
“You two be careful.”
“We’re positive,” Laney tells him, throwing my arm over her shoulder.
“You think he knows I can’t feel my feet?”
“He’s aware. You stay put.” She says, depositing me on her porch. “I think I have some eggrolls.”
“Oh, I want them so bad. Will you bring them to me?”
“For you, I will.”
“Thanks, Laney.”
Theo
The sun wakes me peeking through a cloud under the overcast sky. I rouse with a wad of hair in my mouth, covered in a sleeping Laney. The warmth streams through the teepee window at the top of our fortress. Fuzzy memories come back to me in waves. Laney had pulled out half of her gear from the shed next to her house insisting we camp out, so we didn’t disturb her sleeping mother who had a shift in a matter of hours. Stoned out of our minds, it took us a small eternity to pitch the tattered tent amongst the thick of the trees in her front yard. Safe in our cocoon, we unleashed laughter that lasted for hours. And I’m positive she made the pizza delivery guy shit his pants when she jumped out into the drive waving her hands like a lunatic to intercept the delivery from reaching the front door. I can’t help my chuckle when I remember the look on his face.
My stomach is sore from all the laughing we did.
What started out as the worst morning imaginable, easily turned into one of the best days of my life. Because of her.
She shifts, her thick locks tickling my nose as she slumbers sprawled on my chest. The air inside the tent warms as she burrows further into me, gripping my bicep and holding me to her with
a thigh stretched across my stomach. I need to take a leak, but I fight like hell not to disturb the peace. Instead, I stare down at her, memorizing what I can—flawless brown skin, a freckled nose, dark lashes, and full, bee-stung lips.
I’ll never fucking learn.
Even with the red flag of Nora tossed in my face only this morning, I can’t stop imagining what it would be like to truly be with Laney.
My attachment is much too evident at this point as I study her, and that’s all I seem to be doing lately when I’m not thinking about her. I don’t want to contemplate our differences. Not with the way she fits so perfectly on top of me. No matter how hard I’ve tried to stop it, I’ve fallen under her spell. She makes me want, and often.
She’s entirely too much woman to ignore.
Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I inhale her signature scent of mint and citrus. I love the smell and allow myself to indulge while I have this chance. Holding her to me, I slide my thumbs against her skin in a caress. We’re both fully dressed, but with my thoughts, I feel exposed, despite still being in our cocoon.
I’m completely myself with her, and she with me. I know this. I don’t question our connection or the authenticity of our friendship. It’s not chemistry we lack, it’s the readiness on her part that I need to feel. And after that exchange in the coffee shop, everything shifted, at least for me.
I no longer want to be adorable to Laney.
The clarity has my heart aching and my eyes wide open.
I can no longer be Laney’s friend.
My dick is rock hard by the time she moves, her soft groan only fueling my desire.
Sleeping bags lay piled beneath us in our makeshift fortress. I’m more comfortable than I’ve ever been in my life, even with a raging hard-on. I’m positive we fell asleep mid-sentence with smiles on our faces.
Laney stirs, and I brush the hair away from her face while she lifts her chin, bringing light brown eyes to mine.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
We’re close, so close I can see the faint green circle around her irises and the flecks of amber gold within. She studies me just as carefully, and I relax in the feel of her resting so contently on top of me.
“I feel like a lazy cat.”
“Don’t move,” I mumble, running my fingers through her hair.
The Underdogs: The Complete Series Page 13