by J. Nichole
“Are we still on for our plans tonight?”
"Definitely, what were you thinking?" I'm glad he can change the subject.
“I could use some adventure in my life. How about go-karts?” Isaiah sounds excited as he talks about beating me in a race around the track. He also adds that he’ll beat me in the arcade games, and I’m just happy he doesn’t mention anything else about the interview.
After hanging up with Isaiah to get dressed for our date, I nibble on another truffle. I feel guilty for enjoying the chocolate this much, but it wouldn't make sense to let it go to waste.
One last glance in the mirror and I’m ready for Isaiah. My phone rings in unison with knocks at the door. The number on the phone is unknown, and I send it to voicemail as I open the door. “Hey, Laila.” Dante is leaning against the door with his phone to his ear. He brings the phone down and says, “I was trying to call to make sure this was the right door.”
I stare at his phone for a minute before I realize I haven’t greeted him. “Ugh, hey Dante.”
His eyes are settled on my face and he smiles widely. “Were you on your way out?” Looking at the purse on my shoulder he continues, “This is probably awkward, right?”
I nod my head slowly. This is more than awkward for multiple reasons. “Why are you here?” The intern coordinator’s voice is ringing in my head. Nothing good could come of this situation with Dante. I should stay as far away from him as possible. Besides, I’d hate for another picture to get out or the story to be elaborated more. I’m sure his visit to a college dorm room won’t help his case much.
At that moment I decide it’s best he doesn’t stand in the hall for too long. I turn and lock the door, leading him towards the exit.
“I owe you an apology,” he says as he walks beside me with little effort to keep my pace.
“Yeah, thanks for the flowers and chocolates. You didn’t have to come in person.” I look up at him and ignore his brown eyes. Looking into them is hypnotizing. “By the way, do I even want to know how you know where I live?” I laugh nervously. “That has to be some sort of violation of privacy.”
He looks at me seriously and says, “Do you feel violated?” He reaches out to touch my arm and I snatch it away.
“Actually, I do.”
“Laila!” This day couldn’t get any worse. “I thought that was you. I was just at your door and you didn’t answer.”
Dante and I both look up at Isaiah coming towards us from my dorm door. He recognizes Dante when he gets closer. Looking between us, Isaiah finally asks, “What’s going on?”
Dante looks at Isaiah. He looks to me. Then he curses under his breath. “Hey man, I’m sorry.” He looks at me and whispers the same. When I don’t say anything he walks away, shaking his head.
“I’m sure there is a girl somewhere who wishes she could be me right now.” Isaiah cocks his eyebrow. “I’m not interested in a celebrity athlete. He came by to apologize and I was trying to get him away from my door before another picture ended up on social media.”
Isaiah grabs his chin and studies my face before he responds, “But it seems he may be interested in more than just an apology.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I start walking towards the parking lot. "It's possible." Dante's interest is out of my control. I would have been flattered if his popping up where I stay didn't freak me out. "Ready to get whipped in this go-kart race?"
Isaiah grabs my arm and stops walking. “Laila, I like you. I’m not sure if I want to be wrapped up in celebrity gossip though.”
“I get it. It’s a little unnerving.”
Isaiah lowers his head. “Maybe another night?” he asks.
I reach up and hug his neck before I turn to walk away.
Chapter Six
Lying in my bed, I hold the phone close to my ear. "I couldn't have imagined any of this in a million years. Just last week you had Josh and Isaiah fawning over you. Your week is capped off by a kiss from a sexy ass football player." I called Monica hoping she could cheer me up, but why I'm staying on the phone while she finds this comical is beyond me. "Then in a blink, you lose Josh, Isaiah, and the football player." She muffles her laugh.
“Really? Really Monica?” She can’t stop laughing and I tell her, “I’m going to go start on your task list since I have nothing better to do on a Saturday night.” I groan.
“Girl, please, one of them will get over himself. But in the meantime I’m glad you can get started. Only a few more weeks until we are back on campus and shit will get real.”
“True. Before I let you go, have you talked to Jennifer lately?” Jennifer, our other roommate, didn’t have a good sophomore year. After her ex-boyfriend, who raped her in high school, raped another girl last year, she wasn’t excited about returning home for summer. But staying on campus didn’t appeal to her either.
“Yeah, actually she’s coming back to school early.” I’m not surprised that she would return to school early. “Tired of faking it around her old friends, so she says.”
“Maybe I can send her some of these tasks.” I roll over and stare at the printed list of tasks that Monica sent over for me to complete in preparation for her bid as Junior Class president. “I could use some help. Alright chick, thanks for not cheering me up.” I lie.
“Wait, before you go. Have you heard from Chris?”
“Damn, you would bring him up.” If Chris and I were still together I wouldn’t be worried about all these other guys. “Nothing. Not a text, not an email, not a Facebook message. Nothing.”
“Only God knows what’s going on with that man. You’ll be good though. I’m praying for you.”
“I appreciate it. I’ll talk to you later.”
The first item on Monica’s list is to find events for the junior class to participate in throughout the year. I pull out my laptop and start typing out a list of potential activities; community events, career fairs, sporting events we could attend as a class.
Before I move on to the next item on her list I start a text message to Chris. Although he hasn’t reached out to me, I haven’t reached out to him either.
Laila: Long time no speak. I hope all is well with you.
I want to be honest with him and tell him how much I miss him and I hate that I haven't heard from him for several months. But reaching out to him first is hard enough.
As time passes without a response from him my emotions change from hurt to pissed. I can’t sit in the room. I should be out enjoying my Saturday night. I dial Timmy’s number, hoping he is out having fun and I can meet him.
“You slut!” I didn’t expect that greeting from him. “I couldn’t believe what I saw scrolling across my timeline today. Dante Jones kissing you!”
“Yeah, in hindsight, I guess I should have taken you with me to the interview. Maybe that wouldn’t have happened.”
His laugh roars through the phone. “Laila. You are the strangest chick I know. You don’t care about guys doting on you, don’t want a famous football player kissing you.” His tone changes. “Are you a virgin?” He gasps. “No, don’t tell me you are a virgin!”
“No, Timmy!” Starting to rethink my boredom. It can’t be all that bad.
“Thank God. I was seriously starting to doubt our friendship. But wait, why the story about you being underage?”
“A mystery to me,” I groan. “I can only assume someone is trying to make something out of nothing.”
“Would be worth digging into. What are you up to tonight?”
“I was calling to see if you were out having fun. But I think sitting home alone isn’t all that bad anymore.”
"I'm on my way out. A few of the other interns are meeting at the bowling alley. Do you want to come?"
“Sure. You driving?” Although bowling with the other interns is the last thing I want to do in my free time I have to get out of the house.
Timmy picks me up and he fills me in on the interns who will be at the bowling alley. When we arrive, the guys are in thei
r bowling shoes at the lane while the girls are sitting behind them at a table. Timmy leans over and says, “Think the chicks will mind if I sit with them and admire the assets on those guys?”
I laugh at Timmy and shake my head. The girls turn to look at us, and Hailey’s eyes widen as I approach. She jumps up from her seat and comes towards me. “Hey, Laila. I’m glad you came out.” Her words are flying out before I can even respond. “Was starting to think you didn’t like us.” A smile creeps onto my face but my lips don’t move.
Timmy interrupts and says while looking at Hailey's feet, "Not bowling?"
“No. We were actually about to go to Ethan’s house.” She points to the screen above the lanes. “They are wrapping up their game now.”
Timmy pouts his lips. “I was hoping I could enjoy the view for a while.”
“What a great view it is.” She winks at Timmy. “But we’ve been here for a while and ready to change it up a bit.”
I look at Hailey and say, “You said Ethan’s house. Is he from Jacksonville?”
She shakes her head. “No, but instead of staying in the dorms his parents rented him a house for the summer.” She rolls her eyes. “Wish I had parents like his.”
Maybe we are more alike than I thought. My parents would never rent a house for me for a few weeks. They hardly wanted to chip in for my dorm expenses while I’m here on internship. Hailey signals for us to follow her and we take a seat at the table.
One of the other girls, Veronica, asks me about my interview with Dante. Of course she heard about the now infamous kiss. “It was a good interview.” All the girls start talking about how they would love for their interviews to be as exciting. One girl even said she specifically picked an athlete hoping she would get more than an interview.
Timmy looks at me with his eyebrow raised and says, “Told you.” My phone vibrates and my heart beats rapidly. I’m almost too nervous to pull it out of my purse. “Maybe you really are a virgin.” He looks at me with his eyebrows narrowed. “I don’t mind if you are, I would still be your friend.”
I ignore both my phone and Timmy. Rolling my eyes I say, “It was a kiss. You speak as if he had me laid out on the sidewalk. Besides, I'm not looking just to be another chick on the side."
Veronica looks at me with her lip curled up. “Side, top, bottom, back.” She taps her fingers on the table. “I’m not going to lie. I wouldn’t mind at all.”
“On that note, let’s get out of here.” Hailey rises from the table and waits for us all to join her. “We should follow Ethan.”
Timmy leans over and whispers in my ear, “Maybe you aren’t a virgin, but by the way that one hopped up.” He nods at Hailey. “Maybe she is.”
Either I couldn’t care less about anyone’s sex life, or I couldn’t care less about the interns. But whatever it is, I don’t care. While we wait for the guys to pay for their games I stand aside and unlock my phone.
Dante: Plans tomorrow?
Instead of being excited, as I should be, I'm disappointed that Chris hasn't responded to my text message. I scroll to the message I sent him and check the phone number on his contact record. The right phone number. If he hasn't changed it.
With Timmy chatting my ear off we walk to his car and follow Ethan to his house. When we pull up Timmy and I both say, “Wow.” I look at Timmy and say, “If this is a summer house, I’d love to see his family house.”
Timmy nods in agreement. “Think he likes boys? I could be a kept man.”
Laughing, I shake my head before stepping out of the car. Instead of leading us through the house Ethan walks around the back. The girls are giggling and I’m almost certain Timmy isn’t the only one plotting to be Ethan’s love interest. Veronica catches Ethan by the arm and acts as if her heels are suddenly too high to walk.
The lights are dim as we make our way to the back yard, but the pool lights are illuminated. Ethan escapes Veronica’s grasp by sitting her on a nearby lounge chair. He disappears, and before he returns, music fills the air.
A couple of the guys throw their shirts off and dive into the pool. Water splashes Veronica and she hops up from the lounge chair. The other girls clap, and cheer for the guys who have emerged with their six packs on full display. I catch Timmy gasp from behind me and I applaud as he toes off his shoes and jumps in the pool.
Ethan returns with a handful of red cups and a case of beer. Someone yells out, “Beer!” The beers are passed around and I grab one but the thought of drinking it makes my nose turn up. Hailey taps my arm, “Not a fan?”
“That obvious, huh?” I grit my teeth and look down at the beer.
“I don’t blame you. Most of it tastes like hot piss. Not that I would know the taste of hot piss.” She points to the beer. “But this stuff here is pretty good. Tastes a little like apple cider.”
We clink bottles and take a swig. It goes down smoother than I expected and I smile at Hailey. “Not too bad actually.”
After a few beers, I convince myself that I’m interested in the lives of the interns and I join in a game of Have You Ever.
The first questions start off light, and most of us are drinking. Then Timmy takes it up a notch and says, “Never Have I Ever had a threesome.” Veronica takes a sip as she stares Ethan down, without shame, confirming that she has had a threesome before. Timmy whisper-shouts, "Damn."
Hailey goes next, “Never Have I Ever kissed a girl and liked it.” Her cheeks blush and we are all equally surprised. The other girls, Timmy, and I watch as the guys hoot and holler while they take a sip of their beers.
The game continues until we are out of beer and none of us are safe to drive. Ethan announces that we can crash at his house as long as we are up early and out of his way. We play ‘Paper, Rock, Scissors’ for the beds and couches available in the house. Timmy wins a bed and pulls me along with him. "Don't have to worry about me rubbing up on you."
Hiccups rattle me and I respond with a shrug. The inside of the house isn’t as exciting as I had hoped, but it’s fully furnished and the bed is much more comfortable than the rock I’m sleeping on in the dorm.
I throw my purse on a chair nearby the bed and my phone falls out. I lie in bed, staring at Chris' contact record. I push the dial button and wait for him to answer. His voicemail picks up and I hiccup a few times before I say, "You could at least answer the call. You still owe me an explanation." I close my eyes and concentrate as I think of my next words.
When I open my eyes and try to say, ‘I still love you,’ Timmy is looking at me with his eyes wide open. He leaps for my arm, snatching my phone out of my hand. “No drunk dialing.” He hangs up my phone and puts it on the chair and collapses beside me. “To sleep, Laila.”
Before I can argue with him, Timmy is snoring.
Chapter Seven
“I’m glad you decided to go out with me. I promise we’ll stay low key. I know a spot free of paparazzi.” Dante opens my door and waits for me to climb inside.
"Good, after the kiss seen ‘round the world I think I enjoy staying out of the limelight." He settles into his seat and pulls away from the dorms.
Dante has a slight dimple that I notice for the first time. His eyes stay focused on the road and I watch his mouth as he apologizes, again, for the photo being leaked. He still hasn’t apologized for the kiss.
Crossing over the bridge, I watch Jacksonville disappear and I ask, “Where is this undisclosed, private, location anyway?” I second-guess my common sense to go away with this guy whom I hardly know. Who cares that he is a celebrity. Celebrities commit crimes too, right? He probably has the money to do what he wishes and could get rid of my body before anyone could even suspect him. I tap out a text to Timmy telling him I’m with Dante, just in case.
Dante looks steadfast ahead without even a grimace. “Are you a picky eater?” He asks calmly without taking his eyes off of the road.
“Apparently you aren’t going to answer my question.” I watch his face for a sign of confirmation or objection, but I
get nothing. “I’m not a picky eater. Your turn.”
A smile finally spreads across his lips. “I don’t have to answer you.” He nods out the window. “We’re here.”
We are parked in front of a building that is dimly lit and barely standing. Now my heart is in my throat, and I turn to him cautiously for an explanation. “We’re where?”
“I admit its rave reviews don’t consider the decor or location.” He gives the building a second glance before reaching for the door handle. "But the ribs and the barbecue sauce are banging." He steps out of the car and opens my door. Reaching for my hand he interlocks our fingers as we walk into The Pit. “I couldn’t guarantee that we wouldn’t be spotted, so I had to make a special request for the night. I hope you don’t mind.”
Clueless about what type of special request could guarantee my anonymity for the night I look at Dante with my head cocked. He continues leading us into the restaurant and the hostess greets us with a knowing smile. “Right this way, Mr. Jones.” She directs us to a table in the middle of the restaurant.
Dante pulls out my seat and waits for me to sit before he sits across from me. “No wait. Must be nice to be Mr. Jones.” I emphasize ‘Jones’ as our hostess did, lacing it with every ounce of flirtation in her body.
He laughs, then nods towards the table next to us, and I stop staring at him long enough to realize the restaurant is empty. Not another single soul sitting in the restaurant. My eyes widen as I comprehend what he said earlier. “Free of paparazzi.” I nod my head. “Thank you.” As I look around again I continue, “But you didn’t have to do this. The initial shock of being a trending topic on Twitter was overwhelming, but whatever.”
He shakes his head, “No, sometimes I like to be out of the spotlight too.” He calls the server to our table and orders enough food to feed his team. After the server leaves, he says, “Besides, you probably don’t want to be splattered across the Internet with BBQ sauce all over your face.”