by Tori Alvarez
Beautiful Collision
Tori Alvarez
Eternal Daydreamer Publishing
Beautiful Collision
Copyright ©2019 Tori Alvarez
Cover Design by Tori Alvarez & Maria Ann Green
Editing by Jenn Woodcock
Ebook ISBN 978-1-7343363-0-6
All rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and situations within its pages and places or persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental.
Published by Eternal Daydreamer Publishing
San Antonio, Texas.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1Who is she?
Chapter 2It’s only coffee
Chapter 3Real lives
Chapter 4Hiding
Chapter 5Just one date…
Chapter 6A friend?
Chapter 7Wanting
Chapter 8What’s normal?
Chapter 9Her secret life…
Chapter 10It’s only dinner
Chapter 11Trust
Chapter 12Dating
Chapter 13Reality bites
Chapter 14Avoidance
Chapter 15Missing you
Chapter 16Hurting
Chapter 17Not anymore
Chapter 18Exposed
Chapter 19Now what?
Chapter 20The bottom drops
Chapter 21Too much
Chapter 22Part of crazy
Chapter 23A new life
Epilogue
Dedication
To my mom, I miss you every single day.
And to all the eternal dreamers out there.
Don’t forget to work just as hard as you dream.
Prologue
“I don’t want to stay at Guela’s again,” I whine to my mother, refusing to get out of the car parked in front of my grandmother’s house.
“This isn’t a question, Toni. We are getting out, and you are spending the night here,” my mother scolds me.
She exits the car, walking around and opening the door for me to get out. I still have my seatbelt on and sit stubbornly with my arms crossed at my chest. My mother is staring at me, waiting, but I refuse to budge.
“Get out of the damn car, Toni.” My mother’s patience is running thin.
“No!” I yell at her.
She bends down, reaching for the seatbelt button to release it. I squirm, trying to make it more difficult.
“I’m not staying here!” I begin yelling at the top of my lungs as only a six year old would.
She pulls me out of the car against my wishes, pushing me into my grandmother’s arms. My grandmother clutches me tightly, probably scared I would try and run back into the car.
“No me quiero quedar aquí (I don’t want to stay here),” I begin to cry to my grandmother as I watch my mom drive away from me.
“Vas estar bien aquí conmigo (You are going to be all right here with me.)” She continues to hug me tightly.
Chapter 1
Who is she?
Toni
Not feeling like you belong to part of a community you have chosen to be a part of because you fear what could happen if the real you is discovered is the conundrum I have found myself in for the past three years. Avoiding as many campus parties I could has been my usual. Not saying I didn’t go to any, but they were usually smaller parties I came across in my apartment complex. There was no use in attending if I wasn’t hoping to befriend anyone. I kept to my side of town for nightlife or was busy working. But now, I’m being forced to stay away and “fit in” with the college crowd.
Walking into the fraternity house is like walking into a movie. You know, raging college parties, booze flowing, and people everywhere. I really thought movies exaggerated, but I guess not. I only came because my usual study partner convinced me. She wanted to pick me up, but I told her I would meet her. Now, I’m not sure I will find her.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket.
Running late, be there in 5
Text from Amy, my study partner. I walk through the house in search of the bar or keg to get a drink while I wait. There are enough Solo cups here to suggest a keg. A good beer would really be welcome since I live off the cheap shit.
“Hey! Can I get a beer?” I ask the guy next to the keg, unsure if he’s manning it or if it’s a free-for-all.
“For you, gorgeous, of course.” He turns around and opens a large cooler and hands me a canned Dos XX. Good boy! “Sorry for the can, but no more bottles for us, because cleanup is a bitch—broken glass and all.”
“Free beer. How could I complain?” I smile, knowing I could have him wrapped around my finger if I choose. “So what’s in the keg?”
“The cheap shit. Good stuff is in the cooler.” He winks. Yeah, I could have him, but this one is too easy.
“Then a bigger thank you is in order.” I blow a kiss his way before turning around and walking away.
Vibration again.
Amy: Where are you? I’m walking in.
Me: In the back, close to the keg
“Toni!” I hear above the music.
I turn around to see Amy walking toward me. She gives me a brief hug before beginning again. “I desperately need a drink. Come with me.”
“Go on, I just got this one. I’ll wait for you here.” I don’t need to see Cutie manning the keg so soon. He will mistakenly think I want something with him.
“Okay. Don’t move.” She quickly walks away.
This college party is so different than the parties on my side of town. There, you better be bringing your own stuff to drink or else you will go thirsty—that is, unless someone takes pity on you, or a guy thinks he has a chance of getting down your pants. The difference between having money and poverty is astounding. I’ve had to learn these unspoken differences on my own. College was never in my sights growing up, but I’ve made it this far. My last year.
“He was really cute.” Amy comes back, informing me of what I had already noticed. She looks at my drink. “Where did you get that?”
I see her Solo cup and keep my answer simple. “He gave it to me.”
“Ah! So he likes you. You got the good beer.” She smiles and I’m relieved. I guess this is common knowledge. “Come on. Let’s go mingle. When his shift is over, he’ll probably come looking for you.”
“His shift?” I ask, confused.
“Yeah. You know. Different guys man the booze throughout the night, making sure people don’t get too crazy and cutting you off if they think you’ve had too much already. When his is done, he will look for you.” She bats her eyelashes dramatically and walks into a crowd.
I follow her, watching as she chats with different groups. She introduces me to people all while flirting along the way. I excuse myself to get another drink when the group of girls she is speaking with gets overwhelmingly annoying.
Back at the keg, a new guy is on beer duty. I watch a couple of girls hand him their cups for a refill. He looks at me, and I answer, “I’ll take one, please.” He pulls a cup from the stack, noticing I don’t have one in hand.
“Just get here?”
“No, I had a Dos XX before,” I answer honestly.
“Pete’s a sucker for a beautiful girl.” He laughs. “Too bad he can’t see when the girl is out of his league.” He hands me the beer. Just like I thought before. He would be too easy.
“Thanks.” This one has the typical cocky-frat-guy attitude. I bet he would like me to flirt and beg for a good beer. Not happening. I walk away smiling, venturing out
side.
The climate outside is much calmer. People are standing around or sitting in the few chairs, talking, conversations flowing since the music from inside is muffled. I find an empty chair away from others. It isn’t the worst party ever, but adjusting to this new life kind of sucks. Alex, my cousin, has been after me to stay away from the neighborhood. If he had his way I would leave and not turn back. Believe me, I want to, but leaving the only life I’ve known has to be done with finesse if I want to cover my past. I want out of the hood, but I’m not quite ready to show myself to this world.
“Toni, what are you doing out here by yourself?” Amy asks, walking toward me.
“Just getting a breather. It was stuffy inside,” I lie. Keeping up my appearance is key. No one knows where I’m from, and I intend to keep it that way.
She waves a Dos XX can in front of me. “Come on. Tequila shots are calling our names.” She grabs my hand, pulling me up. The new beer guy wants down her pants, and it looks like she may be easier than I thought.
“Free tequila? Why not.” People like me don’t pass up free booze.
“Welcome back,” Beer Guy welcomes us. He pulls small cups out of a box and places them on the counter. He turns around to the cooler the previous guy got the beer out of and, magically, a bottle of tequila appears—and the good stuff, too. “Lime and salt?”
“Of course,” Amy chimes at the same time I say, “Nah.”
Beer Guy raises an eyebrow at me, probably surprised with my answer. “No lime?”
Shaking my head, I say, “Not necessary since you pulled out the good stuff.” The cheap stuff is what I can afford and purchase, so I really want to enjoy this shot.
“Impressed.” His focus is directed to me now.
I see Amy from the corner of my eye, watching our interaction. The usual girl jealousy is beginning to rise. Quick to bring her back in the mix, I ask, “Where’s Amy’s salt and lime?” I make sure to use her name so, hopefully, he will remember it. I’m not interested, so there is no reason for Amy’s feathers to ruffle.
Turning back to the cooler, he pulls out a plastic container of lime slices and grabs the salt shaker from the top of the keg. His attention is back to Amy as he’s pouring.
“Ready, beautiful.” He watches Amy. Did he forget her name already? Amy slowly licks the side of her hand before shaking salt on it and licking again. She’s not playing hard to get.
We each grab a cup and tap them together. I watch as they throw their heads back, taking the shot in one swift motion. I pour mine back slower, appreciating the harsh but smooth taste. Amy quickly grabs her lime to cut the burn.
“You haven’t finished it yet?” she asks, noticing my cup is still half full.
“No reason to slam. It’s pretty smooth if you give it a chance.”
“Huh. Not really a tequila girl, I guess,” she states, confused at my answer.
“I’m probably the odd one out, not many people are.” I try to keep her pacified. This is the reason I have avoided going out with study partners—especially girls. Girls tend to compete and get their panties in a wad. I don’t need that shit in my life. I need to graduate and get the hell out of the hood.
“Another one, ladies?” Frat Guy asks. He’s ready to get laid.
“No way. I won’t be walking if I go in for another.” Amy is shaking her head dramatically. Weak, but probably a good idea to keep my wits.
“Thanks,” she says to Mr. Cocky. “Come on, let’s see who else is around.” She grabs my hand to pull me behind her. I allow her to lead me, even though I find the action annoying.
She has been bouncing from group to group, talking animatedly. I recognize very few people from classes or around campus. I’m not completely comfortable, but the buzz I have with the next couple of refills has relaxed me. As I’m walking to the bathroom, someone pulls my arm and yanks me into a dark hallway.
“What the hell?” I hit in the direction of whoever grabbed me.
“What are you doing here?” I turn around, recognizing the voice.
Garrett
I’ve done my part, making sure the underclassmen have taken care of the party duties. Busy for the past couple of hours, I have passed the torch. I have a few more hours to enjoy the night. The whiskey we have over ice in the back room will do the trick. Pouring it into a red Solo cup to camouflage it, I walk out.
“Partying. What does it look like?” I hear a girl exclaim angrily. Not sure if she will need a helping hand, I stop to listen.
“Why are you partying here?” I recognize a frat brother’s voice.
“Why wouldn’t I party here?” the girl retorts.
“You don’t belong here.” The anger in his voice is unmistakable.
“Why? Care to tell me why I’M not welcome but all these other drunk girls are?” She’s not backing down. I peek around the corner to get a look at who Kevin is speaking to. Whomever she is, she’s gorgeous. Long, dark-brown hair cascades down, helping to accentuate her thin, curvy figure. Her back is against the wall, and Kevin is inches from her. His jaw is ticking, and I hesitate whether to involve myself.
“Because… you know why,” he states a bit more calmly. “How would you even know anyone who would be here?”
“Because I go here.”
Kevin steps back, confused with her declaration. “Really?”
“Yes. Don’t look so shocked. It’s not like we have shared anything personal with each other. I didn’t know you went here, either.” She crosses her arms, which pushes her ample chest up. “Now, I’m going to the bathroom, and we can ignore each other. No one has to know we have met before.”
“How about I give you something and you can walk out of here happy?” Kevin pulls a money clip from his pocket.
“Really? That’s how you think this is going to work?” Her chin lifts a fraction.
“Isn’t that how it works? I pay, and you give me what I want.”
“Not this time. Not last time you asked. I don’t want your fucking money.” I’m extremely curious about what they are talking about. How does he know her? Tension is thick in the air.
“Are you sure?” His jaw tenses. She doesn’t move. “Fine.” Kevin gives in.
As Beauty is about to walk away, he grabs her arm to stop her. Standing behind her, he kisses her neck and whispers something I can’t hear. She walks away without looking back. Good girl. He doesn’t have her.
I count to ten before I come around the corner. Kevin is still standing where she walked away from him. He turns around, stunned to see me. “Hey.” His nervousness is noticeable.
“Why are you hiding here? The girls are out there,” I tease him, giving him a false sense of privacy.
“Yeah.” He gives me a small smile. “Just needed a quick break. Come on, the least I can do is help you get laid after pulling a shift tonight.”
I place my hand on his shoulder. “No need. One caught my eye earlier tonight.” I pat his back firmly. He doesn’t need to know how much earlier. “Take your breather.” I walk away, hoping I can find the mystery girl.
Sipping from my cup, I walk through the crowd toward the closest bathroom. I stand around, watching as a few girls walk out. Wondering if she has left, I begin walking the party. Too many are already slurring and stumbling around. Not in the mood to deal with other people’s drunken antics, I down the glass and head to the ice chest. I grab a beer before walking the party again.
After searching for several minutes, there is no sign of her. Giving up, I grab another beer and walk outside to find a very pleasant surprise. I make my way to the small group she is speaking with.
“How’s the kick-off party?” I ask the group as I approach.
Everyone in the group, but her, turns to face me. She actually turns in the opposite direction.
“Booze, music, and friends. Nothing to complain about here,” a bubbly girl responds happily, her eyes glazed and smile too big.
“Great. Glad you’re enjoying yourself.” I stand wit
h the group. “How about you? Enjoying yourself?” I tap Beauty on the arm.
She turns to face me, her expression stoic. “It’ll do. Excuse me.” She turns away again and begins to walk away.
“Wait.” Confused why she is ready to flee, I hold her elbow to slow her. We take a few steps away from the others. “What’s the hurry? Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I was just getting ready to leave.” Her voice is flat.
“Stay. Have a drink with me.” I’m still holding her elbow, so I give it a small, encouraging squeeze. “I’m Garrett.” I release her elbow and extend my hand to her.
She rewards me with a smile. She places her hand in mine. “Toni. Nice to meet you.” I bring her hand up to my lips and kiss it. I wave my hand in the direction of a couple of empty patio chairs away from the crowd.
“Why don’t you take a seat, darlin’, and I will get us a couple of drinks.”
“Trying to get me drunk?” She raises an eyebrow in question.
“No, just trying to get you to stay so I can talk to you,” I blurt out too honestly. Her confident, no-nonsense attitude catches me off guard.
“I should probably be getting home.”
“One drink?” One side of her lips pulls up slightly. I’m making progress. “One can’t hurt. Sit. I’ll be back.” She moves slowly to the chair. I find an underclassman and bark orders for him to bring me a couple of the good beers.
“They’ll be right up.” I push the chair a little closer before taking a seat. “I got an underclassman to bring me a couple,” I answer the question her face gave away. Wanting to know her story, I jump in. “You said you were about to leave. Did you come alone?”
Her lips pull into a brilliant smile. “I think that is a question no girl should ever answer if a guy asks.” Her sarcasm is unmistakable. “I think that is Freshman Girl Going Out 101.” A small laugh bubbles out of her full lips. “But since I think you’re harmless, I met a study partner here. She’s over there.” She points to the group of people she was talking to.