by Terry Towers
She pointed to her nametag and her grin widened. “It would appear that way. Either that or I’m such a loser that my idea of a good time is putting on store nametags and working for free.”
Whoa, a little snarky. I liked it. I smiled down at her again, trying to be friendly, yet not so friendly that it would make her think I wanted anything more than to be a buddy. Had to hit that perfect balance. Maybe this was going to be harder than expected.
I’m supposed to be her pal, not her fuck buddy, I reminded myself.
“So, what do you have by the way of Deadpool?”
She hesitated, her brow creasing. “I think we have a box or two. Anything in particular you’re looking for?”
Fuck if I knew. “Nah, my nephew is having a birthday coming up. He likes Deadpool and that’s all I know.”
“Deadpool is cool, though I only saw the movie; he has good taste. Okay. Let’s see what we can do for you.”
“I took him to see it in the theatre when it first came out. His mother wasn’t too impressed with me over that.” I shrugged.
She laughed. “I imagine not.” She began walking, waving her hand at me, motioning for me to follow along.
I followed her to the front of the store. She placed the stack of comics on the countertop, and then grabbed one of the cardboard boxes from the shelf, labeled Deadpool. Jesus, were there so many that they required their own box? After she had retrieved it for me, I pretended to skim through it while making idle chit-chat for the next ten minutes or so. She was either really interested in me or very bored, I’d guess the latter. I was hardly putting on the charm, but despite my lack of trying we seemed to click and the conversation seemed free and fun. I liked it – too much.
“So, you’re a fan of the superhero comics?”
She shrugged. “I work at a comic book store.”
“Not really an answer to my question.” I looked over at the couple of people who were milling about and nodded to them. “You’re like a rare specimen in a place like this. I bet half the guys coming in here are here more for the scenery than the books.”
“I really don’t think they even noticed. You really don’t have much of a grasp on the world of geekdom – do you?” She raised a brow at me, crossing her arms over her chest, challenging me to prove her wrong.
I laughed once more, as I’d done several times during our short time together. I really loved her wit; again it made me wonder why any man in his right mind would let such a catch go.
“I guess I have a lot of learning to do.”
She nodded. “You work under my father, I doubt you have much time for anything other than being an upstanding soldier.” She said it with a hint of animosity, which was bewildering to me. If she felt her father to be too harsh then why come to live with him?
“Is that all you need?”
I looked down at the three books in my hand and nodded, following her lead to the cash register. A moment later my purchases were rung in and paid for.
It was now or never. The fear of facing the major with failure overrode my sudden bout of nerves on asking her out. Well, let’s get this right, not out as in on a date, just two pals hanging out.
Okay, this is the moment, just fucking go for it. Leaning forward, I scooped up my purchases, which she had placed in a bag. “Listen, I was planning to go see a movie tomorrow night, already bought the tickets, but my buddy opted out earlier today. Would you be interested in going with me?”
She gave me a look that appeared almost startled, but didn’t reply.
“It’s actually a bit of a chick flick and I can’t seem to find someone to go with me, it’s starring Melissa McCarthy. I don’t know why I bought them in advance.” God, I sounded like a loser right now. What guy buys tickets to a chick flick in advance, my excuse was flimsy at best. This was not my usual style. I would like to think I was a helluva lot smoother than this.
“Well…” She started that adorable nibbling again.
Holding up my hand, I gave her some reassurance. “No pressure of anything more than friendship, I swear. I’m just looking for someone willing to endure a couple hours of what may or may not be an awesomely funny movie.”
After another hesitation, she nodded. “Well, okay, but only if we can eat first. The smell of popcorn makes me gag, and it’s even worse on an empty stomach.”
She hated movie popcorn? I didn’t think that was possible. Movie popcorn was the best, especially loaded with that oily butter stuff theatres liked to use. “You hate popcorn?”
She nodded, looking a little ashamed.
“Then I swear, we won’t get popcorn and we’ll definitely eat beforehand.” This was sounding dangerously like a date, but that was fine. Buddies could go on outings that seemed date-like – couldn’t they? I didn’t really have any female friends I didn’t sleep with so my experience with this was limited.
Leaving the shop a few minutes later with comic books in hand, I found myself hoping that the major would be pleased that my babysitting mission was proceeding with success thus far. It was just a pleasant surprise that it wouldn’t be any hardship to spend time with Olivia after all – which meant I had to be on my guard and not get too comfortable with my new… friend.
Chapter Two
Olivia
After work I logged into Facebook from my new laptop, which was part of my welcoming home present from my father upon arriving. Father called it a welcome home present for my first year of college, but I preferred to call it a bribe. I immediately began a search for Evan Fennel. He had a profile, but it was completely blocked, even his friends list was locked – bummer.
Plan two, I opened the chat window to see if my brother was on. He was in his second year of college and had an evening class, but I hoped to catch him before he left. To my relief, Wade was available and responded almost immediately.
Part of me wished I was back home out East, but I couldn’t go back. Everything about that place reminded me of him… The boy who took my heart, tossed it into a blender and drank it for breakfast – Michael Ackles.
Olivia: Got a minute for some sibling advice?
Wade: Always for my baby sister.
I rolled my eyes. At just eleven months older, he was my closest sibling in age and one of my best friends. He did seem to relish in being able to tease me over being younger though it was only ten months for Pete’s sakes!
Olivia: One of Dad’s men came into the shop today.
Wade: And?
Olivia: One of his Sgts.
Wade: Again, and what of it? What’d he want?
Olivia: A comic book, but then he asked me to dinner and a movie.
Wade: He’s a Sgt? How old is this dude?
Olivia: Dunno mid-twenties, I guess.
Wade: Hmmm
Olivia: What do you mean by hmmm?
Wade: Did he know who you were? Who dad is?
Olivia: Yeah. He sorta remembered me.
Wade: I bet he did.
I looked at his last comment a moment. What in the hell did he mean by that? It didn’t take me long to figure it out. My back straightened in my little black plastic swivel chair as I frowned, my fingers beginning to fly over the keys again.
Olivia: It wasn’t like that. Honest… But, just a question… Do guys ever ask girls out to do things if they aren’t interested in them? You know, just to chill.
Wade: Sure. I have lots of girl friends that aren’t girlfriends.
Olivia: Okay. I thought so, but wanted to ask a guy. I can’t imagine he’d want a girl like me anyway. I get the feeling this guy doesn’t have trouble finding dates.
Wade: I meant guys you already know. Some stranger, yeah that’s a bit different. You really think that’s all he wants? Just friends? And for the record this wallowing in self-pity is getting old. You know my feelings on you letting that asshole chase you out of Boston.
I groaned inwardly. I wanted to protest that he didn’t chase me out of Boston at all, but in a sense, he had. Deep down I kn
ew I’d used going to college here in California as just an excuse; some of the best schools in the United States were in the Boston area. I needed to get this conversation back to the point of me messaging him in the first place.
Olivia: We’re getting side-railed here, I didn’t message you to talk about Michael. Evan and I chatted a bit and it was a pretty good conversation, but he seemed standoffish. I didn’t get any flirting vibes from him.
Wade: Maybe he’s gay, which movie are you going to?
Olivia: A romantic comedy with Melissa McCarthy
Wade: Yup, it’s looking more and more the case. Just maybe.
Olivia: LOL. I seriously doubt it.
Wade: You should ask Dad about this dude. No sense getting too involved with this guy if he’s not even boyfriend material. You know Dad’s view on dating the people that work under him, but it would be worse if Dad thinks he’s a sub-standard soldier.
Olivia: LOL. No thanks, my personal life isn’t Dad’s business. Besides, you know how overprotective Dad can be. I don’t need the hassle of Dad interfering. And it’s not getting involved, it’s a friendly hangout.
Wade: Right. Well, have fun. Gotta get to class before I’m late.
Olivia: Thanks!
Something wasn’t sitting right with me. Sure, the run-in with Evan could just be a coincidence. However, upon further consideration, I decided to bite the bullet and broach the subject with my father over dinner. Getting a little information wouldn’t be the worst thing. Postponing our chat until dinner, I waited until everyone had a plate of my stepmother’s mouthwatering lasagna before bringing up my comic book store visitor. “Hey, Dad, do you know Sergeant Fennel?”
My father paused in the process of taking a bite, his eyes – identical blue eyes to mine – lifting from his plate to meet mine. “Yes, I do. He’s one of my men, I know them all.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s quick to do his duty. Generally, passes his inspections without incident. He’s good performing at his rank, but eager to continue advancing his career.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes; that wasn’t the type of information I was digging for. Why in the hell would I want to know about his rank and inspections? “What’s he like though?”
With a frown, Dad said, “Loyal. Dedicated. Good at following orders and delegating duties.”
Sighing, I took a bite of my lasagna, deciding to give up on trying to get more information from him. It was just as well. As I’d told Wade, the last thing I really wanted was my father interfering. Bringing up Evan in the first place had been a big mistake. Should have gone with my first instinct.
“Why?” he asked, setting down his fork onto his plate.
With a shrug, I responded, “He was in the store today and asked me out. As friends, not a date.”
Deciding to get involved with the conversation – as she always did with every conversation – my stepmother also set down her fork. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Olivia.”
This had nothing to do with my stepmother; why did she always have to put her two cents’ worth in? I turned to address her anyhow. “Why not?”
“If he’s a sergeant, he has to be quite a bit older and more experienced than you. You just turned eighteen.” She shook her head. “And you know that your father doesn’t want you dating people under his command.”
“It isn’t a date.”
“I don’t see a problem with it,” Dad cut in.
My stepmother and I turned to my father, both of us a little surprised. Dad was usually stringent in his convictions. “Really?” I asked, not sure if I heard right. In truth, I think a part of the reason I’d brought it up was that I hoped my father would forbid me to go. Something about Evan made me unsettled, like I was missing something, I couldn’t explain why, perhaps it was because my heart was in the process of healing and a part of me feared getting hurt again. Evan seemed the type of guy I could fall for, and falling meant eventually being hurt. Isn’t that how love goes? Fall in love, think you have forever with that person and then get hit with a devastating blow, just to have to do it all over again. Why do we do this to ourselves?
“Arthur, you’re the one who has always said...”
He cut her off before she could finish. “It’s just some food and a show, nothing to concern yourself with. Olivia could use to get out a bit. Besides, she isn’t his type. I’ve seen the women he’s been with in the past. Olivia doesn’t fit the mold.” He waved a hand, dismissing the topic as unimportant, though it made me wonder, why wasn’t I his type? Was I not pretty enough? Did he usually have a parade of women? Was I too thin? I certainly could use a little help in the boob department, I was barely out of an A cup, depending on the brand I bought. I wished I weren’t so critical of myself, but it seemed to be my go-to feeling ever since the break-up with Michael.
“I don’t think it was meant to be a date, Stephanie,” I said again, turning back to my stepmother. I had to convince myself of that as well as her. “He just said none of his other friends was interested in going to a chick flick. He’s not interested in me. Guys have girls as friends all the time nowadays.”
I’d still go, despite this new information. I just had to seal my heart off. I needed a friend here and he was as good as any. Maybe having some fun with Evan could get my mind off Michael. After the way things had gone with my ex, I was done with guys, done with dating, done with love and all those things that can cause hurt in the end. Maybe once I graduated college, but considering this was my first year of a four-year program I had a way to go.
“He won’t put a foot out of line, Stephanie,” Arthur said, scowling. “I’m sure he knows exactly what I’d do to any man under my command who tried to hurt my daughter.”
After a brief hesitation, Stephanie shrugged, giving in to the major. “Your father knows him, so I’ll defer to him on this one. Just be cautious, Olivia. I don’t want to see you getting hurt again.”
“It’s friends only and I’ll be sure to make him aware of that tomorrow. Promise.” It didn’t matter how hot Evan was, I told myself firmly. My heart was closed for business, and friendship was all I planned to offer him.
~*~ TT ~*~
After meeting up at the front door of the theatre, we had dinner at the little take-out counter there, filling ourselves with oversized hot dogs and nachos before going in to see the flick. The movie, however, didn’t seem to be able to keep my attention. Not that it wasn’t good, I’m sure it was, but my mind was distracted with something else. Evan wore a cologne that wasn’t overpowering, but enticing enough that I found myself repeatedly leaning toward him to get a whiff. And he was so warm, I found myself wanting to snuggle up to him to indulge in the heat radiating from his body.
Despite missing most of the movie, by the time we emerged from the theatre I felt happy with a warm tingling feeling in the pit of my stomach. While Evan began a monologue of his impressions of the movie, I found myself distracted, but this time it wasn’t because of his cologne or the heat from his nearness, it was because my gaze caught sight of two people from my past – two people who hurt me drastically.
I stumbled to a stop as I stared a moment at Trevor O’Connor and Julie Kastle entwined around each other, and surrounded by a small group of their friends. Julie used to be my best friend and Trevor had been my very first boyfriend – the first guy to lie to me and to break my heart. The small group that accompanied the couple had also been my friends, but not anymore. As politics of teenagers went, sides got picked and Julie the cheerleader won out over the gangly, small-chested bookworm, despite the fact Julie and Trevor had been in the wrong.
“Olivia?”
Hearing Evan say my name brought me out of my trance and I shifted my gaze so my eyes met his.
“Are you okay?” He examined me closely. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I forced myself to smile. The past was the past. Four years ago. “Sure. It’s fine.” Still, I couldn’t help but tense
as Trevor and Julie’s group moved forward, while Evan led me nearer to the lobby. We were going to pass the couple any moment. Maybe I’d changed enough that they wouldn’t even recognize or remember me; it had been four years after all.
Evan wasn’t convinced. It was like he sensed my discomfort despite my assurance I was fine. Apparently, I was a horrible actress. Damn him for being so observant. “Seriously, what’s wrong?”
“I feel a little sick,” I said in a wobbly voice. That was the best I could come up with on the fly.
“The popcorn get to you?”
If only.
I was an adult now, no longer the innocent fourteen-year-old who they hurt years ago, though if that were the case, then why was my insecurity shining through like a bright beacon? Gritting my teeth, I decided to bite the bullet and admit the truth. I whispered, “I really don’t want to face the people coming our way.”
To my surprise, Evan glanced at the group, frowned, and then put his arm around my waist, pulling me tight to his side. I knew it was nothing more than a gesture of support – we were just friends after all – but for a second, my heart raced and the only thing that existed was me and Evan.
The wave of relief that washed over me as he took charge of the situation and led me toward a different exit and away from the people I had dreaded encountering was intense and welcomed. I held tight to him, not wanting to pull away from the comfort and strength he was providing me as we exited the building and emerged into the chill of the early fall evening.
“Coffee?”
I shrugged, still feeling quite shaky. “I’m not a coffee fan, but I could use a Frappuccino.”
He smiled down at me, his smile easing my discomfort. Evan ushered me across the strip mall to a Starbucks near the movie theater. With each step we took that granted distance between us and the group, the better I felt. Once we were in Starbucks and I had a double chocolaty chip Frappuccino in hand, I began to feel much better. That whole ordeal was stupid and I knew this, but sometimes humiliation follows you like a dark passenger in your subconscious, ready to lash out at just the right moment.