“I could.”
“You know what he would say, don’t you?”
“What?”
“He’d get mad at you for wearing such a revealing swimsuit without him around to watch.”
“No, he wouldn’t. You act like we’ve been dating for months. We haven’t even been on a real date yet.”
“I guess you made a big impression.”
“Did he really tell you about me before that party?” I still couldn’t believe it.
“Oh yes. I’ve never heard him like that. Usually, he just hooks up with girls. He had one girlfriend freshman year, but they didn’t last long. He said you were different. I think he’s been into you awhile, but didn’t want to get locked up for statutory rape.”
“He never even noticed me in that way before.” I thought about the past few summers when I’d done everything to get his attention. He told me I looked good in red once. I had a lot of red clothing—like the bikini I had on.
“So you’ve liked him a while too?” Ryan put on his sunglasses.
“Oh yeah.” I figured there was no reason to lie.
“Then what’s up with you flirting with Kyle?”
“I don’t flirt with Kyle.”
“Yes you do.”
“I don’t.” I closed my eyes and leaned back.
“A piece of advice. Dylan likes you a lot, but if he thinks you’re into anyone else—especially his brother—you’re not going to last long.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I dipped my hand into the warm water.
“You do that.”
Chapter Ten
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Boys…
Dear Amy,
How do you tell a guy the sex is bad without actually saying it? Don’t read too much into the question. I’m just asking.
Your Almost Innocent Cousin,
Juliet
The first day of classes was mostly uneventful. I started with Freshman Writing at nine. Mallory was in it with me, and the professor seemed decent, although he was ancient. Our first assignment was straightforward: a paper about our favorite book. The only problem was I didn’t have a favorite book. I know what you’re thinking—I’m a ditz or something—but that’s not true. I’d simply never found a book that spoke to me enough to be my favorite. I liked a lot of books. I loved A Farewell to Arms and The Quiet American. Now that I think about it, most of the books I liked were about war. I wonder what that says about me? But that’s beside the point. I didn’t have one favorite.
Our next classes were on opposite sides of the quad, so I said goodbye to Mallory and went in search of my Modern U.S. History class. I found it with five minutes to spare and took my time setting up my laptop.
“Hey, Annie.” Reed took a seat next to me.
“Hey. You’re in this class?”
“No, I’m just randomly sitting here.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re so funny.”
“How was the rest of your weekend?”
“It was good.” It was. Kind of. The float trip wasn’t all bad. I’d learned a lot more about Dylan, and Tally was so psyched about meeting Gregg that we got to have a lot of girl talk that night. It turned out she was really cool. I’d kind of expected Dylan to call or at least text, but he never did. So much for Ryan’s speech about how crazy he was about me.
“You’re not very talkative today.” He said it as a statement and not a question. “But that’s okay. I’m not either.”
I thought about asking him why, but that went against the whole not being talkative thing. Class went by in a blur, and before I knew it, we were walking out.
“I’ll see you at work at five-thirty.”
I appreciated the reminder. “All right. I’ll see you then.”
He grinned. “Almost forgot about your first day of work?”
“Second. You said Friday night counted.”
“Fair enough. I’ll see you later.” He waved before heading off in the opposite direction.
***
“How skanky does this look?” I checked myself in the mirror again.
“Hmm, it depends on your skankiness scale.” Cara laughed from where she lounged on my bed.
“Do you want my opinion?” Tally turned in her desk chair where she’d been working on a paper.
“Yes.”
“You’ve got nice boobs—show them off.”
I laughed. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that answer.”
“What? I’m flat as a board. If I had what you do, I’d flaunt them.” Tally might have had a small chest, but she had an incredible body. I wished for legs like hers.
I took another look at myself in my too-small Al’s Pizza t-shirt. “I can’t believe it shrunk. I was going to ask Reed for more anyway…”
Cara sat up cross-legged. “I don’t think he’ll have a problem with the shirt.”
“I don’t really have a choice now. I’m supposed to be at work in fifteen minutes.”
“At least you’ll get good tips.” Tally shrugged.
“If anyone actually comes in. I don’t understand why I need to be there before nine o’clock, but if they want to pay me for sitting on my butt, I’m all for it.”
Cara laughed. “Have fun.”
“Will do.”
I grabbed a zip-up sweatshirt on my way out the door so I’d have it for my walk home. I headed straight through the center of campus. It was pretty deserted. I made it to Al’s with a few minutes to spare.
“Hey, Ms. Oakley.” Reed didn’t look up from his book when I walked in.
“How’d you know it was me?”
“Who else would come in now?”
“So you were being serious? We’re not going to have customers for hours?”
“Nope. I always prep, but trust me, we won’t need to touch anything until at least eight.”
I stopped next to the counter. “I’m glad I brought my books.”
“Good.” He finally glanced up. “Wow…you know how to make a t-shirt look good.”
“Shut up.”
“What? I don’t remember it looking quite so good the other day.”
“I somehow managed to shrink it. When you give me my other shirts, I’ll need an extra.”
“Would you mind shrinking them all? It might make work more interesting.” He grinned.
“You know, I really thought you were a decent guy, but maybe you are a jerk and—”
“Hold that thought.” He walked into the back and came back with a handful of shirts.
“Take your pick.”
“Thanks. Sorry about the jerk thing.”
“I had it coming.”
I pulled out a few articles we had to read for history class and noticed that Reed was reading the same thing. When I finished, I put them away and messed around on my phone.
Reed set aside his work. “Want to learn how to make a perfect Al’s Pizza?”
“I thought I wasn’t going to be cooking?”
“You’re not. But maybe you’ll have to one day.”
“All right. Why not?” I stuffed my phone into my back pocket.
“We make the dough in big batches ahead of time, so it’s really not hard.” Reed walked into the back and stopped in front of a large, deep sink. He washed his hands, and I did the same.
“The fridges and freezers are back here.” He disappeared around the corner, and I followed. He opened a large refrigerator and pulled out a container of dough. “Do you know how to toss a pizza?”
“Do I look like I know?” I bit back a smile. I had a feeling he actually enjoyed his tutorial.
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“I have no clue.”
He went through it step by step. He rolled out the dough and made me try to toss it. I dropped in on the table twice before I got it.
“You’re a fast learner.”
“Yeah, you know, I have mad skills.”
He let me do the sau
ce and cheese part myself. I think he found the whole thing amusing. It was a nice distraction from my school work. Still, I was more than happy to let him take over after the first pie. I took a seat and watched him make a couple more. “The guys will make the rest when they come in. What do you want for dinner?”
“Does it honestly taste that bad? Do you knowingly serve horrible pizza?”
“Want to find out?”
“Not particularly, but I guess it’s important to actually know what I’m selling.”
Reed took the first pizza to one of the industrial ovens. Twenty minutes later, we sat in a booth with the pie between us.
Reed grinned. “Dig in.”
“Should I be scared?”
“It’s not going to make you sick or anything. It’s just not the best pizza ever.”
He was right. It tasted like a cheap frozen pizza from the grocery store. “Point taken. I won’t ask again.”
He laughed. “I think there’s something about the dough that makes it actually taste good when you’re drunk, but when you’re sober, not so much.”
“What do we do now?”
“Clean up, and do more work.”
“I really think I’m going to get used to this.
Chapter Eleven
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Boys…
Dear Juliet,
Don’t read into it? Who’s bad in bed? I hope you haven’t been sleeping with Dylan again or Kyle. But then again, it would be really funny if either of them sucked in bed.
Your Slightly Worried Cousin,
Amy
Tuesday was pretty boring. I did some reading for class and went to a meeting at the house. I was surprised to get a text from Dylan right before heading back to my dorm. Stop by my house tonight?
I texted him back. No easy feat while walking. You’re back?
Yeah. When can you come over?
I’m just leaving the house.
See you in a minute.
“Dylan wants me to stop by. I’ll see you girls later.”
“Ohhh, don’t do anything we wouldn’t do.” Mallory laughed.
“I guess you’d do almost anything.” I grinned.
“Night, Juliet.”
I headed to the Phi Omega house. A few guys were hanging out on the porch when I got there, so I went ahead and walked in.
Dylan was talking to some guys around the pool table. I hesitated for a moment before walking over, suddenly nervous. Before I could make myself move toward him, Dylan looked up and saw me. I expected him to smile, but his expression was stony.
“Let’s go upstairs.” He grabbed my hand and towed me behind him.
“Hey. Easy there. Your hand is digging into my wrist.”
“Sorry.” He loosened his hold but didn’t let go until we were in his room with the door closed.
“How’s your dad?” I asked.
“Fine. This isn’t his first scare.”
“Oh. That’s good. I mean that he’s okay.”
“Is there anything you want to tell me?” Dylan glared at me.
“What do you mean?” I crossed my arms nervously over my chest. His gaze was intimidating.
“Do anything fun this weekend?”
“I don’t know… it was okay.”
“Stop playing dumb, Juliet. What the hell was that about?”
“What?”
“You thought I wouldn’t find out that you went on the float with my brothers?”
“Oh. You care?” I knew he wouldn’t be thrilled, but he was fuming.
He laughed dryly. “Do I care? Hmm, let’s try this a different way. How would you feel if you left town to see your dad who was in the hospital and found out I spent the weekend with your sisters while practically naked.”
“Oh. I didn’t think about it that way. Kyle invited me, and I didn’t realize it was a frat thing. Once I did, it was too late.”
His expression darkened further. “You were okay going alone with Kyle?”
“No. My roommate was with me.”
“That makes it better? How do you think it felt to come back and hear every fucking guy in this house talking about your rack?”
“They’ve been talking about me?”
“Yes. Yes they have.”
“Look. I’m sorry. Trust me. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t have gone. But if it makes you feel any better, I spent the whole time talking to Ryan about you.”
Dylan finally smiled. “That’s what he said.”
“Are you really mad?”
He moved toward me. “I was.”
I looked up at him, feeling guilty as hell, even though I didn’t actually do anything. I kept picturing him flirting with Amanda in a bikini. “But not anymore?”
“It’s too hard to stay mad at you when you look like that.”
“Like what?” I looked down at my t-shirt and jean skirt.
“Like this…” He put his arms around my waist. “Besides, those guys might have gotten to look at you this weekend, but I’m the only one who gets to touch you.” He cupped my breast through the t-shirt. “Or taste you.” His lips crushed against mine, as he used his free hand to cradle my head. We’d had frenzied kisses before, but this one was more intense, and god, Dylan could kiss.
I barely realized we were moving, but somehow I ended up on his bed.
“I need you, baby. I’ve been going crazy.” He pulled my t-shirt over my head, quickly unclasping my bra and tossing it. He pulled off his own shirt before moving his mouth to my breast. At the same time, he unzipped my skirt and tried to pull it off. It got stuck on my hips, so I moved to help him.
“No.” He moved his mouth. “I get to undress you.”
There was something almost frightening about the way he said it. I shrugged it off. Dylan wasn’t scary. I nodded and let him take off my skirt and panties before taking off his shorts and boxers.
“Tell me you’re mine.”
“Hmm?” I tried to speak, but his hand had moved between my legs, distracting me.
“Tell. Me. You’re. Mine.” He looked right at me.
I felt so good. I would have said anything in that moment. Maybe if I distracted him, he’d finish this time. “I’m yours.”
“Say it again.”
“I’m yours.”
Within seconds, he moved his hand and thrust into me. He had been so close. I grabbed his hand, placing it where I wanted it, but he moved it away. I closed my eyes, knowing how quickly it would be over.
***
I actually enjoyed spending the night with Dylan. He was an excellent cuddler. He held me all night, and barely let me go when I had to leave to get ready for class.
I got back to my dorm in time for a quick shower before my writing class. I still didn’t know what book to write about. I’d have to figure it out at work that night. When I took the same seat in history, I was glad when Reed sat next to me. I’d never really had a guy friend before—unless you counted elementary school.
“How’s life treating you?” His face was cleanly shaven, and he smelled faintly of some sort of aftershave.
“You know. It’s life.”
“I’m starting to think you have multiple personalities.”
“Why’s that?”
“I can’t shut you up at work, but in class, you won’t even answer a question.”
I opened a Word document for the day’s notes. “What’s the major difference between the two occasions?”
He set up his laptop. “You’re not a morning person, are you?”
“Not at all.” I put my head in my hand. “I’m guessing from your chipper mood, you are a morning person.”
“I like morning and night.”
“Aren’t you special,” I grumbled.
He laughed. “Do you drink coffee? Maybe that would help.”
“Yes. I didn’t get home—I didn’t get a chance to get some this morning.”
“O
h no. I caught that. You didn’t get home in time to get one. Were you with Dylan?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Maybe not, but for curiosity sake, how are things going?”
“They’re going well.” There was no reason to say anything else.
“Yeah? Did he take you somewhere nice last night?”
“Why does that matter?”
“He didn’t, did he? I thought we’ve gone over this…”
“It just happened. He was pissed at me when he got back in town—” I glanced down at my book, wanting to look anywhere but Reed’s face.
“Why was he pissed? What could you have possibly done?”
I was spared having to answer when the professor walked in. I sat back in the uncomfortable desk chair and waited for the professor to start his lecture about the home front during World War I. I glanced around the room. Almost everyone zoned out, but I was actually enjoying it. Reed was as well. At least, he listened and took notes. That was more than the majority of the class did.
The professor finished right on time at ten fifty.
Reed packed up his stuff. “I need to run somewhere at four. If I give you the keys, can you open up tonight?”
“Seriously? What happened to not trusting me?”
“I’ll make an exception this time.”
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
“Great. Here.” He took a ring of keys from a larger keychain.
“Okay… but what time will you be back?”
“I’m not sure, but in time to get stuff ready for the actual customers.”
“All right, boss.”
“Thanks, Annie. See ya.” He waved before walking away.
I couldn’t help wondering what he had to do instead of work, but I lost my opportunity to ask.
Chapter Twelve
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Hey
Dear Amy,
Don’t worry, I’ll figure it all out. Are you having fun yet?
Your Strong and Independent Cousin,
Juliet
The Hazards of Skinny Dipping Page 8