“Beer. Coke or Pepsi?”
“Coke.” I answer, but don’t throw another one out there as we continue to play. I’m short on breath and need all my energy to play him.
We finish up a few sets and it’s after seven now. Like always we stay on our opposite sides of the court pacing and drinking our sports bottles. Finally, I sit down to catch my breath. Reed continues to pace, but keeps his eyes in my direction. The moment stretches and then he makes his way across the court. He stands in front of me and I look up to see those crystal clear, ocean blues. They are just as intense as I remember them. My stomach does a little flip and my pulse races. Luckily, I’m sitting or I know the lightheadedness spreading through me would take over.
“Anything else you want to ask?” The way his lip curves up on the one side and his hair hangs slightly in front of his eyes with sweat dripping down one would think he is a model for a sport commercial. I bite down on the bottom corner of my lip as I contemplate my answer. There is so much I’d love to ask, but I can’t. I just can’t bring myself to do it. My heart hurts for a moment and then I snap myself out of it.
“No,” I say with little declaration to my tone.
“Okay.” He hesitates for a moment and I can see that he is having his own internal battle, but he doesn’t say anything else. As he walks off the courts he runs his hands through his hair and his head drops a little. I contemplate running up to him and telling him things, things that still seem too difficult. In the end I chicken out though.
I walk back to the house happier than I’ve felt in months. My plan worked just like I thought it would. I knew over time that tennis could be our bond again. This time she came to me. For weeks I played against her never crossing the line or talking to her. When she turned around and asked me, “Sweet or salty” I think I stopped breathing and I nearly fell to my knees. I knew that this was a huge breakthrough. I loved that she started up the game I had started with her months ago to get her to open up. This time I let the questioning end in her court, giving her the opportunity to ask more. She didn’t ask more like I begged her to internally, but I knew I couldn’t press her. She had to come to me on her own… well, I of course was going to do everything in my power to set her up though.
While I had all intentions of having her back by spring break it looks like I’ll have to wait it out even longer. The thought of not seeing her for the week sucks. I decide that I’ll head to my mom’s place tonight before I have to be at my dad’s tomorrow. Everyone is going out tonight, but I’m not really up for it. I round the corner and kick at the broken up sidewalk in front of our old campus house. Just as I’m about to head up the front porch the front door opens with Quinn coming out. She turns back to kiss Matt before heading towards me.
“Hieee Reed, how was tennis?” She asks with way more perk than I could ever handle. Matt on the other hand handles it great.
“Hey, actually great. You won’t believe it, but she talked to me today,” I tell her openly with a stupid smile on my face.
“Really! That’s awesome. I know she is going to come around. You two are meant for each other.” I laugh at her giddiness. Maggie always tells me she’s coming around too, but it’s nice to hear another of her friends say the same thing. “Well, I am headed over to her dorm now and I’m going to beg her to come out with us to McGee’s tonight. She always says no to going to a party, but she may be open to McGee’s.” I cringe knowing the reason she won’t go to a party anymore.
“Quinn, tell me if she says she’ll go out tonight. I was planning on leaving tonight for break, but if she is here and going out so am I.”
She promises to tell Matt what’s going on before she skips off. That girl has more energy than my toddler nieces and nephew. I walk into the house not bothering to repeat myself to Matt because he heard the whole conversation.
He pats me on the back and says, “She’s coming around, man. Beer?” I nod in agreement and we head to the kitchen. Once we get in there I see two of my other roommates and Reese. Fuck. I really want to kick her out, but it seems like she is friends with my other roommates and even hooks up with them. Although, that never deters her from blatantly pursuing me. I say hi to my roommates and purposely try to ignore her. That doesn’t stop her from sauntering right over to me though. She stands in front of me as close as she can without touching me.
“You’re coming out tonight, right?” She whispers against the side of my face because I refuse to look at her. Reese is someone if you show any little opening she’ll take it and turn it around and twist it to her benefit. It’s gotten to the point that I can’t really even be courteous or polite.
“Nope and even if I did I wouldn’t be hanging out with you, Reese.” I hate to be a dick like this, but its necessary.
“Reed,” Matt says and pulls me even further away from this one sided conversation. I look over at him and he says, “It’s a go.” I smile and know that he is referring to Kate coming out tonight. Change of plans. I’ll call my mom once I get up to my room to let her know. She’ll be disappointed, but if she knew the details she’d understand. I almost forget Reese is still standing in front of me.
“What’s a go?” She asks all bright eyed.
“Nothing,” I say and gently push her aside to head up the back stairs. Once I get in my room I lock my door.
CHAPTER 6
After I quickly shower at the gym I make my way back over to my dorm. Along the way I see I have a missed call from my mom saying that she’ll pick me up tomorrow for break because dad had some work to do. It makes sense with taxes due around the corner, which is a portion of his business. If I had gotten that message even a week ago I may have freaked out, but now I feel okay about it. I feel that my mom and I have made some headway in our relationship and I allow myself to admit that it feels good. That’s what my therapist has encouraged me to do, to let myself trust my emotions even though I may get hurt in the long run. I push out the thought that I could get hurt though. I’m learning how to deal and cope better with the more challenging pieces of my life. Even Reed. I can feel myself opening up to the possibility of facing him and what I did.
I walk into our room and see Quinn and Maggie trying on different shirts. Shutting the door behind me I throw my workout bag down and walk over to sit on my bed.
“Hi Kate, how’s Reed?” Quinn boldly asks. I purse my lips and try to hide my shock at her knowing I just saw him.
“Fine.” I don’t bother to ask why she knows because I don’t want to hear any details and as always Quinn gives plenty of details. I turn to look at Maggie instead.
“Have you talked to Brandon yet?”
“Yes, but it didn’t go well. I asked if he knew why I was mad and he hasn’t admitted to it yet.” I giggle at her sassiness.
“Mags, he may not even realize that you saw him.”
“Exactly! Even more reason for me to be upset. He shouldn’t have been talking to her like that. He knows how I feel about her throwing herself on him like hot fudge on ice cream. We’ll see how he feels about his actions tonight when he gets the cold shoulder all night.”
“Okay, okay,” I say as I continue to laugh.
“Kate, are you coming out with us?” Quinn asks.
“No, that’s okay.”
“Come on, why not? You deserve to get out after all that hard work this week!”
“Where are you going anyway?” I ask and a spark of interest fills me that I wouldn’t mind being out with my friends, but the thought of going to a party still causes me to have anxiety.
“We are going to McGee’s. Come on, come with us! Pleeeeassse.”
“I don’t kn-,“ I start to say, but Quinn cuts me off.
“We would never let anything happen to you again,” she chides.
“Quinn that’s enough,” Maggie interjects.
“I’ll go.” They both whip their heads in my direction as soon as the words fall from my mouth.
“Really?!” They both say.
&nb
sp; “Yes, but I’m not drinking.”
After much primping by Quinn I look like me only a better version. My make-up is subtle and my hair is down in waves of ringlets that somehow stay in place. I try to pay attention to these tricks of Quinn’s, but of course I can never replicate what she does. Quinn heads out to her room to grab her coat and purse and I finish getting dressed. I throw on a pair of my skinny jeans and a black eyelet peplum top. Instead of wearing my most comfortable shoes I slip on a pair of wedges that aren’t too high of a heel. I smack my lips together with my nude lip-gloss and turn around to look at Maggie. Maggie is dressed in a pair of gray leopard skinny jeans that only emphasize her curves.
“Dang girl, you look hot!” Maggie says as she throws her hand on her hip.
“Thanks, not so bad yourself. I hope that is for Brandon though.”
“He could be so lucky. Hmmph.” Her lips, covered in her signature red lipstick, curl up and then we both laugh as we grab our coats and purses.
We head out into the hall and Maggie links our arms together. Quinn and Lynn are coming out with us now, but Jenna and Kelly are meeting us there later. I’m sure Derek and Brandon will be in tow too. As we are headed down to Quinn and Lynn’s room we have to pass Jenna and Kelly’s room. Their door is open and of course we stop, but Maggie immediately starts backing out once she sees Derek and Brandon in there. I follow in stride with her, but turn back to see Brandon coming out.
“Mags, stop please. Come on, babe,” Brandon yells as we bolt towards the elevators. I guess we’ll just meet Quinn and Lynn down there. “Mags! Tell me what I did and I’ll-.“ We can’t hear him anymore as the elevator doors close and we descend.
“Whatever, tell me what I did. Are you kidding me? What an ass,” she says while still clinging to my arm.
“You are something else, Mags. I won’t even say anything.” She sneers at me and I try to lift my hands up in surrender.
“Best not too, sweetie. I need a shot and a stiff drink tonight.” I smile at her and assure her that I can help her out with that. Just because I’m not drinking doesn’t mean I can’t help the other girls have a good time.
The four of us get into McGee’s without a problem. It’s crowded, but not packed. A lot of students have already left for spring break. Maggie marches us straight up to the bar in between a guy who looks like a regular, but too old to be at a college campus bar and a group of college guys. Lynn squeezes in next to Maggie to order a shot with her, while Quinn and I are both glancing to the back where the pool tables are. A shiver runs through me as I think about last year playing pool with Reed. Before I can get too lost in my memory Quinn nudges me.
“He’ll probably be here with Matt in a bit, you know?”
“I assumed, but thought maybe he’d be gone for break by now.”
“He changed his plans when he heard you were coming with us,” she says with a flinch in her body language.
“Quinn! You shouldn’t have done that!” She smiles at me and let’s out one of her lighthearted laughs.
“Yes, I should have.” That’s all she says and then scoots away up to the bar to order her drink.
My heart is beating frantically, pulsing through me and landing in my ears… thump, thump, thump. Nerves race through me and my knees feel like they might buckle. I should be furious with Quinn, but I’m not. I should not be excited about this, but I am. I’m biting down repeatedly on my lower corner of my bottom lip when Maggie hands me a glass of water with a lemon in it.
“What happened? You look nervous.” Maggie says with an edge to her voice. When her and Brandon are in off mode her bitchiness takes over.
“Quinn told Reed that I’m here.” I shrug my shoulders and look down into my water.
“Good,” she says with her bitchy sass. Geez.
“Hey, snap out of it Mags. You know Brandon loves you.” She shrugs her shoulders and then smiles.
We stand around the bar talking for a bit about what we are doing over the break. Everyone seems to have some kind of travel plans. My parents had wanted to take a trip together, but Daniel’s spring break is a different week. Dad offered to send mom and I, but I declined.
“Kate, there’s a guy kind of behind you with that group of guys that can’t stop staring at you. Do you know him? Don’t make it obvious!” Lynn says through the straw of her drink.
The four of us slowly rotate in order for me to get a casual look in that direction. It’s the same group of guys that were next to us at the bar, but now there are more of them. I take a sip of my water and scan the faces and then I see Andy without his glasses on. He’s dressed more casual in a t-shirt and jeans, but he still looks put together. His reddish hair is fixed perfectly like always too. Our eyes lock and he waves through his friends. I can see him mouth “Hey” to me. I smile and wave back as I mouth “Hi”.
I shift uncomfortably for a moment and I’m sure the girls can pick up on it. Maggie guides us to a table in the open area of the bar. I don’t glance back over in Andy’s direction. Once we sit down the girls ask who he is and what’s going on with him. I tell them about everything. Lynn comments that she thinks he is really cute. I scrunch my nose a little, but agree that he is in a dorky kind of way.
“Yeah, but he’s not Kate’s type at all though. Reed is more like it,” Quinn says smiling.
“Stop Quinn,” Maggie warns. I just roll my eyes and turn a little to cross my legs.
We continue to sit there talking about boys, the semester and summer plans. I’m relieved that Andy doesn’t come over to talk to me. Eventually, Jenna, Kelly, Derek and Brandon come in. They head straight to our table. As soon as Brandon approaches Maggie stands and latches on my arm pulling me up and to the back of the bar to the pool tables. I hear Brandon mumble something as we walk away, but I can’t make out what it is. Before I can realize what she is doing it’s too late. She heads us over to a pool table that Andy and a friend are playing a game at.
“Care if we join you, boys?” Maggie asks Andy and his averaged height friend with dark hair. Shit. I already know that this will not help in deterring Andy from liking me. I want to be supportive of Maggie, but she really is being ridiculous. Who am I to stop her though?
“Sure, absolutely,” Andy says, before I can tell Maggie I’m not up for this.
We tell them that we want to break for first. I get a solid and a stripe in off the bat. After I call solids I kind of surprise myself when I get two more solids in. I haven’t played since last semester, but somehow I’ve remembered some of my techniques. Andy and his friend make comments about us trying to hustle them. They offer to buy us drinks and Maggie accepts faster than I can shake my head no.
At one point Andy comes to stand next to me and casually asks about how my test went. Then he starts to tell me how good I look and that he really would like to take me out one night. I don’t reply because I’m up to make a shot. I pray that I’m able to get a couple shots in just to avoid answering Andy. I’m bent down looking across the table and can see Brandon glaring across over at Maggie. I give him a weak smile and he just shakes his head. Maggie is off to the side talking to Andy’s friend. I know that she is trying to get Brandon jealous and it’s working. With concentration I line up my stick and make a perfect shot. Maggie doesn’t even notice. I walk around to the other side of the table to be able to make the next shot.
“Wow, great shot Kate.” Andy says. Then I hear the voice that always gives me chills the first time I hear it. It’s deep and smooth with confidence evident.
“Yeah, nice one Kate.” I straighten myself up and dare myself to turn around. I can’t even help the grin that breaks through my pursed lips. Andy looks stonewalled. I can hear Quinn’s giggle followed by Matt’s deep laugh. Slowly, I turn and I instantly lose my breath when I see his blue eyes set on me followed by my favorite smile and wink. Heat rises in me and I flush a shade of red up into my cheeks.
“We’ll play the winners,” Reed says as he gestures to himself and Matt. I
know I’m doomed now and have lost all concentration. Maggie has not been a huge help since she is well on her way to being drunk.
Seeing Andy’s face change from all gooey eyed to defeated only fuels my fire. I loved that when I snuck up on Kate he could see the change in her face, body and breathing pattern by my words. I know he saw the affect I have on her because I noticed right away and her back was to me. When she turned and our eyes hit, her beauty took me back for a moment. It always does. After I smiled and winked at her she blushed from her neck to her cheeks in two seconds flat. I love that I can visually alter her appearance. I know Andy doesn’t have a chance in hell with her, but I figure I’ll humor him for a little longer. The dirty looks Andy throws my direction don’t go unnoticed by me, but I ignore them. Kate looks a little uncomfortable in between our glares, but she has nothing to be worried about. There is only one way this will end.
My eyes stay trained on Kate and even when Reese approaches me I don’t let her steer me off track. I know Kate can see her and I hate the worry that crosses her face. Like I’ve been doing for some time now I keep my interest in her non-existent. I just have to make it obvious who has my interest.
I make my next shot knowing the outcome; I miss it. Reed stands off to the side full of confidence. Andy is off to the other side, but every so often he gives Reed a dirty look. And I’m standing somewhere in between awkwardly. The game continues with different conversations all around the table. Brandon even makes his way over to talk to Reed. I try to pretend like I am really concentrating on the game, but that is the last thing on my mind.
Then as I am about to make another shot a familiar pretty auburn haired girl drapes herself around Reed. My eyes betray me and I blatantly stare. Reed pushes Reese gently to the side. I’m paralyzed from taking my shot. I can see Andy’s stare boring into me and still I can’t pull my eyes away. Reese flips her hair to the side and then I hear her talking. I’m listening as hard as I can through the music and noise of the bar. Their voices are muffled, but I can hear clear as day.
The Perfect Emotion (Book Two of The Perfect Series) Page 5