by T. E. White
I felt my face flush. Mom was nothing if not frank. She had no problems speaking her mind. “I had to get something out of the deal,” I muttered.
A deep throaty laugh came through the speaker of the phone. “So you did. Anywho, a friend of a friend, and the daughter of the sister of the current French consulate, is doing a two-week study abroad, guess where?”
She wouldn’t be calling me if it wasn’t… “Here.”
St. Mary’s prided themselves on their study abroad program, offering many options for students to travel and spend a semester or sometimes just a few weeks at a university in another country. Which meant they offered the same to students from elsewhere who wanted to attend here.
“Yes, how did you guess?” she said sarcastically. “Through the friend of a friend, they told her about you.”
“Mom, you know I don’t want anyone to know about my connection to—”
“Trust me I know,” she said drolly. “And she doesn’t know exactly who you are but that you have a connection to us, and you’re on campus.”
“When is she coming?” There was no way around it. I’d been used as a bargaining chip and there was no way to back out of it.
“Camille is already there.” She rattled off her temporary dorm location. “I told her you’d stop by sometime this weekend.”
“Fine, seriously though, this is the last time.”
“Oh bother. I hear she’s gorgeous.”
“You say that every time.” And every time, they were. Just none of them had been the one for me.
3
Music thumped through the thin walls of the townhouse. Even though the party was thrown by residents several doors down, ultimately, the house wouldn’t support the sheer number of people who would show up. The party had already spilled into the courtyard when I finally turned away from a paper due the following week and headed outside with Gavin.
“Tell me again what happened with the blonde?”
Gavin gave me an exasperated look. “I didn’t tell you the first time.”
“And that’s what puzzles me, mate. You tell all. Why not with this one, hey?”
Before I could jab at my friend more, there was Red to make my breath hitch. She stood with her blonde friend wearing a shy smile. I still hadn’t gotten either of the girls’ names. I didn’t want Gavin using me as conversation filler if he was into the blonde. So I hadn’t asked him any questions about Red, pretending as though I was only half interested, and teasing him the other half of the time.
“I’ll be right back,” Gavin said holding up a hand and heading towards them. I’d passed on the blonde’s message from that morning and he apparently decided to act on it.
I stared as moonlight bathed Red only adding to her beauty. I turned in the opposite direction and headed for the house. I found myself very thirsty. Red had made my mouth suddenly dry.
Inside, I grabbed a beer from the open cooler. I found a perch and leaned against a wall in my usual way, content just to watch. A couple of girls in convenient intervals stopped by wanting seconds. I didn’t oblige. I smiled, laughed and gave them a non-committal see you later as they were eventually whisked away by friends. Thus far, I’d always played my cards right, choosing the right marks, making sure never to leave them thinking it was any more than a one night hook up. And so far, it had worked out.
Red came through the door and I was glued to her movements. A curtain of hair hung loose on one side while the other was tucked behind an ear. I longed to run my fingers along her jaw and to brush the rest of her hair behind her ear to get an unobstructed view of her beautiful face. Again tonight, her lips were cherry red and enticed me to kiss her. She wore a sun dress in yellow that again didn’t cling to her, but wasn’t sack-like either. Her eyes glanced up and met mine for a second before she ducked under an archway into another room. As much as I wanted to follow her, she’d turned me down once and that was enough for me.
Not long after, a tall brunette strolled through the door bringing a breath of fresh air. She was the kind of girl who graced the covers of magazines. Her big brown eyes found mine and she headed directly for me, with a mass of hair that trailed like a wave behind her. I felt the smirk return. Again I was reminded that Red’s reaction to me wasn’t normal.
“Tad.”
Puzzlement grew on my face for a minute by the fact she knew my name, well, kind of, but a hint of French accent cleared the cobwebs.
“Tade,” I corrected. “Camille?”
“Oui.” She leaned in and air kissed each side of my face. “I’m glad I found you.”
“How did you find me?” Because her remark gave me a stalker vibe.
She dug out a phone and after a few swipes, flashed a picture of me that blazed on her screen. To Camille, I merely nodded and withheld my annoyance as she wasn’t the one at fault. I was going to kill my mother.
Her English was slow but still pretty good. “Party good?”
I nodded, and politely asked, “Want a drink?”
A half-pint girl peeked around Camille. “I guess you’re in good hands,” she said to Camille. She pushed the rim of her glasses back up her face. “I’ll see you later then.” Half-pint quickly waddled away in oversized jeans and a shirt, looking relieved to have found someone to dump Camille and left.
“Drink?” I asked again, holding up my beer.
“Oui.” That was one word I knew in French.
I held up a finger and headed back to the cooler in the hall. Gavin blindsided me by coming out of a room with the blonde at his heels, who was sporting swollen lips, and hair that looked like she’d just woken up. Had I not seen her before Gavin had gone to speak to her, I might have assumed she’d shown up that way.
“Do you mind walking—” he was cut off when Red came out of another doorway, “—her back to her dorm?” He pointed at Red, but I knew Gavin. He thought I was still interested in her.
Red glared at him and pronounced, “I’m fine, I can get myself back to the dorm. I don’t need a babysitter.”
She stormed off and Gavin shrugged before the blonde stalked after her friend.
When his eyes widened in the direction over my shoulder, a quick glance back confirmed that Camille had come looking for me. She probably wondered what had taken me so long.
“Camille this is Gavin. Gavin, Camille.” Gavin didn’t have to give me the thumbs up. It was all in his smile that said I had a winner.
“Bonsoir.” She stepped to him and air kissed him on either cheek.
Gavin’s brow arched before he butchered, “Bonjour?”
She laughed. Then the blonde came back and whispered in Gavin’s ear. His smile broadened. “I’ll catch you guys later.”
After watching Gavin head outside with the tiny blonde in tow, I focused back on Camille.
“Um, salle de bain?” After my look of puzzlement, she said, “Loo… bathroom?”
If this house was anything like mine, it would be upstairs. I pointed in that direction and Camille took off. I stepped outside, needing air. The music was louder out here. Someone had set up portable speakers. I caught sight of Red as she stood watching some people dance. The music changed and a catchy beat took hold of Red’s hips, and she started to sway. Her movements were enthralling and I found myself heading towards her.
When I reached her, I dared myself and put my hands on either side of her hips from behind, and the damnest thing happened. She didn’t stop me. As the beat continued on, I tugged her closer to me. “Are you going to tell me your name?”
At the sound of my voice, she stilled, whirling around, and pulled free from my grasp. Sometimes, I didn’t know when to keep my mouth shut.
“Why do you care what my name is? You never noticed me before last night.”
My eyes narrowed. I was confounded by her reaction. I was sure I’d never seen her around school before. Yet, her anger couldn’t hide her pouty mouth and I had an urge to kiss her. So I ignored her comment. “No matter. I’ll call you Biscuit.”
“Biscuit?”
Well, at least she was talking to me. “You’re small and savory.” Which was true. The top of her head barely reached my shoulder and I wouldn’t mind at all snaking on her.
“Savory?” She shook her head. “What you are really saying is that I’m sweet, sour, bitter and salty all rolled into one?”
A snappy response filled my head but before I could speak it a sultry voice said from behind me said, “Bonsoir.” Camille certainly had interesting timing.
Red’s eyes grew in size as she came and stood beside me. With no other choice, I introduced them. “Camille, this is Biscuit, Biscuit, this is Camille.”
Camille leaned in and did her thing, greeting Red just like she’d done the rest of us. Watching the two, the part of my brain that was still juvenile imagined them kissing. Instinctively, I knew Gavin would agree with me that it would be killer to see. When Camille pulled back, my daydream faded. Red’s face held surprise, but graciously she said, “It’s was nice meeting you, Camille. Sorry I can’t stay and chat. I was just leaving.”
“He was walking you home, non?” She didn’t wait for Red’s response. “Can I walk with you? My room…mate,” she began, breaking the one word into two, “left me.”
Camille stared at Red until she shrugged. I ended up walking behind them as they talked in hushed tones. I was beginning to think this walk was a waste of my time, except their closeness brought back fantasies of the two of them together.
“Bonsoir.” Camille waved as Red headed inside her dorm without a glance in my direction.
Camille entwined her arm in mine as we continued to her temporary dorm. At the door, I stopped, prepared to head back home or back to the party depending on my mood when I got there.
“Night cap?” Again she’d lost me in translation. At my puzzled reaction, she cleared things up. “Sex, oui?”
A smile flooded my face. “Oui.” She was hot, and I was already all riled up. She’d only be here two weeks and then she’d head back to France. What could be wrong in taking her offered distraction?
Her room was empty, and I barely thought about where the short and squat girl that had brought Camille to the party was. We made it to the bed, twisting while trying to fight to get our clothes off. I pushed thoughts of Red out of my head as I focused on the beauty underneath me. If Red didn’t want me, so what? There were others who did. Before I found my release, I gave Camille two of her own while she screamed her pleasure and clawed at my back and I was certain there would be marks.
The French woman only smiled as I tugged my pants back on and disposed of the condom that had protected us both. “Salut,” she said with a grin and waved with one hand while clutching a sheet to her naked chest with the other.
Smiling, I gave her the two-finger salute and bid her goodnight.
4
Monday found me being shadowed by Camille. My mother failed to mention that she’d signed me up to show her around during her time here. It didn’t turn out to be that bad. Camille didn’t hover or act as though we were a couple. She paid attention in class and took notes like she would be graded.
In between classes, she’d taken upon herself to do her own thing. She didn’t even eat lunch with me although I’d offered. As it turned out, I was beginning to like her for her self-assuredness.
We agreed to meet at her dorm after dinner one night. I had a late Astronomy class to fill a science requirement. As Camille and I walked in the dark to sit under the stars for class, I spotted Red. So did the girl on my arm. She recognized Red from the other night and dragged me over while I wondered when Red had joined the class. Was she stalking me?
“Salut,” Camille crooned, while air kissing Red before she spotted someone else she knew and headed in her direction.
Alone with Red, I said, “For someone who won’t tell me her name, you sure seem to be making it a point to be in the same class.”
Her eyes lifted heavenward. “I’ve been in this class since the start of the semester, asshole.” She started to walk off, and I felt like a real dickhead.
It had only been a couple of weeks but still. “Look, I don’t remember you.”
“Of course you don’t. You only hook up with airheads.”
Did I have a reputation? My careful plan to choose girls who were in for the same thing was suddenly backfiring in my face.
Holding onto her arm so she couldn’t slip away, I said, “If I told you that I was waiting for someone like you, would that help my cause?”
“No,” she said, and shook me off.
I didn’t chase after her. I’d never really played the pursuer. I’d always been the one pursued. I spent the rest of class brooding about what my next move was. And whether or not it was worth it.
By week’s end, I’d decided that Camille would have made perfect girlfriend material had I been in the market for one. She’d asked what I was doing that night, and when I told her I was hanging out with my friend, she hadn’t batted an eye. She hadn’t even asked to come along, only told me she’d see me later which left me immensely relieved.
I spent the rest of the evening catching up on studying until Gavin decided it was time to leave for our mystery destination. He’d often go out late at night these days without a word and I never asked what he’d been up to. I had a feeling tonight I might just find out.
Once Gavin and I left in his truck for places unknown, my curiosity grew. I didn’t think we were headed to the bar even though we took the one road out in that direction. He wouldn’t have been so secretive about that.
Two familiar figures in colorful dresses came into view staggering down the road not a quarter of a mile from the bar. Gavin slowly passed them, only to come to a complete stop before backing up.
He hit the button on his side to roll down my window and said, “Ladies, it’s really not safe to be walking alone. Do you need a ride?”
They were holding each other up and giggling uncontrollably, as if what Gavin said was completely funny. Drunk. So much for Red’s remark about one drink being her limit. I guess that had been a total brush off line.
“Where are you heeaaddedd?” the blonde slurred. “School’s that way.” She pointed wildly with her free hand, almost tipping over. This was the second time I’d seen her sloshed. Did she like to get smashed more than the average person?
“Some place fun. Hop in,” Gavin declared.
Together, they took swaying steps forward and I got out in time to catch the both of them before either of them fell.
The blonde stared up at me. “You are reallllly pretty.”
Smiling, I said, “I get that a lot.”
Red glanced over at her friend and started laughing again. “See, I told you he was conceited.”
The blonde nodded and replied, “But he has a right to be.”
Red bobbed her head and they continued giggling. I let go and urged them into the truck with my hands at their backs. The blonde crawled onto the seat and I had a clear view of light blue underwear.
“My eyes,” Red said while wiping them. “I didn’t need to see your ass.”
“My ass is cute,” the blonde retorted over her shoulder before sitting down.
Gavin pulled her close to his side. With no backseat, we all had to squeeze in the cab of his truck. “Your ass is fine,” Gavin agreed.
Red showed more modesty getting in, despite her inebriated state. I tried very hard not to glance down the front of her dress. “Scoot over, Biscuit, or you’re going to have to sit in my lap.”
She tried to make room but in the end, I lifted her before resting her bum on my leg. Like hell I hoped she didn’t feel the stiffness in my pants.
She swayed and although she didn’t slur as badly as her friend, it was clear she was hammered. “You’re so rough,” Red said batting at my hands. “All you had to do was ask.”
“What’s your name?” I asked, complying with her statement and pressing my advantage.
The blonde who couldn’
t help but overhear our exchange, began, “Her name is—”
“Shh,” Red said, putting her fingers awkwardly in the other girl’s face. “He hasn’t earned the right to know yet.”
I might have said something if Red’s bum hadn’t made contact with my dick. I took hold of her hips shifting her back onto my left leg. She didn’t seem to notice as the two friends began play-fight each other over Red’s fingers on the blonde’s lips.
Gavin and I traded glances a couple of times, but let them go at it hoping it might lead to more. Clearly, I was beginning to have an obsession about two girls together.
We ended up in what appeared to be an industrial district. The girls quieted when Gavin turned the truck down a narrow alley lined with cars against one wall.
“What would be here?” the blonde asked. “Is there a club nearby?” Her face was scrunched up as if she’d bitten a lime.
Gavin somehow maneuvered into a single available slot. He ended up so close to the wall on my side, we all had to get out on his. In the dark, the girls were far too gone to walk on their own. The blonde plastered herself to Gavin and I was left to walk behind Red and give a helping hand or two when she appeared unsteady on her feet.
Gavin rapped on a nondescript door. It was opened immediately by a bald guy that wore his beer around his midsection. He glanced at all of us, then his eyes landed on Gavin. “Your father know?” He had an accent I couldn’t quite place, having only heard him say a few words.
“I’ll vouch for them. It’s cool.”
With a curt nod, the man stepped back, allowing us passage. I really didn’t have anything in mind, but I must admit I wasn’t expecting the interior of a gym… and not the kind with treadmills. This gym had sparring mats, hanging punching bags, and a center ring where a fight was underway. The ceiling was high above, and the air held the same familiar scents as the dive bar: stale air, puke and alcohol. The large space held quite a lot of people cheering or ranting at the two guys battling it out.
The door closed behind us with a clang and despite the cheering and yelling, the noise startled the girls. With a hand at the small of Red’s back, I urged her forward, following in Gavin’s wake. We headed towards the raised fighting ring surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd. The people nearest to us turned and eyed us before focusing back on the fight.