Not until Lexie started bombarding me with all those photos. After a while I’d just stopped looking at them. I kept them in a file and watched the number of pictures grow until everything I’d felt for Finn was gone.
And now here he was. Fifteen months later. Wanting a second chance.
Had he changed?
Had he matured?
He definitely looked more mature. In the time I’d been gone, he’d lost the last of his cute boyishness. His handsome face was all chiseled planes and angles. His body was bigger. Shoulders wider. Waist tapered. He was even more attractive than when I’d first met him two years ago.
But were his changes more than just physical in nature? And did it even matter anymore if they were? I couldn’t help but admit there was something easy about falling back into a relationship with a guy who had once meant something to you. A person who knew what you liked and didn’t like. But by the same token, that relationship already had baggage attached to it.
I needed to figure which one outweighed the other.
“I don’t know,” I finally murmur. Not because I’m trying to be coy or play games but because I genuinely don’t know what to do.
His hazel eyes burn into mine. “I’m just asking for a chance, Ivy,” he finally says, “just one chance to prove that I’ve grown and really changed.”
Unable to hold his eyes any longer, my gaze falls to our still connected hands. All of the good times we had continue swimming through my head and before I realize it, the words are tumbling out of my mouth. “Okay. One date.”
His lips pull up at the corners as he gently squeezes my hand. “You won’t regret it, I promise.”
I have the sudden feeling I probably will regret giving him another chance…
Especially when I tell Lexie.
Chapter Eight
I just heard that some lucky girl got partnered up with our very own legend on the football field in a business ethics class. Damn… I knew I should have stuck it out with that major… KingOfCampus.com
“For the next six weeks, you’re going to work with a partner on a project that will be worth sixty percent of your final grade in this class.” She pauses as shocked gasps ripple throughout the room. Apparently expecting just such a reaction, Professor Paulson nods her head as if to reconfirm what we’re all hoping we somehow misheard. “Yes, that’s right. Sixty percent. It will be worth more than anything else you do in here, so keep that in mind when working on it. Not only does the topic need to be well researched, it will have to be completely fleshed out so it supports the main idea of your project.”
Another round of groaning along with disbelieving chatter grips the class. “I cannot emphasize enough how important this project will be to the overall grade you earn.” Her eyes slowly encompass all of us. “The end result of your time and energy spent researching will be a thought provoking paper of about twenty pages in length.” Holding up her hand, she cuts off all the sudden conversations that have sprung up.
“Okay, quiet down. Quiet down, please.” She clears her throat before glancing at the clipboard she’s holding in her hand. “I’m going to run through the class list and couple everyone up today. We’re going to spend about ten minutes going over my expectations in more depth and then you’ll have about fifteen minutes of class time to work with your partner.”
Feeling just as stupefied as the rest of the class, I sit silently in my seat as Professor Paulson runs through the list of students enrolled in her course. After she reads off the second set of names, it becomes apparent she’s pairing people up alphabetically. Something in my heart clenches as she reads off my name because unless there’s someone else with a last name that falls between Kaster and King, I’m-
“Ivy Kaster and Roan King.”
-screwed.
My gaze reluctantly cuts across the room to Roan. I’m startled to realize that he’s already angled his body towards me. There’s just a hint of a smirk sliding its way across his impossibly handsome face.
I gulp.
No.
No. No. No. No.
I can’t work with him.
This is a massive project and there’s no way in hell I’m going to get stuck doing all the work by myself. With the eighteen credit course load I have and working ten hours a week, I don’t have the time it would take to complete a project of this scope and magnitude on my own.
Before I can work myself into a tizzy, Professor Paulson hands out a packet to each of us regarding what we’re going to be working on for the next six weeks. My heart sinks even further when I see exactly what the expectations are.
Shit.
Sixty percent of my grade is riding on Roan King. I almost start to laugh at such an absurd thought. The freaking King of Campus, with his- what did Finn call them? Oh, yes, his pussy posse, is holding my grade for business ethics in his huge hulking hands.
Nope. I can’t allow that to happen. I need to work with someone who actually gives a damn about their grade and is going to do their fair share of the workload. I need someone who is serious about this class… and school, for that matter.
And I just don’t think that’s the resident demi-god football player.
I mean, he barely takes notes in class while all I do is tap away on my laptop from the very start to the very end of class. My guess is that he’s probably here on a football scholarship. From what I’ve heard, he’s not even going to finish up his degree before he turns pro. So he probably doesn’t give a crap if he passes or fails.
But I do.
I’m here on an academic scholarship and I can’t afford to lose it.
Once Dr. Paulson goes through the packet and we’re allowed to get together with our partners, I scurry up towards her desk. Not wanting to catch Roan’s eyes, I keep my gaze trained straight ahead of me.
That unfortunately doesn’t work.
“Hey, where you going?” He calls out the words as I hustle towards the front of the room.
Feeling somewhat guilty for what I’m about to do, I shoot him a quick look but don’t allow my eyes to linger. “I have a few questions for Professor Paulson. I’ll be right there.”
Once I’m besides her, I give her an apologetic look because this is only the second week of school and I don’t want her to think I’m trying to be difficult. But on the other hand, there’s no way I’m getting stuck with dead weight either.
I really hate group work…
Sitting at a desk off to the side, she glances up at me over the black frames of her glasses. “Question, Ms. Kaster?”
Feeling suddenly awkward about discussing this when Roan is sitting about twenty feet away from me, I clear my throat. “Um, well, I was wondering if it’s at all possible to be reassigned to a different partner.”
If the slow blinking of her light blue eyes is any indication, then I’ve completely thrown her for a loop. She’s probably assuming I’ve scurried up here to thank her for partnering me with him. She couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“Do you have a problem working with Mr. King?”
At the mention of his name, I can’t help but hastily glance over my shoulder to where Roan is sitting. My face floods with heat as my eyes catch his quizzical ones. Turning back towards her, I lower my voice before admitting my concerns, “I, ah… this is a really huge project and I want to be paired with someone who is going to do their share of the work.” When she doesn’t immediately respond, fresh nerves spiral through me as I shuffle from one foot to the other.
One brow slowly hikes up her forehead as she contemplates me for a long silent moment that leaves me filled with even more unease. Her words are sharp and low when she finally asks, “And you already know that Mr. King won’t be able to contribute his fair share to the project?”
If I weren’t already blushing, I would be now. My eyes slide away from hers before I force them back. “Um, well, I just thought-”
Almost abruptly her slim hand slices between us and my words almost immediately fall of
f. “There will be absolutely no reassigning partners for any reason other than someone dropping the class. And I do not believe Mr. King will be dropping this class.” If it’s possible, her eyes harden even more until they resemble cold little chips of ice.
“A hard truth you apparently need to learn, Ms. Kaster, is that we don’t always work with the people we want to. Bosses, co-workers… we often find ourselves at odds with them but still we must find a way to compromise and work together for the greater good.” She levels me with one last frosty glare that leaves me wilting beneath it.
“I suggest you find a way to work with Mr. King for the greater good of this project otherwise both of your grades will suffer for it.” She glances rather pointedly at the thin gold watch adorning her wrist signaling that this subject has been firmly closed. “Now, I suggest you use the next ten minutes wisely to discuss with your partner possible topics you would like to focus your project on.”
Feeling very much like a recalcitrant child, I quickly nod before skulking back down the aisle to where Roan is sitting with his long legs spread out in front of him. There’s a slight frown marring his face as his eyes burn into me. Even though my gaze is lowered to the floor, I can still feel him staring.
“Get everything squared away?” There’s a distinct edge to his normally lazy sounding voice.
With my face still feeling flushed, I force my eyes up to his. “Yep.”
Glancing down at the five page packet stapled together, I clear my throat uncomfortably. It’s pretty damn obvious I’m going to be the brains of this operation. And, unfortunately, the labor as well. Roan will add his name to the byline after the project has been completed and that, apparently, will be his big contribution.
Even though I’ve been all but chastised by Professor Paulson for trying to switch partners, I’m starting to work myself up all over again because my scholarship rides on being able to maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average. I can’t afford to lose it. And I’m certainly not going to let getting stuck with this Neanderthal as a partner stand in the way of getting an A in this course. So, if that means I’m going to have to do the workload of two people to eek out that A, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
“I was thinking we could go the case study route instead of the informal content analysis.” Because the main component to analyzing a case study would be research. And research is something I can handle on my own. Even though it’s going to take a lot of time I really don’t have. But there aren’t any other choices to be made. I can’t drop this course, it’s a requirement. I need it to graduate.
Roan continues staring at me through semi-narrowed eyes before nodding his head in agreement. “That sounds fine to me.”
Well… since Roan probably won’t be contributing anything more than that, I’m not really sure what else we have to discuss. Glancing over at the clock on the wall, I notice we still have about five minutes. But I don’t see a point in sticking around here any longer. I’m meeting Lexie for lunch and then I have French and dance. And I-
“You’re leaving already?”
His words snap me right out of my thoughts. “Um, well, yeah.”
I’m just shoving the packet into my bag when he asks, “Don’t you want to discuss what kind of case study we’re going to focus on or when we can get together and work on it?”
For just a moment, I stand there gaping at him in complete surprise. “Ummm… is that what you want to do?”
The hard line of his jaw tightens as his normally smirking mouth settles into an annoyed slash across his handsome face. “Yeah, Ivy… it is. This is a massive project worth more than half the points in this class. I have a tight schedule with my course load, practice, games, and working out, so I’d like to get something firm nailed down as soon as possible. I can’t afford to wait until the last minute. That doesn’t work for me.”
I merely blink feeling totally blindsided by what he’s just said because it kind of sounds like he actually plans on contributing to this project.
When I don’t immediately respond, he leans forward, his heated blue-green eyes sparking with anger. “You don’t have to look so damned shocked. Contrary to what you apparently believe, I have every intention of doing my share of the workload.”
My mouth tumbles open before I quickly snap it shut again. Before I can even stutter out an embarrassed apology, he gathers up his books, shoves them into his backpack and stalks out of the room. As soon as he does, about three girls huddle around me, blasting me with rapid fire questions all the while gushing about how lucky I am to be working with Roan King.
I can only smile halfheartedly before collecting my stuff and leaving. I think I just made a huge tactical error regarding this guy. Is it possible that Roan isn’t the dumb jock I pegged him to be? I almost wince because I usually don’t make snap judgements about people. But for some reason, I just assumed Roan was coasting through college on his football prowess and good looks.
Maybe that’s not the case.
Maybe there’s more to him than I’d initially suspected.
Chapter Nine
Anyone get invited to the little get together happening at the Roan King’s apartment? If so, someone needs to share the four-one-one with all of us. Pictures are, as always, welcomed and appreciated. Preferably naked ones… KingOfCampus.com
“So when are you planning to come home for a visit, Ivy? You’ve been back in town for just about three weeks now and we still haven’t seen you.”
I’m standing on the tiny balcony off our living room, facing the western sky. I didn’t think I would enjoy having an outdoor space as much as I do. Whenever I’m home in the evening, I somehow find myself out here when the sun is setting. I love watching all the varying shades of red and pink that paint their way across the horizon. It usually brings me a certain amount of peace. My very own little bit of Zen.
That, unfortunately, does not seem to be the case tonight.
“Ivy, are you still there?”
“Um, yeah.” Then I add, “Just thinking about my schedule. School and work are crazy busy right now.” This is completely true. “I really want to find some time to get together with you guys.” I think we all know this one is a whopper of a lie. As much as I love my dad, I have zero interest in spending time with his wife and their kids. “I’m just not sure when I can get away right now. I’ll look into it and get back to you.”
“Sure, honey, that sounds good.”
I wince at the disappointment weaving its way through his deep voice. I honestly wouldn’t mind if he came here and grabbed dinner or something like that but Leah, his wife, finds it necessary to be included in everything we do. I find it annoying to deal with her in order to have a relationship with my dad. It’s like she can’t bear to be left out even though she’s with him twenty-four seven. They have a set of four year old twins together. Nora and Nolan. They were still toddlers when I left for Europe. I can only imagine what an obnoxious handful they are now.
“So how’s your apartment? Is it nice?”
Slowly turning around, my eyes skim over the now decorated walls of our living room. The cozy tan couch and matching armchair that were cast offs from Lexie’s parents and the forty inch TV which Dylan promptly bought an Xbox for. I almost shake my head. Right there should have been my biggest tipoff that he would be, for the most part, shacking up with us. “Yeah, it’s really nice. There are two bedrooms, one bathroom, a small kitchen, and a living room area. There’s even a balcony big enough for a small table and two chairs.”
“Are you in a safe area? I know you have to walk to your job.”
Not that he can see it, but I almost roll my eyes. I lived abroad for more than a year and somehow managed to survive just fine without any parental involvement. I think I can handle living at Barnett again. “It’s perfectly safe. Our apartment is just two blocks from campus and my job is about a mile away. The dance studio is located downtown, so there are always plenty of people walking around. And a
lot of times, Lexie drives me.”
“That’s good. I’m glad everything is working out for you, Ivy.”
That being said, we both lapse into an awkward silence. The distance between us feels palpable. And living abroad for almost a year and a half has only made it more so. Just as I’m racking my brain for something to say, obnoxiously loud music is suddenly blasted from the apartment next to us.
“Did you just turn your stereo on?”
I snort.
A small smile tugs up the corners of my lips. “No one has a stereo anymore, dad. And, no, it’s the guys who live next to us.” Stepping towards the edge of the tiny space, I lean over the black iron railing, trying to see past the privacy wall that separates our balcony from Roan, Sam, and Dylan’s.
“Well, it’s certainly loud.”
“Yeah… it is.” A sliding door opens and closes before boisterous voices fill the air. “I’d better get going, dad, I still have some work to finish up.” Since its Friday night, I don’t plan on doing anything school related. But it’s a good excuse to pull the plug on this conversation. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Just think about coming home for a visit, okay? Leah’s excited to hear all about your apartment and trip to Paris. She picked up a housewarming gift for you and Lexie.”
I roll my eyes at that. “Okay. I’ll let you know.” But I’m thinking never would be a good time. Even though I know I’ll have to plan a trip home at some point, my strategy is to put it off for as long as possible. Like Thanksgiving.
We both say I love you before disconnecting. A moment later, Lexie sticks her head out the sliding door. “Whatcha up to, Ivy-Girl?”
Talking with my dad always puts me in a maudlin mood. It never fails to remind me that we’re no longer the tight knit family we once were. And that’s a bitter pill to swallow on the best of days. Having to watch Leah snuggle up to my dad is still a painful reminder that he moved on in the blink of an eye.
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