Book Boyfriend

by D. C. Renee

  “Damn, Trav, you really have been taking notes. I’m really proud of you. But wait, I just thought of something. Would you have thought of the test cramming thing if I didn’t say anything?”

  “Do I look like an observant girl?” he asked in mock annoyance.

  “So, then what would you have done if I hadn’t handed you that little tidbit?”

  “Probably would have said ‘Hey.’”

  “Ah! Just when I think you’ve got it down ...”

  “Hey, I took care of the rest of the conversation myself. So I need you to get me a starter, no big deal. It’s not as if you’re not going to help me find the girl anyways. So, when we find her, you point me in the right direction, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  “Yeah, okay, I guess that will work. But what about that girl? You going to call her?”

  “Come on, Kim, you have to ask?”

  “You weren’t upfront with her.”

  “Fine, I’ll send her a text and tell her I’m sorry. Happy?” I knew he was just appeasing me, but it wasn’t nice to lead her on.

  “Yes, very.”

  “You know, I wouldn’t do that for anyone but you,” he pointed out.

  “Well, duh! Because I am uber special and amazing and I am your master,” I responded.

  “Uber special? Seriously?” He chuckled, and I heard Brent laugh lightly as well.

  “Admit I’m uber special or I’ll steal your phone and send every girl in your phonebook a text telling them they should get checked out for herpes,” I threatened.

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Who knows, but do you really want to find out?” I asked in a teasing tone.

  “Oh, you’re special all right,” Trav mused.

  “Good enough.”

  And then we all laughed.

  chapter nine

  We spent the next few days watching Travis flirt his way into the hearts of good girls around the campus. Okay, fine … we watched him flirt with like two more girls because I just couldn’t take him getting their numbers and never calling them back, thus crushing their little girl hearts. And then I made him text them that he was sorry. At least they wouldn’t wait for a call that way, even though it was still a bit cruel. But alas, some things you have to do for a bet. A bet I was going to win.

  I did have to remind myself a few times that I wasn’t truly winning anything and I got suckered into this by two charming guys who had their own agendas. I would be lying if I said I didn’t love every second of it, though. Brent and Travis were fun to hang around, and we always managed to laugh. Okay, they always managed to laugh while I glowered at them.

  And now it was time to party. Oh, goodie. Yay me. Could you hear the sarcasm? No? Okay, let’s try again. I was so freaking excited to be going out to practically a meat market and being on display for my two guy friends who loved to laugh at my expense because I was a dork. And of course, I had to prove to them that I was not just a nerd, but that I could be sexy. Which I normally only reserved for my girlfriends, so I was going to be totally self-conscious, even though I was not normally that way around strangers. I knew I was going to manage to somehow fall on my ass while dancing because I was going to be too nervous to be smooth. Oh yeah, most definitely an amazing time. Couldn’t wait. The sarcasm might not have been very subtle there.

  I had tried desperately to get out of going to a club with Brent and Travis. And by desperately, I meant I came up with all the usual excuses, to which they had very good answers: I had a midterm (liar!), I had too much homework (like you’re going to be doing that Saturday night), I had to wash my hair (good, so you’ll look nice when we go out, and maybe you’ll smell good finally), I had to walk my dog (I’m going to tell your roommate you called her a dog). Gee, and I wondered why none of them worked.

  I begged Lauren to come with me as my buffer, especially since she had somehow managed to not meet either Brent or Travis, but she was busy with her boyfriend. God, I hated that she was blissfully happy. Okay, so, I didn’t really hate it. I was super happy for her, but right now, I would have hated a cuddly baby if they didn’t offer to help me out.

  She did, however, stay until I was all dolled up and helped me primp and get ready. I wasn’t sure if she was all that much help though since she insisted I couldn’t wear a muumuu. I had to straighten my hair, and I had to put on the smoky gray eyeshadow that made my eyes pop. Why I “had” to do these things, I didn’t know. When all was said and done and Lauren yelled out some catcalls – yes, my friend is a dork too, just not as bad as me – I finally looked in the mirror, really looked, and I had to admit that I liked what I saw. It gave me a boost of confidence. I could do this; I could really do this.

  Lauren hugged me and pinched my butt and said, “You’ll be fine, you sexy beast, you.” And the guys told me my encouraging lines needed work …

  She left and then there was a knock on the door, and I opened to find Brent and Travis as delectable as ever. No, scratch that, they were even more so. Hot damn. Those two boys were fine. Travis wore dark gray jeans with a tight black v-neck shirt that outlined his impressive muscles and the lines on his stomach. Brent was wearing blue jeans, but he had on a deep blue button-down with his sleeves rolled up. He had even taken the time to style his hair. It still looked messy, but I know he did it on purpose. Was it sad that I noticed that? And of course, my short-lived confidence took a dive.

  You know those awkward moments when you should say something, but you don’t? Yeah, that was happening now. I could feel the blush creep up my neck as I started thinking about what people would say when they saw me walk in with these two hotties. “She doesn’t deserve two. Who does she think she is? Why are they with her?” But, after a moment, I realized neither of the guys was saying anything either. So, I searched their faces and I swear I saw awe, shock, pleasant surprise, and even raw lust in both their eyes. Well, damn if that didn’t make a girl feel instantly better about herself.

  So, I took pity on them and finally spoke. “Stop gawking and let’s get this show on the road.”

  That snapped them out of their daze real quick, but it didn’t stop them from stuttering, “Wow, Kim … I mean, you look, well … Trav, help me out.”

  “What he means is that you, uh … damn.”

  I giggled. Yes, I freaking giggled. I was one of those girls, all right. So shoot me. It felt great! And just like that, I was back to my bubbly self. “Yes, I know, I’m hot. I told you I clean up well. You didn’t believe me. Should I also tell you I have some mad moves?”

  “Mad moves, huh?”

  “Yes, and should we discuss the rules for tonight?”

  “What rules?” Brent asked.

  “Well, we’re all going there together, but come on, I don’t expect us to leave together. I know you two pretty well. I just don’t want to be stuck there looking for you guys. So, if and when you leave, let me know so I can grab a cab and get back here.”

  “Wait, what?” Travis asked.

  “Don’t worry, I’m a big girl. I can dance by myself or with other people. And I already know not to take drinks from strangers. So, feel free to find yourselves some girls once we get there. I won’t be butt hurt, I swear.”

  “Kim, I don’t think you understand,” Brent responded.

  “Don’t understand what?”

  I watched him sharing a knowing smile with Travis.

  “You aren’t going to be dancing with anyone but us. We really don’t want to have to get into any fights tonight, and the way you look, you better stay close or we’ll be knocking guys off you.”

  “No wandering eyes, missy. We’re going out with you, so that means you’re going out with us too. You think we’d ditch you just for a quick fuck? Nah, Kim, you’re our friend. We go together, we come back together,” Travis added.

  Well, golly gee, if that didn’t make a girl tingle all over.

  *****

  For once, I managed to be around the guys without making a fool of myself. It wa
s awesome. I think that deserves repeating: It was awesome. Heck, the whole night was pretty awesome.

  We went to a twenty-one-and-over club. No problem for the guys, and really, no problem for me. There was a line and the guys started to get in before I called out, “What are you doing?’

  “Uh, getting in line, what does it look like?” Travis asked.

  “Oh, honey, I don’t wait in line. Watch and learn,” I said with a wink.

  They followed me to the front where I shamelessly flirted with the bouncer. He didn’t even give my fake ID a second glance, and when I leaned in close to his ear and told him to come find me later, I knew I had him when I heard his breath hitch. I told you—I was a great flirt. I swear he scowled when I told him he had to let my two guy friends and me in, but he let us through right away. Thank you, push-up bra.

  The guys were thoroughly impressed.

  “From now on, I’m taking you with me everywhere!” Travis yelled.

  “Yeah, you are like a little magic surprise. Nerd by day, sex by night, and always full of surprises.” I smiled.

  And that was when things got a little complicated. I don’t know if it was the music beating through my veins, the amount of alcohol I had consumed, or the numerous strangers pushing me up against Travis and Brent, but I felt like I was high up in the clouds. I had actually managed to let go and be carefree. And before I knew it, I was drenched in sweat and in a Brent/Trav sandwich, one guy dancing in my front, the other on my back, and then they switched places. I felt like we should be having our own little porno scene, minus the taking off clothes and the sex. Okay, maybe just having our own dry humping scene because ooo-wee, was it hot. We were clinging to each other, and I was able to forget they were my friends. To me, they were two hot strangers I would never see again. That meant I was dancing as if my life depended on it. I was in the moment. I was having so much fun. We were touching and laughing, and it didn’t feel weird. And then I felt a nuzzle on my neck. I let it go. Someone pushed Travis into me, that must have been it. But then later, I felt Brent’s warm breath too close to my ear.

  They must have forgotten I was just their sweet, clumsy friend. They were living in the moment, too. And then I finally opened my eyes when Travis was in front of me and he was staring at me with a look; a look I couldn’t describe if someone held a gun to my head, but it sent a shiver down my spine. The good kind of shivers. And I felt Brent press closer to my back. And that was when I knew this whole night was definitely a bad idea. Alcohol and music and dirty dancing with friends who would only ever remain friends, especially when the guys were known players, would never end well.

  So, I pulled away, told them the body heat and alcohol were getting to me and it was time to call it a night.

  We took a taxi back and the guys dropped me off first. None of us said anything, the silence saying more than we could with words. I couldn’t look at either of the guys when I mumbled that I had a great time. Which, really, I did … up until I crawled inside myself and let myself get paranoid. That was probably all it was, paranoia. There was no way the guys felt something for me more than friendship. Even if they found me attractive, there was a difference between appreciating that like appreciating art and wanting that for yourself. They only wanted quick lays, and I wasn’t that. And they’d never do anything to jeopardize that; they’d told me so on multiple occasions.

  I rushed home, crawled into bed, and pushed all my thoughts out so that I could fall asleep. And I promised myself that the next day I would be back to normal. I would be my normally cheerful self and I would pretend as if any awkwardness from today didn’t exist. After all, it was only awkward because I’d made it so. If I didn’t act as if it was, then it wouldn’t be. It couldn’t be.

  chapter ten

  As I texted Brent and Travis and asked them to meet me at my place. It was Sunday, and we hadn’t planned on meeting, but after the weird way I had acted the night before, I needed them to know I was a-ok. I just wasn’t sure what I was going to do once they got to my place.

  By the time they got there, I was slightly panicking, but when I opened the door to see them both looking casual and smiling, I had an idea.

  “This better be good,” Travis moaned.

  “It’s too early to be up on a Sunday,” Brent whined.

  “It’s noon!” I cried.

  “It’s Sunday,” tossed back Travis.

  “Argh! You guys are so frustrating.”

  “Hey, it’s your fault I stayed up all night,” smirked Travis.

  “Huh? I was home by one forty-five am, which means you were home by two am.”

  “Yeah, but you didn’t go home in my dreams.” Travis smiled. For a brief moment, my heart soared at the compliment then plummeted at the thought he could be serious. And then I regained my composure and realized it was his trademark flirting.

  “Oh, you,” I said, jamming my finger in his chest. “I thought you learned you can flirt without making everything sexual.”

  “I thought I didn’t have to pretend with you.” He pouted, and it was kind of adorable. I threw my hands up in frustration. He was right, but that didn’t make it any better.

  “So, Kim, I’m guessing you’re feeling better?” Brent asked as I stepped aside to let them in.

  “Huh?” I asked a little confused.

  “You know, last night, you wanted to leave kind of early and abruptly. And then you got all pale and said you weren’t feeling good. No hangover for you?” Oh, thank God, boys were so oblivious. That just reinforced my notion that I was being paranoid.

  “Yep, took some Alka-Seltzer before I went to bed.”

  “Wait. What?”

  “You guys don’t know about Alka-Seltzer?”

  “Yeah, but isn’t it for indigestion or something.”

  “Maybe, I don’t know, but you take it before you go to sleep after heavy drinking, and it’s like you never drank before.”

  “How do you know that and we don’t?” asked Travis.

  “What? You think I’m this sheltered little girl?” I asked, and they both nodded. They freaking nodded. “Oh boys, didn’t you learn your lesson last night? I party like the best of them. I’m also a major lightweight, and the nice white porcelain buddy of mine was getting tired of my shenanigans, so I did what any normal person would do. I Googled. Then I tried a bunch of remedies and this was the best. And now, I can keep up with you two. That’s right, damn straight. I just outsmarted you,” I sang and did a stupid little dance. Not sure why I was so happy about knowing something that helped in a social situation that the two of them didn’t, but I totally was.

  I finally stopped and looked over at them. They were smiling, looking like little devils on my couch.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “You,” they both said in unison.

  “Oh, shush it.”

  “All right, all right, so what was so urgent that you had to wake us up early on a Sunday?”

  “Noon is early,” I grumbled. “We only have a couple of weeks left before I have to win this bet, and Travis hasn’t found his book girlfriend and wooed her yet. Time is of the essence.”

  “Okay, so what are we doing today?”

  “Research.”

  “Ok-ay,” Brent drew out.

  I flipped on the TV, found Netflix, and started searching for some chick flicks.

  When I got to Pretty in Pink, I heard a loud, “Oh, hell nah.”

  I turned to see both guys shaking their heads. “What do you mean ‘hell nah’? And who says ‘nah’?”

  “You say ‘nah’ when no isn’t enough,” replied Travis.

  “And there is no way we are watching chick flicks all day.”

  “Was this some kind of way to get someone to watch a movie with you? You could have just asked. Or wait … was this payback for us making you go out last night? Because you had fun. I know it. And I sure as hell had fun. I’m sure Trav here did, too.”

  “You guys need to see what gets us sappy gi
rls to fall for bad boys. If you won’t read it, then at least watch it. Maybe it will give you some perspective.”

  “Kim, I told you I’m in this bet, but I’m not a douche. I don’t want a girl falling for me. I just need her to like me enough to get this over with. After that, I’m back in the game,” Travis admitted. It actually made me kind of sad.

  “You don’t get it. Having a five-minute conversation with a random girl I pick out is great and all. But what do you do when you are stuck with her for a few hours and are trying to get to know her when you don’t really care? And what about the fact that we can’t pick a random girl? We have to find your book girlfriend match. She might tell you to eff off.”

  “Did you just say ‘eff’?”

  “That’s what you got from this whole conversation? You’re hopeless!” I cried.

  “Fine, whatever, movie time. But if we are doing this, I need some food first.”

  “Agreed,” Brent added.

  “Fine, let’s go grab lunch.” I grabbed my sweater, and we walked out.

  *****

  We went to the diner around the corner from my place. We were back to normal, laughing—well, laughing at me—and joking—yeah, yeah, joking about me. It was nice. I was glad that things had worked out the way they did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be friends with these two. And I was really enjoying being their friend. They were both smart but in different ways. Brent was book smart; he knew it and wasn’t afraid to tell anyone. And it was really unfair that he was that good looking and that smart and barely had to study. Travis had to study to be where he was at, but he didn’t mind. And if he didn’t understand something, he went at it until he got it. I guess he was more like me in that sense. Although, I didn’t think I really studied to learn so much as I studied to get good grades, but I guess that involved me learning a few things along the way anyway.

  I also got to know them beyond the insanely good looks and the flirting. For example, Travis rubbed his bottom lip when he was deep in thought or focusing on something. He crossed his arms when he was upset, and he looked to the right when he was trying to avoid something. Brent had two laughs, a real one and a nervous one, and I didn’t think he even knew that. He scratched his ear when he was confused, and he stared deep into your eyes when he wanted your attention. It was almost as if he was trying to keep you in place with his mind. It always worked for me, so, hey, maybe he had some kind of x-man thing going on. Who knew?