by Colbie Kay
I’ll start slowly, and so I’m going to message Dex for a repeat of tonight. Maybe I’ll even ask him to be my partner for the final project in Astronomy.
As the night went on, Dex told me about his love for baseball and how he hopes to go pro in a few years. I told him I wasn’t sure yet what I wanted to major in, but that I’ve always had a passion for the stars. We talked a little about growing up and I found out he lived a few towns over from me, in Union City. It’s crazy that I’d never seen him before our class, when our high school sports teams played against each other all the time.
It was so nice talking to someone outside of my sisters. I haven’t really made any friends at the café yet, but maybe soon I will. For the first time since that night, I actually had fun, and I didn’t think about it at all. Dex kept me entertained and focused on him all night. He was a true gentleman and he didn’t let anyone get too close to me. If he had to go to the bar he took me with him, if I had to use the restroom he walked with me and waited outside the door until I was done. He stuck to his word, and that meant a lot to me because most guys wouldn’t have really cared.
I haven’t laughed that hard in so long. When we first got started studying, I asked how much he knew and what exactly he needed help with. His response was, “Who knew this class was gonna be so difficult? I swear, the only thing I know are the planets and the Milky Way, because that’s a fuckin’ candy bar.” I literally doubled over laughing in a full belly laugh. Then, when we started going over some of the constellations, or as he calls them, clusters, we talked a little about Professor Bryant. He had a good one for that, which caused a loud outburst of laughter and I almost spit out my drink. He said Professor Bryant can take his Orion’s Belt, wrap it around his Little Dipper, and send him further into Uranus. I sensed a little hostility from Dex, but hey, he’s learning.
While biting my lip and smiling to myself, I have come to two conclusions tonight. One, I’m going to continue tutoring Dex and two, I kind of like the baseball player.
I’ve been working at the café for a month now, and it’s going really well. I’m slowly starting to come out of my shell, with the help of waitressing and Dex. I’ve mastered the skill of waitressing; at first it was hard talking to all of the students, but the more I’m here, the easier it gets. I’ve learned the cash register, which wasn’t too hard once I learned all of the different coffees, cappuccinos, espressos, and frappuccinos. I never realized there were so many ways to make coffee. It’s kind of ridiculous, really. And now that I have all of that down, Lisa, my boss and owner, has decided it’s time I start learning exactly how to make them. She says I impressed her with my excellent and quick learning abilities, but I’m over here like, “It’s just coffee.”
“Callie, I need a cappuccino,” Lisa says from the register, where she is taking money from a very tall, lanky guy; my guess is he’s one of the basketball players.
“Coming right up,” I respond. Grabbing the fancy little mug, I think about what the cappuccino has in it. Add expresso, check. Add steamed milk, check. Add micro-foam on top of milk.
Shit!
The cup is overflowing! Cleaning up the mess, I start over. After my third attempt, I get it right and move on to the next order. Yeah, not as easy as I thought, so I take back that earlier comment. Hell no; it takes a special skill to get this shit right.
Later that night, after I finish my cleanup and my shift is over, Lisa calls me into her office. “How do you think today went with trying to make orders?”
“Well...it went okay, but I had a few mistakes.” Standing in the doorway, I twirl the wet towel around my fingers.
“It happens to us all, and you will get the hang of it. I just want to make sure you are doing okay. I love having you work here, and I think I’d like to keep you for a while.” Lisa smiles, and I return one of my own.
“I like it here too. You won’t be getting rid of me anytime soon.”
I start to walk away and hear, “Good, that’s what I like to hear.” Lisa has become like a second mom. She’s around my mom’s age, so early forties, with sandy colored hair and blue eyes. She is taller than I am by a few inches and has an all-around kindness to her. I think she took a liking to me because I’m more focused on the job, unlike some of the other employees here. We are all college students, but they’re more of the I don’t give a shit, I’d rather be anywhere else besides working attitude. I, on the other hand, love being here.
Grabbing my purse, I open the back door and my eyes instantly find Dex.
“Hey,” he greets as I walk over, his smile full and one that would make girls beg to see it, and often. His brown eyes glisten in the moonlight with happiness.
“Hey!” I return the greeting as I reach Dex, and his muscular arm automatically goes around my shoulders, bringing me in for a hug and a kiss to the top of my head.
“How was your shift?” We start walking in the direction of my building.
“It was okay. Lisa thought I should make orders today and the first few I messed up, but I got the hang of it after a while.”
“You will perfect your barista skills in no time. I have faith in you.” Looking up to see his smile, I can’t help but to smile back. Dex is a great guy and knows how to keep the mood light and a smile on my face.
Over the last few weeks, Dex and I have gotten closer as friends. I tutor him a few times a week, mostly at The Dugout, sometimes at the café. I really think he’s starting to get the hang of Astronomy, and I’m starting to learn the lingo of baseball. I have also asked him to be my partner for the final project, and to say he was happy is an understatement. In fact, he got on one of the tables at The Dugout, did a little dance, then turned towards me and yelled that he would love to. I was embarrassed, but couldn’t help laughing. Another thing about Dex is there’s never a dull moment and I always have a good time.
My sisters and I always had this pact that we don’t do relationships because of how our father treated our mom until he finally left and abandoned us. I’m glad he’s not around, though, because he’s a piece of shit, not only for abusing our mom and being a raging alcoholic, but for what he did to Cydney the same night Roger did what he tried to do to me.
I’m kind of changing my mind on that pact because I’m really starting to like Dex. I’m getting pretty strong feelings for him, and sometimes I think he feels the same way, but I can’t be sure. He’s never tried anything, he’s never tried to cross any lines with me, and I guess he treats me like any friend he would have that’s a girl. Although, I’ve never seen him with any other girls. He doesn’t have any pictures with girls on Facebook, and when we’re at The Dugout, he keeps everyone at a safe distance.
Dex had asked what my work schedule was one night after tutoring and I told him, thinking he was just asking so we could plan tutoring sessions. I was surprised when he said he would be waiting for me when I got off of work every night so he could walk me home. I told him he didn’t have to do that, but he insisted, so he meets me on my work nights and walks me home. One more check for the gentleman.
I’ve told my sisters about Dex and how he talked me into tutoring him. They’re happy that I’m comfortable with him and that I’m not in the condo so much anymore. I think they get to go enjoy themselves more instead of feeling bad for me and staying home sulking along with me.
“Callie?” Dex questions, bringing me out of my thoughts, and I realize we’ve reached my building entrance.
“Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.” Turning to face him, I smile up at him.
Furrowing his brows, he asks, “Do you want to talk about it?” His hands rest on my hips, and the touch, even over my jeans, causes a shiver to jolt through me. I’m sure if there was enough light, he could see me blush.
“No, it wasn’t important.” I don’t know what to do with my hands, so I decide to put them in my back pockets. I don
’t want to either fidget or jump into his strong muscular arms. Whew...those arms with those tattoos, though.
“Well, I’m here if you want to talk.” Dex blows out a breath and adds, “I wanted to ask you something.” His hands have started rubbing up and down my sides, not too low or too high.
“Okay.” Biting the inside of my cheek, I wait to see what he’s going to ask and I’m nervous, like when I was fourteen and Billy Jenson gave me my first kiss.
“Will you go on a date with me?” Butterflies—lots of butterflies—swarm around in my belly. This is so much better than when I was fourteen with that awful, awkward kiss.
“Yes!” I fully smile while nodding my head. I might have sounded a little too excited, but oh well.
“Really?” He looks almost stunned.
“Yes, really.” I lightly hit his arm with a laugh.
“Well, alright then.” Dex smiles and looks a little shy. “I’ll let you know the day and time tomorrow. You better get inside now and rest those feet.”
Taking his hand in mine, I tell him, “Thank you for walking me home. Goodnight, Dex.”
“Goodnight, Callie.” He looks down into my eyes, and for a split second I think he might kiss me. That’s how intense this stare down is, but nope; he goes for the cheek—at least it was more than a hug.
Reluctantly, I let go of his hand, and his other drops from my waist. I walk inside my building and I know he’s there until I’m out of sight.
Chapter 6
The date is set!
Saturday afternoon, I’ll be taking Callie on our first date, and I hope she likes what I have planned. The downside is, I have to wait all fucking week until it’s time. All that time of sitting next to her in class, watching her, I never thought we would be where we are now. I see her about every day between class, tutoring, and when I walk her home from work. I didn’t anticipate the strong hold she would have over me, and I didn’t think I would grow such an intense want for her. My chest tightens almost unbearably when my brown eyes land on her.
I’m starting to see the little changes in her, like the fact that her pale skin is getting some color back in it, her empty green eyes are coming back to life, and she’s feeling more confident in the fitted black jeans and tight white top she wears to work. She’s starting to wear a little makeup; it’s just on her eyes, but it’s a start, and I’d like to think I have something to do with these changes in her. I want Callie, I want her like I’ve never wanted anything before. My only problem is I have a secret, and I don’t know how she is going to feel about me after she finds out.
The week has passed by at a fucking snail’s pace! At least, that’s what it feels like to me, with the impending date with Callie tomorrow. We had a week off with no games, so the guys and I decided to hang out at The Dugout for a while. It’s nice to catch up with my roommates since I don’t see much of them anymore, outside of ball practice and the couple classes we have together. I’m always busy with tutoring and they’re out doing what they do.
“Dex!” Maverick yells in the packed bar, bringing me away from my thoughts of Callie.
“Yeah, man?” I answer with a dumbfounded look.
“Where the hell did you go? I was talking to you about tutor girl and how things are going.” He’s been concerned ever since Coach Rivers talked to me. And I get it, but I’m not trying to discuss Callie with him just yet.
“Her name is Callie, and it’s fine; my grade is slowly getting better. Let’s just enjoy our beers and watch the game.”
Mav’s lips form into a shit-eating grin. “All I’m saying is she’s taking up a lot of your time these days. Maybe you’re getting a little tutoring of a different kind.” He downs the rest of his beer before calling over the waitress.
“Even if that was the case, it wouldn’t be any of your fucking business.” He’s trying to get a rise out of me and it’s starting to work. One thing about Mav is he can be an asshole at times.
“Ohhh and he’s defensive! I’d say Dex here has feelings for tutor girl.” Mav laughs, but Zac and I don’t join in.
“I said enough!” I stare at my best friend across the table, giving him my do not fuck with me look.
Mav puts his hands in front of his chest in a stopping motion. “I was just fucking around and giving you a hard time. Chill, dude.”
As usual, the ever-so-funny Zac butts in, breaking the growing tension. “So…you know that hot little TA that I was trying to get with?”
“Yeah,” Mav and I reply at the same time. Zac’s been trying to get in this chick’s pants since the first day of class and she hasn’t paid him any attention.
“I thought she was about to break the other day and give into all of this.” Zac runs his finger from his head to below the table. “So…right when I thought I had her, in walks this freaking bodybuilder chick. Seriously I’m a big guy, but she could have broken me with one arm.” His bottom lip pokes out in a pout. “The chick walks up to the TA and says, ‘Hey, babe! Are you ready to go,’ then proceeds to grip the back of her neck and kiss her like them alpha fantasy men the ladies be reading in those books.”
Mav and I bust out laughing. “I don’t know what’s worse, you knowing what kind of men are in those books or the fact that you actually thought you had a chance with her all this time,” I tell him.
Zac’s eyes narrow in an accusatory way. “What do you mean I actually thought? Did you know she was into chicks?”
“Dude, come on, everyone knows that,” Mav responds while still laughing.
Zac throws his arms in the air. “Then why the fuck didn’t you guys tell me?” His voice raises a few octaves.
“We bet on how long it would take you to figure it out.” I let the cat out of the bag. We tried once telling him it was pointless, but he didn’t listen.
“Fuck you, douchebags!” Now Zac finally joins in the laughter. We go back to watching the game.
When the game is over, we order one more beer. It’s about time for me to walk Callie home. “Do you think the three of us will be ready when the MLB scouts come looking?” I ask the guys, because we’re getting close to that time in our college careers, and we all want to go pro.
Of course, Mav is the first to answer. “You bet your sweet ass we will be.”
Then the laughter from Zac comes, and I’m just waiting for it. “How the fuck do you know his ass is sweet?”
“Fuck you, asshole, you know damn well it’s you that knows his ass tastes sweet.” Mav and Zac bust out laughing at me being the butt of the joke. No pun intended.
We take another pull from our beers. “You fuckers need to shut your pie holes.” Even though they can be smartasses, they’re my brothers both on the field and off, because they’re more than teammates, they’re my family, and right now they’re the only one I got. “I gotta head out, are you guys coming?” I ask as I finish off the last of the Bud.
“Yeah.” They down the rest of theirs and we head back to the apartment.
We get off the elevator, start heading down the hall, and we see something in front of our door, sitting on the ground.
“What the…” Zac stammers.
Mav rips a piece of paper off the door. “It’s for you, Dex.”
“Oh, fuck!”
Chapter 7
Finishing up my shift at the café, I walk outside in the rain, expecting to see Dex just as I always do. The back door closes behind me and my smile falters because he isn’t here. I don’t know if I should be worried; maybe he got busy and forgot, or maybe he didn’t want to walk in the rain that’s hammering down. Pulling my phone out of my purse, I text him and then bring up my messenger app from Facebook and send him another message there. After waiting a few minutes with no reply, I decide to start walking on my own.
By the time I get around to the main building, I know I ha
ve to look like a drowned rat with my hair drenched in its ponytail. My clothes are soaked, no doubt my white top is not leaving anything to the imagination, and my mascara is probably a mess running down my cheeks.
Coming up to the lit-up area just in front of the main building, I notice someone standing under the covered entrance. As I walk closer, I can see the side profile of the person. “Dex?” I question, wondering what the hell he’s doing.
His head swings my way, and there is a mix of emotions on his gorgeous face. “Callie?” he questions, and then it dawns on him. “Oh, fuck! I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I deadpan. Then I hear a noise. “What was that? What are you doing here?”
Dex opens up his jacket with one free hand, and I see her, a little baby. All of a sudden the wailing cries begin. “I was bringing her to the sports doctor. I don’t know what to do. She hasn’t stopped screaming for the last hour.”
My head flies back like it’s been slapped. “You have a baby and didn’t think to tell me?”
“I didn’t know about her until today, and I don’t even know if she’s mine. I have to do something for her, though, I think something is wrong. She won’t stop screaming. Callie, I don’t know what the fuck to do.” Dex is freaking out, and with good reason.
Deciding right now isn’t the time to be mad at him—the baby needs help—I walk closer and feel her forehead; she doesn’t feel warm. “She’s not running a fever. Let’s take her back to your place and see what we can do.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with that?” Relief washes over his features, but he’s still concerned for me. How can I stay mad at him when he’s this sweet? “I promise I will explain everything to the best of my ability.”