Pushing Limits (Fighting Love: Book 1)

by cross, kali

  I stare at him. What the fuck? What now we’re friends? “Uh-no,” I say, looking across the quad.

  “I think I’m going to write on Political Action Committees.” His face is the very vision of someone who is damned pleased with himself. Really? My God, this guy is so full of himself. He asks, “Do you want to work together on it? We could meet in the library after your last class.”

  So that’s his game. Dumb jock probably thinks he can charm me into doing his paper for him. “No thanks. I think I’m going to write on something else. I do a lot of my work in my room anyway.”

  “I don’t mind working in your room if you would be more comfortable that way.” His smile is bright with a touch of a leer.

  “Sorry, I think I’ll go it alone,” I say.

  “That’s how you do a lot of things, isn’t?” He laughs. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? “You seem very independent,” he adds hastily, smiling down at me.

  “Karen, we better go. We promised to meet Sally at the dorm,” I say, pulling at her elbow. This has all become too surreal. I need to go.

  “Bye, Babe.” Karen kisses Jerrod on the lips, tenderly stroking his cheek.

  “I’ll call you later, ok?” Jerrod says with a broad grin.

  We make our way across the quad before Karen says, “What was that all about? I mean Bobby barely speaks to you, and now he’s trying to get you to study with him.” A romantic look crosses her tawny face as she says, “He is a hottie though, I must say. And, if you dated him, we could double.”

  I stop dead in my tracks and turn to her. “Karen, do I look like a girl who goes on double dates?”

  She giggles. “Yeah, that is definitely not your scene.”

  “And…I have a boyfriend. Well, kind of a boyfriend, I mean I’m seeing someone. Anyway, I’m not interested in playing the field.” I smile to myself remembering Tommy’s comment, I don’t share. Thinking about it makes my stomach clench.

  “Sorry. You’re right. You know he’s welcome to come with us on Friday.”

  “I know. But, he can’t. He has to work on his ranch. I won’t see him for a few more weeks. Calving season.”

  “Oh-ok. But you can still go out, right?”

  I eye her and say, “Of course.”

  Karen starts chatting on about Jerrod and the latest cool thing he did to make her feel special. I zone out feeling a pang of sadness. As we get closer to the dorm, a group of four girls merges in front of us on the sidewalk.

  “I heard she bought her way in. I guess her mom made some huge endowment to the college when she got here. My girlfriend was waitlisted and she had a great SAT scores and top grades in high school. That’s not right.”

  The blond says, “From what I heard, her family is rich. Like really rich. Bill Gates, rich.”

  “I can’t believe someone can buy her way in. It’s wrong.”

  Are they talking about me? How would they know about my mom’s endowment? They have to be talking about someone else. This school is full of rich kids. They have to be. I want to crawl into a hole. I hope they aren’t talking about me but what if they are? Shit!

  The girls veer off to the student union, and I turn to Karen, hoping to get my mind off those girls. “So, it looks like things are going well with Jerrod.”

  She smiles shyly, her face looking down to hide her emerald eyes. A light pink color hues her cheeks. “Yeah, things are going well. Being with him is going better than I could have imagined. Turns out, he was incredibly jealous that night in Mulligan’s.” She sighs. “Later, he showed me how much.” She smiles, looking away to hide her face again. “I worry if I’m going to keep his interest, you know? He’s had a lot more, uh, relationships than I have.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about that. No two people are the same.” I wink, “if you know what I mean.”

  Karen blushes again and shrugs her shoulders. “What if he gets bored with me?” She looks away. “I’ve only ever wanted Jerrod. I waited for four years for him to notice me. Don’t get me wrong; I dated.” She looks around and whispers, “I’m not a virgin or anything.”

  I nod and focus on keeping my face impassive. I don’t want to razz her again, but she does make it really easy. The girl is the epitome of provincial.

  She looks away. “Why did putting a pair of high heels and a short skirt make the difference?”

  “You looked hot that night. You weren’t hiding any more. That’s why he noticed you.” I nudge her, “I’m sure all the guys buzzing around you didn’t hurt either. You’re a beautiful woman. I don’t know why you hide behind your glasses and baggy clothes.”

  “I need the glasses to see the board in the classroom and my clothes are comfortable,” she says. Her lips purse and she stands taller.

  “I didn’t mean to insult you, Karen.” I raise my hands in defeat. Resting my hand on her arm, I stop her, making her look me in the eyes. “Really I didn’t.”

  “That’s ok.” She squeezes my hand and picking up our walk. “I realize the only time I ever even get remotely dressed up is when I have to be on camera. I’m broke all the time. I’m on scholarship, remember? I don’t have the money to shop like you and Sally. Hell, I think Melissa has better clothes than I do and she never leaves the room.”

  “When we get back to the room, we should talk to our resident fashionista. I bet Sally has a suggestion. Shit, if you let her, she’d probably jump at the chance to give you a make-over.”

  “I don’t need her charity,” Karen says. Her lips set in a guarded grimace.

  I stop, putting my hand on her elbow to get her to stop, too. “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant she could go through your clothes and see what works and what doesn’t. She could take you to some store that’s within your budget. That’s it.”

  “I’m sorry. I guess I’m a bit defensive.” She shakes her head with an apologetic smile. Sighing, she says, “It’s tough being a middle class kid in a school full of rich kids. I think Sally has a jacket that costs more than my entire wardrobe. It’s not only the money thing.” She looks at me with complete sincerity. “I hope you both know I would never use you like that. You know that, right?” I nod and we start walking again. “I wasn’t raised that way.”

  “We know.” I nod.

  “That kind of behavior really gets under my skin. Every time I’m with Jerrod and the guys are around, Bobby conveniently forgets his wallet or doesn’t have cash. I swear he never pays for a thing. Jerrod has the money, his parents own half the city, but it bothers me, seeing Bobby use him as his own personal ATM.”

  “That’s weird. Sally says he’s loaded.” I shrug. “He’s probably one of those rich guys that think carrying cash is gauche.”

  “Hmm. I guess.” Her eyes narrow.

  “Annnywwwaaay.” My lips spread into a wide grin as I draw the word out, circling my arm around her and give her a quick hug. “I’m glad you’re happy. Do you want to get together to study for the history exam?”

  “I thought you like to go at it alone.” She laughs.

  “Hey, I said ‘go it alone’ not ‘go at it alone’.” I smirk.

  “Right.” She chuckles, blushing deeply, the dark red color spreading over her golden tan when she realizes what she said.

  “Damn, girl. I was joking. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” I taunt her. You simply make it so easy.

  As we enter the elevator, I pull out my phone and type a text to Tommy:

  Hey. What cha doin’?

  We walk down the hall and I drop Karen at her room. My phone pings:

  Another seventeen calves born today.

  How’s my girl?

  I type my reply:

  Just thinking about you.

  Thinking of all the nasty things I want to do to you next time we’re together. ;)

  My phone pings:

  Really?

  Maybe I need to steal away in the middle of the night

  to come visit you so you can show me.

  I reply:

&
nbsp; Don’t tease me. :/

  My phone pings:

  I miss you, too, darlin’.

  I wish I could be there right now to show you how much.

  How are your classes going?

  I reply:

  Got an A on my calculus test!

  Is there any chance I will see you this weekend?

  I miss you.

  My phone pings:

  I have to get out to the pasture.

  I’ll work on trying to get into town.

  I text a reply:

  I would love that…almost as much as I love sucking your cock. ;)

  Use that for incentive.

  My phone pings:

  Damn. Now I have to go out there with a hard-on.

  You’re killing me. ;)

  Bye, darlin’

  I text:

  Bye, baby

  My phone pings:

  I love it when you call me that.

  It’s gonna be a long night. Sweet dreams!

  A smile spreads over my lips and I start my calculus homework. My calculus homework is a bitch! It’s not hard for me. I just let so much build up. Why did I procrastinate? Around midnight, I pat myself on the back for catching up in another class. Two more classes to go, and I can get into a grove.

  My phone pings with a text from Sally:

  Hey Girlie!

  I won’t be home tonight.

  In case you didn’t guess that already.

  Met someone new.

  You’re goin’ on Friday, right?

  I text her:

  Hey Sally! Yup, I’m going.

  Have fun! I’ll see you in the morning.

  ***

  I’m up early to get caught up on my reading for Contemporary British Fiction. Professor Stewart has assigned Brideshead Revisited. It’s actually pretty good. It reminds me of a book I had to read in high school called The Remains of the Day. The only downer is…it’s frickin’ four hundred pages long, so I’ll be reading it all weekend and into next week, and then I get to write a paper on it. Yay me!

  I head over to the student union to grab a bite before my next class. Man, I’m starving. Taking a tray I head over to the omelet station and peruse the vegetables and meats destined for the omelets. Everything looks fresh. The chef makes my omelet and I walk over to the cashier, swiping my card, and take a seat at an empty table. Not many people are in here this early, but I notice a group of girls and another group of guys and girls. I dig in to my food. I had some coffee in the room, but I want to head to Starbucks for a fix and I’m short on time.

  I am entranced with my food when I notice someone standing next to my table. I look up into the eyes of one pissed off sorority chick. Now, almost everyone here looks like a sorority chick, but this one is proudly sporting a Tri Psi shirt with one big ass frown.

  “I worked hard to get into this school,” she says, her hands on her hips, sneer intact. “I mean really hard. I studied every weekend for a year for my SATs and worked my butt off in high school so I could go here. I didn’t have a rich mommy and daddy who merely wrote a check, and BAM, I was in. I had to work to be accepted.” She crosses her arms and glares at me.

  “Uh. Congratulations?” I say. Great! Another one? How did this get all over campus?

  “Right,” she says, rolling her eyes. Pointing her finger at me, she says, “Someone like you tarnishes this place. Someone like you takes a big ‘ol dump on everything I worked for and everyone here. All you had to do was have your mama and daddy write a check. You make me sick. Why don’t you hop a plane to the Hamptons or Beverly Hills and go back to where you came from? Give your spot to someone who worked for it.”

  “Wow. Why don’t you fuck off?” I say and return my attention to my meal as my blood pounds in my ears and I feel my chest tighten. I feel like throwing up my breakfast as I stare down at my plate, hardening my heart and shaking off this wonderful confrontation. I pray my blush will fade and not show this chick she has gotten to me.

  Luckily when she realizes I’m not going to give her the argument or retaliation she expects, she flips her hair, and walks back to her table. More whispers and stares float from her table.

  I stay and pick at my food hoping they will leave soon. I’m determined not to let them chase me off. How the fuck does anyone know anything about me?

  I grab a Starbucks and drink to this wonderful elixir of dark roast coffee, milk, and today…chocolate. “Sweet nectar of the Gods” escapes from my lips every time because it just fucking is…sweet nectar. The explosion of caffeine, the heat of the coffee warming my mouth, the bite in my cheeks after I swallow. Damn, it’s pure joy and after that breakfast, I fucking deserve it.

  I head over to the courts, thankful for a chance to play. I have loved tennis since I was six years old. The courts were my sanctuary. It was only me against another player. I had only myself to rely on, win or lose. It helped that this was a sport my mother respected. It was acceptable in “our set.” Things were that much sweeter when I turned fourteen and started to kick her ass on the court. It started slow, winning a few matches here and there. She would act flippant about it as if it didn’t matter to her. But by the time I turned seventeen, she couldn’t beat me, and it pissed her off to no end. Hmm, that was a good summer.

  As I start my long trek up to the courts on campus, I’m content to merely enjoy the walk. The sun is out, and a nice breeze is blowing. Massive old oak trees line the street surrounded by sweeping green lawns. As I walk down Speedway, nearing 26th street, I stop, staring.

  A billboard announces:

  Catherine A. Turner Hall

  Government Policy Facility

  Coming Soon

  Looking at the sign, I stand dumbfounded. Typical. Leave it to my mother to name a building after herself. Not my grandmother or something ambiguous like Turner Hall. No, she has to have her full name on a facility in keeping with her political aspirations. I pull my phone and text my mother and aunt a picture:

  The rumor is you bought my way in here.

  If anyone ever doubted it, now there’s indisputable proof.

  Thanks.

  My phone rings and “Aunt Patty” appears on the display.

  “Amber, honey, are you ok?” Her voice sounds concerned. Of course she is, she knows my mother and her constant need to promote herself.

  “Yeah, despite all the people whispering about me and chewing me out to my face, everything’s peachy,” I say, in an exaggerated happy tone.

  “I can’t believe she did this. First she hauls you off to school almost overnight and this? I’ll call her and get to the bottom of this. Maybe we can get the sign taken down or something.”

  “I doubt that will help. Why did she have to do this? Everything is going really well. I have a cool roommate, and I’ve actually made some friends. I’ve only gotten some papers back, but so far they were all A’s and B’s. Why does she keep fucking with me?”

  “I don’t know, honey. That’s great about the grades. Are you still seeing someone?”

  Huh, she’s careful not to press to hard. Interesting turn of events.

  “Yeah.” I stare at the ground.

  “Is it going well?”

  I can’t keep the smile off my lips. I whisper, “Yeah, it is.”

  “Oh, honey, that’s great. Look, let me call your mom, so I can find out about this. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Bye.” I finish the walk to the courts. Pissed and sad that once again my mother has ruined a good thing.

  Coach pairs us off for doubles and my partner is especially curt for a morning match. Every foul is barked while she looks down her nose at me. She levels shots at my head and body whenever the opportunity presents itself. She’s determined to put as much force behind the ball as possible. When we meet at the net to shake hands, she sneers, “Spoiled Princess” as she walks away with her friends from class.

  As I walk back to the dorm to grab a shower, I notice more stares and people whispering. I unlock the door and
shuffle inside, and I hear the shower going. Sally must be back.

  I knock on the door, “Sally, I need to take a shower. I have a class in an hour.”

  “You could always join me.” Her sultry voice echoes against the bathroom walls.

  “Not happening, Westin.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see about that.” She yells. The door opens, and Sally comes out with only a towel in her hair and nothing covering her below. “Hey.”

  “Don’t tell me you are actually going to class?” My brows rise as my eyes widen a fraction.

  “Yeah, I have a test.”

  “Did you study?” I smirk. I rarely see Sally crack a book.

  “Not really, well kinda. It’s hard to explain, I’ve never had to study much. I just retain information. What can I say? I have a photographic memory.”

  “Right. Don’t you mean a pornographic memory?”

  “Well yeah, that, too,” she says. “I actually do. Come and sit down, I have something I need to talk to you about.” Changing the subject, she sits and pats the seat next to her on her bed.

  I laugh shaking my head, “Ain’t happenin’ Westin.”

  She giggles, “No, I have something to tell you.”

  “What is it?”

  “I heard a rumor about you. Did your parents buy your way in here?”

  “What? Now you? You have got to be kidding me!” I say, walking into the bathroom and slamming the door.

  Sally follows me into the bathroom as I stand yanking off my clothes. “Get out.”

  “Honey, I’m not here to judge you.” She looks me over, her brow furrows with concern and her eyes have a hint of pity. “I’ve heard some people talking about how you bought your way into this school. Most people are pissed. I asked around and I found out that Lily spread the rumor. It turns out since she works in the Chancellor’s office, she has access to your file. The file had some notes about a sizeable endowment from your mother. She’s been telling everyone that’s the only reason you got in.”