* * *
The night blurs by in a haze of shots and keg stands, till I'm leaning against a wall for balance, waiting for Rose to get out of the bathroom so we can leave.
I almost don't notice Andrew passing by since the crowds blend together, except he stands out. He notices me too. Those striking eyes land on me, reminding me of earlier in the night.
He separates from his group, and a girl pauses to follow him, but he sends her away with a gesture for her to go with the others. She does, but her face drops as he walks away. I know the feeling; I felt the same way when he left earlier. Bastard.
Except, now he's in front of me, and I almost apologize for calling him a bastard, but thankfully I get a grip and don't.
“You having fun?” He places his hand on the wall above my head and leans into me as he talks.
I pull my hands behind me, unsure how to move. Unsure how to talk. God, he smells so good, that cologne mixed with a hint of fire and summer. And his body's so close, almost skimming mine.
My lack of response stretches his smile, and he leans in some more, his heat pressing on me.
“We're about to leave.” I have to talk, I'm not sure I could survive him getting any closer. “Just waiting on Rose to get out of the bathroom. Then we're leaving. I had fun though. How about you?” I pull my lips between my teeth, shutting myself up.
“You're cute.” His head dips towards mine, but I still have to look up to meet his eyes. “Don't go yet. Come with me first.” He drops his hand from the wall and slides it down my arm, grabbing my fingers.
Now I know I’m about to faint. “Wh-where?” I don’t take the step to follow him, even though there's a part of me that wants to. A part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and let him lead me anywhere.
He turns towards me, his head dropping till his lips are at my ear, torturing me as his warm breath fans over my skin, and his lips brush against me as he talks. “Somewhere a little more private.”
My excitement drops, and I feel sick, planting my feet on the ground. “I don't think I should.”
He pulls back, confusion in his gaze as he meets my eyes. “Why?”
“Because I'm not that naive. You only want one thing.” Oh God, I sound like my mom.
His shoulders shake and his dimples are back, lickable dimples. Oh, no, bad Brook, don't look at those dimples.
He leans into me, and the wall is at my back again, keeping me from retreating. “Maybe not naïve, but unimaginative.” His eyes drop to my lips, the heat in them unmistakable as he licks his own. “I can think of a-hell-of-a lot more than one thing I want, starting with those lips.”
All words escape me as he lowers his head, any bit of air rung out when he brushes his lips over mine. Barely there, but his tongue sneaks out and teases a small gasp from my mouth.
He takes it for consent and slips his arm around me, pulling me with him. “Come on.”
“No.” I close my eyes, struggling to gather my focus. He made it ever so tempting to say yes, but past insults fill my head. “Slut” “Whore” I couldn't stand for that to follow me here.
His arm drops from me, and the warmth of his body disappears as he steps away. He's wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and it’s clear he's accepted it. “Fine.”
Then he walks away, disappearing into the next room.
2: Work For It
I lean on the wall at my back and try to slow the spinning. But when I close my eyes, it only picks up speed and I almost fall over. My heart is pounding and stomach rolls. From the alcohol. From Andrew. From the smell of liquor and bodies in the air. It's time to call it a night.
Steadying myself to walk, I search the line for the bathroom, but Rose isn't there.
“Hey, no cutting.” Someone nudges my shoulder and jerks her thumb behind her. She looks like a librarian stripper, glasses, bun, tight skirt, and button top with very little buttons fastened.
“I'm looking for my friend. Maybe she's in there? Purple hair?” I wave my hand over my hair but the girl only rolls her eyes.
“I don't know who's in there, but they’re taking forever.” She swings her fist on the door, her stink face only adds to the librarian image.
There's no answer so I try the knob. With a little nudge, it swings open. A girl, without purple hair, is laid on the floor, wrapped around the toilet, asleep.
“Get out,” the librarian yells and then turns to me. “Get your friend out.”
“Not my friend,” I mumble as I walk into the bathroom anyways to help the drunk girl.
“Hey.” I kneel next to her and give her shoulders a shake. “Let's get up.” I lift her upper body a little as she groans into consciousness.
“Deena?” She slurs.
“No, it’s Brook. Let's get up, and I'll help you find your friends.”
“I'll sleep.” She swipes her hand at me, but her aim is way off.
“All right, but not in the bathroom.” I wrap my arm around her waist and raise her to her feet. She’s bigger than me, and I struggle under every pound of her.
The moment I step out of the bathroom, the Librarian rushes in and closes the door.
“You have a phone on you? Can you call your friends?”
She turns her head to me, but I can't even be sure her eyes are open as her smile floats up her face. “You're nice.”
“Layla, there you are.” A girl shrieks and runs towards us, a couple of people following her. “How fucked up are you?” The new girl slides her arm around the other side of Layla, taking some of the weight off of me. “Ew, is that throw up?”
“Probably. I found her in the bathroom.” I begin to unwrap my arm, and then she begins to fall, so I stay put.
The girl turns to Layla. “Having fun, girl?”
Layla's head rolls onto her friend’s shoulder, but otherwise no response.
“Grant, help me with her. We'll take her back to the sorority.” She gestures to one of the people who followed her over.
Grant slips into my spot, and I step back with relief. “Thanks,” he says over his shoulder as they walk away.
Now, it was time to actually find Rose. She was clearly not in the bathroom anymore.
I follow the crowd streaming into the kitchen, careful not to get pulled into the group going the opposite way. Too many people made for a strong current in the narrow hall.
Catcalls and whistles swirl around me, but I can't see over the people. I nudge my way through, wanting to get to an open spot to scan the area.
Lifting my gaze to the top of the crowd, I spot Andrew’s tall frame walking up the stairs in the back of the kitchen. A girl trails close behind him. Then they disappear. That could have been me, but I guess I should be glad it wasn't. Despite my best efforts, jealousy burns in my chest.
Cheers roar around me, pulling my attention back to the room. Then Rose's purple ponytail is in sight, way above the crowd as she climbs onto a table.
Pushing through the heated mass of bodies in front of me, I make my way to where she is. Someone has her hand, helping her to lie down on the kitchen counter. My eyes travel up the thick arm holding her to an even thicker neck. It’s TJ, the guy from earlier.
Rose slides the bottom of her shirt up with a giggle. “Like this?”
“Perfect,” TJ exclaims, sprinkling a line of salt over her lower stomach. “Now stay still,” he orders and places a shot just under her chest.
“Rose,” I get her attention as I shove past the last big guy in my way.
Her eyes cut to me, but she stays still. “Brook. Hey, I'm doing a body shot,” she explains. “You should try next.”
“You can take this one, if you want,” TJ offers as he picks up a lime wedge.
“No. I'm good.” I was. Earlier I had been swirling, but just now, I’m a little more grounded. I need to stay this way to get home.
“All right. Open up, baby doll.” He sets the lime between her teeth, then flashes the room a grin before sweeping down and licking along her sto
mach, slower than necessary. Her body shivers under his tongue. Picking up the shot with his mouth, he tilts his head back, and drops the empty glass into his hand. Then he dives back down to her mouth and the lime.
The crowd cheers when he pops up with the lime between his lips.
Another guy steps up instantly. “My turn.”
Rose props onto her elbows, eyes still on TJ.
“Nope, choose a new girl. We've got to go,” I dismiss the guy and grab her hand. “Come on, it's late. I thought we were leaving.”
“We were.” Her head lolls towards me, her light eyes glassy. “But I didn't want to interrupt you and Andrew.” She slides her arm around my shoulder as she sweeps her legs off the counter, about to drop down. “What happened?”
TJ picks her up, large hands on her waist as he sets her to the floor. “Don't leave yet. The party's just starting.” He looks around the packed kitchen.
“It's almost three.” I really am done with the night; the alcohol and events make me crave my bed.
“Come on, baby doll.” He gives up on talking to me and encourages Rose.
She looks between us with regret as she takes a large breath. “I've got to go. We promised.” She sways her arm towards me. “We stay together at these things.”
“Okay,” he groans but pulls her close. “This once. But next time, you're my date. No promises.”
She giggles, and it's unlike any giggle I've heard from her before, full of nerves. Stepping out of his grip, she says goodbye, and then we walk through the maze of people, out the front door, and into the humid night.
We slide into one of the many cabs lined along frat row. She passes out before the two minute drive to our dorms is over.
* * *
I hustle to the dorm room, wanting out of the rain and wet clothes. I hadn't brought my umbrella to class, hadn't known I'd need it, but the freak thunderstorm came out of nowhere.
“Jeeze, it's really bad out there,” I exclaim, entering our room and tossing my book bag on the ground at the foot of my bed. I spin and pause. “Oh my God, sorry.” I backtrack and step out of the room with a slam of the door. “Sorry,” I manage as I cringe at what I walked in on.
TJ and Rose had been in bed. I really don't know what they were doing, but the way the sheets were pulled up around them and the look on Rose's face made it clear that it was something I wasn't meant to walk in on. “Lock the door next time,” I yell through the closed door.
“Don't go away. Give us a minute. Just—” She breaks off with a laugh, and then some scuffling and soft thumps come from the room.
I’m about to bolt to avoid hearing them.
“Wait. We need your help.”
“What?” my voice comes out as a squeak. “Ew, no.”
The door swings open, and Rose rolls her eyes as she adjusts the bottom of her shirt. “Not like that. TJ needs a lift back to his place. But I thought we could hang out there a bit. Some of his friends are coming over.”
I look past her. In the room, TJ pauses from picking up his belongings to flash me a smile. “Just a couple people hanging out. Come on, roommate, it's a chill way to spend a Wednesday.”
Rose is silently mouthing, “please, please, please.”
“All right, let me just change out of these jeans. They're soaked.”
Rose lights up and pushes the door open wider. “Out TJ. We'll meet you in the lobby in a sec.”
After I change into a skirt and tank top and Rose gave me some details—she invited him over after class, they were heavy petting, no sex yet—we were on our way.
* * *
TJ's house is on the edge of campus, not a far drive. Some others are already in the living room, playing some war game on whatever system they have. They might as well be speaking a foreign language for as little as I understand.
There are no introductions made, and Rose and I take a seat on the love-seat to the side of the main couch. One of the guys not playing the game nods over at us, and I smile back.
TJ sits beside him and slaps his shoulder. “You got any green.”
“Always, but are you sure?” He responds, lifting up in his seat to pull a bag from his pants pockets.
“Yeah, we just had our tests; I'm good this week.”
The boy hands over the bag, falling back in his seat with a grin. “I don't want to be the one responsible if you get kicked off the team.” He directs his grin at us. “Y’all didn't see shit, ya heard? I was never here.”
“Not saying a word.” I zip my lips and sit up, eyeing the bag. I know what it is, I'd seen my sister’s stash before, but I'd never tried it myself. To be so close to it gives me an odd feeling, a fizzy adrenaline and I’m having a hard time sitting still.
The front door opens and closes in the other room, adding to my nerves.
“Drew, that you?” TJ yells while breaking up the buds from the bag onto the coffee table.
“Yeah. Fuck, coach sucked dick today. I had to stay extra, where were you?” Andrew’s question trails off as he walks into the room. His eyes land on me, and then slide to everyone else.
But my eyes are stuck on him. His shirt is soaked through, clinging to his chest and arms. And his dark hair drips from the rain, curling at his forehead and neck.
“I went in this morning.” TJ’s cracks a blunt between his thumbs.
“So did I.” Andrew's lips slide up as he watches him. “I've got to shower. But save me some, and not the roach either.”
“Then hurry the fuck up.”
He walks down the hall and slides his shirt over his head as he goes, giving me a good view of his back, of the lean muscles going down to a trim waist, and a large tattoo over his shoulder blades.
“You smoke?” The other guy on the couch asks.
“Sure. Sometimes,” Rose responds, but she told me before she's only done it twice. For a tattooed covered, died haired, rock and roll t-shirt wearing girl, she's surprisingly straight edge. Well, besides the drinking. I was disappointed and relieved to discover that about her. I needed help breaking out of my shell, but she couldn't be my guide, she was on the same journey.
“Never tried it before,” I give an honest answer.
“What?” Another guy sets down his controller to face me. “How old are you?”
I didn't realize it’d be that surprising, but everyone seems shocked. “Turned eighteen last month.”
“Well, happy fucking birthday. We're getting you high.” TJ strikes his lighter and brings it to the end of the rolled blunt.
“I'm not sure.” I try and smile, but I know it's shaky. “You all go first.”
He takes a few puffs, and then passes it to the next person. It’s made it to three of them when Andrew comes strolling back into the living room.
Andrew plucks it from the guy’s hand and places it between his lips as he walks over to Rose and I. His cool green eyes are steady on mine, the tip of the blunt burning bright while he inhales. Then he lets out his breath, and the smoke curls around him as he extends the cigar to me. “You smoke, Brook?”
And I don't know what chokes me up most, the smoke around us, the drugs being offered to me, or the fact that he just spoke my name. I'd never told him my name. But my heart's slamming in my chest just from him saying it.
“I, uh—” I wipe my palms on my bare legs, and then pull at the bottom of my skirt, avoiding looking at him. I couldn't. Those eyes are too distracting. “I—”
“She never has before,” TJ speaks up.
He cocks his head towards me. “That true?”
I nod, sneaking a glance.
His jawline flexes as he pulls the blunt back to his lips. “That's good.” He takes another puff and then passes it to TJ.
TJ pauses for second. “I told her I'd get her high.”
“That's okay. I'm fine.” I was starting to squirm under Andrew's gaze. It heated all of my exposed skin, and more.
Andrew bends to the coffee table and grabs a cotton ball size bud of weed from the bag.
“I'll take care of that.” He picks up my hand with his free one. “Come with me.”
“What?” I gasp as he pulls me to my feet. I looked towards Rose, but she just wiggles her fingers in farewell, a too large smile on her face.
He doesn't respond as he pulls me to the back hallway, back to a different room than he had went in earlier.
And I don't resist for some reason. I just stupidly follow. But my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts as I enter into the smaller den type room. A large bay window is opposite the door, a computer and desk are to one side, and a futon is along the other wall.
“What are we doing?” I stand in the center of it all, watching him.
He stops in front of the couch. “Whatever you want. If you want to smoke” —He reaches behind the couch and pulls out a bong— “I have this. But if you don't, then…” He shrugs. “We can do something else.”
“I guess I could try.” I step to the couch.
“Don't do it if you don't want to. I'm not pressuring you.” He sits on the couch, arms spread along the back, looking completely relaxed, and something in the casual stance with that confident smile has my stomach flipping. Or maybe it's those predator eyes, always scanning over me. They're focused on my legs and then slide up to meet my eyes. “Sit.”
I sit with a good space between us, but his reach is long enough to still be behind me.
“Do you live here?” I cringe at my own question. “Sometimes I just talk to hear myself.” I close my eyes and seal my lips to stop talking.
The tickle of fingers on my shoulder makes my heart speed up. “You don't need to talk.” That low, smoky, sexy as hell tone is back, and I'm about to pop out of my skin.
“But I want to. I want to talk. I think we should.” But my voice is strained and breathy as he slides closer, his fingers gliding up my neck and back down. “Where did you use to live? Before you lived here? Or I mean, here in college? I mean—” I gasp as his other hand slides to my knee.
His laugh is a deep vibration. “Do you really want to talk? I'm from Florida, Homestead.” His fingers inch up my inner thigh and a tingle runs up my leg, making me clench them together as I heat up. He dips his warm, soft lips to my neck, trailing them up.
Hustle Page 2