“Looks like we had the same idea,” a voice said from behind me.
I jumped when I heard her speak. I turned around and saw a woman sitting with her back resting on the tower wall.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” she said. “I thought you saw me here.”
“It’s fine and I didn’t see you. I’ll just leave you alone now,” I said, getting up to leave.
“Wait,” she said. “I wouldn’t mind the company, that is, if you want to stay.”
“Sure. I guess, I could use the company too. What’s your name?” I asked her, and went to sit beside her.
“Tiffany,” she told me. “And yours?”
“Bodie.”
“Well, Bodie, it’s nice to meet you. What brings you out here tonight?”
“Just needed somewhere to be that wasn’t the dorm.”
“Terrible roommate?” she asked.
“No, he’s not even going to be there. Just didn’t feel like being there I guess.”
“Broken heart?”
“No,” I said, with a small smile. “I don’t do relationships, so there’s no broken hearts here. What about you? Why are you out here all alone in the middle of the night?”
She laughed. “Midnight is hardly the middle of the night. And I’m out here because I’m in love with my best friend’s boyfriend.”
“Ouch. So did one of them find out?” I asked.
“No. It’s just hard watching them together all the time. Sometimes, I can push my feelings away but tonight wasn’t one of those times.”
“Man, that fucking sucks.”
“It sure does.”
“Want to talk about it?” I asked her.
“Not really. Do you want to talk about the real reason you’re out here?”
“Not really.”
“Then let’s talk about something else,” she suggested. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a college student. You?”
“Full time college student and part time barista.”
“Bay State?”
“No, I couldn’t afford to go there. I go to the local community college.”
“Where do you work?”
“More Than Just Beans.”
“I’ll have to check it out. I’m always looking for good coffee. You do have good coffee, right?”
“So, they tell me. I don’t drink coffee.”
I laughed. “You work in a coffee shop but don’t drink coffee. So, why do you work there?”
“It’s close to my apartment, the hours are flexible, and the pay is decent.”
“I guess those are good reasons,” I said with a smile.
We ended up talking for over an hour. Tiffany was interesting and easy to talk to. She yawned and checked the time.
“I should get home. I have to work in the morning.”
“Do you need a ride?” I asked, remembering there were no other cars in the parking lot.
“It’s not far, I’ll be fine,” she said.
“Nope. I’m giving you a ride, even if it’s only a block. My mother might kill me if she found out I left a woman to walk alone in the dark.”
That made her smile. “Well in that case, how could a girl say no?”
We got in my car and she gave me directions. The drive to her apartment only took a few minutes.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said, getting out. “Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”
“Maybe,” I said, and saw her smile.
She closed the door and I waited until she was in the building. I drove back to the university feeling better than I had in days. I planned on finding the coffee place she worked at so I could get her number. I hadn’t ever been friends with a girl, but I think I could with Tiffany. It also didn’t hurt that she was in love with someone else, and I was pretty sure she hadn’t even looked at me like that. That was actually a refreshing change.
Chapter 8
Karma
I woke up the next morning to an empty bed and the smell of bacon. I got out of bed, found a robe and made my way to the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Anthony said with a smile.
“Good morning. That smells wonderful.”
“Everything will be ready in just a few minutes,” he told me.
“Everything?” I asked.
“Yeah. I made pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon. I hope you eat breakfast.”
“I love breakfast. Although, I normally can only eat something like this on Sunday,” I said. He gave me a funny look. “I’m on the dive team at Bay State and we have early morning practice six days a week, so usually have a smoothie for breakfast.”
“Dive team huh? I noticed you had a very fit body,” he said with a wink. “I was on the fencing team.”
“I didn’t know we had a fencing team,” I said.
“It’s not usually very big. There were only six of us when I was on it.”
“Huh. Were you good?”
“I usually placed in the top five at every competition. Dad made me start when I was young.”
“I’ve been diving since I was young too. And I still love it. Do you still fence?”
“Not really. I think there’s a fencing club in town, but after college I kind of gave it up. Breakfast is served,” he said with a smile.
We both got some of everything and went to sit at the small table in the kitchen.
“This is great,” I told him after a few bites. “What was your major in college?”
“Business. I’m going to take over my father’s company one day, so a business degree was required.”
“What kind of business?” I asked.
“High end imports. Everything from luxury cars to fur coats.”
“Sounds interesting,” I said. “I love shopping.”
“Most women do,” he said, with a laugh.
We finished breakfast and I got dressed. Anthony drove me back to the university.
“I had a good time,” I admitted. “We should do it again.”
“I’d love to. Let me give you my number and you can let me know when you have some free time.”
I got out my phone and put his number in it.
“I’ll text you later,” I told him. “Bye.”
I watched him drive away and made my way to the dorm.
“Hey,” Kayleigh said, when I walked in.
“Hey yourself,” I said smiling.
“Have a good time last night?”
“You know I did. I take it Bodie gave you my message?”
“Yep,” she said. “Although, I don’t think he was too happy about it. What’s going on with you two anyway? I saw him give you a few strange looks last night.”
“Nothing is going on between us other than friends and classmates,” I said. Sure, I left out the blow job at the club, but I don’t think she really wanted to hear about that.
Kayleigh gave me a look like she didn’t believe me but didn’t say anything else.
“Where’s Major?” I asked, changing the subject. “I was sure you two would be locked in the bedroom all day.”
“He went to meet Bodie at that pizza place they love. So, tell me about the guy from last night.”
“His name is Anthony. The sex was amazing. He’s totally hot, rich and he cooked me breakfast this morning.”
“Wow,” Kayleigh said, with a laugh. “He sounds like a keeper.”
“He sounds too good to be true,” I told her. “But I’m going to see him again. At least, until he does something to piss me off.”
She let out a belly laugh, and I had to laugh with her because it was true. Once a guy pissed me off or I got bored, I was done with them.
****
Bodie
Sunday morning when I woke up, I wasn’t in a bad mood which actually surprised me. I’d been kind of a dick lately but the blow job from Karma and the talk with Tiffany had me in a better mood.
Once I showered and got dressed, I looked up the address for More Than Just Be
ans. It wasn’t too far from the beach where I met Tiffany. I could tell she was surprised when I walked in.
“Well, hello again,” she said with a smile. “What can I get for you?”
“Whatever’s good,” I smirked, remembering she didn’t like coffee.
“Do you like your coffee strong?” she asked.
“Not really. How about the breakfast blend and one of those muffins,” I said, pointing to the glass case next to me.
“Sure thing.” I watched as she punched in my order. “That will be $6.59.”
I handed her a twenty. “Keep the change,” I said with a smile.
“Um, this is a twenty,” she said, looking at the bill.
“I know.”
“Uh, okay, thank you. Here’s your muffin. I’ll bring your coffee out in a minute; we’re just brewing a fresh pot.”
“No problem.”
I found a table next to the window and breathed in the scent of coffee and fresh baking. As far as coffee shops went, this one was cozier than most. There were no tall tables or sofas. All of the seating consisted of smaller or larger booths. I liked the fact that you could have a conversation and not feel like everyone was listening to you.
As I picked up the warm muffin and bit into it, I could already tell it was probably the best one I’d ever had. I thought it was just going to be chocolate chip, but there was some other flavor I couldn't place. I was almost finished, when Tiffany brought me my coffee a few minutes later.
“Can you sit for a minute?” I asked her.
“Sure, at least until another customer comes in.” She sat across from me. “Why did you give me a thirteen-dollar tip?”
“Because I could,” I told her.
“I don’t understand.”
“Money isn’t an issue for me, so I always tip very well.”
“So, it’s not because you feel sorry for me?” she asked.
“Why would I feel sorry for you?”
“Because I couldn’t afford a real college and have to work a part time job,” she said.
“I think it’s admirable that you go to school full time and also work. I couldn’t do it,” I admitted. “By the way, the coffee is excellent and so is this muffin. It’s by far the best I've ever had. What kind is it?”
“Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip. And, thanks, I made them,” she said with a smile.
“You made the muffins? Like got up early and made them?”
She laughed at me. “Yes, to both.”
“What time were you here?”
“5am. We open at six, so I get here to start baking. You’re lucky. I only make those on Sunday’s and only one batch so when they’re gone, they’re gone.”
I looked at the case and saw there were four muffins left. “I’ll take the rest,” I told Tiffany.
“Really?”
“Yes really. Now go box them up before some other asshole comes along and takes my muffins.”
She giggled but got up from the table and put the rest of the muffins in a box.
“Here you go,” she said, handing me the box.
“Thanks,” I said. “Here.” I handed her another twenty.
“What you paid earlier more than covers the cost of these,” she said.
I set the money down but didn’t put it back in my wallet.
“So why are you really here?” she asked. “And don’t say for the coffee.”
“I came to see if you’d give me your number. I really enjoyed talking to you last night and I could use a friend that doesn’t judge me.”
“Your friends judge you?”
“I guess judge is the wrong word. I’ve known them forever and they always think they need to fix something if they think I have a problem. Don’t get me wrong, I love those assholes to death, but sometimes they can be a bit much.”
“So, you want to be friends, Bodie?”
“Yeah, I guess I do. You’re different than anyone I know.” I laughed at myself. “That sounds like a cheesy pickup line. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”
Tiffany was laughing too. “Don’t worry. I get it. No expectations can be nice.”
“Yeah, that’s it exactly,” I said. “So, will you give me your number Tiffany? Please.”
“Since you asked so nicely, sure.”
I grinned. “Thank you.” I took out my phone and we exchanged numbers.
The door chimed and she had to go back to work.
“See you around,” I told her, as I picked up my box of muffins. I left the twenty on the table and walked out the door.
****
Major was already waiting for me when I walked into the pizza place.
“Hey,” I said, joining him at the table.
“Hey. I already ordered,” he said.
“Cool.”
“So, are you going to tell me what the hell has been wrong with you lately?” he asked.
“That didn’t take long.”
“Cut the shit Bodie. Is something wrong with your family or something?”
“I slept with Karma,” I blurted out. “But she doesn’t remember and then she gave me a blowjob last night at the club.”
In other circumstances I would laugh at the look on Major’s face, but I hadn’t meant to let all of that out at once and I didn’t find this funny at all.
“Okay, what?” he finally asked.
“Remember when we celebrated the end of the semester at that frat party?” He nodded. “I took Karma home and we had sex. I had no idea she was so drunk. She doesn’t remember the sex but does remember us waking up naked the next morning and laughed it off. I would have never brought her home if I knew she was drunk. Those girls never drink, and she acted just like she normally does.”
Major looked at me like he didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t blame him.
“Then last night, she asked me to come with her at the club. Before I knew what was happening my dick was in her mouth.”
I waited for him to say something. The pizza came and he took a bite, still silent. I’d lost my appetite. I wasn’t sure why this was bothering me so much, but it was. I thought telling Major might lift a little of the pressure on my chest but right now it just felt worse.
“Please say something,” I finally said.
He put down his pizza, looked at me and burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny, asshole,” I said.
“It’s so fucking funny. You of all people are freaking out about having sex with someone. Karma doesn’t seem bothered by the blow job at all.”
“She’s not. But there’s one more thing,” I hesitated and finally spit out. “It was the best sex I’ve ever had.”
That shut him up.
“Really?”
“Yeah really, and she remembers none of it.”
“Well fuck,” Major said.
“Yep.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?” he asked.
“Nothing. It’s not like either one of us wants to date. I guess I just try and forget about it.”
“Good luck with that, bro.”
Major gave me a skeptical look. And to be honest, I was giving myself the same one.
Chapter 9
Karma
The following week I was extremely busy. We had a competition on Saturday, so that meant putting everything I had into each practice. Coach Everett was already pissed at me and I didn’t want to make it worse.
I texted Anthony whenever I had the chance, and he took me out to dinner on Wednesday. So far it was fun, but we’d really only been on one date.
It was Friday night and normally I’d be at a party or on a date, but with the swim meet tomorrow Kayleigh and I were resting in our dorm.
“Are you texting Anthony again?” Kayleigh asked me.
“Yeah,” I said with a smile.
“You seem to really like him,” she said.
“I do. He’s funny, charming and interesting.”
“And don’t forget rich,” she said laugh
ing.
“I haven’t, but that doesn’t really matter if you like the person, does it?”
“Nope,” she smiled.
When we first met Major and Bodie, we had no idea they came from money. They were just two regular guys, okay two hot guys, that ended up being fun to hang out with. I knew Anthony’s parents had money, but I had no clue if he had any of his own. I wasn’t in it for the money and if that became a problem I’d be gone. I didn’t do drama of any kind.
My phone dinged with a text and I smiled at what I read.
“Anthony said he’s going to be at the meet tomorrow,” I told Kayleigh.
“As long as he doesn’t distract you,” she said.
“He won’t. I told him I wouldn’t have time for him until after the meet was over.”
“Good. You know we can’t do anything to jeopardize our scholarships.”
I nodded because that was the God’s honest truth. There was no way I could afford college if I didn’t have my scholarship, and as much as I liked guys, I wasn’t going to let them interfere with my future.
****
I’d just finished my final dive of the competition and I knew I killed it. All my focus had been on diving to my full potential. Greenfield College was good, but we were better. I knew Coach Everett was going to be pleased with the team.
Just as I thought, Bay State took the most points in the meet. I think that put us in the top three of our division. Coach told us to go have fun tonight and she’d see us bright and early Monday morning.
“You were great today, Karma,” Gabbi said, on our way to the locker room.
“Thanks. You weren’t so bad yourself. Your last dive was perfect,” I told her.
She laughed. “That kind of came out of nowhere. I’d never done it that well before.”
“Hey, you two,” Kayleigh said. “Great meet. I got to see your last dives. They were amazing.”
“Thank you,” Gabbi and I said in unison.
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