“We tutor every Monday and Wednesday, right?” I asked, hoping he would avoid it altogether, but I knew he wouldn’t. He wanted to know why, and he would demand it.
“Yeah, but that was before you shot me down.” I swear his voice got louder when he wanted to embarrass me.
“I didn’t shoot you down. I’m just busy.”
“Yeah? Every day for the rest of your life?” he asked, eyes gleaming. He leaned over the table, resting on his elbow.
“Something like that,” I said, opening my notebook. The barista called his name and he popped up, returning with a coffee for each of us. I looked at mine, noticing it said ‘Daisy’ on the side.
“What’s that face for?” He laughed, and I rolled my eyes. They were going to stay like this if I continued hanging out with him.
“Nothing at all. So, have you decided what your paper will be about? I think you should get a game plan and begin outlining. It’s due in two weeks and we have a test before that.”
He nodded. “I’ve decided to write about indecisive women, and how harmful they can be to society.”
“I don’t think anyone at this table is indecisive.” I gave him a pointed look, warning him to keep this about school and nothing else.
“Just when I think we can be friends, you blow me off,” he said, looking at me like this was my fault. I was caught off guard, and I hated him for it.
“You don’t have to hang out every weekend to be friends with someone. You’re the most dramatic person I know,” I fired back.
“You have to at least be nice to them.”
“Not me. I prefer sarcasm and insults,” I said, and he howled with laughter. And dammit if I didn’t want to join him. He shook his head, taking a sip of coffee.
“You’ll cave one day, Daisy.”
“Maybe you should read Pride and Prejudice. Like now, so I can call you Darcy, because that is honestly who you act like. You’re hot and cold, and you give me whiplash.”
“Fair enough. I’ll tone it down. What gives, though? I heard you and Gabby were going to that party. What’s the harm with me inviting you?”
“Your little friends Josie and Sara wouldn’t like it too much, and I’m not doing drama. I moved all the way here to avoid it!”
He looked confused, as if I had grown a second head. “What the hell do they have to do with it?”
I rolled my eyes at their antics and the fact that I was even bringing this up. I felt like I was tattling, but I also felt like I wasn’t going to let anyone push me around.
“Let’s see… I’m not your type, you want to bang me and drop me, I need to stay away so I don’t get hurt. The usual with them,” I said.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said. His voice had changed. It went from playful to shit-my-pants scared.
“I actually don’t want you to say anything. I’m just explaining that I won’t get caught up in drama.”
He laughed once, but I didn’t detect any humor in it. “You think I’m involved in drama?”
“Appears that way.”
“Those girls are the sweethearts at our fraternity. They all think they have some weird claim over all of us. Ignore them…everyone else does,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
“Fine, but that stays between us. Okay?”
“Sure thing,” he said, and I wanted to believe him.
The drama was done for the day, and we went back to studying. I even helped him pick a serious topic for his paper. He made me laugh; he made me feel like I was important. I missed those feelings. When our study session was over, my heart sank.
We stood at the same time, reluctant. Both of us waited for the other to say something. He tucked his pen into his low-hanging jeans and held his notebook under his arm.
“I’ll see you around,” I said with a smile. I turned and walked away, leaving him there.
“Autumn?” I stopped and faced him. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Definitely,” I said. A smile that would dim the sun was thrown at me. I waved once and walked back to my dorm, my face on fire.
Fourteen
“You made it!” Liam yelled from across the room.
He jogged over, stopping short of me. Two guys lingered beside him, watching us with curiosity. Both had a red cup in their hand, both had dark hair, handsome faces, and wore amused grins. One was the guy Josie was hanging all over when I came here for the first time. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Why are you always surprised when I do what I say I’m going to do?” I asked pointedly. With a smile he pulled me in his arms. As hard as he appeared, he was comfortable. I had never felt more at home in my existence. He smelled of cologne and hint of smoke from their unruly guests. He released me too soon. I kept my face neutral, but his grin was as wide as Texas.
I tore my eyes from him, looking between the two guys who were watching us. Gabby stood behind me quietly.
“I’m Gabby,” she said, sticking her hand out.
“My bad. This is Tyler and Brandon,” he said while Gabby shook hands with them, but his eyes were focused on me. “And this is Autumn.”
I offered a small wave. “The girl he won’t shut up about,” Brandon said, chuckling. If looks could kill, he would be dead by Liam. Brandon was a head taller than Tyler; his arms were bigger around than my thighs, and his ego was the size of
