Bliss
India was right. Cuba and I are old news after a week. Granted, random females will glare at me on my way to class, but other than that, no one has said anything to me. Well, except Nick when I was getting coffee this morning. He seemed shocked that we were together, but he wished me the best of luck. I get that Cuba has never been in a relationship, he was a player, but everyone’s reaction is a little annoying. As if my boyfriend can’t be a good guy, when he isn’t being an asshole, he can be an actual decent guy.
I worry about him though. He hasn’t had another dream that I know of and if he did, he wouldn’t tell me. I knew Cuba being back on the basketball team would probably stir up some memories, but I didn’t think he would hold them inside. If he isn’t talking to me, then I hope he’s at least talking to his therapist. He has practice until six, and I have a session until around then, so I told him I would wait for him by his SUV.
My lucky client is a guy named Ryan Ellis, a student Professor Jax recommended to me already, the semester just started. So, either he really isn’t grasping it, or he just doesn’t care. I don’t know which one I’d rather deal with. Weaving through the library, I make my way to my room. It’s empty and I frown because I’m a few minutes late. Great, he’s probably going to be a no show. I’ll give him a few more minutes, I know how hard it could be to find the library if you never use it. Sitting down, I smile, not too long-ago Cuba and I were in here bickering with each other.
“Shit.” The door swings open. “Sorry, I’m late. I had to get out of practice early.”
Ryan is tall and tanned, with dark hair, darker eyes, and Colgate smile. He’s dressed in sweat pants and hoodie, his hair wet from a shower I guess.
I force a smile. “That’s okay. I’ll have to give you my number in case you’re running late in the next few weeks,” I tell him. “I’m Bliss, your tutor.”
I hold out my hand and he shakes it gently. “Ryan, thanks for taking me last minute, Jax said you were hard to get but you’re the best.”
Although, I wouldn’t call myself the best, I appreciated him saying that. “I try.” I wait for him to get settled across from me, pulling his laptop and book from his bag.
“Looks like you’re needing help on The Roman Empire.” I glance at my info sheet. “One of my favorite topics.”
He smiles. “According to Jax, History is your favorite topic.”
Nodding, I smile. “He is right. Mostly ancient history.” Pulling up the course material Jax sent to my email, I scan through it. “So, what can you tell me about Commodus?”
Ryan leans forward on his elbows. “He’s the first heir to the Roman Empire, usually the emperor would pick a man to succeed him, but Marcus Aurelius broke the tradition with his son.”
“So, you are definitely getting the material,” I say impressed. “Why are you here?”
He gives me a sheepish smile. “I get the gist of it, you know. It’s just the class is so early in the morning and sometimes practice runs late. Half of the time I daze off because I’m tired.”
I don’t want to tell him that if my boyfriend could do it then so could he, but at the same time, Cuba has mostly noon classes. Maybe next time Ryan should do the same.
“So, you would like to use our time more as a refresher then?” I ask. I don’t mind but that is easily something another tutor could do, and it would open me up for someone that actually needs help.
He nods. “Something like that.”
“I know a great tutor that could help you with that if that’s all you need, she could probably work better around your schedule with practice and everything.” I always like to give the option since he was late today.
“Nope.” He pats the table twice. “You are the best, who knows, I might even learn something else.”
Not sure what else I could teach him that Jax isn’t already. But I just smile and nod, no point in wasting time trying to change his mind. So, we jump into the last class lecture. For the most part, Ryan is getting it, but I can see where he is missing some information that would be vital for a test. Out of all the athletes that I have tutored, including my boyfriend, Ryan is the easiest. The only one in his way is himself, he just needs to move his classes to a time that works around his schedule. He gets the material and isn’t having problems with the timelines, which messes most students up.
By the end of our session, I think we both feel good about it. He responds well to positive feedback. We wrap things up and pack up our things. The library is nearly dead except for a few students. Ryan trails behind me quietly to the entryway.
A smile pulls at my lips when I see Cuba leaning against the wall, tapping away on his phone. He’s wearing all black, from his baseball cap to his hoodie down to his joggers and sneakers. His gym bag hangs on his shoulder. Damn, my man looks good.
Cuba looks up as we approach, and his eyes narrow in on Ryan. I wouldn’t be surprised if they knew each other.
“Baby,” he mummers as he walks up to me, his arm snaking around my hips, his head dipping to press a soft kiss against my lips.
My stomach flips. I’m still not used to this, used to us being together. I want to do a happy dance every time I see him.
“Hey,” I say against his lips and smile.
I almost forget Ryan is beside me until he fake coughs to get my attention. Taking a step back, I look to him.
“Ryan this Cuba, my boyfriend,” I tell him. “Cuba, Ryan.”
The air shifts a little and I’m not sure if it’s good or bad. It’s Ryan who says something first.
“Yeah, I heard you were back on campus.” Ryan nods once then glances at me. “See you already swooped up the prettiest girl.” He laughs lightly.
I see Cuba’s jaw tighten and he forces a smile. “Yeah, she’s kind of amazing.” He squeezes my hand.
Ryan’s smile tightens. “Yeah, she is. She’s very smart. Anyway.” He looks to me. “I’ll text you if I’m late again.” Thankfully, he doesn’t look back as he walks away.
Cuba doesn’t say anything as he leads us in the opposite direction to where he parked. I don’t even have to ask; I know he’s not happy about Ryan. Is it something personal? I have no idea. Cuba never talks about any teams other than basketball.
“So, how was practice?” I ask once we’re in his G-Wagon, and I click my seatbelt in.
He presses the start button and leans back in his seat. “Why does he have your number?” Cuba doesn’t look at me and starts to drum his long fingers against the steering wheel.
It takes me a second to process his question. “I give all my clients my number in case they have questions, or are going to be late, or if they need to change times. You know that.”
“I thought you didn’t tutor athletes often?” He ignores me, and it rubs me the wrong way.
“I don’t know why your upset, Cuba. I tutor a lot of people, some of them athletes, like you.” I don’t get the problem. “It was okay when it was you?”
His hands slap against his steering wheel, the sound echoing through the SUV making me jump. “Of course, it was only okay with me. I don’t need random guys walking around with my girl’s number. Talking about ‘you got the prettiest girl’.” He makes a face, mocking Ryan, and I want to laugh but I know it’s not a good time. “Tell him to fucking email you.”
He’s crazy. “I never remember to check it and that would look bad.”
His hazel eyes narrow at me. “Do you need me to show you how to turn the notifications on your phone on?”
This is going to be a losing battle. He is not stopping me from giving my number out. “Well, Dex never mind.” It comes out before I even think the words.
“Oh, my bad, maybe I shouldn’t care and cheat on you instead,” he bites back, his fingers digging into the steering wheel. “Would that make you feel better, Bliss?”
My face heats up and I tear my eyes away from him and stare out the front window. “Take me home.” I pause. “No, I’ll just walk home.” I go to unbuckle my seatbelt, but the car starts moving. “Stop.”
“No,” is all he says.
Rolling my eyes, I lean my head against the cool window and watch as he navigates out of the school parking lot. I’m kind of grateful that his windows are so darkly tinted because what would people say if they see us arguing already? And over something so stupid, well, at least to me. It seems like a huge deal to him. I want to ask him about practice but the tension between us keeps my mouth shut tight. If he wants to be an asshole, fine, but bringing up Dex cheating on me was a low blow. I regret telling him the first day we met, just for him to use it against me.
The volume from the stereo increases slightly, the sound of a rap song filling the silence between us. I know the song, and normally would rap along, but I’m not in the mood, and I wonder for a moment if he’s testing how mad I am. I don’t even bob my head to the beat, let him pounder that. When he pulls up to the curb outside my apartment, I unbuckle myself and grab my bag from by my feet.
I don’t look at him as I open the door and slide out. He doesn’t say anything, and I close the door behind me. I don’t even take three steps ahead before he pulls away. He usually waits until I’m at my door. All this over giving my number to Ryan, who I am tutoring. He’s being a child.
India is lying on the couch, flipping through channels on the T.V. when I walk in, she’s still dressed in her work out clothes from practice.
I flop down next to her head and she looks up at me.
“What’s wrong?” she asks looking back to the T.V. “That frown looks ugly on your pretty face.”
My pretty face, the reason for this mess. If Ryan hadn’t called me pretty would we have still fought? Who knows?
“Cuba is being an asshole,” I start to tell her what happened. “He’s being ridiculous over nothing.”
Indi pushes up from the couch quickly, catching me off guard. “Bitch, did you hear what you told me?” She looks at me as if I have three heads. “Your boyfriend is upset because you gave a guy your cell phone number, a sexy as shit football player at that, and you are really lost?”
Squinting my eyes, I jerk my head back. “I’m his tutor, what if he needs to contact me?” I ignore the sexy part because Ryan is attractive.
She blinks at me like I am stupid, and she has no idea why she is even talking to me. “It’s called email, it’s what professionals use. Try it.”
“That’s what he said,” I grumble. I toss my head back exasperated. “Still doesn’t excuse his jab about Dex.”
“He was making a point.” Indi shoos me off. “I bought taco stuff and Patrick is coming with tequila and margarita mix.”
I forgot we we’re doing Taco Tuesday this week and invited Cuba and his friends. Whelp, there goes that since he is pissed, and I’m supposed to be mad but, the more I think about what India is saying, the more I feel like a complete bitch. If the roles were reversed, how would I feel? I would feel the same way if it were him giving a beautiful girl his number. Already, I see the difference between my last relationship and now.
“Stop pouting and tell him to come around eight.”
I glare at her. “I’m not pouting.”
She cuts her eyes at me. “Bitch, please.”
Ugh. Pulling my phone out of my bag, I send a text to Ryan letting him know, going forward, email will be our main contact unless it is an emergency. After screen shooting it, I send it to my lovely boyfriend and remind him about dinner. Tossing my phone on the coffee table, I get up and head to my room. I need to change before I start cooking, since the only thing India helps with is basically nothing. As I walk in my bedroom, I remember I forgot to put the chicken in the crock-pot earlier, I’ll have to throw it in the pressure cooker while I cook the ground beef.
Trading my jeans for my new unicorn leggings I found last week, and throwing on a new t-shirt, I head back out to the living room. India is no longer on the couch and is lighting candles.
“You know this isn’t supposed to be a romantic evening, right?” I ask her smiling.
She shrugs but looks stressed. “So, who is he bringing again?”
“Cam and probably Ash.” I watch her closely. “Why?”
This is so odd; my best friend is usually carefree and full of fun. She never gets distressed or in a bad mood.
She bites down on her bottom lip. “So, remember the night when you got roofied at that party?” I nod. “Okay, so Cam took me home and-“
“Oh my God, you had sex with Cam?” My mouth drops, and I quickly recover. “I mean, um, so.” I can’t even get my words together.
Indi rolls her eyes. “No, I didn’t. We made out.”
She seems very bothered by this. “And that’s a bad thing?”
She gives me a look and frowns. “Like, we talked most of the night and made out. Like, it was so-”
Smiling, I cut her off. “You like him.”
India glares at me. “See, this is why I shouldn’t have said anything. No, I don’t like him.”
“You like him,” I sing. “You want to kiss him and hold him.”
“Shut up Miss Congeniality.” She pushes pass me. “I don’t like him, it’s just, I don’t do those things, and now I see him all the time. He wants to take me out.”
I follow her into the kitchen, where she is pulling out the veggies for the tacos out of the fridge. “Would it be so bad to go on one date?” I ask her. “You go on them all the time.”
Pulling out a knife, she slams it on the counter. “With the intent to go back to their place and fuck, Bliss. Not get to know them.” Her accent drops and we’re both quiet for a moment.
I want to ask about her accent, why does she do it? She doesn’t need to hide it from me, but she is hiding something. India doesn’t get close to anyone except me and there are even things I have no idea about. Like how she barely talks about her family or where she is really from. It’s crazy what you realize after years of friendship.
Before I can say anything, we hear the front door open and close. “Bitches, I’m here, time for shots!” Patrick yells.
I give her a look that says we’ll talk later, because I doubt Patrick knows, he would give her shit. She nods once and puts a smile on before he walks in.
By the time Cuba and Cam show up, we’re all already five shots and three margaritas in. And everyone knows I’m a lightweight, I’ll never be able to hold my liquor. Luckily for Cuba, I wasn’t too tipsy and made his plate for him. Making my own plate of tacos, I sit next to him at the table with Patrick, Cam, and India. The guys declined Patrick’s offer for drinks, since the season has started, and even declined when India pulled out my marijuana vapor pen.
“Where’s Ash?” I ask before taking a bite of my taco.
Cuba wipes his mouth. “Hell, if I know.”
He seems to be in a better mood, and he hasn’t brought up the text I sent him earlier. I can only hope that he’s happy and we can move past it. I’ve caught Cam sneaking glances across the table at India, but she is skillfully avoiding him by talking to Patrick who is next to her. Cam sees me, and winks and I just shake my head.
“He’s probably with some groupie.” Cam throws his bunched-up napkin on his empty plate. “This was good, ladies. He missed out.
Standing, I grab Cam and Cuba’s empty plates to take to the kitchen. Cuba gets up, picking up their glasses and follows me. Setting the plates in the sink, I turn to grab the glasses from Cuba, but he sets them on the counter next to the sink.
“Arrow,” he says as he backs me up against the edge of the counter. “I’m sorry about what I said about Dex, it was a low blow.”
I shrug. “Yeah, but I’m sorry for not understanding your point of view.”
He smiles. “I didn’t exactly make it easy. I’m trying though,” he says seriously.
Reaching up, I cup his cheek with my hand. “I know baby. We’re going to argue and have disagreements, but I’m not going anywhere unless you make me.”
Leaning over, his lips brush mine. “I don’t want you to go anywhere.”
My heart shudders at his words. I love him, I do. But I can’t tell him that, not yet. He’s taking it day by day, and he still has issues he needs to overcome before he can even know if he can love me back. The thought of him not being able to hurts and I have to quickly regain control of my emotions.
“I never want to go anywhere.” I push up on my toes and kiss him lightly.
Something passes over his face, but it’s gone in the blink of an eye. He deepens our kiss, I can’t help but melt into him. Kissing Cuba is like lighting my world on fire just, so he could be the one to put it out. It was hot yet cold and chilling. It sent flames down my body to be chased by frost. Kissing Cuba was life. A life I didn’t know I was missing.
The butterflies in my stomach sing with each soft caress of his fingertips, my brain melts to liquid with every nip of my lip, and my heart beats to the sound of his breath against my skin. My heart only knows him, only lets him in, because we are both stupidly and silly in love with him.