Rimmel

My phone beeped with yet another notification from the #BuzzBoss. I winced and put the ringer to vibrate. Didn’t that guy have anything better to do than send out texts every five minutes?

Still, I looked to see what he posted. I regretted it immediately. Of course it had to be about Romeo. I sank back against a row of books and took a deep breath. Usually people didn’t get to me. Usually I never gave them much thought.

But not with him.

Romeo got to me.

It didn’t matter that I pushed him away, that I kept my distance. He was just a student I was tutoring. That’s all.

But he wasn’t.

Sometimes… sometimes just sitting beside him made my stomach do funny little flips. Sometimes when I caught the curve of his lopsided smile, I wanted to smile back. When I walked to class in the mornings, my eyes sometimes looked for him. At night when I lay in bed, I thought about the night of the bonfire and the way he gently stroked my sore wrist.

I didn’t want it. I didn’t want any of it.

But it’s like I couldn’t stop the softening of my insides. It was like driving way too fast and knowing you were going to crash, but your foot stayed on the gas.

I brought him coffee.

He insulted me.

I leaned my head against a shelf and looked up at the ugly lights on the ceiling. Guys like him were dangerous. I knew it firsthand. They took what they wanted, wrecked your insides, and walked away while you stood in the center of chaos without anyone to pull you back.

This was why I preferred animals. Since I ended tutoring early, I still had some time. Seeing Murphy was exactly what I needed right now. His unconditional love could heal anything, including a stupid insult from Romeo.

When I got to the end of the row I peeked out toward the table to see if he was still there. He wasn’t, and I let out a breath. A loud roar of thunder shook the building, and I grimaced. Of course it would be raining right now. I’d left my umbrella and my scooter at the dorm and walked here.

I debated just running back to my room and staying there, but the urge to see Murphy was pulling at me. I decided to just go grab my umbrella and a raincoat, then walk the few blocks to the shelter. Riding on a scooter was kind of pointless in the rain.

Through the glass doors I could see the rain spattering against the sidewalk, and I prepared myself for the cold drops as I stepped outside. Romeo was parked at the curb, in a no-parking zone, leaning up against a lime-green car.

He had a baseball hat pulled low over his face and his arms were crossed over his chest.

Why in the world was he standing out here in the rain?

“Come on,” he called to me and motioned at his car.

I glanced behind me to see if he was talking to someone else.

His chuckle floated through the rain. “Yes. You. Come on.”

He wanted to give me a ride? “No thanks!” I called out.

He moved fast. Of course that wasn’t a surprise. But the way he sank low and wrapped his arms around me was. I shrieked as he lifted me off the ground and carried me over to his car. When I was on my feet again, he opened up the passenger side and looked at me from beneath the rim of his hat. “You aren’t walking home in the rain.”

His glare was steady, and since I was getting wetter by the minute, I gave up and slid into the warm leather seat. I settled my bag between my feet as he dashed around the front of the car and got in. The seats were bucket style, so I could barely see over the dashboard, but he fit behind the wheel just fine.

He tossed the hat into the backseat and ran a hand through his hair. “What dorm you in?”

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

He glanced at me. “Because I was an ass.”

I fidgeted with the hem of my too-long lesbian-like sweater. “You totally are an ass.”

“Look. I’m sorry. I’ve had a long day and I’m tired.”

“I wasn’t going back to my dorm,” I replied, not sure what to make of his apology. I felt myself softening again.

“Where to?” he said and started the engine.

“The animal shelter on Barnes Street?” I asked.

He nodded and pulled away from the curb. I stared out the window as we passed through the campus. The heavy rain was bringing down some of the gold and burnished leaves from the trees that lined the streets. They littered the ground like sprinkles on an ice cream sundae.

A bit of fog was rolling in and the day was turning dark. I shivered a little as my wet shirt pressed against me. A warm blast of air brushed over me, and I glanced down to see Romeo adjusting the vents so I would have most of the heat.

I didn’t say anything because it wouldn’t make up for his butthead ways earlier.

“So why are you going to the shelter?” he asked.

“I volunteer there several days a week.”

“You go every night after tutoring?” he questioned.

“No, but since we quit early, I have time tonight.”

There was a beat of silence as we turned out onto the main road away from campus. “You like animals, huh?”

I leaned my temple against the glass of the window. It was cold. “I love them.”

“You said you had a scholarship. Is this what it’s for?”

Wasn’t he full of questions? “Yes, I’m studying to be a vet.”

A few moments later, the car slid up to the curb in front of the shelter. I could see the lights were still on, and I smiled. “Thanks for the ride.”

My hand paused over the handle when he shut off the engine. “What are you doing?” I asked warily.

“I’ll walk you in.”

“That’s really not necessary,” I rushed out. I didn’t want him here. This was my place. My sanctuary.

He popped open his door, and I hurried to say, “But you’ll get wet.”

His arm disappeared into the backseat and came back with his hat. “I’m already wet.” His smile was rueful.

I had no choice but to get out and hurry toward the door. Romeo was already there, and he held it open as I rushed past him inside.

Michelle was at the front desk and she looked up in surprise. “Rimmel! I didn’t expect you tonight.” Then her gaze went to Romeo as he came in behind me. Her eyes widened and she glanced at me with a question in her eyes.

“I had a little extra time tonight and thought I’d stop in to see if there was anything I could help with.” I prayed she told me to clean up poop or something that would scare Romeo away.

“Everything’s been done. We’re closing up in an hour.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling dejected. “Well, I’ll just go say hi to Murphy.”

Michelle smiled. “I’ll be back in the office, filing paperwork.” Then she glanced at Romeo again.

He stepped around me and held out his hand. “I’m Roman. I go to school with Rimmel.”

Michelle shook his hand and smiled. “So nice to finally meet a friend of Rimmel’s!”

I wanted to groan out loud. Instead, I walked back toward the room where the cats were kept. Everything was tidy like Michelle said and there really wasn’t anything that needed done. I spoke hello to a few of the cats who looked up at me as I wandered toward the corner where Murphy was.

When I sank down on the floor in front of his cage, he looked up and saw it was me. It made me feel warm inside when he got up and walked to the door. When the door swung open, he stepped out into my lap.

I laughed. “Hey there, Murphy.” I stroked his velvety fur and he began to purr. “I missed you today,” I told him as he pushed his nose against my hand.

I felt rather than saw someone hovering behind me, and Murphy looked up over my shoulder. I leaned back and glanced up. Romeo was hovering in the doorway, watching me with unreadable eyes.

I sighed. “Wanna meet Murphy?”

He came into the room and Murphy darted back into his shelter. Romeo’s footsteps faltered, and I waved him forward. “It’s okay. You’re just new.”

Many of the other cats got up and went to the doors, looking at him with interest, but not Murphy. Murphy was too used to being ignored and sometimes sneered at. It made me feel sad for him, but part of me also identified.

I leaned back into the opening and held out my hand for him. He rubbed his nose against it, but I didn’t move to grab him. That would only scare him more.

“Sit,” I told Romeo.

He looked around like he wasn’t sure what to do, and I giggled. He smiled and then sank down behind me on the tile.

“You like it here, huh?”

“It’s my favorite place,” I replied honestly. I didn’t feel as guarded, like a door to my insides opened up when I was here and I felt it was okay to let him see just a little.

Murphy crept a little closer to the door, but I didn’t let on that I knew. Instead, I started scratching behind his ear.

“That cat sounds like a lawn mower,” Romeo quipped.

I laughed again. “Yeah, he kind of does.”

My hair was wet and felt heavy against my back, making my shirt wetter than it already was. I pulled back my hand and lifted the heavy mass up and away from my shoulders and face using a hair tie around my wrist to secure it into a messy bun at the top of my head.

The air brushed against my neck and I shivered.

“Your shirt is soaked,” Romeo said.

I shrugged and leaned back to pet Murphy some more.

“Rimmel,” he said softly. Whatever I heard in his voice caused something in me to stir. I turned toward him, my body answering the call in his tone.

He didn’t say anything. He just looked at me. His eyes roamed my face like he’d never seen it before. I felt the blush creep up from the bottom of my neck and work its way up until my cheeks felt warm.

“What?” I said, my voice coming out more as a whisper.

“Nothing. I just wanted to look at you without your hair in the way.” He continued to stare, unapologetic. When I couldn’t take any more, I ducked my head, causing a strand of hair to fall loose against my cheek.

Romeo leaned forward and lifted my chin with his fingers. My eyes connected with his and this… this current went through the room. His fingers slid from beneath my chin and tucked the hair behind my ear. “You’re beautiful,” he said, a hint of surprise in his tone.

A rush of warmth filled my chest, but then reality came crashing back and I snorted. “Are you trying to get me to do your work again?”

He winced and his hand fell back to his lap. “I mean it.”

I was saved from having to reply when Murphy crawled back into my lap. I smiled and stroked down his back and turned to face Romeo. “This is Murphy.” The affection was clear in my voice.

“Is he yours?” Romeo asked, holding out his hand to the cat. Murphy smelled him tentatively.

“He would be if I didn’t live in a dorm.”

Romeo moved slowly, sliding his hand back to rub the cat behind his ears. The loud purring started up again. “So are all these cats homeless?”

“They’re up for adoption.”

“How long’s Murphy been here?”

I lowered my gaze and my stomach rolled. “He came right after I started volunteering over a year ago.”

He paused in petting and looked up. “That long?”

I nodded and cleared my throat. “People tend to overlook him.”

“His eye,” he murmured.

Emotion clogged my throat so I didn’t speak. We sat there in silence for long moments. And then Murphy climbed off my lap and climbed into Romeo’s. He seemed taken aback by the cat’s easy affection.

“He likes you,” I said, my voice thick.

“He’s pretty cool.”

I got up, unable to sit here like this with him anymore. It was affecting me too much. I reminded myself not to get taken in by his smile and the fact that Murphy liked him.

I grabbed a bag of cat treats out of the cupboard and passed them out among the cats. Then I held one out to Murphy, who was content in Romeo’s lap.

He perked up and stood, arching his back in a stretch as he sniffed at the treat. “It’s your favorite,” I told him. He took it in one bite and then licked his lips like he wanted more.

“Oh no you don’t,” I told him. “One’s enough.”

I felt Romeo’s stare and I looked up. Sometimes I forgot just how blue his eyes were and then I would realize all over again and it would make my stomach flip.

The sound of muffled barking came through the walls, and Romeo blinked. “You have dogs here too?”

I nodded.

“Can we see them?”

“Sure,” I said and lifted Murphy out of his lap. I tried not to notice how my arm brushed against his chest as I lifted the cat.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Murph,” I said and set him back in his shelter. Immediately, he went to the back and curled in a ball.

I led him to the room across the hall where the dogs were kept, but before I could pull open the door, his voice behind stopped me. “Here.”

I looked and he was shrugging out of his varsity jacket and holding it out for me. He might as well have been growing another head because his action was totally foreign.

“You’re wet and freezing,” he said when I only stared.

“I’m okay,” I argued.

He looked down at my chest and his eyes grew a little heavy. I followed his gaze and wanted to die.

Okay. So maybe I was a little cold.

Or a lot.

My nipples were drawn into little pebbles that you could totally see through my wet shirt plastered against me.

“Uhhh,” I stuttered. I needed to take the jacket. I was putting on a show for him. But I couldn’t. My shirt was so wet it would just get the inside of the dry coat wet too.

Romeo cleared his throat and gestured to the coat again. “It’s just a jacket, Rimmel.”

I spun around, putting my back to him, and yanked the oversized shirt over my head. I was wearing a tank top beneath it, and while it was damp, it wasn’t wet like my shirt. I tossed the top aside and reached around me for the jacket. He slid it into my hand with a warm chuckle.

I pulled it around me and bit back a groan because it was like being wrapped in an electric blanket. The material swallowed me whole. I didn’t have to worry about showing too much in this because there was so much fabric I was totally concealed.

It hung well past my hands and almost to my knees.

He grinned when I turned around. “You’re gonna get lost in that thing.”

It was so warm and it smelled just like him. Whatever comeback I was going to make died on my lips.

I showed him the dogs and we spent some time playing around with them. It didn’t surprise me that Romeo liked them. They were all high energy and sort of wild just like him.

After a while, Michelle poked her head in and said she was going to lock up.

“C’mon,” Romeo said, “I’ll drive you back to campus.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I rushed to say. “Michelle usually gives me a ride.”

“But I’m here now.”

And what about when you aren’t? The thought was like a knife in my chest. I told myself to hang on to that feeling because there would come a time, like probably in ten minutes, when he would be gone and life would be the way it always was.

He seemed to take my silence as some kind of agreement, and we went back out into the main room where I gathered up my things, including my shirt.

Michelle’s eyes went right to the jacket I was wearing and then her gaze bounced between me and Romeo. I caught her eye and shook my head slightly, wanting her to get the idea out of her head immediately.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, opening the door for us.

When I was out on the sidewalk, Michelle called out for Romeo. When he turned back, she said, “You’re welcome back anytime, Roman.”

I gave her a death glare and hoped it gave her nightmares. Judging from the smile on her face, it wouldn’t.

The ride back to campus was short and quiet. I couldn’t help but sink into the soft, warm seat and breathe in the scent of his jacket. When we pulled up in front of my dorm, my eyes were heavy and threatening sleep.

“How’d you know which one I was in?” I asked sleepily.

“Lucky guess.”

“Oh. Well, thanks for the ride.”

I started to climb out.

“Rimmel?”

“Yes?”

“I really am sorry about before. Thanks for letting me hang with you tonight.”

Hang? Is that what we’d done?

I got out and hefted my bag on my shoulder. Then I remembered his jacket. I waved my arms as he backed up, and he hit the brakes. I rushed around the front of the car, his headlights blinding me, and dropped my bag at my feet so I could shrug out of the jacket.

“Here,” I said, handing it to him through the window.

“Thanks,” he said, not looking at my face, but instead at the little tank I was wearing. I picked up my bag and held it in front of me like a shield and backed away from the car.

He sat in the lot and watched me until I disappeared inside.

I could hear the velvety purr of his engine all the way up the stairs as I walked to my room.