SIX
Brooke
The next night, he picked me up in his flashy Camaro that fit his attitude so well. On the way to Marticello's on campus, we made small talk, neither of us mentioning what had happened on the phone the night before.
In the parking lot, he took my hand in his and proudly led me down the main drag in the middle of campus. All the rich students, jocks and superstars of one sort or another hung out there constantly. People like me, a boring sports med student, did not belong.
“Don’t look so nervous,” he said, squeezing my hand. “We’re on a date.”
“I didn’t agree to a date, did I?” I teased.
He laughed.
“You did, and I’m holding you to it. A good slice of pizza and some fun with friends will be good for both of us.”
“I’m surprised you eat pizza at all.”
“Like I said last night, I eat what I want and make up for it later in one way or another.”
As I walked next to him I couldn’t find argument with his system. Especially if I could be the focus of his next workout.
“Here we go,” he said, opening the door for me.
I let go of his hand and walked inside, immediately feeling sick as seemingly everyone turned to stare at me.
“You okay?” he asked as he stood beside me, sensing my discomfort.
“Yeah, I don’t do well in crowds.”
“Noted,” he said. “You want to leave?”
“No, we’re already here. I’ll be fine.”
Why is this guy even with me?
“Come on, Trey is over there.”
I followed him through the crowded establishment, stopping at a booth on the other side. Trey looked up and smiled, his black hair cropped short.
“What’s up, Austin?”
“Gonna grab a slice and hang a bit. You know Brooke, right?”
Trey turned to me and nodded.
“Yeah, I do. You don’t come here often, do you?”
“No, too busy working and studying. How’s that knee, by the way?”
His face grew pale.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”
“Yeah, see ya, fellas,” Austin said then turned.
After we had walked a few feet to another booth, he whispered into my ear, “You have to tell me that story about Trey.”
“I can’t. Patient and doctor confidentiality and all that.”
“You’re not a doctor, are you?”
“No, but I plan on being a Nurse Practitioner, which is practically the same thing.”
He sat down. I took a seat on the bench across from him.
“You have a lot of years of school left then, huh?” he asked.
“Too many. I’m going to be in debt for years.”
“Unless you find a rich husband.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. Luckily, a waitress walked up, leaning her weight all on one leg, her hip sticking out.
“What can I get you two?” she asked, a pen in her hand poised above an order pad.
“Two slices of the Thin Max Style and a pitcher of water,” Austin said then turned to me. “Did you want something else?”
I shook my head, loving that he took charge.
“That’s great.”
“Be right back,” the woman said.
“Thanks, Janice.”
After she walked away, I asked, “You know her?”
“Not well, but I’m in here enough. It’s the place to be social if you don’t drink alcohol.”
“You don’t drink? Ever?”
“Not during season. Sometimes in the summer. I don’t get all the fuss. It can be fun, but it destroys your body for days afterward.”
“Yeah, but enjoying a glass of red wine once in a while is healthy.”
“Hell, they’re even saying coffee and chocolate are healthy these days.”
“You mean they’re not?” I asked with exaggerated shock.
He laughed.
“You’re funny.”
“There you go with the compliments again. You trying to…”
I stopped talking mid-sentence, not wanting to bring up anything sexual after the night before.
“We can talk about that later,” he said casually.
Was he always this calm, cool, and collected??
The waitress returned with our slices on two paper plates, a pitcher of water with ice, and two glasses. After she set them down, she rushed to the next table, looking frazzled.
“I do love their pizza here,” I said.
“Right? It’s the sauce.”
“Totally the sauce.”
I picked up a slice then set it back down.
“Hot, hot, hot…” I said, waving my hand.
“Here…”
He picked up the pitcher and poured me a glass of water and ice.
“Wrap your hand around that,” he said.
I giggled.
“You tell that to all the women, right?”
He cracked a smile.
“Just do it.”
I did, my hand feeling better.
“I’m a nurse. I do know cold helps with burns.”
He poured himself a glass of water.
“Take it back, bitch!” someone yelled across the restaurant.
I spun my head around. My heart sank as I saw one of the guys who had accosted me. He was holding a plate toward Janice. She glanced around looking nervous.
To my surprise, Austin got to his feet and walked over to the commotion. I stood and followed, standing five or ten feet away from him. Derek, the asshole, noticed me and grinned.
“Here’s another worthless bitch. Did someone blow a dog whistle or something?” He turned to the waitress. “Take this shit back.”
“Just throw it away. I’ll bring you another slice.”
Derek threw the plate and pizza at her. It landed on her chest then slid down.
“What the fuck is your problem?” Austin asked, stepping closer to their table.
Two other guys, also wearing polo-shirts, sat across from Derek. Austin stared at them all one by one as if daring any of them to make a move. I felt scared and excited at the same time even though he wasn’t standing up for me.
“Let’s go, Austin,” I said, grabbing his arm. “You don’t need this shit.”
“Yeah. Listen to your bitch.”
In one fluid motion, Austin grabbed the pitcher of beer in the center of their table and threw it on Derek, soaking him. He stood up, pulling his shirt out.
“What the hell, man?”
“Oops,” Austin said, shrugging innocently. “Accident. Sorry.”
“Fuck you it was an accident.”
Austin glanced to the left then right.
“You guys saw that, right? I tripped over his pizza slice on the floor and almost killed myself on their table.”
Derek scowled, his eyebrows pointed down toward his nose and his brow furrowed deeply.
“You’re going to pay for this,” he said then stormed off toward the door.
His buddies got out, making sure to stay out of Austin’s way as they scurried after their preppy friend.
“You okay?” Austin asked Janice.
“Yeah thanks. I wish they wouldn’t come in here anymore though. Something is always wrong with their order.” She sighed. “I better go clean up. Your pizza’s on me tonight.”
“That’s not necessary,” Austin began before she stopped him.
“Yeah it is.”
“Fucking assholes,” he muttered as she walked away.
We made it back to our table and finished eating. The rest of the patrons acted as if nothing had happened. By the end of the meal, we were laughing and joking together again.
* * *
Back at the apartment, I invited him in, justifying it by telling myself I didn’t want to deal with Jocelyn and all her questions. If I brought Austin in, she would retreat to her bedroom for the night. At least I hoped so as I unlocked the front door.
“Excuse the mess,” I said as I walked inside.
Jocelyn looked up from the couch with a smile on her face. It faded as Austin stepped in behind me.
“Hey, Jocelyn. This is Austin.” I turned to him. “Austin, this is Jocelyn, my roommate.”
“I’ve seen you on campus, I think,” he said in a friendly tone.
“I doubt it,” she snapped.
As she stood and fled to her bedroom in the back of the house, I didn’t even attempt to hide my smile. Austin shut the door then followed me into the living room.
“Was it something I said?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“She’s just a bit judgmental.”
I pointed to the couch. “Have a seat.”
“I’m still not sure what we’re doing here, Austin,” I said, glancing his way.
We sat down next to each other.
“You’re not digging my company?”
“No, no. I had fun. I mean, I’m having fun.”
He put his hand on my thigh.
I stared into his dark brown eyes. He leaned forward, tilting his head slightly to the left. I mirrored his actions. Gravity, or some force, drew our bodies closer together.
Our lips met then moved back before pressing together more passionately. I felt his hand sliding higher, aiming for between my legs. My heart beat faster.
“Can you two go to your room at least?” Jocelyn asked.
I glanced up and saw her in the disgusting brown robe with her hands crossed over her chest.
“Do you mind?” I asked her.
Austin moved back, holding his hands up.
“I’m not wanting to cause any roommate tension.”
“Good. Then you should leave,” Jocelyn said.
“Jocelyn! That was uncalled for. Apologize!”
“Whatever, Brooke. I warned you I was going to watch my shows in here. If you two don’t like it, you can be the ones to leave.”
I turned to Austin, disappointment on my face.
“Can we pick this up some other time, please?”
“Sure.”
He turned to glare at Jocelyn then stood up.
“I’ll call you soon. It’s just that I think I remembered I have a pop-quiz tomorrow, and I need to study.”
He nodded.
“See you, Brooke.”
As he walked toward the door, I thought about jumping up and chasing after him. He left before I acted, shutting the door behind him. It sounded so final.
I spun my head to Jocelyn. She had a self-satisfied smile on her face.
“You’re a bitch,” I said.
“I’m protecting you, Brooke. He just wants one thing from you.”
“How would you know?” I shouted as I stood up. “Just leave me alone, okay? This might be our last semester together.”
“We have to be roomies,” she cried.
“I’m not in the mood.”
I stormed past her and into my bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me.
What the hell is her problem? I wondered as I fell back-first on my bed. Laying across it sideways, I stared up at the ceiling and wondered what must be going through Austin’s mind. After all the resistance I’d shown, he would surely move on to the next woman.
Fuck my life.