Me: Yes. Just now. After you woke me up.
Brax: Liar. You weren’t asleep sweetheart. You were lying there thinking about me. And my charm. And that kiss. So are we still on?
Me: I’m not convinced Winston is large enough to contain your ego. I had lights out and was trying to go to sleep. Yes, we’re still on. Unless you wake me up again.
Brax: Winston held my ego last semester. It’s cool. Glad to hear you haven’t chickened out on me. What are you wearin’?
Me: I think your ego grows daily. I’m anything but a chicken. And only stalkers and weirdos ask girls they’ve just met what they’re wearing at one in the morning.
Brax: Your scientist cowgirl mind is in the fuckin gutter, Gracie, which interests me. What I meant was, what are you wearin’ tomorrow. Not a chicken, you say? That gives me things to think about.
Fahkin’ gutta. His accent, even in text, rang heavy in my ears. Strangely enough, it brought a smile to my lips.
Me: Sorry. I’ll try to keep my mind out of the gutta. Jeans and blouse. Don’t think about my non-chickeny ways, please. Ever.
Brax: You makin fun of my southie, Gracie? I like that. Blouse? Who are you, I Love Fuckin Lucy?
A giggle squeaked past my lips, and I slapped my free hand over my mouth to stifle it. My eyes shot to Tessa’s side of the room, and I listened. Still asleep.
Me: Yeah, I wear blouses. Why, is there a dress code?
Brax: No code, just curious. Haven’t heard the word blouse since 1940. Right along with swell. Now go to bed. Stop texting me in the middle of the night, Gracie, for Christ’s sake. I gotta pitch tomorrow.
Me: You mean today. Happy pitching. ’Night Brax.
Brax: I’m impressed. Happy pitching vs Good luck. I like that. Cuz it ain’t luck, I promise you. Wicked skill. ’Night, Gracie.
Me: Ego. Epic. ’Night.
I closed my phone and set it aside, and stared at the ceiling in the dark. A smile tugged at my mouth. God, he was crude. But funny. The way I clicked with him left me speechless. Like Tessa, had I only known him for a day? I had to wonder, though, how many other girls he’d texted before he’d reached my name. Okay. Damn. He was charming. And I’d be lying to say his promises of kisses and more wasn’t just plain sexy.
Get a grip, Beaumont. Remember. He’s a player. This is what he does. He’s probably been up half the night texting a dozen other girls and flirting their panties off. Buck up and get real. Or do you need a reminder of what kind of harm guys really can do to girls?
After that thorough scolding from my inner self, I sighed, kicked the covers off because I was a little warm in the room, and closed my eyes. My inner self, and Tessa, was right. Jesus, don’t let Brax Jenkins get under my skin. Take him at face value as a womanizer. It doesn’t make him a bad person. Just don’t let your heart get involved. You’re not special, Olivia. You’re just another challenge. Keep it friends-only, and you’ll be safe. You’ve got plans. Remember? Plans that don’t include mending a broken heart over some university loverboy.
With that last inner self advice, even though I thought it a bit harsh, I felt my lids grow heavy, and I drifted off to sleep.
It felt as if I’d only been asleep ten minutes when Tessa’s alarm clock from her iPhone screeched. In the dark I heard Tessa as she fumbled around for the phone, knocked it on the floor, and grumbled.
“Jesus God!” she griped. “Sorry, Liv.”
My eyes felt gritty, but I was used to getting up early. Just not used to being kept up until three in the morning. “It’s okay, I’m awake.”
“Why? It’s only sixsshutthefuckinroosterup o’clock in the morning.” She yawned and flipped on her light. I squinted over at her. The floppy ball on her head was down by her ear. “You got something going on?” she asked.
I stretched and sat up. “No. I’m going to go up to the rooftop and check out the pre-dawn celestial view with my scope.”
Tessa stopped pulling her hair loose from the ball, shook it out, and stared at me. “That’s the weirdest thing anyone’s ever said to me. Ever.”
I laughed. “It’s okay Tessa. I’m a Geek and proud of it.”
“You’re not a Geek. You’re a weirdo freak of nature. Go back to bed.”
Already wearing a pair of plaid boxers, I pulled a long-sleeved tee over my head, a pair of socks, and my boots. I grabbed my telescope bag, stood and grinned. “See ya—”
The flash from Tessa’s iPhone camera went off, making me squint. “What are you doing?” I asked.
Tessa grinned. “Classic dork Geek in plaid shorts and cowboy boots? I’ll show this to Brax today. You’ll be safe, then, that’s for damn sure.”