Stupid Girl(48)
“Observing. What else?”
A pair of balled up fluffy socks hurled through the air, directly at my head. I batted it away.
“Look at me, Olivia,” Tessa insisted, got up from the bed and came to stand right in front of me.
I finished snapping my shirt up and looked at her. “Yes, ma’am?”
After a moment, her eyes widened. “Oh shit. No way.”
My brows tugged together in a guilty frown. “What?”
Like the Grinch as he stared with distaste toward Whoville, Tessa’s gaze turned into accusing slits. “You like him.”
I pointed at her brows. “You look scary when you frown like that.”
“Olivia!” Tessa squealed. “I’m serious. What are you doing?”
My shoulder lifted to a shrug. “Eating supper. Then coming home to study.” Even I could confess now how difficult it was to fend off a persuasive Brax. He was fun to be around, and the spark that seemed to flash inside of me whenever he was close to me? I liked it. Sure. I liked him. Didn’t mean I was stupid.
Tessa flopped back down onto the end of her bed, grabbed a Cosmopolitan magazine from her purse, and started flipping madly through the pages.
“Look Tessa,” I said, and sat down beside her. “I know he’s a playboy. A big flirt. And he knows I know.” Tessa looked up at me and I grinned. “He’s funny. Makes me laugh. And I really don’t think he’s in it to hurt me.” I considered my own words, surprised. “I haven’t trusted a guy in a long, long time. Yet I find myself trusting Brax. I like being around him.”
Her features softened. “Yeah, chica. I can tell. Just stay smart about it, I guess.”
I gave her a light punch in the arm. “I will. Thanks.”
Grabbing my faded denim jacket, I shoved my keys and cell phone in my bag, shouldered it, and headed out. I caught a few stares as I passed through the common room, and I knew it was because of Brax. Although my face heated as their eyes followed me, I decided that if I was going to go out with Brax—even just as friends—I wasn’t going to cower. I’d suffered it in high school. I’d be damned if I was going to be a victim in college. With a deep breath I turned my full gaze on the group of girls staring me down, then pushed through the doors and stepped outside. I didn’t look back to see their reaction, and although my heart raced a little, I felt better. I wasn’t a coward by nature and it was damn time I stopped worrying about hiding. From Kelsy. From people. From the world.
The night air was thick, humid, and carried voices, music from neighboring dorms, and laughter. Taking a seat on the curb, I stretched my legs out, crossed my ankles, and waited there for Brax.
Twenty minutes passed as I watched girls straggle into Oliver Hall—some in small groups, others alone. No one spoke to me as they walked by, but I didn’t speak, either. I checked my phone. Thirty minutes, and no text or missed call. Finally, after forty minutes, I rose and walked to my truck. Whatever Brax had to take care of was taking longer than either of us had thought. We both had early class, and my stomach was growling like a bear. Disappointment pinged inside of me, but I pushed it aside as best I could. I needed to eat, and it didn’t look like Brax was coming. Since the cafeteria was closed, and I just didn’t feel like another big whopping spoonful of peanut butter, I decided to drive to Hattie’s, an all-night café about two miles out of Winston’s main gates. I felt like breakfast. A really big one. I quickly sent Brax a short text.
Me: Hey, I guess you got caught up, but I’m stahved so going to grab a bite to eat. See ya in class ☺
Tossing my phone in my bag, I headed for my truck, hopped in, and made it to Hattie’s in ten minutes. As I walked inside, I noticed the place was maybe half-full at almost ten o’clock. Most were other students, and a few regulars from town, I imagined. I spied an empty corner booth away from most of the other patrons and tucked myself into it. Just as the waitress handed me a menu, Brax slid into the seat across from me.
“Damn, Sunshine, you got no patience when it comes to food, do ya?” he said.
I gaped at Brax. He still wore the same tee shirt and jeans he’d had on earlier, except now he sported a Silverbacks baseball cap.
And a brand new punched-out eye, along with a fresh cut on his upper lip. “Good Lord, Brax. What happened to you?”
He gave me a lop-sided grin, then got up and slid onto the bench next to me. He leaned his shoulder into mine. “Why, worried about me, sweetheart?” Sweethaht. He bowed closer, to read the menu with me. He still smelled good, and I tried to keep from falling against him. The effect he had on me was quickly becoming more ridiculous with each passing second. Part of me still wanted not to trust him so easily, but I just couldn’t help it. I chanced a peek sideways at him and noticed how his dark hair curled out from his cap at the nape of his neck. It looked soft, and I clutched my fists against my thighs to keep from twisting those locks around my fingers.