Page 7 of Trusting You

“You’re clear,” Emma giggled again and when I removed my hand and blinked my eyes open I saw her pulling at her shirt like she was righting it. “She didn’t stay, huh?”

“You knew she was leaving?” I balked.

“She leaves every Friday unless she has a project that she needs the library for,” Emma rolled her eyes and shrugged. “I don’t really get it. I’ve tried to get her to hang out with my other friends, but she always makes an excuse and leaves.”

“Is she seeing someone?” I cringed. The idea that I came out here to see her when she already had a boyfriend made my stomach crawl. I did not chase girls, and I wasn’t going to start now.

“I don’t think so,” her lips pressed together. “There’s this guy, Roger. They met at orientation. He likes her, but he’s really shy. They’ve never been on a date.”

I lowered myself onto Mel’s bed and groaned. Brock looked comfortable with Em snuggled into his side so I knew we were staying. “Do you know where she lives?” Maybe I could go to her house. Maybe she’d talk to me then.

“Not exactly. I know it’s like a half hour away, but that’s about it,” Em flopped back. “Why?”

“I was thinking maybe I could,” Emma shot up and held her hand up stopping me.

“Don’t you dare,” she warned. “You don’t sound romantic. That’s stalkerish. She won’t tell me anything about her home life, why would she tell you?”

“Well, I don’t want to stay here all weekend,” I grumbled.

“And why’s that?” Emma smiled as she leaned her head against Brock.

“Yeah, why?” Brock snickered as he wrapped his arm around her.

“Because of that,” I waved my finger up and down in front of them. “I don’t care to see or hear whatever sounds are going to be coming from that side of the room.” I huffed as I resumed my position of staring at the ceiling. When I had flopped back on Mel’s bed the scent from her body lotion wafted in the air. Her blankets and sheets smelled like apple scented body spray. “Lying here isn’t helping me either. I smell her all around me. Let’s go somewhere, please?”

“I came here to be with Em. You invited yourself along. I’m sure if you walk around campus for a few minutes you can find a willing co ed,” Brock chuckled at my expense.

“I don’t want just anybody. I want her,” I mumbled. What the fuck was wrong with me? I sounded like a prepubescent boy who’d never been laid before. This wasn’t me.

“Why don’t you tell her that?” Brock shifted to sit up straighter and a blank expression washed over his face. “You say you like her; tell her that. Tell her you want a chance to prove it to her. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“She could tell him to go fuck himself,” Emma jumped in, putting my rising mood right back down where it’d been.

“Thanks, Em. You really know how to pump a guy up,” I lifted slightly to get my phone out of my pocket.

“Well, I’m just saying… if you really like her as much as you claim to, maybe you shouldn’t have let some other skank blow you in front of her,” Em glared at me and as her words sunk in, I fumbled with my cell.

“Shit!” I hissed.

“Exactly. She was there with you,” she stabbed her finger in the air, “and you let some beach bunny service you. She saw it, and you didn’t even acknowledge her.”

“I didn’t know she saw that. You don’t’ get it,” I growled as I punched the bed, causing more of the apple smell to fill my nose. “Girls like her don’t like guys like me. She’s the kinda girl you marry, the forever type. If we get together and it doesn’t end well, how am I supposed to think anyone like her would want me?”

“What if she’s perfect for you? Did you ever think of that? What if you get together and it’s beautiful? What then? Would you destroy it just to prove a point?” she crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell him,” she nudged Brock.

“Whoa! I’m not getting in the middle of this,” he shook his head. “His screw ups are not going to put me in the doghouse.”

“Good to know your dick is more important than our friendship,” I muttered.

“I’m just saying we should stay out it,” he shrugged.

“But,” Emma pouted.

“No buts. If he really likes her as much as he says he does, then he’ll find a way to get through to her. Now,” he turned to face Emma, “stay out of it.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “Let’s go get ice cream at the student center. It’ll give dumbass a chance to talk in private,” she stood and held out her hand to Brock.

“Yes, dear,” Brock chuckled. “Text me when you’re done. Maybe we can go get a drink somewhere.”

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