Page 19 of Elusion

“Along with the turkey sausage?”

I blink the slowest blink in existence, hoping for him to disappear in the time it takes for my eyes to reopen.Nope. “Just the bacon one,” I say. “And the two coffees.” I massage my forehead after riding an emotional roller coaster. “For the love of God, don’t forget the extra shots.”

My face hides in the crook of my arm as it rests on the counter. One of the reasons I never commit to anything? This. Is. Exhausting. Conflicts between our schedules mean I’m running all over campus, and the early morning shit’s for old people and birds.

The guys still think I’m crazy for pouring my time into a girl who may or may not sleep with me in the end, and I’m starting to agree. Even if she does, will it really be worth all this effort?

A sack rustles next to my head—that kid watching me. I grab the bag and beverage carrier and give him a quick salute on my way to the door.

The clock on the dash is kind enough to inform me my two-and-a-half-hour philosophy lecture begins in four minutes. Callie’s first class won’t start for an hour-and-a-half. If she says yes to a ride, it doesn’t make sense for me to even show up for my class.

I rap on the suite door.

Jess answers, greeting my crotch with her big brown eyes. “Good morning, Jordan.”

I nod and slip past her. “Jessica.”

Felicia zooms around me with a friendly smile. My godsend full of tips and tricks. I owe her for the breakfast sandwich idea and the salad I add to the fridge for later.

Outside of her and Callie, I can’t recall the last time I spent so much time hanging around girls who keep their clothes on. Of course, I’m planning for Callie to lose hers again soon enough. Felicia, though, I never want to see naked. Not because she’s unattractive, but it would be well past weird at this point.

The door to Callie’s room sits ajar while she puts her books in her bag. Instead of a tight top, like she’s worn the other days—excluding Wednesday morning—she sports a baggy T-shirt. Her jeans are also a more relaxed fit, not hugging her ass. A braid hangs down her back in place of loose waves. The whole vibe seems different, and she looks much younger than I’ve ever seen her.

I knock, gaining her attention.

“Hello, handsome,” she says, taking the cup from my hand.

As much as I’d love to flatter myself, I know better. “You’re talking to the coffee?”

She nods, and her eyes widen. “Bacon ciabatta?”

I hand her the sack, and she barely removes the paper before taking a bite. Her eyes flutter shut as she moans. Fuck, it’s hot. Those doubts about the potential payoff of my experiment? They cease to exist.

I clear my throat and think of Nana Waters, which, as always, does the trick. “Do you need a ride this morning?”

She goes to her bed. “No, Jordan. I also don’t need a ride after class or later. Thank you for the sandwich and the coffee, but you shouldn’t waste your time.”

“So I’ve heard.” I lean down and kiss her on the forehead. “See you after class, beautiful.”

Her lips twitch, almost losing out to a smile. I saunter through the living area and out to the hall in case she watches. But as soon as the door latches, I sprint to my Jeep and speed across campus.

The professor hesitates when I crash through the door but carries on. Whatever he lectures about, he knows I will comprehend, late or not. I’m one of his best students. Philosophy just makes sense to me. For a person who floats through life without a sense of purpose, sitting around and searching for the meaning of it all is an easy enough task, I guess.

Ah, he’s discussing Sartre’sBeing and Nothingness. I read the book last year. Humans are condemned to be free. Our past has no bearing on our choices. I pull up my hood, and my head lands on my forearm.

Someone shoves my shoulder, disrupting one hell of a nap. I open my eyes and discover that I’m the focal point of the entire lecture hall with Dr. Miller down front, arms crossed.

“Should I repeat the question, Mr. Waters?” he asks.

Considering I’ve been asleep for at least forty minutes, yes, he probably should.

“What are we looking for…” a voice whispers beside me. “The meaning.”

Thank you, random classmate.

I recline in my seat and relax with my hands on the back of my head. “What an absurd question.”

A few students shift uncomfortably in their seats, and one laughs. But Dr. Miller just shakes his head with an amused expression on his face. “Enlighten the rest of the class with your response.”

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