Page 50 of The Progressions

“Gail wrote to me,” he mentioned.

“Oh, did she?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Kasia, please,” he told me, but he smiled a little. “She was only making arrangements for the game.”

“Right, the game. I was supposed to make sure that you’re coming. You are, right?”

He nodded. “I am.” He talked about what Miss Gail had told him regarding where we would park and sit, and how we would negotiate the crowded stadium. It seemed like she wasn’t mad at him, at least, and I was glad.

The morning really got going at the registrar’s office, where I didn’t have an appointment and she was too busy to meet with me. I set up a time, because I’d made my decision about college regardless of the Hennessys’ opinions. Then, even though I’d thought it would be an easy day, I found myself running from one thing to the next, hurrying to get everything accomplished. When I showed up at the leasing office for my shift there, I was yawning my head off.

That was why the corner, less dusty since I’d removed some of it with my clothes the day before, started to look so appealing. I used the coat instead of my phone for a pillow this time, and it really wasn’t so bad—or maybe, I was so tired that I didn’t care about lying on the floor, just me and the dust bunnies. My eyes closed immediately and I dropped into sleep.

“Wake up.” Fingers rubbed my hip and stayed there. “You filled out some, No-Kasia. Feels good to me.”

“What?” I opened my eyes and saw Cody leaning over me, Cody who had been my high school dream and was now my adult nightmare. “Get your hands off me!” I shoved his arm and he stood up, smiling, as I scrambled to my feet. “What are you doing here now?”

“This is my new day and time, and lucky me. I got to find you like that, like a story I heard. You were waiting for my kiss,” he said, and laughed.

“Nothing with you will ever be a fairy tale because you’re no prince, Cody. Screw off.” I straightened my skirt, noticing that it had pulled up high on my legs. “Where else did you touch me?”

“I didn’t get much of a chance to do anything. We could right now,” he suggested, and stepped forward.

“Get away!” I said, my voice loud. “Get out of this office.”

“Come make me,” he told me, grinning wider.

I picked up the lamp from Iva’s desk. It was kind of flimsy but if I used it to hit him, it would hurt. “Get out.” I raised it above my head and the plug yanked free of the wall, allowing me to take a practice swing. “Get out!”

The door opened and a man filled its frame. With the sun shining behind him, I couldn’t immediately see his face, but I knew who it was.

“What the fuck is happening in here?” Tyler asked. “Are you fighting this guy?”

“No,” Cody said quickly. “I’m leaving.”

Tyler grabbed the front of his uniform shirt and prevented that. “Did he do something?” he asked me.

“Yes. He was touching me when I was asleep,” I said.

“He what?” He shook Cody, rattling his teeth. “You put your hands on her?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll never touch her again!”

Tyler scowled down at him but spoke to me. “You want to call the police?”

“No, I want him to leave me alone. Like, never talk to me, never come into this office, and stay away forever,” I said.

He stared down at Cody. “Did you hear that?” To make sure that the words were clear, he took a better grip on the polyester shirt and shook it again.

“I got it!” Cody answered. I had never seen this expression on his face. Satisfaction, arrogance, and spite? Yes, but never fear, and I didn’t mind it there. He was turning red, too, because Tyler had him off the ground enough that he was on his tiptoes, and the uniform shirt must have been cutting into his airway.

“You should let him go,” I recommended. “I don’t want you to strain your arm before the game tomorrow.”

“Strain my arm with him? I lift more when I do bicep curls.” But he did lower Cody back down. “I’m going to say this clearly. You look stupid so pay close attention.” He did speak clearly, and also very loudly. It was more like he was bellowing. “Stay the fuck away from Kasia!”

“Yes,” Cody promised, his voice trembling. “Yes, I will. Got it.” And the second that his shirt was free, he ran out, faster than I’d ever seen him move.

“He only touched my hip,” I said.

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