“Shit, sorry. I didn’t know you had company,” I say, quickly backtracking. Mention of that word conjures up images of the hottie from the bar last night, but I punt the visual from my mind’s eye, unwilling to go there.
“This is Will,” Ellen says. “I did text you to say he was here.”
“The bar was nuts last night, and I didn’t get home until really late. I never thought to check my phone before I conked out.” I wiggle my fingers in the air and smile. “Hi, Will.”
“Hi, Stevie.” He’s fighting a smirk but purposely keeping his eyes fixed on my face, which I appreciate.
“I’m just gonna go put on more clothes,” I say, making a hasty retreat out of the room. It’s just my luck to meet Ellen’s new boyfriend when I’m semi-naked.
Grabbing the robe off the back of my bathroom door, I wrap it firmly around my body and slip my feet into slides before I head back out to the kitchen.
We were incredibly lucky to get this place this year because student rentals are in high demand in Eugene. All freshmen have to room at one of the residence halls, which sucked butt last year. Except it’s how I met Ellen. That was the only good thing to come out of it. We became instant friends, and it was a no-brainer to share a place off-campus this year. We both hated cramped dorm living and having to sneak guys into the building.
Our two-bedroom apartment is only a ten-minute walk from campus, and it’s in one of the newer buildings, so it’s modern and more spacious than a lot of student accommodations. We both have our own bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and there is a large communal space, which is our kitchen, dining room, and living room.
“It’s nice to meet you, Will,” I say as I head toward the coffee pot. “I was beginning to think you were a figment of Ellen’s overly active imagination,” I quip.
“Nice to meet you too, Stevie. Ellen never shuts up talking about you.”
“That’s ’cause she’s my boo.”
Ellen smiles at me. “Ditto, babe.”
I race over and give her a quick squeeze. A look of amusement washes over Will’s face, and I’m not sure he knows what to make of us.
“What have you guys planned for today?” I ask while I fill a mug with rich coffee.
“A study date at the library,” Ellen confirms before popping the last piece of waffle into her mouth.
“We’re grabbing dinner at the taco place later. A couple of my friends are joining us,” Will says. “You should come.”
“Sounds fun, but I can’t. I have to head home unexpectedly.” I slide onto the stool across from the lovebirds.
Ellen frowns. “Is something wrong? Is Nana okay?”
“She’s fine. Mom needs me to work at the country club tomorrow, so I thought I’d head home today and try to catch up with Hadley.” I waggle my brows. “Meaning you have the place all to yourself tonight.” My gaze flickers between Ellen and Will. “You’re welcome.”
“Girl, it’s so good to see you!” Hadley squeals, throwing her arms around me and hugging me tight.
“I’ve missed you.” I cling to her, squeezing her tightly, before breaking our embrace and looping my arm in hers. “You look amazing. Love the dress.” My bestie has an eclectic sense of style I adore. She owns who she is and always looks stunning. Hads only ever wears dresses and boots. Never jeans, or sweats, or pants, or skirts. In the summer, when it’s hot, she will exchange the boots for tennis shoes, sandals, or flip-flops, but that’s her only concession. Tonight, she’s wearing a patterned floaty dress, with a bird print, that skims the asphalt as we walk along the sidewalk, heading toward town.
“You look great too. A little pale from too much work, no doubt, but your makeup is on point, and I love your ripped jeans. They’re very you.”
We chat casually as we make the short walk into town, heading for our favorite diner. When we are settled in our usual booth at the back and the waitress has brought our drinks, we pick up our conversation. “How are things with Dave?” I ask, slurping my berry smoothie through a straw.
“Over.” Hadley flicks her hair, and bouncy strands of long, messy corkscrew curls cascade over her shoulders and down her back.
Growing up, I hated my red hair and wished I had my friend’s mess of brown curls. Now, I have embraced my glossy, thick auburn locks, and I’m proud to be a redhead. “Already?”
She shrugs, taking a sip from her soda. “You know me. I fall in and out of love and lust fast.”
“Truth.” I have lost count of the guys Hadley has gone out with. Most of them never last long.
“His dick was too small, and he suffered from premature ejaculation.” She just voluntarily tosses it out there like she’s commenting on something as mundane as the weather. “I felt sorry for the guy, but a girl has needs, and his inability to satisfy me in the bedroom killed the feelings I had for him.”
“The poor guy.”
“Enough about me. How about you? Anyone at UO catch your eye lately?”
I shake my head as images of Garrick resurface in my mind. I scowl for the umpteenth time today. It’s like he has hijacked my brain all day, and I’m sick of thinking about him. Like, what is with that?
“Spill the beans, sister. I know that look.” She props her elbows on the table, excitement skittering in her eyes as she stares at me. “Have you met someone?” Her tone notches up a few decibels, and she’s grinning so wide she’ll give herself lockjaw if she keeps it up.
“Keep your panties on. It’s nothing to get excited about.” I take another drink of my smoothie before I put her out of her misery. “The new singer at the bar last night asked me out.”
“Oh. My. God.” Hads is bouncing in her seat now like an excitable kangaroo. “This is awesome.” Softly clapping her hands, she smiles with obvious glee.
“I turned him down.”
She sighs as the smile fades from her lips. “Of course, you did.” She shakes her head, looking at me like she’d love to throttle me—lovingly, of course. “How long are you going to keep this up?”
I shrug, holding back my reply when the waitress reappears. She slides our burgers and fries in front of us, offering a quick smile before she leaves. “You know the score. Guys are a distraction. I’m focused on my studies and my future career. I don’t have time for boys.”
“You are missing out on so much, Stevie. Before you know it, you’ll be an old gray spinster with nothing but a houseful of smelly cats for company.” She narrows her eyes before popping a fry in her mouth.
I dunk a few sweet potato fries in chili sauce. “I’m not missing out. It’s not difficult to find a guy when I need a fuck, and that’s the only kind of interaction I’m interested in right now with the opposite sex.” Stuffing the fries in my mouth, I savor the taste and ignore the pitiful look on my bestie’s face.
“You’re not your mom, Stevie.”
I chew my food, swallowing it before responding. “It’s not about that.”
“This is me you’re talking to. Of course, it’s about your mom.” She reaches across the table, grabbing my hand. “Just cause your mom got pregnant and had to drop out of college does not mean the same thing will happen to you.”