My eyes go wide with shock. Tristen just freaking kissed me and I…I… I liked it.
With his arms still around me, he looks down and asks, “You want to go out sometime?”
I can’t think. Not with his arms wrapped around me or all six foot something of him staring down at me.
“Uhm.”
“She would love to.”
Kim breaks in, “Won’t you, Chloe?”
“Yeah, sure. I would love to.”
“You want to give me your number?”
“My number?”
Kim saves me again by spitting out my number. When Tristen doesn’t catch it, he hands her his phone without letting me go so she can add it to his contact list. “She lives in the…”
“I know where she lives.”
Both me and Kim look at each other, freaking out.
“I have to go. I’ll call you.” Tristen lets me go and plants another kiss on my lips, this one softer. Then he leaves with a smirk on his face.
“Damn girl,” Hannah says while standing next to me staring as Tristen and his friends exit the restaurant.
Stacee comes around and says, “You better be careful of that one. He doesn’t like frigid girls, or virgins.”
“Jealous much, Stacee?” Hannah turns toward her with a snide remark.
“Wait… who says I’m a virgin?”
Kim and Stacee laugh at me. While Hannah gives me a somber look. She’s the only one I told.
Stacee comes back with, “We do. Everyone who knows you does. It’s written all over your face.” She leans in and whispers, “I’m pretty sure Tristan knows too and plans on taking your shriveled-up cherry. Why else would he…”
“Enough, Stacee,” Jean Paul scolds while walking past us. I almost forgot he was here. Now, I’m completely mortified.
The girls walk away, except for Hannah. “I never told them, Chloe. I promise.”
“I know.”
“Hey, you don’t like Tristan, do you?” I ask, needing to know if it’s why she kept staring.
“God no, that ship sailed away a long time ago.”
“You sure? I saw your face when he first sat down.”
“It has nothing to do with me. I’m just looking out for you. I know I want you to experience life, but, well, Tristan is…”
“What?”
“He’s a big deal here on campus. You’re going straight to the major leagues with him.”
“What are you saying? I’m not good enough for him?”
“No. Not at all. It’s just maybe you should start off with…”
She is digging a hole. “With what, Hannah?”
“Forget it, Chloe. I’m happy for you. You had a big fish land at your feet. And you know what? He might actually be what you need.”
She wraps her arm around my shoulder and pecks my cheek. “Come on, you know I love you.”
I can’t stay mad at her. Her intentions are good. “I love you, too.”
“Do you?” She looks at me pausing then starts tickling my side, playing around. “Really, do ya? Do ya, really?”
“Yes, dammit, you know I love your crazy ass. You’re still my best friend, Hannah. Now let’s go before the two evil witches fly away on our ride.”
“They’re sooooo jealous,” Hannah jokes as we walk out the restaurant.
Back at the dorm, I throw myself onto my bed. Thinking about everything; my damn life all the way to what Stacee said. Shriveled-up cherry, ha! When did virginity become a crime? And frigid, how dare her? I’m not frigid. I know what I like, and I have explored plenty. With myself. Fuck!
That’s it, starting this week, things are going to change. I am going to date. Really date. I don’t care what Brittany wants. I’m a grown ass woman. Sure, I need to buckle down on my studies, she was right about that, but I’m not doing it for her. I am the one who gets the grades. I am the one who got into the nursing program and I’m not about to let it all slip through my fingers because of my anger. This is for me, and I’m pretty sure I can balance both.
Screw it, I’m doing this. Getting off my bed, I grab my hairbrush taking all my frustrations out on my long hair. This is my life, and from now on, I will live it. Throwing the brush down, I get my shit together to go take a shower before Hannah comes. When I bend down to pick up the shorts I dropped, I see it. Another damn letter. Same place, I always find them. On the floor, slipped through the door.
Opening it up, it’s filled with more admiration. If anyone ever says you’re not beautiful, they’re lying or simply can’t see what I see.
Short and sweet like always. A tiny giggle comes out. I can’t believe I thought for a hot second they were from Jean Paul. I guess it would make sense. He never would have the words to express himself this way. The boy has no swag at all. He’s endearing which makes him cute, but he is definitely no Cyrano.
My door opens, “You ready?” Hannah asks. We’re shower buddies. Can’t be too safe in a co-ed dorm. I learned the hard way. These boys love playing pranks, either scaring girls half to death or stealing our clothes so they can see a show.
“I’m ready.”
Her eyes drop from me to the letter. “Another letter from your secret admirer?”
“Yep.” I throw it on my desk and lock up. “I was just thinking how I can’t believe I thought they were from Jean Paul all this time.”
“I told you they weren’t.”
“I know, but now I’m wondering who they’re from.”
8
Gunner
Tapping on my shoulder stops me from sanding. Removing my mask, I find Griffin, Marcus’s grandson behind me.
“Paw Paw says you’ve done enough tonight. He wants you to come eat with everyone.”
“All right, tell him I’m coming.”
Griffin runs off, while I take another look at Betty. Jesus, she’s in bad shape. Shaking my head, I think about how long it’s going to take for me to get her back to her glory. I asked Marcus if he would let me use his garage to fix her up. He took one look at Betty and wanted to know the story. I told him the truth and he laughed his ass off while yelling at one of his guys to open the garage door. Generous and all, but when he tried to tell me to do a touch up job, I shut him up. Betty means more to me than a touch up job. Besides, it would only be what professionals call a two-footer. Meaning, it looks good from two feet, not closer. The hood wouldn’t even pass a two-footer. The princess really dug in deep there. I set my mask and the sander down and run my fingers over the deep gouges. Chloe better hope I never have to see her again. Grabbing my bag from inside Betty, I shut all the lights off, and walk inside the club spotting Marcus right away.
“Gunner, why don’t you go grab a shower first, then join us.”
“Yeah, it won’t take me long.”
He has one of his club girls show me the way to a spare room where I drop my bag and dig out my clothes. The chick lingers.
“You need something else?” she asks in a flirty way.
“I’m fine.”