“Yeah, maybe one day. So, how’s other shit goin’ on at the club?”
Coyote cocks a brow before he shuts his eyes and shakes his head. “Dude, I don’t know how Stoney didn’t kill Boss.” Boss is the Prez to the Iron Vex MC up in Queens, New York. She also happens to be Stoney’s baby momma.
“Why you sayin’ that?” I don’t normally dig into other people’s business, but Coyote sure has me curious.
“‘Cause . . . I mean, if I were Stoney, I might’ve killed Boss. All that sass. All that fuckin’ talkin’ back and shit, and then add in the fact she hid his kid from him for that long? Jesus. It was fucked up. Stoney’s far too good for her, though, signing away his parental rights. I mean shit, if I was him, I would’ve ripped Destiny right from her arms and taken her ass to court. Any sane judge would’ve sided with Stoney, given what Boss did.”
“Let me play devil’s advocate here. You know Boss has been through some heavy shit. Everyone in her family is dead, dude. She probably didn’t want the baby to get taken from her too. It’s not exactly like she and Stoney live within a reasonable distance. They can’t alternate every weekend and that shit. You know?”
Coyote picks up his beer and twirls the glass in his hand. “I don’t appreciate you tryin’ to defend her actions. Then again, maybe I’m a bit sour considering the same damn thing was done to me.”
I nod, understanding his point. “I get that, but at least Stoney and Boss were able to work everything out.”
“Yeah, so she can live her happily-ever-after with that son of a bitch Cowboy,” Coyote grumbles, his skin turning a bit red from what I imagine is anger. This hits too close to home for him, so I get why he’s frustrated.
“You never know, dude. This could’ve worked out for the best. Hell, Boss is on really good terms with us at the Reapers Rejects, and I don’t know her well, but I’d put money on the fact that she’ll still find some way to have Stoney in Destiny’s life. You know? She’d never keep where she came from, not from her lil’ girl.”
“Yeah. Maybe. Look, can’t we shoot the shit about somethin’ else?”
I nod. “For sure. Let’s get some food. I have classes bright and early tomorrow morning, so I wanna get some food in me and then back to my dorm to hit the hay if you don’t mind.”
“Hit the hay,” Coyote cackles. “Man, the hick in you comes shooting out sometimes.”
“Fuck off, dude, actin’ like you aren’t a redneck son of a bitch.”
Coyote and I both break out into laughter for a few moments before I get up and go over to the bar to place an order of food. It’ll be nice to catch up with a good friend before my entire world as I know it changes tomorrow. After all, it’s the first day of classes.
7
Ember
Classes are finally starting and I’m more nervous than I’ve ever been before. Before I got accepted into Stonewall, I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do after college, but I thought I’d figure it out by now. I mulled things around in my mind and I might do something in the medical field. I just . . . I feel like there’s a different thing calling me now, social work.
For now, I’m taking a few random electives in addition to some science classes and one of the electives in Art History. I do have a thing for history and art, so to learn about how art moved and excelled throughout the years will be something cool to know. While I’m a fan of modern art, surrealism happens to be my favorite. In my opinion, Salvador Dali was one of the most impressionable artists of his era. To be honest, I can’t wait for discussions. It gets my blood pumping and everything.
Taking a seat near the back, I’m shocked when the seat next to me is immediately taken. Lifting my head, I smile the moment I see a set of pearly whites grinning back at me. Dex. It’s Dex.
Butterflies swarm throughout my stomach like I’m on the scariest roller coaster of all time. In fact, I’ve ridden it. Bethany’s boyfriend had me go on it when we went to an amusement park, and since then, I’ve had a fear of heights. A horrible fear. It didn’t help the roller coaster had a terrifyingly steep drop, loads of twists, turns, and loops. After that ride, I didn’t get on another one. I was way too shaken up. The rest of the day, I enjoyed the arcades and shows they had going on at the park. Overall, it was a great time, even though I did almost crap my pants.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, baffled by seeing him in this class. I didn’t think he’d be the type to take anything artistic.
“Seems we’re in the same class,” he chuckles as he pulls out a sheet of paper. It’s his class schedule. I glance down to look at it and see he’s right. This is exactly where he’s supposed to be.
“I guess so,” I murmur and lick my lips nervously. Why do I feel so anxious around Dex? I mean, I get he’s gorgeous and all, but I grew up around hot men all my life. But, hell, he looks like a movie star. He’s got that natural swagger and rugged look. Suddenly, my skin grows hot and I breathe in and out slowly through my nose, trying to push these feelings deep down.
“What’s your schedule like?” he quietly asks as the professor begins to speak.
I show him my schedule rather than answering him. I really want to hear what the professor’s talking about so I know what to expect this semester. Cara and I do end up having the same classes, but we couldn’t get them at the same times. At least we’ll still be able to study together and prepare for exams, but the downside is because of our schedule, we’ll only be able to a couple times a week. I’m really worried. I’m one of those people who need repetition for things to sink in, so studying helps me stay afloat in my classes.
“Huh, we have a couple classes together every day. Neat. Wanna be my study buddy?” He wiggles his eyebrows and his tone tells me he’s just being a smartass.
“I can tell you’re being funny, but if you ever decide to be serious, I do need a study partner. I don’t want to lose my scholarship, so my GPA needs to be as high as it can be,” I whisper, taking the paper back from Dex.
“I can understand that. I was fucking around with you, but I’ll take all the help I can get. I wanna prove my place here. My roommate Josh is a smart geek type, but he’s not in the same classes, so I doubt he’ll be able to help,” Dex says while the two of us are now half listening to the lecture taking place.
My mind is fuzzy with thoughts I should not be having.
Why?
I’m not sure.
I shake my head and while I’m trying to pay as much attention as I can to the professor, thoughts of Dex continue to filter through my mind. Before I know it, the class is coming to an end and the professor makes an announcement about an essay paper that needs to be done. He gives each row an artist we need to write the paper on. When he gets to mine and Dex’s row, he gives us the name Annie Leibovitz. Before dismissing the class, he suggests we do our research, but also check out the Smithsonian in D.C. since she has a permanent exhibition there. He even went on to state it would be good for us to take a visit and truly admire the pieces. Unlike the rest of the class, we were given an artist’s name with a current exhibition.