Austin was super involved in his family’s affairs. They seemed to be collecting teenagers lately. First, it was Gaze, just a year younger than Austin, who was a foster kid for the last few years of his teens. Then, Ruffian showed up on the Burathons’ doorstep, and like the superheroes they were, they just folded him into the family.
Ruffian fell in deep love with my friend, Teddi. Later on, he robbed our friend-enemy, Meg. It was a little complicated, but the good news was, he was out of prison and Teddi was still in love.
I did a stint at community college while living at home, and now, finally, I was transferring my credits to college in Loveville City, the same city as Austin.
I got a text message back from him:
* * *
AUSTIN: Stay in your foyer. I’ll be by in a few minutes.
* * *
And that’s how I was in the vestibule of the dorms in my Wonder Woman pajama set waiting for my dream man.
I wasn't sure what car to look for when a figure walked up to the door and rapped his knuckles on it.
How did this feel so personal? Well, usually Teddi was involved, and now it was just us. Austin and I.
“Kitten. What’s up, baby?” When I opened the door to let myself out, his arms were waiting.
I just shook my head slowly in his chest. He wrapped his hands around my back and my head.
“There, there. This city can be an ass buster. I’m sorry. Let’s go back to my place.” He put his arm around my shoulders. And even though I was scurrying out of my dorm room in the middle of the night, I still felt a thrill. People walking by would think we were together. Like together together.
“Wonder Woman’s having a tough one?” He pulled out his phone and ordered us a car service. He took my backpack and slung it over his shoulder and we strolled to the nearest stoplight. I finally took a look at him. He gave me a soft smile. His eyeliner was smudged, and I was pretty sure there was glitter in the crease of his eyelid. He threaded his fingers in mine. “We have to wait for like four minutes. Do you want to talk about it?”
I didn't have to as the window three stories up cranked open. “Run, bitch, run. I told you you couldn’t hang.”
Austin took one look and then glanced back at my face. “Oh. She’s expanding the window a little. Don’t look now. That’s her butt crack. Sweet Jesus. Her butt crack.”
I wiped at my eyes with the back of my hand. “I know what her butt crack looks like better than I do my own. Literally, she's naked so much. It’s so uncomfortable.”
Austin pulled on my hand and I buried my face in his chest.
“Oh? You got a boyfriend now? Tell him how you can’t put your shoes away and you steal phone chargers in your spare time!” Roberta’s voice echoed off the surrounding buildings.
“She’s charming.” He turned his head to shout up, “Hey, wild person, can you stop freaking yelling and put some clothes on?”
Roberta’s voice was fired up now. “Oh, really, pretty boy? You want to come up here and say that to my boyfriend?”
“No, sweetheart, I don’t do deliveries. But if he comes down here, I’ll be happy to kick his ass.” Austin pulled me in closer.
“Don’t get in trouble because of me.” I turned my head and saw a car approaching. Judging from the blinker, it was getting ready to stop near us. Most of the road was deserted. Even in a city, this late at night on a weekday was quieter. “Uber’s here.”
Austin turned me by my shoulders and opened the back door. “Hop in, angel cake. I just want to tell these two assholes something.” He shut the door and hollered a few more things at Roberta and her boyfriend before coming around the side of the car to get in the backseat near me.
“I can’t believe I hate those people so much. And I just met them.” Austin gave a middle finger out the back window while telling the Uber driver his address.
“Thank you.” Sitting with him now, I realized how tense I was in the dorm room. He was a bit of home and it made my emotions bubble up inside.
“Come here.” He put his arm around me and pulled me in.
I rested my head on his chest. He smelled good, like the outdoors and a muffin. He was cuddling me like he did his sister, Teddi, all the time. If I wasn’t so freaking discombobulated and tired, I would have loved to take a selfie. And maybe get a shirt made with the picture on it.
I had issues. He was wild to be close to. My heart was beating so hard.
Austin knew I needed hugs—ugh. He was so intuitive.
The Uber pulled over. Austin gave me a quick squeeze before opening the car door and throwing my bag over his shoulder in one swift movement. He held out a hand like I was royalty or dressed for the Oscars or something. I took it and held it still after thanking the driver.
Austin pulled out his phone and led me toward the front door. He tipped the driver on the app and swiped to his key for the building app without letting go of my hand.
Why was he so physical? I was eating it up. I was feeling so safe. Lord, help me, this man was too much.
After the app granted us entry, Austin pulled me along to the elevator. The doors opened immediately.
“Why were you out?” I was realizing he’d appeared so quickly—
he had to have been close by, and not at this building.
“I was partying with friends. Tuesdays can be Saturdays, if you know the right people.” He winked at me.
My ovaries found a way to clap for joy inside me.
“Just a heads-up, though. My roommate and I were fighting—although he was gone when I left earlier, he might be back now. Just ignore him. I pay all the rent, so he gets no say in who comes and goes.”
I nodded, feeling bad for interrupting. “I’m sorry if this is a rough time for me to be here for you.”
“Baby, you’re family. You need help, you get help. No other choices.” The elevator dinged on the tenth floor and Austin reached out a hand to hold the door open. His rings clanked against the metal.
I was grateful to be given this out, but part of my heart kicked rocks because if he and I were family, we weren’t ever going to be kissing buddies.
Austin opened his front door with a code and stepped inside, propping the door open for me to enter behind him. His place was so freaking awesome. He had a very lucrative social media platform, and his apartment was the set for many of his videos and pictures. The furniture was all curves and block colors. Some sharp pieces with black and white were edged in. A wall had all different ring lights and filming equipment hanging on it like art. The whole place had a musky lavender scent that I associated with Austin.
“Have a seat. You need a drink? Hungry?” He set my bag next to me.
“I’m good.” Was I feeling out of place? Was I feeling rescued? All of it.
Austin went to the fridge that was painted with a subtle pattern and filled up a glass with ice and water.
He came and sat down next to me, holding out the glass. I took it gratefully, tipping it back to quench my thirst.
“See, angel? I knew what you needed.” Austin reached over and moved some of my hair away from my face, the edge of his finger skimming my temple.
Did he know what that touch did to people? I couldn’t imagine that the whole world wouldn’t feel that tender contact in both their soul and their naughty bits at the same damn time.