Behind Closed Doors (2 page)

“Maybe later.”
His stare is intense, and I can’t help wondering if he means he’ll taste it later on me.

Chapter Two

I’m not one for blushing or being shy, but this guy is making me feel like a naïve little freshman. I’m partially to blame considering I’m letting him think I’m older than I am. Still, I can’t deny I’m attracted to him, and while I’m not looking for a one-night stand, this wine and cake combined with Darren’s undeniable appeal is seriously making me reconsider.

“Sorry.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know why I said that. I’m not usually this forward. I guess you just seem like a no nonsense kind of girl, and—”

“You’re a no nonsense kind of guy,” I finish for him. If I were still in high school, I’d think the cake comment was a bad attempt at a pick-up line, but I can see that Darren wasn’t going for that. He was simply speaking his mind.

“Is it too late to take it back?”

Yes. In my mind, we’re both already back in my dorm room. No, I can’t take him there because he’d figure out I’m not over twenty-one. “No need to take it back. I like that you’re honest.”

We finish our food with very little talking—at least not in spoken words. Our eyes are saying plenty, though. The tension between us is almost overwhelming, and I know it’s because neither of us is willing to say what it is we’re thinking right now. He doesn’t strike me as the type to jump into bed with a girl, and despite Noelle thinking I hook up with guys too easily, I’ve only been with two guys, both of which were long-term boyfriends. And those two guys are also the reason why I haven’t had a long-term boyfriend in over a year.

“What time does your shift start?” I ask, finishing the last of my wine.

Darren looks at his watch and sighs. “About fifteen minutes ago.”

I laugh. “Good thing you know the owners.”

“Actually, that makes it worse. Dad docks my pay for every minute I’m late. He says now that I’m twenty-three I have to take full responsibility for my actions.”

Twenty-three. I just turned nineteen last Saturday, which means Darren is four years older than I am. When he was a college freshman, I was just starting high school. And while it would’ve been totally taboo—not to mention illegal—to date him back then, the age difference doesn’t seem like a big deal now.

“You better get to work then.”

“Can I buy you another drink?” He motions to the bar. “I mean, if you don’t have somewhere to be, you could keep me company for a while.”

I don’t think there’s much of a chance of being carded after Darren already served me wine, so I nod. “I guess I can stay for a little while.”

“Great.” He leaves a tip on the table and stands up, holding his hand out to me.

I pause, not sure if he wants me to take it or if he’s just motioning for me to lead the way. I smile at him as I get up and start walking to the bar. His hand rests lightly on my waist, as if guiding me to the bar even though it’s right in front of us.

Darren motions to the stool on the end. “I just have to go clock in, and then I’ll be back with your wine.” He smiles at me again before turning toward the kitchen.

I’m nervous to sit at the bar without Darren around. What if someone asks for my ID? “I’m going to run to the bathroom,” I say, already heading in that direction.

I push the door open, relieved to find the bathroom empty. I exhale long and deep and stare at my reflection. A few freckles peek through my cover up. I hate my freckles. They were cute when I was younger, but I think they look ridiculous on adults. I quickly pull out some concealer, which I always carry for this reason, and cover them up. Then I grab my cell from the back pocket of my shorts and dial Noelle.

“Hello?” Her greeting is followed by giggles.

“Tell Andy to stop groping you for a minute so we can talk.”

“Why do you always assume we’re groping each other?”

“Because I spent the last two months watching you guys do just that.”

I hear shuffling, and Andy gets on the phone. “For your information, I’m massaging her feet, and she happens to be ticklish.”

I’ve never had a guy massage my feet. If I could clone Andy, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Though I’d never admit that to him or Noelle. “Do you think you could hold off for a minute?”

“Sure thing. Here she is.”

“Hey, sorry about that,” Noelle says. “Are you still at McEntire’s?”

“Yeah. Darren’s shift just started, and he asked me to stay for another drink.” I cringe, waiting for the lecture I know is coming.

“Julia, you’re only nineteen. School hasn’t even started and you’re already—”

“I don’t need a mother right now. I need my best friend.”

She sighs. “Okay. What’s up?”

“He’s twenty-three, sexy as hell, and obviously thinks I’m the same. What do I do?” I’ve never asked Noelle for advice about guys. It’s always been the other way around, but everything about Darren is throwing me off.

“He just started his shift, right?”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, have a drink and say goodnight.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“But he—”

“Thinks you’re his age.” She says the words slowly, making sure they sink in.

“Why is that such a bad thing?”

“Do you really want to start a relationship with this guy by lying to him?”

Damn her. I never told her I wanted a relationship, but she knows me too well. “One drink. See you soon.” I hang up and bite my lower lip as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. “I can do this.” I turn and walk out, almost bumping into Caroline carrying a tray of drinks. “Sorry.”

She scoffs and steadies the tray in her hand.

I spot Darren behind the bar and straighten my shoulders as I head his way. He looks up at me and smiles.

“Hey, I thought maybe you decided to pass on that drink.” He motions to the glass of wine waiting for me on the bar.

I sit down and smile back at him. “Definitely not.” Staring at him now, I’m not sure how I’m going to convince myself to leave this place. Between his eyes and his smile, I’m practically melting.

The restaurant and bar fill up in a matter of minutes, and I can barely hear Darren when he standing right in front of me. I’ve had too much wine already, so it’s time to leave before I destroy Darren’s perception of me.

I pull a ten out of my pocket and place it on the bar, but Darren immediately shakes his head. “No way. The drinks are on me.”

“I always tip my bartender,” I say, hoping it makes me sound old enough to actually be sitting at the bar.

He nods. “
Fair enough. Guess I’ll see you around?”

Now that I know he works here, I’ll be sure to come back…often. “Try to keep me away.” I smile and get up, fully knowing he’s watching me. Caroline obviously knows it too because her eyes dart back and forth between us. I really hope nothing ever happened between the two of them. I walk out of the restaurant and head down the street.

I’ve never taken the bus and have no idea when it comes through here, which sucks since it’s already late and the sun is getting lower by the minute. I stand at the bus stop and look around. No one else is waiting, which probably means I’m going to be here for a while.

“Hey,” a voice calls from behind me. I turn around to see a guy with a t-shirt for some frat—I have no idea what the Greek letters stand for—approaching me. He’s staggering, and I can smell the alcohol as he gets closer. This is not at all what I need right now.

I turn around again, positioning myself in a way that keeps Frat Boy in my peripheral vision. I can feel the effects of the wine, and I really don’t want to be that freshman co-ed who gets jumped before the semester even starts. I pull out my cell and dial Noelle, hoping that will deter the guy.

“Looking for a party?” Frat Boy asks.

“No,” I say, leveling him with a glare. “My ride is on its way.”

“I’ve got a ride for you.” He smirks and thrusts his hips forward, which disgusts me even more than his comment.

“I outgrew kiddie rides a long time ago.”

“Why don’t you come over here? I’ll show you there’s nothing kiddie about me.”

“I’ll pass.” I look at my phone, wondering why Noelle hasn’t picked up yet. Shit! I forgot to hit send. Before I can press the button, Frat Boy rips the cell from my hand. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I hope I don’t sound as scared as I am. This guy is a major douche, and, unfortunately, he’s bigger than I am.

“Relax. I’m only looking to have a little fun.”

“You’re not going to find any here.” I turn around at the sound of the familiar voice and see Darren approaching us. His eyes are locked on Frat Boy. The second he’s within distance, he grabs my cell from the guy’s hand and holds it out to me. “I believe this is yours.”

I nod, unable to speak.

Darren turns back to Frat Boy. “Now get the hell out of here before I call the cops and report you for harassment.”

Frat Boy scoffs and eyes me one more time. “Your loss,” he says before turning and walking away.

Darren reaches for my elbow, and I realize I’m hugging myself. I could’ve become a statistic if
he hadn’t shown up when he did. “You okay?”

“Yeah, thanks to you.” God, I actually became the damsel in distress, and Darren saved me.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve realized sooner that you probably didn’t have your car here.”

Yeah, because Timberland doesn’t allow freshman to have cars on campus. Andy drives Noelle and me everywhere. “I came with my friends.”

“I figured that out, so I came to check on you. This bus stop is a little seedy at night.”

“I see that.” My body shudders at the memory of Frat Boy thrusting his hips at me.

“All the college fraternities are on that road there.” He points to the right at the intersection. “It’s good for business but bad for our female customers.” When I don’t say anything he continues. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you’re new in town. Are you going to grad school at Timberland?”

I swallow hard. I could come clean, tell him I’m an undergrad, a freshman, but I know he’ll be out of my life for good if I do that. Worse, he might report me for underage drinking. Of course
he
was the one who’d served me without asking for ID, so maybe not. Still, I don’t want to risk it. “Um, yeah. Something like that.” There, it’s not a lie. Just a really big omission of truth.

“You look shaken up. Why don’t you come back inside? I’ll get you some coffee and find someone to cover the rest of my shift so I can drive you home.”

I can’t let him drive me to my dorm. “I’ll just call my friends for a ride, but I’ll take that coffee while I wait.”

He nods, probably thinking I don’t trust him after that frat guy tried to… I can’t even think about it. Darren places his hand on my waist again and walks me into the restaurant. The bar is full, but Darren whispers to the guy on the end, who then gets up and offers me his seat. I wonder what Darren told him, and I hope it’s not the truth about what almost happened outside. I already feel like such an idiot. Tomorrow, I’m buying mace for Noelle and me.

Darren places a cup of steaming coffee in front of me. “I know coffee is supposed to make you jittery, but I’ve always found it to have the opposite effect on me.”

“Me too.” I take a sip. “I’ll call my friend so I don’t take up room at your bar.”

“No rush.” His eyes lock on mine, and I can tell he’s glad I’m here.

I smile and run my finger along the rim of my cup. “What time do you work till?”