Best Friends Forever (6 page)

Twelve

I didn’t hear Cheyanne come in last night, but I know she’s in our room. That massive flurry of red hair proves it to me. I don’t bother to wake her; instead, I grab my stuff and head for the showers. It’s before seven, so I figure I’m safe.

The showers are completely empty and I take the first stall, sighing. I barely had time last night to process what happened between me and Roman. He didn’t want to rush things, didn’t want to push me, and I ended up jumping him the first chance I got. It’s funny how things work out.

The door to the showers open and Audric walks in, looking tired. “Oh, sorry, Hazel. I’ll wait until you’re done.”

“Please. We’re adults. Just use one of the stalls over there,” I point. He smiles and makes his way to the shower two stalls away. Plenty of space between us.

“How’d your date go last night?” I ask, almost positive he went out with Cheyanne.

He pales. “How do you know about my date?”

“Roman told me. He couldn’t tell me who your date was, though. Although I’m pretty sure I know,” I say as I lather up my long hair.

“You do?” Audric turns on the water in his stall and we both have to speak up over the rush of water.

“Yeah. My roommate, maybe?”

He looks guilty. “Did she tell you that?”

“No, but since we had a room check last night, I had to cover for her, since she wasn’t there. And you weren’t in your room, so I just kind of put two and two together.”

“Oh, the room check. Rome told me he about had a heart attack and answered the door completely naked. What a surprise for Nolan,” Audric laughs. “But he covered for me, too. I guess I owe him one. And you, too.”

“Damn right you do. Why are you going out on secret dates with Cheyanne?” I rinse my hair.

“It’s complicated. We aren’t dating or anything, and last night wasn’t a date, per se.”

“Really? Do tell.” I eye him suspiciously, wondering if he’s just trying to keep it a secret.

“She needed to talk to someone about her son, and you and I are the only people here who know. Since you two aren’t really speaking, she came to me. We just talked about being a teen parent, and how different her life is from everyone else’s.”

I don’t buy it, but pretend I do. “Oh, okay. I get that.” I turn away, finishing my shower and wrapping a towel around myself. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Audric mumbles a reply and I leave the showers. When I get back to my room, Cheyanne is awake and staring at me.

“What?”

“Was there really a room check last night?” she asks.

“Yep.”

“So how much trouble am I in?”

“None. I covered for you.”

“What! Why?” She looks shocked, and I don’t blame her, I still don’t really know why I did it.

“I’m not sure. But we’re roommates, and that means that someday, I might need you to cover for me, so I didn’t rat you out.”

“Oh. Thanks,” she says, her eyes red.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, it was just a long night. If I didn’t have an early class, I swear, I would just sleep all day. I’m going to see Deacon this weekend, so I’ll be leaving first thing Saturday morning. I’ll talk to Nolan and the people in admin today so you won’t have to lie for me again. I know we have our differences, but I want you to know how thankful I am for last night, Hazel. I really needed to talk to Audric.”

“It’s not a problem,” I say, dismissing her altogether.

We lapse into silence and I get ready for my first class of the day. I really want some coffee. Noting that it would be so much easier if I had my own coffeepot, I make a mental note to buy one this weekend, if I have time.

The day flies by, as it’s my busiest day for classes, four back to back. I hardly have any time to relax between them, and when I’m finished for the day, I go back to the dorm to start on the pile of work I’ve been assigned. Nothing like a full class load to keep me on my toes. I put my phone on vibrate and dive into my assignments.

* * * * *

Around midnight, I’m woken up by my phone buzzing against the hard wood of my desk. Of course, since my face is squished on my desk, I feel the vibrations, too. I sit up, yawn loudly, and pick up my phone.

Destiny is calling.

“Hello?” My voice is groggy and harsh. I don’t even remember falling asleep. I look to Cheyanne’s bed and see she’s missing again. She didn’t even bother to make a fake body in her place this time. I roll my eyes.

“Where the hell have you been?” Des screams in my ear so loudly I have to pull the phone away. “I’ve been texting you all night!”

“I silenced my phone so I could get some homework done. What’s up?”

“Oh, okay. So, huge news! Nolan asked me out!” she shrieks.

“That’s awesome, Des.” I yawn again. “When?”

“Well, that’s actually why I’m calling. It’s kind of a group date, with you and Roman, and the rest of our little group,” she explains.

“That’s not a date!” I blurt.

“Yes, it is,” she says, completely serious. I decide not to argue.

“So when is this date?” I ask, trying to hide my sarcasm.

“Tomorrow night, after the game. Roman’s first football game! I am excited, and he’s not even my boyfriend. But it’s going to be so much fun. You’re going to the game, right?” She talks so fast, it takes my brain a moment to catch up.

“Yeah, of course I’m going. Roman just hasn’t asked me yet,” I realize.

“He probably did. He told Nolan he’s been texting you all night.”

“Oh. Well let me get off the phone, then, so I can check. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll go to the game together, okay?”

I hang up before she replies; I’m anxious to see what Roman’s texts say. I open up the conversation and have to scroll up, he’s sent me so many messages.

I haven’t talked to you today. How are you?

Just talked to Nolan, might be a group date forming for Friday night. You free?

Are you ignoring me?

Is this about last night?

Will you answer me?!?!

The sight of those angry question marks and exclamation points tell me he’s anxious to hear from me. I type out a quick text to let him know I’m not angry.

Sorry…

Then I take the time to write a longer text that says how excited I am about the group date, and how much I want to see him play tomorrow night. He replies almost instantly.

Thank God. I thought you were pissed off at me.

I reply:
Why would I be pissed?

Seriously? I told you last night that I wasn’t trying to get into your pants and within fifteen minutes of you coming to my room, we were naked. I thought you thought I betrayed your trust.

I cringe as I read it, and I feel his pain. I went through something similar after we had sex.

We’re okay. I’ve got a late class tomorrow. Want to meet for breakfast?

I wait anxiously until my phone vibrates again.

Sounds good. When and where?

I shoot him a reply, telling him to just meet me in the cafeteria around eight. I fall asleep waiting for his response.

Thirteen

The next morning, I’m awake and dressed before I even look over at Cheyanne’s bed, which is perfectly made. Either she didn’t come home last night or she got up early and took off. I don’t really care which is true. I’m not going to cover for her anymore, though. That’s the sort of thing that could get me in trouble.

I walk to the café, grab a cup of coffee, and sit on one of the lounge area couches. I wait. And wait. And wait.

A quick look at my phone shows it’s after nine and I don’t have a single text message from Roman. Disappointed, I grab my bag and go to my first and only class of the day: Calculus.

Nolan is waiting for me, a grin on his face when he sees me. As soon as I sit down, though, he starts in about Des.

“Has Destiny said anything about me?”

“What are you, in high school?” I retort, pissy about Roman.

“Someone’s panties are in a bunch. Did you find out about Roman?”

That gets my attention. “What?”

“Oh, I guess not. Uhh, I saw him and Cheyanne sitting in his car this morning. They looked really friendly.” He swipes at my coffee and I let him take it, stunned.

Roman and Cheyanne?

“Fuck him,” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.

“Look, Hazel, I like Rome, I really do. But he and Cheyanne obviously have a past. And if he’s going to just dis you that way, maybe you’re better off forgetting him,” Nolan suggests as he sips from my cup.

He’s right, of course, but I slept with Roman. And I don’t sleep with anyone anymore. I sigh as Professor James puts his equations up. Deciding I need to talk to Roman before I jump to conclusions, I start the long process of figuring out what the hell the equations even mean.

Before I know it, the hour passes and people are leaving the class. I glance at my equations. I haven’t finished a single one.

“Hazel? Can I have your solutions, please?” Professor James inquires when I’m the last student remaining.

“I – I’m sorry, I didn’t finish them,” I stutter.

“Well. Just bring me whatever you have. I’ll only grade what you’ve done.”

I gather up my stuff, shoving my book and notebook into my bag. I bring the single piece of paper to the front of the class. “I didn’t finish any of them.”

“I see. And why not?”

“I’m having some personal issues,” I admit.

“I don’t allow girls to use their menstrual cycles as excuses for not completing their work,” he begins.

“No! I’m not on my period, sheesh. I think my boyfriend is getting back together with his ex,” I explain, embarrassed.

“Well, the first week of class is a learning experience, so I’ll let you take the equations home and work on them over the weekend. But on Monday, I expect them to be complete.”

“Thanks,” I force out, though I don’t even care about Calculus anymore. All academics have suddenly taken a backseat to getting Roman back. I won’t lose him to Cheyanne. I won’t.

I take off for my dorm, pulling my phone out and seeing a missed call from Roman. When I listen to the voicemail, my blood boils.

“Hey, baby, it’s Roman. Sorry about this morning. I woke up late and by the time I got to the café at nine, you were gone. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Later.”

He really had the audacity to lie to my voicemail? Ugh. I stuff my phone into my pocket and make a beeline for the dorms. I slam the door once I go through it, shocking my roommate. Seeing her just angers me further.

“Are you really trying to steal Roman back? Wasn’t it you who told me what a player he was?" I all but screech.

“What are you talking about? Roman and I met this morning to talk about custody of our son. Surely that’s more important than your stupid little coffee date? And I stand by my words – you should stay far away from him. Do you really want to date someone who has a kid?” She stands up to me, something I wasn’t expecting.

I take a deep breath and back up. “Whatever.”

I drop my bag and tuck my credit card and ID into my pocket. I slam the door behind me and pull out my phone, ready to do some retail therapy with Des.

Twenty minutes later, we’re almost to the outlet mall, a place I can’t wait to drop some serious cash at.

“I don’t really have much to spend,” Des says, looking ashamed.

“Today is my treat, Des. Get whatever you want,” I tell her in the parking lot.

“I couldn’t.”

“You can. And you will.” I pull her into the first store of the mall and demand she buy something cute to wear tonight on her group date. A date that I am still going on, I’ll just be the hottest looking girl going. As well as single. I want Roman to realize what he’s missing with me.

After two hours of shopping, Des and I are back at the dorms. I ask her to come with me to my room so I don’t kill Cheyanne. But Cheyanne is nowhere to be found. Thankfully, I start unloading all my purchases, and Destiny’s too. We have an hour until the game starts, and Nolan is meeting us at my room to escort us there.

Just as we finish getting ready, there’s a knock at my door. I make Destiny answer, certain she’ll stun Nolan when he sees her. I spent a lot of time doing her makeup and she looks amazing, especially when she gets out of those boot-cut jeans and into a pair of skinny jeans that show off her body. I put her in a pair of my favorite black heels, which make her ass look incredible. As a top, she picked out a thin, pink T-shirt that hugs her waist. She looks great.

She freezes at the door and I hear a low whistle. “Oh, hey…guys…” I pick up on her distress and walk over.

Nolan and Roman are standing there, waiting for us.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at the game already?” I snip.

“Yeah, I had to come see you, though. Can we talk?” Roman looks at Nolan, who pulls Des out of my room and they leave us alone.

“What do you want? I already know you lied to my voicemail this morning about sleeping in. So no bullshit.”

“You’re right, I did lie. I saw Cheyanne. I know I shouldn’t have lied, but I was scared, Hazel. I mean, you and me, we’re good together, and I didn’t want my kid to come between us.” He looks heartbroken, and I weaken.

“I get it. But don’t lie to me anymore, okay?” I can’t believe I just said that. Why am I not screaming at him for lying?

“You got it, babe. Let’s get to the game before I kicked off the team,” he laughs, taking my hand.

We walk outside and Nolan and Des are waiting for us. The four of us walk to the football field and before Rome takes off to do his thing, he kisses me, a kiss full of promise and regret, one I know neither of us will forget anytime soon.

Fourteen

The game passes quickly, much quicker than I remember football games passing last year. Of course, last year when I went to high school games, I wasn’t dating the star quarterback of the team, either.

Before I know it, I’m in the backseat of Roman’s car and we’re all headed to Steak & Shake, the best little burger place in town. I absolutely love their burgers. And the fact that they’re open twenty-fours a day? Even better. The hostess puts us in an extra-large round booth in the back, predicting that we’ll be a noisy bunch. We don’t disappoint.

I’m sitting between Roman and Destiny, the perfect place for me, as far as I’m concerned. On Roman’s other side is Andre, who I don’t know all that well. He seems nice, though, and Roman likes him, so I can’t complain. Nolan is next to Des and the two are cuddly and cute. Roman and I hardly touch during the meal, and I notice he seems off.

When we leave, he whispers something to Nolan, who pulls Des away from me and talks to her. Roman takes my arm and leads me to his car, alone. Thinking we’re going to be doing private things, I get in his car with a smile.

Before he can speak, I kiss him. He pulls away a little. “Let’s go someplace private,” he suggests.

I agree wholeheartedly. He puts the car in Drive and takes me back to the beach. It’s the same beach where we had our first kiss, and I can’t believe it’s only been a couple of days since I met him. It feels like forever.

Once he puts the car in Park, I’m all over him. I swing my leg up and over his, climbing on top of him in his seat. I kiss him passionately, letting him know with my kisses exactly what he means to me. My hands are under his shirt, touching each of his abs tenderly, in awe.

“I love you,” I whisper aloud, not meaning to. Maybe he won’t notice.

“What did you just say?” He pushes me away from him, his eyes fierce.

“It just slipped out,” I laugh, trying to be coy.

“Fuck, Hazel, shit like that doesn’t just slip out.” He pushes me again when I try to kiss him, but this time, I land in my own seat. Hard.

“Ow.”

“I’m sorry, Hazel, but this just isn’t going to work. I’ve got too much on my plate right now to be a boyfriend,” he says, but I don’t understand.

“You’re already my boyfriend,” I reply.

“No, I’m just some guy you slept with too soon. I know it probably makes me an ass, but I can’t be with you.”

I lean back against the door of the car, stunned. I can’t even speak as his words set in. I look down at my hands in my lap, more ashamed of myself than I’ve been in years. I put myself out on the line for him, and now he’s just throwing me away, just like all the other guys in my life.

“Asshole!” I manage to yell at him, but I can’t say anymore. I thrust open my door and get out, anxious to be as far away from him as I possibly can. I hear him calling to me, but I ignore him, running out to the beach and continuing on. I turn around to see if he’s following me, and he’s not, thankfully.

I pull out my phone and text Des as the tears start to roll down my cheeks. She calls me immediately.

“Hey.”

“Oh my God! What happened? We’re already back at the dorms, and Nolan is doing another room check tonight, so he sent Andre to pick you up. Nolan will cover for you for tonight’s room check, too,” she adds, talking faster than I can think at the moment.

“Thanks. Tell Andre I’ll be on the beach, near where the bonfire was that first night. I don’t really want to talk about it, Des, so we’ll catch up tomorrow, okay?” I hang up without waiting for her reply.

I sit on the beach, near the water’s edge. Where did I go wrong? Roman seemed like such a good guy, too. Maybe I should have listened to Cheyanne…

After several minutes of sitting in silence, Andre approaches.

“Hazel, you okay?”

“Ugh, I just want this night to disappear,” I reply, burying my head in my hands.

Andre sits next to me. “It’s okay. It gets better.”

“When? When does it get better?” I mutter. “I’m sorry… I’m just so confused. I really thought Roman liked me.”

“He’s an ass, obviously. You’re amazing.”

I laugh. “You hardly know me. And you don’t have to be nice to me,” I say as I wipe away a tear from my cheek. When I look at him, though, Andre’s dark brown eyes are serious.

“You are amazing. I mean, we haven’t really hung out all that much, but Rome’s an idiot. Giving up a girl like you? He must be out of his mind.”

Even though I know he’s probably lying, his words make me feel better. I put my head down on his shoulder and his arm comes around to hug my waist. It would be so easy to get lost in this moment.

And as I think it, I realize I want to. I want to get lost in this moment with Andre, to let him have me, right here on the beach to wipe away my memories of Roman.

“Kiss me,” I demand, lifting my face up to his. “Help me forget him.”

He resists, not wanting to take advantage, I can tell. I decide then to take the choice away from him. I scramble into his lap, covering his lips with my own as my hands cup his face. For once, I just want to do something completely reckless. What’s the harm?