Emerge (10 page)

“So you live three to this room?” I ask.

“No, Dane doesn’t technically live here, but I don’t think he knows it. Right, bro?”

“What’s that?” Dane has finally realized they have new company and breaks away to come over to us in the kitchenette area. Well, it’s more like space for a small table, mini fridge and a strip of countertop that folds up and down; UGA’s got nothin’ on Southern dorm rooms. Whitley is right behind him…guess that answers my question on which one she’s after.

“I was telling Laney and Bennett here that you can’t stand to be away from your big bro.”

Dane turns to us, and
Good Lord
…I hope their parents are breeding professionally because they’d make a fortune! If big brother is hot, then little brother is illegal, immortal, and too damn pretty not to be a girl. This guy seriously belongs on the cover of “World’s Sexiest Reasons to Drop Your Panties.”

 WTF?
Where did that come from? It may be the dirtiest thought I’ve ever had and I feel vulgar that it crossed my mind. But seriously, you’d have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to notice this guy…or a lesbian.

Nope, pretty sure a lesbian would at least do a double-take.

“Hey, I’m Dane. Nice to meet you both.” He’s looking at me when he says it; right at me.

“Laney…Walker, nice to meet you, Dane. This is Bennett.” I nudge her with my shoulder.

“B-B-Bennett Cole. Freshman. Drama. Single. Room 128.”

The boys both laugh while I cook her with my eyes. Seriously, blabber out bio and MY room number much?

“Really?”
Whitley says in the nastiest voice I’ve ever heard. I don’t say anything, but this girl is pushing it. I won’t let her dog on Bennett again.

“Ok, well now you know Bennett,” I laugh.
Awkward.
What do I do? “Um, can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure, door’s right there.” Tate points.

“I’ll show her.” Ah, roommate Sawyer speaketh.

“Bennett, would you come with me, please?” It’s not really a request, as I’m dragging her zombie ass by the arm. Yes, boys, girls always have to go to the bathroom in pairs, that’s all, I’m not about to kill her.

“It’s right here. Laney, Bennett, I’m Sawyer Beckett. Sorry, didn’t mean to be rude, I just had to finish that game.”

Sawyer’s a big ole badass-looking dude and I don’t mean big like a teddy bear and I don’t mean badass like could hold his own. He’s all out intimidating as hell…until he smiles, which he just did or I’d be running from the room. His hair is dark brown, what he has, anyway, and cut pretty close to his head. I can’t tell right away if his eyes are really dark, deep blue or what, but that’s my guess. He has an eyebrow ring and the biggest muscles I’ve ever seen. Again, not talking Evan muscular, more like competition muscles.

“No problem, nice to meet you. We’ll be out in a minute,” I say as nonchalantly as possible while I shove Bennett in and lock the door.

“Ok, you have three minutes to snap out of it or we’re leaving. You’re the one who wanted to do this thing, Bennett. What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know. I’m so sorry, Laney. I swear to God, this has never happened to me, ever. That Tate, he literally just short-circuited my brain.”

“Do you want to leave?”

“NO! I want to stay, and lick him…well, maybe not really, but I want to stay.
Please
help me; cover the odd for me. Please kick in and be my wing girl! I know you can do it, for meeeee?”

If I’m her only hope for wing girl, she’s obviously desperate, so pity for that alone takes over. Debating internally for a minute, I give her a confident nod. “Yup, I got this. I’m Laney Walker, all grown up and all alone. Well except for you, B, but you’re not really
here
right now. I got your back; let’s go!”

I have no idea what I’m saying, but even I’m getting sick of feeling sorry for myself and acting all “sheltered bitch” with everyone, so what the hell. Bennett needs me! And for different reasons altogether, I need her. She’s upbeat, jovial, loving life…the way I was when I was little, before I second guessed everyone’s motives and intentions. I remember it being fun. I know how to hang out with people; I’m not a leper or shut-in…and these people seem cool, right?

I walk out of the bathroom determined; I’ll be damned if I give these guys any reason to suspect I’m not a pro at this. The boys appear to be bartending, and Stars of Track & Field is playing, heck ya—I love this song. Sawyer’s glance screams “You two freaky chicks gonna make it?!”

“Hey, guys, sorry. Soooo love this song.” Oh hell, I am so bad at this.

“Oh yeah, what’s it called?” Dane smirks.

“‘End of All Time.’” I shoot him a know-it-all grin.
Don’t even try it, boy, music is my thing
.

“Very nice.” He winks. He’s a winker. I know someone else who does that, smiling to myself at the thought.

“This
is
a great song. I’m Whitley Thompson, by the way,” she puts her hand out to me, long red nails coming at me like daggers.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Laney.”

“Are you a freshman here, Laney?” The way she just sneered freshman and my name lets me know she’s not trying to be friendly. So why even introduce yourself? I so don’t do catty, and am unclear exactly what the hell her instant problem with me is, but I’ll sure solve it for her if need be.

“Sure am.”

“Well, welcome. I’m a junior, captain of the Lovely Larks.”
What the heck is a Lovely Lark? S
he must read my expression because she continues. “It’s the award-winning girls’ acapella performance group.”

That
is
pretty cool. “That’s awesome. I actually watched The Sing Off and Pitch Perfect and really liked them both.”

“Really, are you a singer?”

She doesn’t care, why is she asking? Why am I still tolerating this conversation? “Oh, God no, I’m a terrible singer,” I laugh. “I’m on the softball team here.”

“Ohhhhh, you’re a softball player?”

So snide…and I’m officially done.

“I am, wanna see my bat?” I step closer to her, dead calm in my eyes.

Dane doubles over laughing and Sawyer spews beer all over the place while Whitley turns the color of her lipstick.

She opens her mouth to say something else, but Bennett cuts in. “Come on, Laney, let’s go.”

I move to go with her, but Dane speaks up. “Oh no, you guys aren’t leaving, she is. Take off, Whitley. Now.”

Whitley’s mouth falls open but Dane’s cold stare silences her and she moves to the door. He walks her to it with no words spoken between them. He turns around to us, slightly red-faced, and offers a weak smile.

The tension in the room is thick, so I try to break it. “I’m really sorry about that. I wouldn’t really take a bat to her. I could always just tie her up and force her to listen to me sing.”

Dane’s head falls back and he laughs with his whole body, Tate and Sawyer joining him.

“Damn, Laney, you’re my new favorite person,” Sawyer chuckles.

“Well, I’m glad I’m somebody’s favorite. I’m sure as hell not Whitley’s…and I’m all torn up about it,” I say, sticking out my bottom lip in my best fake pout. “Enough about me, though.” I change the subject. “So, boys, wanna tell us about yourselves? I mean, maybe not as much as Bennett chose to share.” This gets laughs all around, even Bennett. I’m seriously doing a really good job running this show. Bennett needs to make me a wing girl badge or something.

“Shut up, bitch. I was nervous.”

And now I know we’re really friends.

“What were you nervous about, Bennett?” Tate flashes a beaming smile. He knows the answer. “Very cool name, by the way.”

Bennett blushes, and she’s a redhead, so it’s noticeable. “I guess I’m keyed up from all of this tonight; feels a little like speed dating.”

“Good call! It does feel like that,” he agrees with her.

“Do you agree, Laney?” Dane asks.

I look at him and wish I hadn’t.

Evan is athletic, manly and gorgeous, whereas Dane is…beautiful. He, too, has brown hair, but it purposefully has a trendy cut and style to it. I doubt he’s ever shoved it in a backwards ball cap like my sweet Evan. His eyes are big and brown and he smiles all the way through them. His skin is dark, like he’s tan all year round, and he carries himself with a kind but
yeah, I know you’re looking
air.

He’s not as tall as Evan, not as broad, but he’s built and muscular. His dark designer jeans and red polo fit him just right. Around his neck hangs a small silver cross on leather and I can see a tattoo on the inside of his bicep. It looks like a verse from here. This boy really should be in print or on a movie screen, and I can just appreciate the view like one would a movie star, right? Right.

Breaking away from my examination, I’m able to answer him. “I don’t know anything about speed dating, but this night has not felt speedy.”

WAIT, I got it! The movie
Sweet Home Alabama
; Evan is like Jake and Dane like Andrew…nailed that analogy! I can’t wait to tell Bennett later. Not that I’m comparing, just proud of my cleverness. Crap, pretty sure I’m being asked another question…

“You haven’t had fun?” He smiles coyly, looking right in my eyes again. Geez, this is new. I don’t notice guys, or their tattoos, or necklaces. And why do I suddenly feel so guilty?

“Fun wouldn’t be the right word.
This
by far is the least painful room of the night, though, so congratulations.”

He laughs at me; so does Bennett. She hasn’t moved from Tate’s side, and blatant staring doesn’t seem to be above her, either. Oh, and he notices; he leans in every time he talks to her.

“So, somebody besides Bennett wanna tell us about themselves?”

“How about you?” Dane can challenge with just his eyes I’m quickly learning.

“No, no…someone else can go first. I’m super uninteresting. “

“I doubt that.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, I’m not gonna have to suggest Truth or Dare, am I?” I roll my eyes at them all. “And hurry, it’s gotta be close to switch soon.” We've definitely been in here the longest of the night.

“That was the last switch of the night.” Dane winks again.

“Oh, okay, then I’m jammies and bed bound. Come on, Bennett. Nice to meet you guys!” I start to walk to the door but turn back. Why is Bennett not following me?

“Hold up now, ya’ll don’t have to run off! I, personally, could go for a game or something. Damn, it’s like ten on a Friday,” Sawyer chimes in with a frown.

“Yeah, Laney, come on, it’ll be fun!” Bennett squeals.

Oh, that lil enamored redhead!
“Um…” Do I look as uncomfortable as I feel? I was being a smartass about the Truth or Dare; I don’t actually need to know anything about anyone. I just thought Bennett would want Tate’s stats. Forget this wing girl crap.

Dane walks over to me and leans one hip on the counter. “Laney, why don’t you go put on those jammies.” He grins. “And come back. I’ll order a pizza.”

His nearness doesn’t go unnoticed and I cringe at my body’s betrayal. “I’m not wearing pajamas in front of boys I just met!”

“Um, Laney,” Bennett butts in sheepishly, “I’ve seen your pjs; they’re fine.”

Dane raises an eyebrow at me.

We just met these guys. It’s late and the official crawl is over so now it would be me in a guy’s room just for the hell of it; Evan’s concerns echo in my head.

“Nah, I’m getting tired. I need my room, Bennett. I’d feel a lot better if you’d come with me.”

“Perfect, game and pizza in our room, guys!”

Alrighty, Bennett totally missed the plot. Ugh.

“
L
aney, what do you want on your pizza?” There’s a god-like boy who’s practically a stranger yelling through my bathroom door. This night has gone way off track, but this is Bennett’s room, too, and she’s really in to Tate, and thou shalt not cockblock.

“Anything…except peppers. Or onions. Oh, and no anchovies!”

“So…pepperoni?” So smug, that Dane.

“Sure.” This is my room. I’m coming out in my pajamas.

“
What
the fuck are those?” Sawyer’s face looks pained, like my sleepwear is actually the biggest disappointment he’s ever had.

“You kiss anyone with that mouth, Sawyer?” He gives me the same weird look I always get when I say it, but yeah, I’d had to change the phrase.

“Sorry! But seriously, Laney. Hot girl says she’s putting on pajamas, I’m thinking she’s gonna show me her secrets, like sweet Victoria. So what are you
wearing
?”

“I’m wearing my pajamas, and I don’t have any secrets.” I don’t. Well, I might…haven’t decided if I’m telling Evan anything more about tonight or not yet.

“Oh, I bet you do,” he says with a leer.

Dane’s leaning back against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, smiling right at me. It’s a familiar pose that tugs at my heart, all the while I wonder why I consciously take note of where he is in the room. When I catch his gaze, he crooks his finger at me to join him.

I walk closer to him, but not too close. “Yeah?”

“Laney, I’ve known you a minute, but I can tell you’re uncomfortable. I can make all this go away right now if you want. I’ll take my boys back to their room, and I’ll even leave you some pizza here. Just say the word.”