Chapter 14
14
Brennon
“ I hope that from now on, Mr. Cartwright, you’ll think twice before using your phone during class.”
I’d like to flip the old hag the bird, but she already kept me for an extra hour of detention because I rolled my eyes at her. I’m not interested in being locked in this room with her any longer.
“Yes, ma’am. My phone will stay locked in my bag.” I’ll kiss her ass for now, but I’m still plotting my revenge.
“You’re free to go.”
I hightail it out of her room, pulling out my phone as soon as I’m outside the building.
“Hey, babe!” I say, smiling when she picks up.
“H-h-hi…”
The minute I hear her stuttering, I’m on alert. She only struggles with her speech when she’s nervous, which means something’s wrong.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“N-n-nothing. C-c-can I t-t-text y-y-you?”
She’s obviously having a hard time getting her words out and that has me on edge.
“Sure. But I’m worried something’s wrong. Do you want me to come over?”
“N-n-no. I-I-I’m…”
Her voice halts before she finishes her thought. She’s getting frustrated that she can’t get her words out. She told me the other night how she’s been inhibited her entire life. Missing out on so many things. But surprisingly, she doesn’t struggle when it’s just the two of us. She says I have this calming effect on her, which made me feel like I’m the king of the world. But for some reason she’s nervous talking with me now. And the last time that happened, I almost lost her.
“Text me as soon as you hang up.”
I climb into my truck and wait for her message to come through. I’m not going anywhere until I have confirmation that she’s okay. And that we’re okay. Otherwise, I’m driving straight to her house and kissing her calm again.
My girl: Sorry. My aunt and cousin are here and it’s hard to talk in front of them. My mom told them I have a boyfriend and now they’re drilling me for details. I think my nerves are on overdrive. Is it okay if I call you tonight after they leave?
Me: Yeah, babe. No problem. I’m going to my buddy Rye’s house to study for my exam. You’ll get to meet him at the party on Friday. I think you’ll like him. He loves talking football.
My girl: About that. I’m not sure I can go Friday.
Me: How come?
My girl: Parties really aren’t my scene, Bren. I get so nervous.
I know she does. But it’s not like I’m trying to pressure her into drinking or dancing or doing anything crazy. I just want her to come and meet my friends. This will be the first time I’m bringing a girlfriend to a social event. I’m usually on the sidelines with Rye, watching all the couples make out around us.
Me: I know, babe. I just really want all my friends to meet you. What if we just went for a little bit?
Just long enough for me to introduce her to everyone. I think she’ll realize how chill they are and will want to stay longer.
My girl: Can we talk about it later? I really have to go. My mom is giving me a look like I’m being rude because I’m on my phone.
I toss my phone aside, frustrated. I know she’s going to bail on me. Look, I get that she struggles with her nerves, but I want her to be a part of my life. I want her to get to know me and my crew. The people who’ve known me since I was a kid. Plus, all the other guys will have their girlfriends there. I want mine there too.
If she’s worried about anyone judging her for her speech, she shouldn’t be. My friends aren’t like those assholes she goes to school with. They’ll hear right past her voice and think she’s cool as shit. And if she wants to win them over, all she has to do is talk football, and they’ll think she’s a goddess. I know Baylor will be jealous. Taya doesn’t even like football.
I pull up to Rye’s house and park.
Me: I know you’re nervous about going, but it would mean a lot to me, babe. Just think on it.
I don’t get a response back, but she did say her mom was getting frustrated with her for being on her phone, so I’ll leave it alone. It’s time for me to go study anyway. This chem test is going to kiss my ass if I don’t. All of my concentration has been on my girl as of late. And I’ve been letting everything else slip.
I ring Rye’s doorbell three times without an answer. I know he’s here. His truck is parked out front. And Baylor’s truck is here too. A groaned cuss comes from around the back, so I call out for him.
“Rye! You back there?” I walk toward his backyard, unable to see over the stone wall. It sounds like they’re in the pool, but it’s fucking January. Heated or not, it’s cold as shit outside.
I hear another sound and call out for him again.
“Ryeson! Open up the door! I’ve been standing out here for five minutes freezing my nuts off.”
“Go to the front, man! I’ll come let you in.” Finally.
My phone buzzes with a text as I walk back around to the front.
My girl: It’s not that I don’t want to go. I’m just already getting nervous. I really don’t do well around strangers. I’m nervous I won’t be able to speak at all and I don’t want to embarrass you.
How could she think I’d ever be embarrassed by her?
Me: You would never embarrass me, babe.
I don’t ever want her to doubt that. If my friends had a problem with her, which would never be the case, I’d be embarrassed for them, not her. I’d be pissed is more like it. But I would never be embarrassed by my gorgeous girl.
Ryeson finally opens the door and lets me in from the cold. His hair is dripping wet, and I’m not sure how he’s not shivering.
“Sorry,” he says, sounding like he’s just been swimming laps. His voice is raspy and ragged. His eyes look a bit waterlogged too. All blurred over. And his cheeks are red. “We took a study break and went for a quick swim in the pool. Come on in.”
I follow in after him, looking around for Baylor, but he’s probably getting changed into dry clothes.
“So, how was detention?” he asks.
It was the longest three hours of my life.
“Man, Mrs. B is such a bitch. She held me for an extra hour because I rolled my eyes at her.”
I’m not even sure how she caught me doing it. It’s like that woman has eyes in the back of her head.
“Dude, that sucks.” He walks to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. “You want anything to drink or eat?”
“Hell yeah, I’m starved.” I haven’t eaten since lunch and I’m a growing boy. “You want to order pizza? I could go for a large pie with extra sausage.” My stomach rumbles at the thought.
Rye’s shoulders stiffen like he’s not a fan of the topping. Fine by me. He can get whatever he wants because I’ll be taking down an entire pie by myself.
“Yeah, I’m good with pizza. Let me go get my phone and check to see what Bay wants.”
Baylor comes walking into the kitchen right as Ryeson says his name. “Hey, man!” He comes over and gives me a fist bump.
“We’re ordering pizza,” Rye tells him. “What do you want on yours?”
“Nah, I’m good.” Bay shakes his head. “I need to get home for dinner. I promised my mom.”
Ryeson tenses up, looking pissed that he’s leaving. I get it. Baylor’s been attached to his girlfriend’s hip lately and hasn’t hung out with any of us in ages. He and Rye used to do everything together. They’ve been best friends since grade school, and you’d never see one without the other. But now, Baylor spends all his time with Taya, and I think Rye’s getting fed up with the fact.
“Well, tell your mom hi for me,” he tells Bay as he walks right out of the room. He’s definitely annoyed. Baylor stares at his retreating back, looking confused. He shakes his head then turns back around and tips his chin. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
You know, I can see both sides. All my time has been wrapped up with my girlfriend lately. It’s hard to be away from the one you’re in love with. Though, I don’t know how Baylor even has feelings for Taya. She’s a bitch and a half. He needs a girl like my Willow: sweet, nice, pretty. Someone who’s not going to get pissed at him for talking football with his buddies at lunch.
God, I’m so thankful for my girl. I check my phone again but she still hasn’t responded.
Me: There’s really nothing to be nervous over, babe. My friends are all going to love you.
They’re going to wish they’d met her first. But she’s mine.
“Pizza is ordered. It will be here in twenty.”
“Sweet.” I look up from my phone as Rye walks back into the room. “Just shooting my girl a text. She’s worried about Friday. I think she’s trying to back out of going to the party with me since she won’t know anyone there. She’s really shy, man.” I leave out the part that she’s nervous about her speech impediment. I haven’t mentioned that she stutters because I don’t want to make it into a thing. “Hey! Any chance you’d be up for a double date on Friday? That way Willow could invite one of her friends along?”
Maybe having one of her friends there will take the pressure off and allow her to be more at ease with everyone else. Rye is not much of a talker, so she won’t have to worry about holding much of a conversation with him. Besides, he won’t even bat an eye when she speaks. The guy’s face doesn’t change from stoic. He rarely breaks a smile. Only when Baylor’s around.
“Yeah, I’m down.” He nods.
Me: Hey, babe. What if you invited a friend and we doubled? That way you’d at least feel like you knew someone else at the party.
I stare at my screen, holding my breath for a yes. Finally, her message comes through.
My girl: My cousin said she’ll come.
Awesome. I can’t wait for everyone to meet her. My girlfriend is such a badass.