Chapter Two
“Please tell me you did not actually take her to Chipotle on your first date.” I do nothing to stifle my groan of disappointment at my brother.
“What’s wrong with Chipotle?” River laughs openly.
“It’s Chipotle!” I say like it should be that obvious, weaving through a group of students on my way to Greenberry’s for a coffee. After staying up late to help Char with an assignment, I’m dragging today. It’s crazy how much schoolwork we have just two weeks into the semester. “No way you’re getting a second date. I mean, unless you took her to Mable’s for dessert.”
“Is that even a question?” I can hear the duh in his voice. “And for your information, she already agreed to a second date, thank you very much.”
“So you like this girl.” I smile to myself.
River, who just turned twenty-three last month, is the middle child between me and my oldest brother, Dalton, who’s twenty-eight, and while I’d never admit this to anyone, he has always been my favorite. Maybe it’s because we’re only five years apart, where me and Dalton are ten, or maybe it’s just that he’s the one person I know I can depend on no matter what.
“I do.”
“I mean, I have to question her sanity, given that she’s interested in you...”
“Ouch.”
I can picture him holding his hand to his chest as if he were standing right in front of me, just as I can predict his next words before he even says them.
“You wound me.”
“You’re easily wounded,” I state flatly.
“Is that your way of saying I’m sensitive?” He balks.
“Never.” I snort out a laugh.
“Whatever. Tell me about school. How’s everything going?”
“It’s going.” I shrug, even though he can’t see me.
“Oh, come on. You have to give me more than that. You still getting along with your roommates?”
“I am. It’s strange because we’re all so different, yet somehow, we just mesh.”
“That’s usually how it happens. Opposites attract and all.”
“I guess.”
“Gone to any more parties?”
“Not since the last one I told you about.” My mind drifts back to that night. Though, if we’re being honest, after Maisie got there, I don’t remember that much. Somehow she convinced me to do a shot with her, and then one turned into I don’t know how many because I lost count, and yeah, she and Char basically had to carry me up the stairs to our dorm room after.
“One hangover and you’re already throwing in the towel?”
“I have zero desire to ever drink like that again. Once was enough for me.”
“Give it time.”
“I’m serious, Riv.”
“I recall having a similar experience my first week of college and saying something very close to what you just said, and we all know how well that stuck. Pretty sure I was drunk most of freshman year.”
“Which is probably what’s wrong with you,” I tease, rounding the corner to where the coffee shop sits.
“I’m not saying you should follow in my footsteps or anything, but you’ve had a shit go of things as of late.”
My stomach churns uncomfortably as the memory of exactly what he’s referring to comes flooding back in.
I close my eyes for a brief moment, feeling a little more settled when I open them again.
“You don’t have to remind me.” I have to work to keep my voice even as I tug open the door to Greenberry’s and step inside, feeling instant relief from the heat.
A couple of people file in behind me, but I don’t pay them any mind as I join the line behind a handful of other people. In the short time I’ve been coming here, I’ve learned one very important thing—this place is always slammed.
“I’m just saying, you should embrace college life. Go out. Have fun. Get too drunk. Make mistakes. Live. Don’t let what those assholes did to you hold you back from experiencing all college has to offer.”
“I’m not, and I won’t. I know I was in rough shape over the summer, but I promise you, I’m doing a lot better. So much better, in fact, that I’m actually meeting someone for coffee at this very moment.” I swallow down the lie.
“Really?”
I can hear the surprise in his voice.
“Don’t sound so shocked.”
“No, it’s just... Why are you just now mentioning this? Who is it? Would I approve?”
Dark blue eyes flash through my vision.
“He’s just someone I met at the party. I don’t really know much about him. And no, you wouldn’t approve.” All true, except for the fact that I’m referring to someone I’ll likely never see again and definitely shouldn’t want to. “Because when have you ever approved of any guy I’ve liked?” I tack on.
“Fair. Though I had good reason to dislike the last one.”
“If this is the time where you say you told me so...”
“I would never. I know how much you cared about Leo. The lying sack of shit that he is.”
“Can we please not talk about him? I’m starting fresh, remember?”
“You’re right. I just... I wanna fucking murder him for what he did to you.”
“I know,” I reply softly, a brief silence passing between us.
“So, this new guy... Tell me everything.”
“I’ll tell you something when there’s something to tell.” Guilt swims in my chest.
I’m not someone who’s accustomed to lying, but right now, the last thing I want is for River , or anyone, for that matter, to worry about me. So if I have to tell a harmless lie to give him some peace of mind, then that’s what I’ll do.
“In the meantime, focus on your own love life. Most importantly, better places to take women on dates.”
“Worked out okay for me so far.”
I can see his smile as clearly as if he were standing right in front of me.
“On that note, I should go.”
“Right, right. The coffee date.”
“Call you next week?”
“Sounds good, sis. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” I quickly end the call, moving forward as the line shifts.
“Let me guess, overprotective brother?”
I startle, having not expected someone to be listening to my conversation, quickly turning to find out the culprit. I open my mouth to tell him to mind his own business but quickly snap it shut when I’m met with soft eyes and a lopsided grin.
“Yeah, something like that.” I clear my throat, taken aback by how cute the guy is.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s no Kai Elliot—who I swear I haven’t been having the craziest dreams about ever since the party a couple of weeks ago—but he’s still extremely good-looking.
Almost white, blond hair that curls at the ends, just long enough to hang over his ears. Hazel eyes that are more blue than green. A solitary dimple on his left cheek. He’s tall without being too tall. Muscular without being huge. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s an athlete, probably football by the looks of him.
“I’ve got an older sister that I may or may not have lied to a time or two to get her off my back.” His smile deepens.
“Who said I was lying?”
“No offense, but it was kind of obvious.”
“Because I’m so atrocious that there’s no way someone would ever want to meet me for coffee?” I challenge, arching a brow.
“Oh, no.” He shakes his head adamantly, his eyes doing a long sweep over me. “Definitely not that. In fact, quite the opposite. You’re incredibly beautiful.”
I feel the familiar hum of blood rushing up my neck before spreading across my cheeks.
“I’m Owen.”
“Lyric.”
“Lyric,” he repeats the name. “I like it.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “So, Lyric, care to join me for a cup of coffee? I mean, that way you didn’t actually lie to your brother and all.”
I stare at him for a long moment, trying to figure out his angle. Because clearly he has to have one, right?
“I shouldn’t.” I start to spout the first excuse I can think of.
“Before you turn me down, just know, I’m actually quite the conversationalist.” His dimple makes another appearance. “I’d hate for you to miss out on that.”
Is he flirting with me?
Certainly not, right? I mean, I’m not the girl that guys like him usually flirt with. At least, not in my experience. Then again, I was with Leo for so long, and everyone knew it, so what do I actually know? Maybe no one ever approached me because I was already spoken for.
“Next,” the barista calls, and I’m suddenly aware that the line in front of me has completely filed out.
“Guess that’s me.” I move to the counter and quickly place my order. Only, before I have a chance to pay, Owen steps up next to me.
“I got hers. And I’ll take a black coffee as well,” he tells the lady behind the register.
“Oh, you don’t have to—” I start.
“Nonsense.” He nudges me gently. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t at least buy you a coffee? I mean, I did eavesdrop on your conversation.”
“You did.” I fight the smile threatening to turn my lips.
I’ll give him this much—he’s incredibly charming.
“Then it’s settled.” He taps his phone on the credit card machine.
“Thank you.” I follow him to the end of the counter that’s designated for pickup.
“So, about that conversation...” He gives me a cheeky grin.
“I actually have class in like twenty minutes.”
“What class?”
“Uh, English,” I lie for the second time today. I mean, I do have English today but in an hour, not twenty minutes.
“Who’s your professor?”
“Teaberry.”
“So you’re a freshman.”
“I am.”
“Junior.” He gestures to himself.
I nod, not really sure what to say.
“Black coffee and a vanilla cold brew.” The same lady who took our order sets our coffees in front of us.
“Thank you,” I call to her back as she walks away. “Thanks again for the coffee.” I lift my cup slightly.
“Can I walk you to class?” he asks just as I turn to leave.
I’m a little surprised by his request but also can’t ignore the little patter of excitement that thrums in my chest.
“Well, I... uh...”
“I know you don’t actually have class.” He chuckles, not the least bit offended by my dishonesty.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I’m a TA for Teaberry, and her first class isn’t until eleven.”
“You TA for...” I try so hard to hide my embarrassment, but I’m not entirely sure how successful I actually am. “You’re an English major?” I guess.
“Yes and no. Education with a focus on English. I want to be a high school English teacher.”
“Really?” I can’t deny I’m quite surprised to learn this. Though he’d probably be great at it. I’ve known him all of three minutes and I can already tell he’d be the teacher all the teenagers loved.
“Really.” He nods. “Should we sit down now?” He gestures to an empty table by the window, not waiting for me to answer before heading in that direction, already knowing I’ll follow, which I do.
“But if you’re a teacher’s assistant for Teaberry, why have I never seen you?” I ask, taking the seat across from him and setting my cup on the table in front of me.
“Well, if you have class today, then you’re her Monday, Wednesday rotation and I assist her Tuesday, Thursday classes because of football.”
“You play football?” So I was right, he is an athlete.
“Starting tight end.”
“Nice.” I’m not sure what else to say, having never been a fan of football personally.
“It’s a big commitment and tends to stretch me pretty thin during the season, but it’s worth it.”
“You’ve been playing a long time?”
“My whole life.” He takes a drink of his coffee. “What about you? What’s your thing?”
“I don’t know if I actually have a thing,” I admit. “I love books and documentaries. Basically anything I can learn something from.”
“Ah, so you’re a nerd.” He smiles playfully at me.
“I don’t know if I’d say nerd. But I do like being the smartest person in the room. Product of having parents who are teachers.”
“No way. What grades do they teach?”
“My mom teaches first grade, and my dad teaches seventh-grade history.”
“So, what grade do you want to teach?”
“How do you know I’m an education major?” I arch a brow.
“Because I’m more observant than I look.” He chuckles.
“I want to teach first grade, like my mom.”
“So you like the little kids.”
“I do. I was able to help out in my mom’s classroom sometimes, and I absolutely loved it.”
“Do they live close by?”
“No. I’m actually from North Carolina.”
“I love the Carolinas. Why UVA?”
“It’s not in North Carolina.” I snort out a soft laugh. “It also has one of the best education programs.”
“It does. Which is why I chose to come here. Well, that and they have an awesome football program.”
We fall into easy conversation and before I know it, forty minutes have passed. I’m so absorbed by this insanely charming man in front of me that it isn’t until my phone dings with an incoming text that I actually look at the time.
“Crap. I have to go,” I tell him abruptly, mentally calculating if I have time to get back to my dorm to get my stuff and still make it to class on time.
“Oh shit. Yeah, you do,” he says, checking the time on his own phone.
“This has been... nice.” I quickly stand.
“Do you think maybe I could get your number?” he asks, pushing up out of his own chair.
“Yeah.” I wait until he has his phone unlocked before rambling off the number.
“It was really nice meeting you, Lyric.” He smiles, giving me one last look at that adorable dimple of his.
“You too, Owen.” I bite down on my bottom lip to suppress a smile as I turn and exit the coffee shop.
It takes me fifteen minutes to make it back to my dorm and another ten to make it to my English class, by which time I am extremely late. And I’m never late. In fact, I pride myself on always being early, so to say that this is trying my anxiety is an understatement.
Once inside the building, I take off running down the hall, hoping I can get there before the class actually starts, knowing a lot of professors don’t start right away. I’m so focused on getting there that I don’t even see the wall of a man who rounds the corner the same time as I do until I damn near run smack dab into his chest.
“Crap, sorry.” I sidestep, narrowly avoiding a collision as I glance up.
Every ounce of color drains from my face when I realize the wall of a man I nearly bulldozed into is none other than Kai Elliot.
His eyes flare with recognition and an irrational bubble of excitement balloons in my chest.
I’ve seen him so many times in my dreams I swore I’d memorized his face by now, but I hadn’t. He’s so much better looking up close. The scuff of hair along his jaw. The intensity of his eyes. The silkiness of his hair—it all seems so much more intoxicating from this vantage point.
“Careful, Converse.” His face dips so that it’s damn near level with mine and my heart spikes at his nearness. “I’m liable to break a fragile little thing like you,” he rasps, his blue eyes holding mine for a long beat before he once again rises to full height.
I open my mouth to respond but end up closing it, not sure I could form actual words if I tried. I can’t explain my body’s reaction to this man. Like we’re two opposite sides of a magnet, I feel this undeniable pull.
Break me , I desperately want to say, though I doubt he means it the way I want him to. Honestly, the way he says it is more of an insult than anything. I should be offended. And maybe I am but I can’t quite grasp the emotion at the moment.
“You ready, Kai?” A pretty blonde slips under his arm, snapping me back to reality.
“Yeah.” He holds my gaze for another second before looking away. “Let’s get out of here.”
The pair sidestep me without so much as a backward glance, and I’m left standing in the middle of the hallway like an idiot, trying to process what the hell just happened, all the while trying to choke down the green vial of jealousy that threatens to bubble over.
Remembering that I’m running late, I do my best to shake off the interaction. I just wish like hell I could say I’m able to. I don’t know what it is about this man...
I’ve been in his presence all of two freaking times and both times I’ve felt like a blubbering fool who can’t string two words together.
And don’t think I missed what he called me... Converse .
It shouldn’t excite me that he’s given me a nickname, so please, for the love of God, tell me why it makes me feel like I’m about to jump out of my own skin with elation?