Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
ROSALIE
I watched as Jeremy slid his chair closer to Daisy and they shared a laugh. My friend looked happy, her cheeks flushed, and it was rare for her to wear a smile that reached her eyes.
We all sat in the café, and while I nursed my hot chocolate for a change, they shared two different cheesecakes, reminding me of how sad I was sitting there staring at my homework.
My class load was piling up, and skipping most classes that didn't have a mandatory attendance wasn't fun. I was playing catch-up just to get annoyed and skip all the classes again. It was a vicious cycle.
I drummed my fingers over my English essay and focused on Jeremy. With his curly brown hair and brown eyes hidden behind glasses, he really was nerdy in a cute way. He was impossibly tall and lean, but you could tell he worked out. He was the perfect mix of sporty and smart for Daisy.
My friend tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and stood. The outfit of black jeans and a cute baby-blue ruffled-sleeve top looked great on her as she excused herself to the bathroom.
Picking up my phone, I shoot her a quick text.
All okay?
Within seconds, she replied.
Daisy
Yes! He is so sweet. We are going for a walk after.
Glancing at the still high sun, I nodded, yet being mindful of the approaching sunset.
Are you going to watch the sunset over the hiking trail?
San Matjo didn't have much beyond two universities that hated each other, but we had hiking trails. I wasn't a fan of hiking, running, or any other type of cardio, but most people enjoyed it.
Daisy
That was the plan.
Jeremy looked nice enough, but I wasn't sure how I felt about allowing my best friend, who just gotten out of an abusive relationship, to go into the woods with a stranger.
Okay, stranger was a stretch, but I wanted to look out for her.
Are you okay with that?
Three dots danced on my screen before disappearing and reappearing.
Daisy
I want to be, but it's lowkey making me nervous. I know he won't do anything, but I just don't like the idea of being alone with him like that yet. Am I overreacting?
No. Give me a sec.
I quickly scrolled through the long list of contacts on my phone and had several to message.
I could have texted Nova to join me and make it fun.
I could have messaged Max, as he would want to keep an eye out for his girlfriend's baby sister.
I could easily message my brother, who would love a good hike.
Yet, my finger hovered over Derek's name as usual.
After all, we were supposed to have a Pilates class later today.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I called him.
“Hey, Rosebud,” he picked up after the second ring, sounding awfully cheerful.
“Practice was that good?” I asked, hopeful that he was making a breakthrough.
The only reply I got was a scoff. “Riveting.”
“I see we're using big words,” I muttered, trying not to laugh. “How about we cancel our class?”
There was a pause. “Sure, whatever.”
If I were delusional, I would have thought he was sad that I was cancelling. Maybe he even wanted to see me. Maybe it wasn't all in my head.
“Daisy is going on a small walk in the woods with her date, and I'm going to trail them. Want to keep my company so I don't look like a creepy stalker roommate?” I asked.
“Of course.” I could have sworn he was smiling. “Ping me the location.”
“See you soon,” I hung up and sent him the location before replying to Daisy.
Dex and I are going to embark on a romantic walk behind you guys. ;)
Daisy
I'm so excited!! Make sure you kiss him in the sunset.
This isn't a date.
Daisy
Sounds like one to me.
You're incorrigible. Now go and enjoy your date.
My roommate reappeared at her table with a dazzling smile, and shortly, they made their way outside. I spent a couple of long minutes still hovering in there, packing up my stuff and finishing my drink.
“Hi,” a voice sounded over me as I flipped my laptop closed, and I glanced at the guy standing in front of me. He was a redhead with green eyes and a wide smile as he looked down at me.
“Hi.”
“Sorry, didn't mean to startle you... I just noticed you sitting here, and I wanted to come over to tell you, I think you're very pretty.”
I tucked my hair behind my ears and tried to smile. What did Derek say to do in these situations? Maintain eye contact, smile.
“Um… thank you,” I muttered, my cheeks flushing. Not that I didn't think I was pretty, but it's always different to hear it from someone else.
“I wanted to offer you a coffee, but I see you already have one... so...” he looked around sheepishly, and I blinked.
Was I supposed to ask for another? Was I supposed to offer an alternative?
Instead, I just blinked at him.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Dex lean against the sofa by the entrance, dressed in his dark-washed denim jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt. He looked so hot and casual, just leaning and amused as hell at my struggle.
The pure sigh of him enjoying my misery fueled me, and I smiled wider.
“Unfortunately, I was just leaving, but why don't you give me your number, and I can message you, and we will organize something for another day?” I asked, reaching for my phone.
“Yes... that would be great,” he nodded, surprised I went for it. “I'm Arthur, by the way.”
Who the hell names their kid Arthur?
“Rosalie,” I replied instead of judging. Still, I was silently judging.
I watched him work my phone, and soon he handed it back. “I popped myself in as Art. Everyone calls me that, and in brackets, I put ‘coffee shop guy’. In case you forget.”
I grinned. “Thanks, Art.”
“I look forward to your message, Rosalie.”
It felt good, finally someone calling me by my full name. I felt like an adult rather than a little child.
“That went well,” Dex observed, making a show of fake clapping for me.
I bumped my shoulder into his, ignoring the electricity coursing through my body from the contact.
“What's Prince Charming's name?”
“Arthur.”
Derek laughed, and I couldn't help but join him. I did try my best to glare at him for a second, but it was just way too funny.
“That's the worst non-moanable name ever.”
“Non-moanable?” I asked, staring at him as we walked outside and started towards the hiking trail.
“Yeah, like one syllable, names are easy to moan. Like Jack, Max, Dex...” he wiggled his brows suggestively.
“So that's why you're Dex and not Derek?”
“Yeah, like who wants to moan, Derek?” he rolled his eyes.
I would, but I didn't offer that up. I liked Derek more. I felt like Dex was this persona he created as the fun playboy guy, while Derek was the one I got to meet. He was kind and a little broken, but I liked him that way.
“You tell me, you slept with half of the campus.”
“It's always Dex,” he shrugged, and the autumn breeze ruffled his messy hair. It looked darker now that summer was over and the sun no longer made it lighter.
I hummed, deep in my thoughts as we walked silently. “Thanks for coming by the way.”
“Oh, anything is better than struggling through a lesson with you,” he flashed me a lopsided grin, and I once again bumped against him.
Derek wrapped an arm around my shoulder and kept me to his side as we reached the beginning of the trail.
“You know I love Pilates classes with you, but you're a bit sadistic.”
I laughed, throwing my head back and letting myself enjoy the way his fingers touched my skin. Goosebumps broke out on my skin, and I told myself it was from the weather.
“A little bit of pain is good.”
“A little burn is good too,” he mocked me, reminding me that I asked way too many times if he could feel the burn in his muscle.
“Look at you, you're actually paying attention to me,” I gasped.
Dex squeezed me harder for a second. “I always do. Unless you play some very good music.”
I grinned proudly. It was rare to find people who enjoyed my taste in music. Usually, I was always the weird one listening to classical music, musicals, or acoustic covers instead of trending pop songs. I still liked them, but slower. “Thank you, thank you.”
Leaves crunched under our shoes as we started on the trail, but Dex didn't let go. He kept me close to himself, wrapping me in his soap and leather smell.
“So, Daisy is dating?” he asked casually, steering the conversation.
“Yes, the guy is very sweet, but still, who brings the girl on a first date for a hike?” I grimaced.
“Having a first kiss under the sunset really adds character.”
“You did that?” I asked, not even sure why I was shocked, of course, he did that.
Dex laughed. “Actually, I haven't. I never dated.”
“Are you telling me... You never had a girlfriend?” I stopped walking and stared.
Derek stopped, and his arm fell from my shoulder. He pushed his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Yeah. I never wanted to spend time with anyone.”
“I knew you were a hookup guy, but I thought maybe someone broke your heart and that's why you were going around breaking hearts as revenge.”
He shook his head, and I saw his jaw flex. “No. I just don't really believe in this whole love thing.”
“Have you not seen Max and Ivy? Brooklyn and Liam? Even Paige and Alfie?” I listed all the couples I knew.
“Yeah, and I also saw Ander and Daisy,” he groaned, reminding me that love wasn't all rainbows and butterflies. “And my parents.”
I blinked at his realization dawning on me. “Of course,”
“Yeah,” he sighed and shook his head, before motioning for me to keep on walking.
“Don't you...” I started before stopping myself.
“Go on, Thron. Don't go soft on me now,” he teased.
I mulled over my words before I slowly said them. “Don't you miss connecting with someone on a deeper level? Feeling like they understand you? That they know you almost better than you know yourself?”
“You have friends for that,” he shrugged like it didn't matter.
And I tried my best not to get offended. “So, Max knows you better than I do?”