Chapter 4
She can run, but I’m faster. -Brian
Brian
I watch with a bemused smile as Reina saunters away. I know I make her uncomfortable. Even though that sucks at least it means I get to her in some way. There’s no way in hell this attraction is one-sided. I have two more days to make her see that I’m the man for her. Nerves roil in my gut. How can I make that happen?
I shift my gaze from Reina’s ass when I feel Sophie’s punch on my arm. I swing my head around to glare at her. “What was that for? It’s getting to be a bad habit of yours.”
“Are you stalking my roommate?” Sophie asks in an annoyed voice. “You need to cut that shit out.”
I clear my throat and try not to look embarrassed even though I can feel my cheeks heating. “I’m not stalking. I’m just watching closely.” I glance over at my sister. Her glare is frightening in its intensity. We’ve never had this problem before. I always thought of her friends as strictly my sister’s friends. They were too young for me, even though there was only three years between us. I helped raise my sister so thinking of her as an adult is sometimes a difficult thing for me. In my mind’s eye, she’s still that pig-tailed little blonde with mud on her clothes, those big blue eyes of hers looking at me with pure hero worship in them.
Not tonight, though. Tonight, she’s looking at me like I spit in her cereal.
I sigh. “I’m not trying to mess things up for you, sis, I promise. I just like her. Like really, really like her.”
She rolls her eyes. “You barely know her.”
“Haven’t you ever had an instant connection with someone? Wanted to be with them so bad that it hurts even though you know it’s completely ridiculous?” I ask.
This time her cheeks redden. “Yes, but you’re not like that. You bone people and you move on. It’s what you’ve been doing since we were teenagers. I don’t blame you for it, but Reina’s different. She’s been my friend since I got here, and even though she acts tough she’s soft on the inside. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
I squeeze Sophie’s shoulder. “I’m not planning to hurt her. And she’s…different, somehow. I can’t explain it. When I saw her the first time, I just knew. She’s different. I want to get to know her.”
Her expression finally softens. “You really do have a crush, don’t you? I’ve never seen you with a crush. It’s usually all ‘hook ups’ and I’m out kind of stuff.” She cocks her head and studies me. “If you really care about her, thing long and hard about your next steps. You aren’t around a lot. And that can be a hard thing for us back home.” Her sad eyes remind me how much she and my mom worry about me while I’m gone. That thought makes me feel like an asshole. Yes, I’m leaving for a cause, but just like my dad, I’m still not around. I’m still leaving them behind.
I wrap my arm around my baby sister. “I know it’s hard on everyone when I leave. I want to resist whatever this is…” I glance over to where Reina is laughing at something the bartender just said, “but I can’t seem to. I know it would be easier if I let it go, but she’s…she’s just…” I trail off, not sure how to continue.
Sophie’s eyes lighten with sympathy. “I get it, Brian. Just proceed with caution. I know you’re a good guy, the best guy actually, but even the best guys screw up.” I know she’s thinking of my best friend and his annoying ass. He can’t seem to get it together even though he’s clearly in love with her. “And also watch out for Reina. She’s got bite.” She grins and chuckles.
I find out later that night just how much bite she has.
After we’ve all ate and I’ve indulged in a couple of beers, the girls are ready to head back to the dorm. Reina excuses herself to go to the bathroom before we make the walk back.
I start to cast anxious looks towards the bathroom hallway after about ten minutes. After fifteen minutes, I’m about to jump out of my skin.
Sophie is looking down at her phone with a depressed expression. “Um, sis, I’m going to check on Reina. She’s been gone for a while.”
She waves me away without looking up.
I hear Reina’s voice raised in anger before I see her. What I see makes my blood boil.
Some dick has her pushed up against the wall of the hallway, trying to crowd her. He’s a big guy, but sizing him up, I can tell I’m bigger. I move closer.
“Riya, why can’t we hook up just one more time? Come on, it was so good last time.” Dickhead leans down to nuzzle against her neck and my fists tighten.
Reina pushes against him. “Justin, I told you no. And my name is Reina jackass.”
I step closer, fists raised.
I’m ready to fight for my girl. This guy won’t know what hit him. I’m gonna…
Reina moves, and does some kind of complicated escape move, and knees dickhead in the balls so hard that he falls to the ground in a heap. Reina’s breath comes out in small huffs as she makes a move to go after the guy again while he’s on the ground. “I…told…you…to…leave…me…alone!” Around us, other girls waiting for the bathroom are hooting and laughing.
I wrap my arms around Reina’s waist and pull her away. “You did good, princess. I think you took care of him,” I whisper in her ear.
For a moment, she fights in my arms. Then I finally feel her body slacken against mine.
I press my lips to her temple. “Let’s get out of her, fighter.”
Sophie merely raises an eyebrow when she sees me holding Reina. I’ve lightened my grip and she’s basically sagging against me. I mutter “she’s fine” to my sister and tell her it’s time to go. Sophie immediately obeys.
Once we’re outside the sports bar and breathing the fresh night air, Reina separates herself from me. Sophie looks back and forth between us, and then shakes her head.
Everyone is quiet on the walk back towards the dorm. Sophie finally speaks up when we’re only a block away. “You know what? I’m not ready to go in. I need a little air, a little time to think. You two go on.”
I glance around the darkened street. There’s not much around except the park next to us. “Nope, not leaving you here, sis.”
She rolls her eyes. “Please save me from the bossy guys in my life,” she mutters. “I’m good, Bri, I promise. I just need a few minutes. Just sitting and thinking time. I have my mace. Give me a few minutes, will you, please?” Her eyes implore me to give her space, and I find myself relenting. Whatever is going on with my best friend must be getting to her.
“Fine, you have ten minutes, and then I’m coming back for you,” I say gruffly.
Sophie walks away and I glance down at Reina. She’s had the same lost expression on her face since we left the bar.
I take her hand in mine. I expect a protest, but she doesn’t say a word.
“You okay, princess?” I ask and press a kiss to her temple.
“Yeah,” she leans her head against my arm. “I’m fine, just tired.”
We’re right outside of her dorm when she suddenly swings around and looks up at me.
She studies me quietly for a moment. I would give anything to know what’s going through that pretty head of hers.
“You’re actually a good guy, aren’t you?” she asks softly.
I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her again. “I like to think so. Not the best, by any means, but I try. I want to be anyway.”
And I do. For a long time, I’ve had to be the man of my family, and I’ve tried to make things easier on my mom and my sister. I’ve tried to be there even when I can’t be physically there.
She snuggles her head against my chest and sighs. “I’ve known a lot of bad guys, soldier boy. A lot of guys who cared only about what I could give them.”
My arms tighten around her. My heart aches for my girl. For a second, I’m almost ashamed to be a guy. I hate that people have hurt her.
I place a kiss against her soft hair. “I hate that for you. All I can do is promise that I’ll try to always do my best by you. I really am interested in you, Reina. For you. Not for what you can give me.”
She pulls back and searches my face, looking for something. She must see it because her dark eyes soften. “You really are, aren’t you?”
I nod. “Yes.”
She presses her body up against mine and I can feel her everywhere. Her curves are against me in the most intimate way and my cock stirs at her nearness. Go away, boner. This is not the time. She’s learning to trust me.
She gazes up at me, and my heart thuds in my chest hard. Her beautiful features are illuminated by the streetlight behind us. “Then kiss me, soldier boy.”