Chapter 4 #2
Thom’s face does something complicated, and he sighs. “I can’t give you details. It’s not my story to tell. But he had a shitty ex back in college who was hearing, and the guy did some fucked-up stuff to him.”
My heart twists in my chest. Not that it matters now that he’s gone, but still. I wish I’d known. Even if that wouldn’t change anything. “Doesn’t seem fair for him to take it out on everyone.”
“No,” Thom says slowly, “but I also kind of get it? I mean, it’s hard enough navigating a world where everything is built to make your life harder, not easier.
Then throw in people who treat you like a trained circus monkey or some sideshow while also expecting you to accommodate them instead of the other way around, and it can make people bitter. ”
Like Robbie. Like Rome. And I do get it. More than I want to admit right now because I’m so fucking pissed at him. But it is what it is.
“Well, I think I’m done talking about him.” That’s a lie. I want to talk about him all the time, but not with someone who will judge me. “It’s probably good he’s gone. It’ll give you and Robbie some breathing room.”
Thom considers that just as I see his boyfriend walk around a corner. Robbie’s scowl turns into a small grin when he sees my brother. Thom lifts his hands and sim-coms, “Thanks for walking with me. Message me when you’re done meeting with Denver.”
I nod and watch as Thom picks Robbie up and spins him around. I can hear the gurgle of annoyance from Robbie, but it’s laced with happiness as well. They really do love each other.
One day, I’ll have that, I think as I jog up the stairs to Denver’s office.
The door is propped open, and I peer inside, catching sight of Denver signing with a woman I don’t recognize, and I definitely would have if I’d ever seen her before.
She’s absolutely fucking gorgeous, with cherry-red lipstick, dark hair, light tan skin, and a constellation of freckles under her brown eyes.
Their eyes move to mine, and their signs slow to a stop.
‘Sorry,’ I sign, trying not to ogle her. She looks fit too, like she spends time working her abs and biceps.
‘It’s okay,’ Denver replies and then gestures to an empty chair. ‘Sit.’
I peer over at the woman and almost tell them I can wait, but after an awkward moment, I decide to do as he asks.
‘Hi,’ the woman signs, her lips curling up in a soft smile, revealing straight white teeth. ‘My name’s Lexi.’ She fingerspells it slowly for me, but it’s a short, simple name, so I get it the first time. ‘Your name what?’
I shake out my hands, feeling nervous all over again. When will the jitters stop, I wonder as I fingerspell my name wrong.
Instead of Dex, I sign Der. I always, always mix those two up for some reason. Just like M and N.
‘Der?’
I shake my head and try again, Denver swiping his hand across his mouth, trying not to laugh.
Asshole, I think, even as my own lips twitch. ‘Dex.’
‘Ah, Dex. Nice meet-you.’
I sign it back, and then Lexi signs something to Denver, which is way too fast for me to catch, and I deflate slightly. There’s no way I’ll ever be that good.
‘See you later,’ Lexi says, her eyes lingering on me a second too long.
I wave at her, and she winks at me, turning and disappearing down the hallway. My eyes fall to her ass as she moves, and Denver kicks my chair, getting my attention.
‘Stop staring,’ he signs, and I feel myself blushing.
‘She student?’ I ask, and he shakes his head.
‘Teacher. Hearing too.’
I wet my lips, feeling interest well up inside of me. Fuck, I shouldn’t. I mean, that would be so rude, and even though I’m only taking ASL, it’s probably against the college rules.
Ah, fuck it. I need to get over Rome, and what better way to do that than getting under someone else?
‘Married?’ I ask, and Denver rolls his eyes.
‘You ask her. Why you here?’
I shake my head, reorienting myself to why I’m here during his office hours. Right, an assignment I was unclear about. I pull up my laptop and open it. ‘Confused,’ I sign. ‘Need help.’
In more ways than one.
I think about what it would be like if Rome were here in this office, seeing how badly I’m doing trying to learn his language. He’d scowl, his lips full and in a sexy pout. He’d tell me it was pointless. That I should quit while I’m ahead.
And right now, knowing he’s gone for good, I’m tempted.
Denver taps me on the arm. ‘You okay?’
I swallow heavily. ‘Long night. But I want focus on ASL.’
He smiles at me, and we quickly get to work.
By the time I leave the office, the assignment makes sense, and I’m busy texting Thom to see if he’s still on campus and wants to grab a bite to eat at Mellie’s food truck. As I’m typing, I nearly barrel into Lexi, who is striding toward a classroom.
“Shit. Sorry,” I say and lift my hand to sign that before remembering she’s hearing.
“It’s fine. I wasn’t looking where I was going either,” she says. Her voice is sweet and soft.
I grin at her. “I’m Dex, in case you forgot.”
Her lips quirk up. “Trust me, I didn’t forget. And Lexi, in case you forgot mine.”
“Not a chance,” I reply, and I see the small blush on her cheeks.
“Are you a student here?”
“Not a full-time student. I’m taking ASL since my brother’s dating Robbie.”
Her eyes widen. She’s a professor too, one that signs, so clearly, she knows him. “I’ve seen him around. Guy with the abs.”
I lift the edge of my shirt, knowing damn well I’m flirting. But it’s hard to care when her cheeks flush just a bit. “We’re both blessed. We own the gym a few blocks up from here. PUMPT?”
“I’ve seen it,” she says with a small grin, then her phone buzzes and she groans. “Sorry, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a class I need to get to. It was nice to meet you, Dex.”
“You too. And if you ever want to stop by, I can hook you up with a sweet discount.”
Her eyes meet mine, and she wets her lips. “I may do that, Dex. I do love a hard workout.” And with that, she walks into the classroom, my eyes trailing after her.
Fuck, she’s fun. I can already tell. I mean, she’s not Rome, but she seems nice and might even end up liking me.
And she sure isn’t mad I’m hearing and learning sign like Rome is.
No, I won’t think about that guy anymore. He’s taken up way too much of my headspace. And fuck, he’s gone for the next three years. He didn’t even tell me he was leaving. In fact, he never even responded to my message. It makes me feel like a fool, trying with him. I shouldn’t have bothered.
I should have taken those blowjobs for what they were. Release. Pure and simple. Because they were obviously nothing more for him.
Hell, it’s time to forget about him, forget he exists and move on.
And if Lexi lets me and if we vibe with one another, maybe I’ll take the risk and see if there’s a future to be had.