Chapter Ten #2
He found himself watching two of the men have a debate about some sort of technology they used and which was better. Honestly, he couldn’t figure it out, but he nodded every once in a while if they looked at him. Where was Mercedes?
His search found her in the kitchen with Gracie, maybe. He couldn’t remember. The woman’s eyebrows were doing some sort of dance on her forehead as she grinned at his roommate. Something about bed. Oh, in bed. Was she asking if Mercedes had slept with him?
Instead of the blush he expected from her, she scowled and her lips tightened.
Her hands signed a sharp no, then she didn’t sign any of the rest of her reply.
He definitely saw the word stupid come from her lips, though.
She thought he was too stupid to sleep with.
It was true in her case, but it sucker punched him that she’d actually say that.
Pushing to his feet, he signed in the direction of his roommate.
I’m going out. He didn’t feel the need to provide any more detail.
Being at the party hadn’t been his idea.
He didn’t feel even the tiniest bit bad, until he saw the hurt expression on her face as he left.
Too bad. It hurt that all her snooty friends thought she was too good for him.
Okay, he hadn’t seen anyone say that, but they could have and he wouldn’t even have known.
Few of them had attempted to include him in their conversations.
Some didn’t even look his way as they talked.
They were probably all talking about him now.
He wandered down the street and ended up at the ball field.
Had it only been a few days ago that Mercedes and Carli had cheered his team to victory?
Mercedes had come to so many of his games and had been a constant support for him.
All she’d wanted tonight was for him to be there in case she needed a friend.
Yeah, what a turd friend, walking out in the middle of her party.
She’d tried her hardest to interpret as much as she could, but it had been impossible to do that and still make the rounds of people there.
If she could be his cheerleader at most of his games, the least he could do was be there for her. He about-faced and headed home.
Mercedes watched as Evan stomped out the door.
What had prompted that? He’d been sitting next to Huntley and Wardell, but it was unlikely he’d been involved in their conversation.
Those two had discussions that some college professors couldn’t understand.
Because they worked in the college library, they used the opportunity to brush up on any information they could find.
It made them deadly dull but also self-important, like they knew more than anyone else.
Perhaps they did, but it wasn’t useful information in her mind.
“Where’d your honey get off to in such a rush?” Tasha sauntered over. “I saw him sign something to you. I should learn that signing stuff so I can talk to him more.”
“He had to take care of something for his sister,” she lied. “He’ll be back soon.” She hoped. His scowl hadn’t seem friendly.
“He is hot. But you still have separate bedrooms. Why is that?”
Mercedes had anticipated this question, though she wasn’t sure how Tasha knew unless she’d been snooping. “The closets in the apartment are fairly small, and his clothes get super dirty from work. It’s best to keep them in a different room until he washes them.”
Tasha nodded, then dove into a conversation about a new young professor in the biology department. “I wonder if I can get him to teach me all about anatomy and physiology.”
“You should ask him. Excuse me. I need to talk to Saundra about next week’s schedule.”
She already knew the schedule but needed to get away from the annoying woman.
It was bad enough she had to spend forty hours a week with her.
The last thing she wanted was to hang with her in their free time.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t invite the others and exclude Tasha without some serious backlash.
It was almost thirty minutes before Evan came back in. Mercedes had been standing so she could either see or hear the door. As soon as he walked in, he made a beeline to his room. She followed and caught the door before it closed.
Are you okay? What happened?
I’m fine. He shrugged. I’m sorry. I needed some air.
Stepping closer, she reached for his arm. Please come out for a bit longer. I need you here so they’ll get the hint and leave.
How about I give them all the boot? Is that a big enough hint?
It could be. She eased in even closer and slid her hands up his chest to his shoulders. Or we could pretend we have better things to do.
She’d gotten him to laugh. Good.
I’m a little rusty on the dating thing. Want to demonstrate some of these better things? His hands rested on her hips. She liked the feel of them there. Maybe they could just stay here. That would give her guests the hint.
Stay right by my side, she signed. Please. We can talk about the others without them knowing what we’re saying.
Evan frowned. People do that with me all the time. Might be nice to turn the tables. Can I say mean things?
She narrowed her eyes at him. I guess, but don’t make it obvious.
I won’t point at Saundra’s ridiculous hair and laugh.
She gave him a slight punch on the arm. Man, those muscles were hard. Let’s go. Thank you.
Everyone was still chatting happily when they returned. Tasha was the only one who seemed to notice they were gone. She gave Mercedes a smug grin and wiggled her eyebrows their way.
What’s that supposed to mean? Evan asked, turning slightly away from the obnoxious woman.
Pretty sure she thinks we were getting it on in the bedroom.
Evan’s charming grin returned. Darn, maybe we could go back and make that come true, huh? What do you think?
She’d love to make that a reality, but he was most likely joking. Sure, she teased. As soon as we get them all out of here.
Do you actually like any of these people?
Yeah. She turned but made sure not to be too obvious in who she was talking about.
Using ASL had advantages. Gracie and Ayanna are very nice.
Vikram is super helpful when I need assistance with some research.
He’s always willing to jump in and find information for me if I can’t find it myself or don’t have time.
I’m totally envious of Saundra’s figure and the clothes she wears.
She’s not too bad most of the time, though she comes from an extremely wealthy family.
I’m surprised she hasn’t said anything about my tiny apartment.
Evan stared across the room at the people she’d mentioned. Your figure is far better than hers. And she shows way too much skin. Guys want to be surprised when they finally get invited to see it all. There’s no mystery there.
Really? He liked her shape. I’ve always thought I was a bit too rounded.
He grinned at her. Round is my favorite shape.
“What’s all this hand waving about?” Huntley asked, gruffer than usual. He hated to be excluded from any gossip. “What are you saying to each other?”
“I’m merely telling him what all of you do at work. And sharing that great story you were just telling. He thinks it’s fascinating.”
Huntley puffed up like the arrogant peacock he was and continued talking at the group. Never to them. That’s how he rolled.
Mercedes faced Evan again. He is the most boring person I’ve ever met. I think I’m going to fall asleep.
Evan slid next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist, then signed one-handed. I’ll make sure you don’t fall.
They stayed that way until her guests made noises of leaving. Immediately, she gave them all hugs and walked them to the door. “Thank you for coming. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
Evan stoically waited by her side, shaking hands and allowing hugs from the women. Tasha got a little too clingy, and Mercedes needed to intercede by snuggling into his arms again. Evan pressed a kiss to her hair, and she almost melted.
Unfortunately, when her co-workers were all gone, Evan moved away. He started cleaning up the mess they’d left, which made her happy, but she’d really liked the contact.
In the kitchen, she cleaned up the counters and put stuff back in the fridge. When he was close by, she touched his arm. Thank you so much for sticking around tonight. I know it’s not fun when you can’t understand what people are saying. Especially this bunch, who think they’re too good for others.
His nod gave her hope. I know you tried to interpret for me as much as you could, but you can’t do everything. Plus, they were spread out in two different rooms. Maybe it’s another reason we shouldn’t be roommates.
Her heart raced. No. You’re a great roommate. I’m sorry it wasn’t better for you. You never told me why you rushed off so suddenly.
He stared at the floor for a moment, then sighed. You told your friend I was too stupid to sleep with.
What? I never said that. Her heart thumped rapidly at the thought he’d walked out because of words she hadn’t spoken.
He shrugged. Maybe I misread some of the conversation, but she was definitely asking about us having sex. You looked upset and said something with the word stupid. I know we’re not actually doing it, and never will, but I guess I got a little hotheaded about the comment.
Did he really think they’d never get there? That made her sad. I never said what you thought. She asked about us sleeping together but wanted to know if it was different because you were Deaf. I told her I wouldn’t answer the question because it was stupid. That was the no you saw.
He shuffled his feet, and his lips twisted to the side. Oh, okay. Sorry again. Guess I misunderstood. You didn’t interpret it, so I figured I was right.
I didn’t interpret it because you were in the other room, but also because it was a crude question and I was embarrassed. I’m sorry you didn’t have a good time tonight. She hadn’t really either, mostly because she was worried about him.
Thanks for clearing that up. He glanced around the now clean kitchen. Heading to bed. Good night.
Her heart dropped as he walked out. She’d been hoping they’d get to that kiss again, but with his mood, and hers, it wasn’t going to happen.