Chapter 11
ELEVEN
VIX - PRESENT
I’m feeling sluggish as I get ready for my first class. I drank way too much last night, and I’m facing the consequences this morning. This probably isn’t a good way to start my academic year, but honestly? I’m too busy swooning over the events of yesterday to care.
I take a shower and get myself together before leaving for my first class.
Throwing on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt, I glance at myself in the mirror, not putting any effort into my appearance to go sit in a classroom.
Opening my door to leave, I’m greeted by a handsome face and a delicious smell, and I’m not just talking about the coffee he holds in his hand.
“Mornin’, beautiful.” Austin smiles. I take the cup immediately, then drink a huge sip.
“You definitely know the way to my heart,” I tease, and Austin chuckles.
“If coffee is the way to your heart, then I intend to keep you caffeinated at all times.” He pecks me on the cheek. “What time does your class finish today?” he asks. We start walking—no rush, no awkwardness between us. Just Aussy and me, the way it always should have been.
“I finish at one and then I’ll be free for the rest of the afternoon.”
“So…” he starts, “would you maybe wanna do something tonight?” he asks, trying to be casual but coming across as anything but. I giggle.
“Are you trying to be the cool guy asking a girl out on a date?”
“Hey, I can be the cool guy. I’ve got game.” I nod, completely unconvinced.
“I’ll woo you, you’ll see,” he insists.
“Sure, of course.” I play coy, taking another sip of my coffee.
“I will knock your socks off with how much game I have.” We stop in front of my classroom door. I stand on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“Can’t wait to be woo’ed.” I give him a wink and turn to head into the room.
He reaches out, grabbing my arm before I get through the threshold and pulls me back, bringing his mouth to mine.
He kisses me slowly, and my body melts. I feel his tongue glide across my lower lip, and it takes everything not to tackle him to the ground right here, right now.
I take a second before opening my eyes, a soft hum leaving my lips.
He’s already walking away, leaving me there, breathless and craving more of his touch.
I’m so fucked.
Class flies by when you’re too busy daydreaming to pay attention to the lecture.
I all but run to my room to freshen up for my date with Austin this evening.
Throwing on a pair of black ripped skinny jeans and a cropped black band tee, I pull my hair into a ponytail and dig through one of my boxes for my Converse to complete my look.
I’m ready for whatever the night has to offer.
I decide I want to surprise Austin by meeting him at his place since he’s shown up to mine with my drug of choice more times now than I can count. I find my shoes, slip them on, and head over to his dorm room.
Walking through the hall, I can feel the vibration of the loud music coming from his room before I reach his door. I knock, feeling giddy about seeing him again. I’ve had butterflies in my stomach every second of the day, the anticipation of seeing him making me feel like a love-sick puppy.
I knock on the door again, louder this time, to be heard over the thumping base.
I hear a woman shout something incoherent over the music.
The music stops, and a few seconds later, a lock clicks and the door opens a crack.
A woman, with dark red hair as rich as wine, greets me in an oversized grey T-shirt, wearing no pants.
The blood drains from my face, and I feel like I’m going to vomit.
“Uh, sorry… I must have the wrong room,” I tell her, turning away to shield my face in embarrassment.
“Hey, wait! Are you here for Austin or Kash?” she asks, and once again, my stomach twists in ways that make you want to wretch your guts out.
“Austin…” I mumble, my voice coming out low.
“Vix?” I hear Austin call my name, and I twirl around to see him walking up behind me.
“Hey, I was just coming to change and then head over to pick you up.” He leans forward, placing a kiss on my forehead. “Hey, Lana.” He nods to the redhead still standing in the doorway—still pantsless.
“Hey, Austin,” she smirks, then turns to me, “glad I was able to help.” She turns on her heel and struts back into Austin’s room. My brows furrow.
“Am I missing something?” I ask Austin, ready to run back to where I came from. Aussy smiles and takes my hand.
“Definitely,” he says, still smiling. He pulls me into his room, and then I realize. Kash. The redhead is on his bed, cross-legged on the blankets, chowing down on Chinese food.
“Vix, meet Lana, Kash’s… special friend,” he introduces us.
“Oh, you love me,” she teases. “I told you, you can both share me if you want to. I don’t bite, you know… unless you’re into that. In that case, I bite—hard,” she tells him, licking the sauce off her fingers.
“Lana, did I mention Vix is my girl?” He puts his hand around my waist and pulls me to his side.
My girl.
“She’s the only one I want biting me, but I appreciate the offer.” He gives her a wink, and I feel territorial.
“I don’t share. But I know there’s plenty of men out there who would love to pass you around with how willing you seem to be.” I sneer, and Austin grips my hip a little tighter, trying his hardest to stifle a laugh. She giggles, completely unbothered by my dig.
“Don’t be threatened, sweetheart. I’ve been making offers to your man for over a year now, and he turns me down every time. Kash is my now-and-then fling. It’s college, you know?” Lana shrugs and dives back into her chow mein. I ease up a bit, the tension releasing from my shoulders.
I turn my back on Lana, not wanting to give her any of my attention. “Wanna stay with me tonight?” I ask Austin. He quirks a brow.
“Yeah?” A smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Yeah,” I tell him. He throws a punch in the air in victory like a corny teenager in a movie. I can’t help but laugh at his unexpected reaction. He’s adorable. He grabs a couple of his things —clothing and toiletries—and shoves them into a bag.
As we’re walking to the door, Lana calls out, “Hey, Vix? It was nice to meet you, babe.” I freeze, and I don’t think before I speak.
“I’d say likewise, but I was taught not to lie.”
She chuckles. “I’ll grow on you, you’ll see,” she insists, and we walk out the door.
Doubt it.
AUSTIN
Vix flips through Netflix, looking for a movie to watch on her small TV. I’m usually not one to sit and watch movies, but cuddling up in bed with this beautiful creature has me thinking movies will be my new favourite pastime.
Emptying a Sour Patch Kids box into my hands, I separate the colours into two piles on the bed.
One with red and orange. The other green and yellow.
Both piles have an equal number of blue candies.
I scoop up the first pile and hold out my hand for Vix, and catch her staring at me with bewildered eyes.
I realize what I’ve done, and I crack a smile.
“You always hated the yellow and green. But we both loved the blue,” I remind her. She nods her head, taking the candies from my hand.
“I can’t believe you remember that,” she says.
“I remember everything, including the day that’s impossible for me to forget. Our birthday.” Vix stiffens, thrown by the reminder of our shared day coming up on Wednesday.
“Oh…” She lowers her head, avoiding my eyes. Sadness takes over her features, and my heart cracks a little at the hurt our years apart have brought upon her.
“Hey,” I grab her hand, “I didn’t mean to make you sad, pretty girl.” She looks up at me with tears in her eyes.
“It’s just been so lonely, Aussy. I stopped our tradition after our seventeenth birthday. I was so angry and hurt, I never made it to thirteen butterflies.” She touches my chest, laying her hand over my number thirteen tattoo right above my heart.
“Baby, it’s okay.” I pull her in for a hug. “We’re together now, and we can make new memories. We make the rules.” I kiss the top of her head, frustration coursing through me at the time that we’ve been robbed.
“Let’s not talk about it right now, it’s movie night.
” I change the subject. “What are we watching? A chick flick? The Notebook?” She shakes her head, an evil smile teasing her lips.
The movie starts, the title appearing on screen.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I look down at her.
“You know, you really haven’t changed at all. ”
She giggles.
We cuddle in and start the movie. My mind is now spinning, thinking up ways to make our shared day the most memorable we’ve had yet. I smile to myself, knowing what I need to do.