Chapter 1
1
LIV
Y es, now I can get the hell outta here!
I hit send on the file that I was working on for my teacher and close my laptop before packing up my things. I know I offered to help Professor Alexander with a last-minute project, but I didn’t anticipate staying on campus this far into the holiday break. He’s one of my favorite instructors, so I was happy to help him out. I’m pretty sure this is everything he needs. If there’s anything else, he can figure it out himself. I’m ready to get home for Christmas.
With everything secure in my backpack, I heft the strap onto my shoulder and exit the library. After checking my watch, I realize I have just enough time to swing by my favorite Vietnamese restaurant to pick up some dinner before I head back to my apartment.
With a few books in my hand and carrying my heavy bag, I walk out the front doors and cross the lawn of the College of Business. Most students have gone home for the holidays. There are a few stragglers like me hanging around. And I see the construction crew is still here doing some work on the building. Other than that, the campus is pretty vacant.
I pull out my phone to look up the number to the Saigon Noodle House, and unfortunately, I’m not paying attention to my surroundings. If I were, then I’d notice the two guys approaching me. Judging by their signature team shirts and oversized muscles, I think it’s a safe bet to say they’re on the football team. I’m not in the mood to interact with any jocks this evening, so I keep my head down and hustle to my car. That is, until two large bodies block my path.
“Look, Ricky. I think she’s lost.” The guy on the left mocks me and I clutch the small stack of books to my chest.
“I think you’re right, man,” Ricky answers his friend. “Little girls like you shouldn’t be out by themselves so late in the evening.”
I ignore them and try to keep walking, but neither of them budges.
“Hey, my friend was talking to you.”
I don’t know this one’s name, but I think we may have had class together. I never paid him much attention if we did, and it seems like that was a good decision.
I blow out an exasperated huff. “I’m just trying to get home, if you don’t mind.”
“What’s your rush? We just wanna talk to you for a minute,” Ricky explains, but I doubt it’s only talking he has in mind.
“I’m good. Thanks. You guys have a nice evening.” I’m trying to be polite, in hopes they’ll leave me alone and find someone else to mess with. But I have no such luck.
“Do you have any idea who we are?” That earns them an eye roll. “Tell her, Chris.” Ricky smacks his friend on the shoulder, and I finally learn his name. Not that I give a damn, but it might be helpful information later on if they’re insistent on bothering me.
Chris gets a cocky smirk on his face while stepping closer. “We’re two of the best players on the team, baby. We have pussy lined up for days.”
“Good for you,” I sass. “But like I said, I’m just trying to get home.” I finally shove past them. They don’t let me get far before surrounding me again.
“Bitch thinks she’s too good for us, Ricky. Maybe we need to put her in her place.”
“You know what happens to stuck-up little sluts like you?” Ricky’s question is rhetorical so I don’t bother answering it.
“Why don’t you guys just fuck off and let me be on my way?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know that was the wrong thing to say, and both of them shoot me menacing sneers.
Then Chris slaps my books out of my hands and Ricky tosses my bag to the ground. I try to reach for my things, but they kick them away, towering over me as I stand between them.
Ricky snarls at me. “You have a smart fucking mouth, you know that? Too bad your brain isn’t smart enough to keep you outta trouble.”
“I got something for that mouth right here.” Chris snickers while rubbing his cock through his jeans.
Bile rises in my throat and sweat begins to bloom on my forehead. My hands are clammy, my mouth goes dry, and my heart beats wildly against my ribs.
My fight-or-flight instinct is about to kick in when a booming voice startles all three of us. “Now, what the fuck is going on here?”
I twist my neck to look in the direction of a large, masculine figure approaching us. He’s just as big as Chris and Ricky, but he’s surrounded by an air of authority and dominance.
“We got a problem?” he addresses the two guys.
“Doesn’t concern you, man,” Ricky says casually, but his eyes widen and he swallows.
“We’re just talking to a friend. That’s all,” Chris lies while glaring down at me.
“I’m not your friend .” I scowl at the two of them as a fresh wave of confidence settles into the base of my spine.
The Good Samaritan takes a menacing step toward the two football players while his meaty fists remain clenched at his sides. “Why don’t you two get the fuck outta here before I kick both your asses, then call Coach Wilson. He and I go way back and I’m sure he’d like to hear what two of his star players are up to. Especially right before the playoffs.”
Chris and Ricky glance at each other, trying to determine if the stranger is bluffing. But then he pulls out his phone and starts dialing.
“Whatever, man. We were just fucking around,” Ricky scoffs. “This fat bitch ain’t worth it anyway.”
Damn, I know I’m curvy, but it still hurts when someone calls me fat.
The stranger growls at the two boys, but I tug on his shirt while they walk away. “Let ?em go. They aren’t worth the assault charges.”
His eyes remain glued to their retreating backs until they’re out of sight. Then he finally looks at me. “You okay?”
Before I can answer him, my breath catches in my chest and my heart begins racing all over again.
Surely this isn’t… He can’t be…
“Dylan?” My brow furrows and I tilt my head as I crane my neck to look up at him. I may be a little taller now, but his 6’4 stature still dwarfs my 5’3 frame.
“Olivia.” He tests my name out on his tongue, and butterflies flutter in my stomach. “All grown up now, I see.” For some reason, that makes me blush like I’m back in high school. “What are you doing out here so late?”
“Oh, I was just wrapping up a project.” My gaze roams over his body, and I note his dusty steel-toed boots, dirty jeans, tight-fitting gray t-shirt, and the hard-hat in his hand. There’s a logo for Callahan Construction on his shirt that matches the one on his hat.
Is he into construction now? I thought his father had a tech company.
“Well, you better get home. It’s getting dark out here.”
“That’s it? I haven’t seen you in five years and that’s all you have to say to me?” I don’t know why I’m upset as I plant my fists on my hips. I’m about to say something else when another guy with the same t-shirt walks over to us.
“Hey, man. We’re all done for the day. You ready to take off?” His friend glances back and forth, but Dylan doesn’t make any introductions.
“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”
His friend’s gaze still ping-pongs between us. Then his lips split into a grin. “And who might this pretty girl be?”
He’s not a bad-looking guy, and perhaps if we were meeting under different circumstances, I might chat him up. But Dylan’s growl tells me to keep quiet.
“The pretty girl is Olivia,” he snaps. “And she’s my sister.”
His friend takes a big step back with his hands up, like I’m carrying the plague. “I didn’t even know you had a sister, man. My bad.”
“He doesn’t,” I clarify. “I’m not his sister. Our parents were married for five minutes and we barely know each other.”
Dylan’s nostrils flare but he remains quiet.
“I’ll just meet you at the truck, man. Sounds like you two have something to talk about.” The guy laughs and jogs away.
I narrow my eyes at Dylan. “Don’t tell people I’m your sister. That’s weird.” I move toward my scattered belongings, but he beats me to them and picks them up. “It’s not like we grew up together or anything. And our parents were hardly married for a year.”
“Fair enough,” Dylan placates while handing me my things.
“What are you doing here, anyway?” I ask.
“It’s a long story.” He sighs, and exhaustion from a long day’s work begins to set in. “How about you meet me for coffee and I’ll explain.”
“Fine. It’s a date.” My eyebrows lift to my hairline at the realization of my words. “I mean, it’s a coffee date.” Shit . “I mean, it’s just coffee. Not a date at all. You don’t wanna date me. You probably have a girlfriend. Or maybe you’re married. Boyfriend?”
Fuck me .
My nervous rambling gets the best of me. Dylan just laughs. “I’ll text you.”
“You don’t have my number.”
“I’ve always had your number, Liv.” His admission shocks me. I thought he barely knew my name. “Now, let me walk you to your car. Can’t have you causing any more trouble tonight, now can I?” He pinches my side and makes me giggle. Then he casually starts strolling toward the parking lot. My short legs rush to catch up, and I keep stealing glances as we walk side by side.
This evening took a strange turn, but it was worth it if I get to see Dylan again, the guy I’ve had a huge crush on for the last five years. I know he doesn’t feel the same way about me, but who cares? My high school dream of having a date with this man is finally coming true, even if it is just for coffee.
It’s a date I’ll happily take.