Chapter 17
ANASTASIA
I finished getting ready about fifteen minutes ago, and I’m still pacing back and forth in my room unsure of my outfit. I finished ironing out the details of our coffee date with Dean after we both found a day that worked for the both of us.
It’s just coffee so why the hell am I so nervous?
I’m wearing my black jeans, white tank, and a cream colored, checkered cardigan. Fall hasn’t fully set in yet, but it’s still a little chilly in the mornings. For my shoes I’ve got on my tried and true converse. My comfort shoe. I have my hair half up half down and my favorite lipgloss on my lips.
Am I trying too hard? Fuck me.
I haven’t been on a date, since that one I had with Aiden at Blackridge. We had both been on a good behavior kick and they rewarded us, drove us down to the movieplex for a showing. Of course we snuck out the back to get high and fuck. Give an inch we take the mile.
Aiden and I had dated, nothing serious at first, just a way to pass the time.
But that quickly escalated to full blown passion.
Like a match to a flame, we burned hot. He was a great listener and we both enjoyed each others company.
When I arrived he had already been there two years.
He was the first friend I made and I wouldn’t have gotten through those three years if it weren’t for him.
Showed me how everything worked, who to stay away from and where all the cameras were so we wouldn’t get caught sneaking around.
Fleur always said we were the perfect pair, opposites yet the same.
The sun and the moon. He got released six months before I did.
Two weeks later I got a letter. And just like that the third person I’ve ever loved was gone. The number three forever my companion.
It’s not like that with Dean, though. He doesn’t mean anything, and this won’t turn into anything either.
It’s free coffee and a good time. But I’ve got this antsy feeling in my gut that I can’t seem to shake.
I finally calm my nerves and head toward my door.
I grab my small bag and Ro’s keys. I told her about my coffee date and she’s letting use her car.
I quickly make my way to the garage and click the key fob a few times until I find her spot.
I let out a low whistle, “Wow nice car Ro.” I say more to myself as I’m looking down at an Audi R8.
It’s completely blacked out, and when I hit the autostart a red under-glow comes on.
The inside has red leather and an entire LED center console.
I type the address into the GPS and start my drive there.
Its about a fifteen minute drive. I make it there in five.
Note to self: get an Audi. I park in the lot behind the cafe and make my way inside.
The antsy feeling in my stomach has yet to go away, but pass it off for butterflies.
When I walk inside, Dean is already there, sitting at a table towards the rear of the cafe, his back facing the door so he doesn’t see me walk in.
“Hey!” I come up behind him, and round the table, taking a seat in front of him. “You been waiting long?”
He leans back, a soft smile on his face. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.”
“Hmm, well, almost didn’t,” I joke back with him. Hiding the truth behind my own smile. I almost did stand him up. My nerves have been on ten, but I’m trying to put myself out there.
“You’re cold-blooded Stass.” Another smile, then he flags down one of the waitresses.
“Well, let’s hope this coffee warms me up then,” I tease back.
Just then the waitress comes up to our table, notepad in hand. She’s a busty women, dark hair up in a neat bun. Her name tag reads Olivia.
“Hey, babes, what can I get started for you two today?”
“Coffee, black for me, and—” He looks over to me so I can order.
“Oh um, let me get an Americano, with two shots of espresso, please.”
“You got it, I’ll be right back with those drinks for you.”
She leaves and Dean leans in, elbows on the table. His foot moves forward bumping into mine. “So, what’s your story?”
I move my feet under my chair. “There’s not much to tell. I transferred here to finish out my last year, before going for my JD. How about you, you’re studying finance right?” Good, flip it back to him. He doesn’t need to know my story. That’s for me to tell.
“Yeah something like that. My father is in Wall Street and I’m just following his footsteps. Plus I love numbers. It’s my guilty pleasure, I actually love math.”
“Oh let me find out, Mr. Dean is a big numbers nerd,” I laugh and he leans closer. Just then our waitress, comes back with our drinks. Perfect timing, Olivia. Thank you.
We converse back and forth a while. He goes on and on about himself, and I just nod along. Here but not really here.
I take a sip and burn my damn tongue as the chime above the door dings.
I swear I’m cursed. I must have broken a few mirrors in my past life, cause why the fuck does he keep appearing.
Eryx walks in with with Brielle. They take a seat two tables from us and he takes the seat that faces me.
His eyes locked on mine. Anger courses through me at the sight of them. What is this? Jealousy?
He told me she didn’t matter, yet here he is with her. I feel like walking up to them, yanking her by her hair, off the chair, and throwing this burning coffee in his damn face.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Dean. Excusing myself to the bathroom. A few seconds later, Eryx appears behind me.
“What the fuck are you doing in here perv, get out!” He doesn’t listen of course and drags me into one of the stalls.
“I could ask you the same thing,” He seethes.
“I’m just here drinking coffee, with a friend.” Not a complete lie. Dean is no one in particular, and this is just two people getting coffee.
He scoffs, “Yeah, sure. Does he know that?”
“Why do you care? You’re here with blondie.” Jealousy tastes bitter coming from my mouth.
He crowds my already crowded space and leans in to me. His nose buried in my neck, breathing me in. His hand grips my hair at the base of my neck. “Mm, is my girl jealous? I told you, she doesn’t matter.” His breath on my neck sends a shiver down my spine. Warmth to my core.
“Fuck you!” I push against him. “I’m not your girl.”
“Careful, you keep threatening me with a good time and I’ll have to believe you.” He bites my neck. “If you want me to fuck you baby, all you gotta do is ask… on your knees.”
He sucks on my neck, no doubt leaving a hickie. Bastard is marking me. “The day I give you my dick, you’ll be on your knees crawling towards me, begging me to fill this cunt.” He presses into me, so I can feel him.
I push him away. “Keep dreaming. I’ll never get on my knees for you.” I open the door, and he lets me, but not before he leaves me with parting words. “Never say never baby.”
I went home after that. Told Dean some excuse about how I wasn’t feeling too great and gave him a reign check. I drove back to the school and went straight to my room. Does he have to always show up everywhere I am and ruin everything? Can I not have anything?
When I look in the mirror that night as I’m getting ready for bed, I notice the fresh hickie on my neck.
Fucking prick.
Mother always taught me not to lie, and now I’m facing the consequences. How the hell does one catch a cold in the Fall? On top of that Tia Flow decided to come early and fuck up my whole week.
I always get unbearable cramps the first few days, that keep me bed bound.
I sent a text to the girls so they wouldn’t worry, and sent an email to my professors letting them know I’d be out for a few days but would get all my work submitted in, and that I’d be happy to do any extra credit they may offer.
The next day there’s knock at the door. When I open it no one is there, but a bag full of my favorite snacks again and a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup from Ophelias. Ro even added a heating pad and some meds. There’s another note.
Feel better.
Snacks for the cravings.
Soup for the cold.
I really need to take Ro out. Shina too. They’ve both done so much for me. I love them.