To say I was sleepy would be an understatement. I could feel my muscles dragging and my eyes couldn't stay open if my life depended on it. I slugged around the house all morning. I decided to just keep it minimal, wearing dark skinny jeans and a hoodie with my converse. I had two classes today so I didn't care too much about my outfit. The doorbell rang as I was walking down the stairs with my bag slung over my shoulder.
Obviously it was my now involuntary boyfriend. I shake my head, still not believing what I've got myself into. I was inches away from the door when my father slithered in front of me, opened the door, and gave Danny a once over.
"Who are you?" He interrogated, turning to give me a look of disapproval before motioning for Danny to come in.
I was definitely wide away now and all I hoped for was that Danny would say the wrong thing so I could laugh in his face after my dad punches him.
"Were you expecting someone?" I lift a brow sending my dad a smirk. "Dad, this is Danny, Danny... my Dad." I introduced, quickly examining Danny's appearance. Here he is in his designer jeans and thin cotton jacket.
"Hello Mr. Penate, I'm a friend of Kate's. We met on campus." He stuck his hand out and my father shook it with a firm grip.
I rolled my eyes and walked into the kitchen to grab some fruit. When I returned my father was laughing! LAUGHING! If anything I thought Danny would be kicked to the curb by now because my dad doesn't really open up to the guys in my life. It took the longest time to get him to accept Jared being around.
Even though I have entered early adulthood, I'm still his little girl... At least that's the excuse he uses to pry into my life. "What are we talking about?" I questioned, trying to get them to notice my existence.
They both gazed back at me with goofy smiles plastered on their faces. This was unbelievable, but then again his "bad boy" rep probably includes a conning setting he turns on when it's convenient for him.
"Kid's a joke is all." My dad answered, backing away from Danny with a chuckle and giving me a hug. "Have a good day, love you."
"Love... you too," I pat him on the back until he pulled away. This was already getting under my skin.
I gave a pointed glare to Danny as I walked over to where he was holding the front door open for me.
It was a little chilly out and I was happy I dressed in a hoodie instead of something that would make me shiver. I squinted my eyes anticipating and expecting this bad ass motorcycle but all I came face to face with was a 2-Seater Tandem Bicycle.
"You have got to be kidding." This is unbelievable. This supposed "rebel" of a man rides a bike to school? And not just any bike, a freaking 2-seater!
"I had to pull out this bad girl just for you. And no jokes. Global warming is a serious issue and the least I can do is minimize my carbon footprint and ride a bike to campus when I can." I couldn't help but burst out in uncontrollable laughter and his threatening eyes only made the situation more amusing.
I totally applaud his stride to taking care of our planet but come on. This is golden! Danny- this intimidating, mysterious man cares about our environment. It's cute, very cute, but also bizarre.
"Forgive me, I just didn't realize you had morals in there." I let out after my giggling fit.
"Just get on, would you?" He demanded, rolling his eyes.
I put my other bag strap around my shoulder and got on the bike with ease. After getting our balance we were off, paddling in silence, taking in the beauty of the trail to campus, lost in our own thoughts and troubles until I had a question.
"How are you still considered this big badass riding this bike? People see you riding it, right? Aren't you designed to have some kind of deadly motorcycle or an expensive car."
"I'm not a robot. I'm not designed to do anything but the first idiot who thought he could take me on because of Bliss got what he needed. Also you're not in high school anymore so no need to hold onto the stereotypes- a lot of people ride bikes to campus. Besides, I only ride on clear days and you know we don't get many of those."
"You have a name for it?" My giggling was coming back and he just sighed and ignored my already obvious question.
"When we pull up you will follow my lead and do as I whisper in your ear, anything I say you follow or I'll send out a quick text about what I witnessed last night, got it?"
I almost forgot I was being forced to be with him. This idea had bad written all over it, but there is nothing I can do about it. The smallest part of me is kind of curious how people will respond to this. "Aye-Aye captain."
When we get to a fence with other bikes locked to it, he locks up his bike after I spring off. I stand off to the side, waiting to see what his first move would be.
After he successfully locks up he grabbed my hand swiftly and led me into the main building on campus. I instantly noticed the curiosity on some faces and some very offensive slurs that I'm assuming come from Danny's girl mob.
I abruptly stopped, turning to Danny and looking him in the eye. "Why are you making me do this?"
"Don't talk so loud. I have my reasons." He put an arm on the wall closest to us, leaning so close to me I could smell his breath. He had had something with cinnamon for breakfast this morning.
"What are you doing?" I asked taking a risky glimpse down to his smirking lips and back up to his eyes. My breath was shaking and I try to look at anything but him.
"You want me to kiss you, don't you?" He leaned closer until his nose was touching mine.
"No."
Danny didn't seem fazed by my answer and just pulled back grabbing my hand again. "I'll walk you to your first class and then meet back up with you later." He was walking at a fast pace and I could barely keep up. He stopped when we came to my first lecture and he forced me into a big long hug where he squeezed me and picked me up making it obvious to people around. When he finally put me down he placed a lingering kiss on my cheek before walking away.
I turned to enter the class but stopped midway when my phone sounded. It was a call from Ben.
"Hello?"
"You're on campus?" He asked, not wasting a second.
"Yeah, I'm in the Johnson building. Are you-"
"I'll meet you in the bathroom at the end of the first floor." He cuts me off, I could tell he was already walking from the noises around him.
"What- I'll be late for class. I thought you said later?" I glance around the room, lowering my voice as more students pile in and walk around me to find seats.
"I'll be quick. Almost there."
I let out a sigh. This is insane. I mean, I know this professor won't lock the door or anything but the thought of walking into a full lecture hall terrifies me a little. Maybe I can sneak back in through the back entrance door. "Fine. I'll be in the girls bathroom."
"Thank you." Ben lets out a sigh of relief before we hang up and I make my way out of the almost full lecture hall and to the meeting bathroom.
I waited maybe two minutes for him to come in and that's all the time it took for me to get completely in my head about this impromptu meetup. I could only imagine what he was going to say, I made a mistake or I really don't like you- it was just the heat of the moment. I promise you I'll melt into a puddle of humiliation if he hits me with it's not you... it's me.
Being too busy in my thoughts I didn't hear the door to the bathroom open and close and only realized someone else was in the bathroom when I was gently pushed into one of the small toilet stalls and felt soft lips on mine.
Soft and sweet could only mean it was Ben. My eyes flew open and I pulled back. "I thought you- what happened to meeting later?" All the questions I should be asking that definitely wasn't high up on the list labeled must mention but it was the only one I could think of at the moment.
"I couldn't wait. I had to kiss you." He spoke softly and rubbed his fingers along my waist as I positioned my palms on his chest.
His words weren't enough to get rid of my confusion but his kiss was enough to make me forget so I tuned out the logical side of my brain and leaned into the kiss more. He broke away first.
"I really do feel something when I kiss you, Kate... But I also feel something with Halley. I'm stuck." He explained, his voice dripping with hunger and guilt.
"I don't know what to say." I whispered back, even though I knew we were all alone in the bathroom. I didn't want to get caught in a girls bathroom making out with my best friend's boyfriend who also happens to be my guy best friend's brother.
"Can we just keep this a secret? Only until I figure out who I want to be with. I really like Halley, but I know that when you and I kiss I don't want to stop."
This was my plan all along, right? To get to know him and figure out if what I'm feeling is real...
"This is wrong." I state but my lust is undeniable so I know it wasn't delivered with conviction. I inch closer to him again, ready for his mouth to be back on mine.
"Definitely." He nods before kissing my cheek and walking out of the stall and bathroom.
I really need to figure this out- figure him out. So yes, I'll probably allow this to continue but we will be setting rules and a cut off date and rule number 1 will be private places only. I tilt my head back to look up at the old ceiling from the small stall and peel my ears for any sound. I give myself a full minute of hearing just my own breathing before I walk out of the bathroom and into what will inevitably be more bad decisions.
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