Hustle

Before I can respond to Scott, Drew knocks my hands off of him with a swipe of his arm.

“That’s bullshit. Get the hell out of here.” He steps around me, and Scott retreats, still facing us.

“No, what’s bullshit is that you feel the need to tell me to stay away from either of them.” Scott takes steps backwards, eyes wide as he stares at Drew. “You don’t control everything, Fayden.”

Drew sneaks his arm around me, and I stumble into his chest as he pulls me to his body. He locks me in place, crossing his other arm over me. His voice drops to a threatening growl that vibrates through my bones. “Just stay away.”

I push against him and he lets me slip from his grip, but Scott’s already turned and walked off. “What was that?”

Drew’s still looking after him, his jaw clenching as he shakes his head.

I watch him, wanting—needing—a response, but he doesn’t give one. My hollow heartbeat is painful and chills me. I grip the cuffs of my sweater in my hands as the conversation replays in my head. It didn’t matter if Drew was warning Scott away from Tatum or me; he has no right to do either. But the idea that the cool anger silencing him and hardening his features is caused by Tatum is a jagged pill.

“What are you so angry about?” I try again.

His eyes cut to me, but every other part of him remains stiff. “That asshole. Stay away from him.”

“No, he’s a friend—”

“He’s no friend,” he snaps and takes a step towards me. “He just wants to fuck you.”

I flinch from the verbal slap, spinning to leave but he grabs my arm.

“You don’t know that.” I push him away and meet his intense gaze, my own burning with humiliation. “He was here for Tatum. This had nothing to do with me.”

“Like hell he was.” He gestures to the front of the building. “She’s inside but he was waiting on the steps—for you.”

I cross my arms; his words slithering through me like a snake. “How do you know that?”

His hand stills in his hair and he narrows his eyes. “Know what?”

“That she’s inside?” I already know the answer so I don’t wait for his response. “Never mind, I’ve got to get to class.”

“Brooklyn,” he curses my name and snatches my hand, pulling me back to him. “I had to talk to her.”

“Try and get her to drop, too?” A bitter laugh bubbles out of me, searing my throat. I’m angrier with myself than him. “Never mind.”

He tugs me even closer, his other hand sliding to the back of my neck. “Look at me,” he demands and I do, struggling to keep my composure when his touch turns gentle and his eyes soften with his voice. “I needed to make sure everything was okay after the other night. That’s all. Trust me.”

His pleading deep green gaze drains me. And I’m lost in everything. “I’m trying to.”

“Good,” he sighs as he steps forward, lips grazing my forehead and then sliding down for a brief kiss.

I pull away as his lips open around mine, coaxing for more. But I’m empty and uncertain in the moment. “I’ve got to go, I’m already late.”

He dips his head to look me in the eyes. “We’ll talk later, after your English class.”

I nod and walk away, feeling too heavy to dance. The weight turns into a poison in my veins as I make it through class in silence.

Tatum is there, bright smiles shinning for everyone as she helps Mrs. Blanc direct us through a chunk of choreography for our upcoming recital. We don’t talk to each other, though. Not once. She stays behind after class, laughing with other students, and I leave.

My mom’s ordered me a new phone, but it won’t be delivered till tomorrow. That doesn’t help me today, while I wait after class for Drew, unsure if I should hang around the English building a little longer or walk to my dorms. I scan the paths that spread in different directions.

“Kyle,” I call out at the sight of his blocky frame about to pass me by.

His head jerks in my direction, and his scowl turns to disgust. “Oh, so you’re talking to me now?”

“Was I not talking to you at some point?” I stretch out the question, narrowing my eyes in confusion as he continues to glare.

He crosses his arms and stops directly in front of me. “You didn’t answer my calls.”

“I don’t have my phone—”

“Since when?”

“Since Saturday.” I hesitate to smile as I bob my head to look up at him, but I’m strangely flattered that he’s tried to contact me. “What were you calling about?”

“Different things.” His stare is unnerving, his flat tone even more so. “You going back to your room right now? Walk with me.” He nods his head in the direction of my dorms.

“No, I’m waiting for Drew.”

His brow lifts, and the smile on his face seems out of place. “Fine. What about tomorrow then? You free at 3:30?” At my nod he continues, “I live in the Sandstone Apartments. You know them?”

“The tall ones behind campus?”

“Yeah.” He takes a few steps back, ready to leave. “I’ll see you there?”

“Okay, sure, but Kyle—”

“Where will you see her?” Drew interrupts, swooping in from out of nowhere.

My heart drops, and I turn towards him, scrambling to form words.

“At Corner Stone for Mac’s band tonight,” Kyle’s answer comes easy, and when I look towards him, he looks nothing but bored and annoyed. Typical. “Isn’t that the plan?”

Drew’s hand slips to my back and he speaks low. “Yeah.”

“Then I’ll see you both there.” Kyle flicks his hand in dismissal and walks away.

Drew’s eyes follow Kyle as he leaves, but he still keeps me close to him, hand firm on my back. My stomach twitches with the quick, slight flex of his fingers.

“You want to go?” His lids drop, so his gaze is solely on me, and he chews on the inner edge of his bottom lip.

I step out of his grasp, straining with the effort to appear normal, but I can’t even look at him. “Sure, if—you’re going, right?” I swipe my hand through my hair and glance to check his answer. He nods, but the careful look in his eyes makes me keep talking before he can ask any questions. “What is Mac’s Band anyways?”

“MacAdams is a sophomore, second string running back.” He shrugs and we start walking down the path to my dorm. “I guess he plays an instrument or some shit and is in a band that’s performing tonight.” He side glances at me. “Kyle didn’t tell you about it when he invited you? How long were you two talking for?”

“Not long. He’d just been walking by.” I stick to the truth, but keep my head down and let my long strands curtain around my face.

“And he stopped to talk to you?”

I nod, sinking into my sweater. “He’s—

“Don’t even say a friend.”

I jerk my head towards him and his incredulous tone. “I was going to say he’s not that bad, but what’s the big deal? So what if I call him a friend?”

“He’s not your friend, that’s the problem.” He gestures across the quad to Kyle in the distance. “Don’t call everyone who talks to you a friend.”

“What is your problem, Drew?” I step away from him, putting up my hand to keep him back. “First this morning, now this. I thought you wanted to talk to me about something, not argue about nothing. Are you mad at me?”

“I’m not—” He cuts off his own quick words and sucks in a breath. When he speaks again, it’s much more controlled but still stiff through clenched teeth. “I don’t want to argue. I,” he blows out air, eyes lowering as he steps towards me. “I’m sorry. About this morning. About now.” Both of his hands slip behind my neck, and he apologizes with soft lips light against my own.

My hands grasp his shirt till his body is against mine, his warmth surrounding me. One hand slides down my back and then under my sweater, fingers teasing at the edge of my sweat pants over my leotard. His lips stay to mine, even as they slow, reluctant to pull away. He wraps me into his body, till we’re in a tight embrace, and it’s impossible to kiss.

“I’ll see you tonight at Corner Stone.” He speaks into the top of my hair, my head rested against his chest.

“You’re leaving?” I can only pull away so far to look up at him; his arms keep me locked in place. “I thought you wanted to talk?” His need to talk was fraying my nerves, a constant anxiety I carried all day. And now Kyle’s desire to talk was only adding to it.

“Yeah.” His eyes scan my face and then lock on mine. “I do, but it can wait.” His lips press into each other, and then he lowers them to mine for a brief kiss, letting me go. “Don’t worry about it, baby. It’s not that important. We’ll talk later, but if I can’t reach you—Cornerstone at 9:30.”

“Okay.” I try to smile. I try not to worry. I try to focus on the memory of his lips on mine, his warmth around me, but I can’t.

He turns and walks one-way, I walk the other.

“Ha.” Rose’s screen shines in the dark interior of the car, lighting her face as she reads the message there.

“They’re wondering where we are. Should I tell them we’ll be another hour?” Her large smile stretches as she bounces her eyebrows at me.

“Or we just walk in?” I let her bright mood lift mine as I slide out of the drivers seat. This is supposed to be fun. I’m not supposed to worry about every move I make anymore. I push what I know to the back of my thoughts like I never saw anything.

She shuts the passenger side door and tugs at her tube top as she slides her purse over her shoulder. “Sounds good. How do I look?”

“Beautiful.” I take in her high wasted jeans and barely there top, covered by a purple knitted sweater, the same color as the tips of her hair. But it’s the boots that complete the outfit. Knee high and leather.

She frowns and lets the sweater come down from one shoulder. “I’m going for sexy, should I take off the sweater?”

I shake my head and walk beside her across the parking lot. We’ve had this discussion, several times. With every outfit she tried on. That’s why we’re late. “No, you’re plenty sexy, too.”

“Okay.” She rolls her shoulders like she’s preparing for a fight as I open the door to the bar, and then she winks at me as she passes through. “You look hot. Andrew’s going to love it. I love it,” she calls over her shoulder above the noise of the drums. She walks through the bar, knowing where to go. “I want to put my face in those things.”

I shove her shoulder with a giggle but pull my cardigan a little closer together. I’m in jeans tonight, hoping that’ll make it easier to talk, but my tank top is tight and low cut.

The crowd thickens as we make our way to the stage, but we stay on the edge of it all, and then I see our group in the corner. TJ’s large body is the first one I spot, and we walk directly to him.

He stays seated but pulls on Rose to get her to come closer and kiss him. His large hands slide up her back and guide her to sit across his lap. “Finally, you get here.”

She smiles happily, comfortable with her seat on him and tugs at a stray lock of hair hanging in front of his face. “Well I didn’t realize time was so important. You usually don’t start this early.”

He grips her side, and she giggles as he says something into her neck.

Kyle’s in the seat next to him, and he takes a long pull on his beer and sets the empty bottle down. Then he rises to his feet. “I’m getting another drink.”

“Get me another, too,” TJ requests, and his direct stare and slight smile make my heart hurt for Kyle.

“Oh.” Rose bounces. “I’ll have a rum and coke.”

“Do I look like your servant, Violet?” He stomps off to the bar.

Rose looks to me, her tight smile cracking into big laughter. “That’s his new name for me. He keeps saying it like it’s an insult. He’s such a tool.”

TJ just shakes his head with a half smile.

“I’ll go with him.” I don’t see anyone else I know, and I don’t really want to be with them. “I’ll get your rum and coke.”

“Thanks,” she tosses out, rising to her feet and pulling TJ with her. “Let’s dance.”

The band’s rock beat is a mess, but others are dancing in front of the stage.

I follow Kyle to the bar, but he doesn’t acknowledge me as he places his order.

“I’ll have a soda and a rum and coke.” I call to the bartender before she can walk away.

“Do you like the band?” I yell over the music, trying to start any sort of conversation with him while still scanning the place for Drew.

“No.” He turns around, leaning against the bar as he looks to the dance floor. “Look, maybe I gave you the wrong idea, but we’re not friends. Don’t follow me around like a puppy left all alone.”

“I’m not—”

“When we talk, it’s because I have something to say. Not for this, do you like the band?” He mimics me with a pinched face and unnaturally high voice.

“Fine. I won’t talk to you then.” I lean over the bar, waiting for my drinks so I can walk away from him, but they’re not coming, and he’s still standing there, so I turn back to him. “You know what? No. That’s ridiculous. You don’t want me talking to you, then don’t talk to me. Even if there’s something you have to say, I don’t want to hear it.”

“Whatever.” He shakes his head, grabbing the two beers the bartender offers. He leans down close to me to speak, “But you’re going to want to hear what I have to say.”

He walks away as the bartender slides my drinks across the bar.

“Six dollars,” she calls and I hand it over but sit at the bar, not wanting to follow Kyle back to the table.

“Two drinks?” Some guy steps into the spot Kyle was in.

“One’s for a friend.” I pick both cups off the bar.

“What sort of friend?” The guy asks a little too close, but then again everyone’s forced too close together at the crowded bar.

I ignore his question as I catch a glimpse of Drew approaching, his head above the others around me. His eyes are on me. The look in them stops the noise around us, even from a distance.

He leans in to kiss me, his hand braced on the bar at my back, and then he says hello, still close to my mouth.

“I got worried you weren’t going to show.” He brushes my lips with his again. “Come on.” His arm slides around me, pulling me through the crowd, back to the corner of the place where his group was seated, but they’re mostly around the stage now.

I set the drinks on the high top table in front of us, and he leans to my ear, warm breath tickling as he speaks. “I was thinking about us today.”

I turn to look at him, bubbles bursting in my stomach with the soft look in his dark eyes. “And?”

“I think it’s all bullshit.” His hand grips my neck, keeping me close as he continues, “Everything else. I want to focus on you; I want you on me. Can we just forget about what’s happened before, for now?”

I lean back so I can read his face better, but all I see is his sexy grin, and all I can feel is his hand on my skin.

“We’ll have time to talk in the future. But for now, none of that should matter. We shouldn’t let it get in between us while we figure this out.”

The noise of the band rises; the drums beat fast and loud, vibrating the ground and walls. But it’s his words that pulse under my skin. I’ve told him the important things about me, the general story, and it had been a relief to be accepted. And I had the general idea about him, and I could accept that. I’m ready to let the rest go so I can embrace what we we’re starting, without the pressure.

There’s something here, something to him that I can’t resist. And we’ve only just taken this step forward, when last week I thought it an impossible idea for him. At this moment, it had to be enough.

“Okay.” I move my hands to his head, pulling him down to me. “I’d like that. Forget the rest—it’s not important—and just enjoy the moment.”

“More than the moment, Brook.” His lips are back at my ear, his body slouches to be at my level. “Enjoy us, together.” His hand grips my hip, a current running into me, “I don’t want to stay long. Their set will be over soon, will you come back to my place?” I nod against him, and then he places a kiss to my ear. “Good. I need a drink, come with me.”

I drop off Rose’s drink to her on the way to the bar with Drew. He orders two shots with his beer and hands me one.

“I drove tonight.” I hand the shot back to him, but he won’t take it.

“You can leave your car here overnight, they don’t care. We’ll take a cab to my place.” He clinks his shot with mine. “Relax.”

I tip it back, the liquor burning my throat and heating my stomach as it settles. His kiss tastes like lime.

I’m floating when I leave the bathroom, comfortably blurry as I walk the hall leading back to the main bar, but Kyle’s voice pulls my attention, his back is to me a couple feet ahead.

“…that’s enough,” he orders.

“Why invite me then? Why do you always call?” Layla steps back from him, face pinched.

I stop and watch, interested but confused by the drama, and numb enough to not care.

“I don’t know,” he says simply. “It’s a mistake.”

“You’re such an asshole.” Her face reddens as she pushes him, but he doesn’t budge. “I should have known. It’s her you want, isn’t it? It’s always her. Everyone always wants Tatum.” She walks backwards, stepping away from him, and then her red gaze swipes to me. “What do you want?”

“Nothing.” I put my hands up, but a laugh bubbles from my throat as Kyle turns and groans when he see’s me. “I’m not saying a thing.”

She mumbles something that might as well be a curse for all the anger in her eyes as she walks away.

But I’m not focused on her. I look to Kyle. “So you’re the one calling Tatum to come.”

“No, I’ve been calling Layla. That’s it.” He shrugs and steps towards me. “But you should be thanking me. At least you get to see the truth, how he reacts to Tatum. Although she didn’t show tonight, I guess she had enough Saturday.” He shakes his head. “That’s what I was going to talk to you about tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to hear it.” Although my stomach rolls with what he’s implying. “I don’t want to be part of whatever games you’re playing.”

“So you’re going to let your friend stay with him, knowing what you know?” He shakes his head. “I guess you aren’t such a nice girl after all.”

“Don’t.” He grips my arm to keep me from leaving. “Why do you keep bringing her around?”

“Because none of this is my business.” I stumble back as I pull away from his hold. “I’m staying out of it all.”

“You might try.” Kyle shakes his head with a smug certainty, “But you’re already in it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before I can respond, he walks past me, back out to the bar.