Jersey Girl (Sticks & Hearts #1) (11 page)

***

When I open the door to South Quad, I'm instantly taken back to my first year on campus. The building has been renovated since I lived here, but the memory of dormitory living will never be erased from my memory. Confined spaces. An abundance of study partners to choose from. Late night sneak attacks on the girls who lived across the hall. Meals with hundreds as opposed to the family of four you'd grown accustomed to. I love the privacy of having my own place, but I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I'd learned a lot and had more than my fair share of good times while calling this place home.

Cutting through corridors, I make my way up to room 322, only to stand in front of her door for a full three minutes before I finally raise my hand and knock. I hear music coming from her room but she turns it down just before pulling the door open and flashing me a warm smile. All my doubts about coming up here vanish when I take one look at her standing there in white cuffed shorts topped with a lightweight black and white stripped sweater that hangs slightly off her narrow shoulders. Her feet are bare, and the blue polish on her toes matches the blue in her eyes. Her head tilts to the side, and the sun shining through her window dances off the stone piercing on the right side of her delicate nose.

"Welcome to my humble abode." She bends at the waist and makes a show of inviting me in with a wave of her arm. "Thanks for slumming on a Monday night." Her eyes meet mine and she shoots me a quick wink before closing the door.

"This is hardly slumming and a hell of a lot nicer than where I live," I laugh, looking around the small but tidy space. "It wasn't nearly this nice when I lived here."

"You lived in South Quad?" She sits down on her bed, scooting back until she's leaning against the wall, and pats the space next to her. "Sorry, I don't have more places to sit. But my roommate will be gone for the rest of the night."

I glance nervously between her and the door while squeezing the back of my neck with one hand. "Um, I thought I was coming over to study calculus." Her eyes go wide just before she cracks up, and now I'm really confused. "What's so funny?"

"Sorry." She's still laughing as she wipes at her tears. "That wasn't an invitation for something to take place. I only meant you could sit on her bed if you'd be more comfortable over there."

My body visibly relaxes, and I drop my backpack at the end of her bed, feeling the need to prove I'm capable of being close to her. "No, here will be fine. You just caught me off guard." Taking a seat next to her, I stretch out my legs and wait for her to show me her notes. She doesn't say anything for a few minutes, so I turn my head to find her staring. "What?"

"I wasn't coming on to you, if that's what you're thinking. Our relationship is purely platonic, so there's no need for you to be nervous around me. I promise I won't jump on you and kiss you again," she laughs, tucking her hair behind her ear, and I notice a strip of five pink studs lining the shell of her ear.

That's too bad, cause I'd really like to kiss you again.

Where the hell did that thought come from?

Somewhat shaken, I try and play it off like it's no big deal. "No, it's cool. I'm good with where things stand. I mean, I didn't really think you were coming on to me, but you have to admit it sounded a little like a proposition."

"Yeah, I'm sure you've heard enough of those to know the difference," she laughs then twists her body to face me, crisscrossing her legs beneath her like a pretzel.

"Maybe a few," I chuckle at my own expense. "So, where's this calculus you need help with?"

She orders a pizza that we share while spending the next three hours going over equations and a few tips and tricks I've learned along the way. By the time we're finished, it's clear that while she may not have mastered the concept, I don't think she'll have a problem passing the test. Not everyone has the headspace to grasp mathematical equations, but I do believe they are capable of memorizing a few formulas to help them get through a class.

"I think you'll be fine," I assure her as she places her notes back in the front section of her backpack. "But if you still feel like you need another dry run, you can stop by the house tomorrow night. I have an early practice and my last class lets out at six."

"That would be great. I think I have a handle on parts of it, but there a a few problems I want to run through while you watch. Maybe then you can see where I am stumbling." Leaning forward, I snag the last slice of pizza and pick off a piece of cold pepperoni and offer it to her. She takes it without missing a beat. "I really appreciate you doing this for me. I'm a creative person, my brain doesn't
do
logic as easily as yours."

"Yeah, well, I can't play a guitar and you can. So now we're even." I lean back, rubbing a hand over my face to mask a yawn. It's been a long day.

"Hey, maybe I can teach you," she moves forward, placing the palms of her hands flat on the bed as her torso stretches toward me. Face full of enthusiasm, she beats out a rhythm on the mattress, the wheels in her head clearly putting together a plan. "You help me pass this test, and then I'll show you a few chords; and after a few lessons, I'll have you playing a song."

I draw my eyebrows together in confusion. "Like, which song?"

"I don't know, what would you like to learn?"

I think about it for a moment, not really caring what I choose because I don't foresee myself sitting long enough to learn the guitar. "How about Stairway to Heaven?"

"Hmmm, probably too much for your first song." She sticks her thumbnail between her teeth and nibbles on the tip as she ponders my options. "Let me think about it and I'll pick one out for you."

I laugh at her willingness to pursue this harebrained idea. But I have to give her credit; she seems truly interested in returning the favor. Though it's not at all necessary. "You really think you can teach me to play the guitar? You don't even know me that well. What if I'm all thumbs?"

"You'll just have to trust me. I can teach anybody to play an instrument. Besides, you've had your capable hands on me once before, so I definitely know you're not all thumbs."

The smile she gives me nearly knocks me back a foot, and I catch myself before drawing a sharp breath. This girl could offer to teach me anything and I'd willingly agree to it. I know right away I'm in trouble and should probably get out while I can, but I'll be damned if I'm not ready to jump off this crazy train just yet.

CASSIE

I woke this morning with a smile on my face. Come to think of it, I'd gone to bed with one plastered there as well.

Those few hours Brantley spent in my room last night had done wonders for my outlook on Friday's test. Even so, I'd told him I needed another study session to go over a few problems. I have no illusions that I'll master the concepts of calculus after only days of studying his tips, but if I can pass with a C+, I'll be satisfied.

I go through the motions of the day, somehow managing to remain awake while listening to the most boring government lecture ever given. Roni texts me as I'm leaving class, asking if I want to meet up after lunch. Of course, I say yes. She got in late last night, so we haven't had a chance to catch up. As I make my way across campus, I hear a familiar voice calling after me. I stop and turn in time to see Davis coming up behind me.

In his red Henley and baseball cap turned backwards, he looks every bit the mixture of hot athlete and shy college boy. I offer a warm smile, which he immediately returns. Davis is cute. Really cute. He's shorter than Brantley, but the rippling muscles beneath his shirt tell me that on the ice he's a force to be reckoned with. Brown eyes dance behind his smile, and I like the way his sandy-blond hair curls around the edges of his hat. I take it all in, but while my eyes appreciate his boy-next-door good looks, he doesn't make my heart flutter the way Brantley does.

"Hey, Cassie, how've you been? I haven't seen you around." We resume walking, shoulder-to-shoulder, and appear to be headed in the same direction.

"I'm good, busy, but still good," I laugh and hook my thumb toward the dining hall. "Are you heading there?"

"Yeah," he smiles again. "I have practice in two hours. Gotta beat the rush. How are classes?"

"Fine, for the most part. I have Briggs for calculus and he's kicking my ass," I frown, reaching for the door handle. Davis shuffles around me and reaches it first, then proceeds to hold it open for me. I pause and step aside as he holds it for a few more students, who don't bother to acknowledge his act of courtesy. "Thanks, Davis. Some people are so rude," I bite out, hoping they hear me.

"No problem," he chuckles. "I see you take after your brother." I blush, embarrassed my comment may have come out nastier than I'd intended. "Hey, I like that in a woman. It tells me she won't take any shit from me or any other man she's with."

Still blushing, I glance sideways and nudge him with my shoulder. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." He nudges back. "Hey, I heard Cage was tutoring you. You're in good hands; he's a math whiz. Yeah, you wouldn't know it by looking at him, but the guy's a closet nerd. He's got an entire collection of DC comics stashed away in his closet. He's helped me through my share of tests. Personally, I think the guy has a superhero complex."

"Why do you say that?" I wrinkle my nose.

"Guess it's because he likes helping people," he shrugs his shoulder, "I don't know."

"Yeah, we met last night, and he was really cool about it. I'm heading over to your place after practice. My test is tomorrow afternoon and I'm nervous."

"I'm sure you'll do fine. But if you fail, I'll help you kick his ass." He gives me a flirty wink.

By now we've reached the line, so we both grab a tray and load up. I reach for soup and a salad, while Davis seems to take a little of everything until there isn't any room left on his tray.

"What?" he asks innocently upon meeting my arched brow. "I'm a growing boy. Besides, I'll burn twice as many calories during practice. Coach is kicking our asses after losing to Penn." He places a foil wrapped burger on my nearly empty tray.

We pay and make our way to the edge of the dining hall. The place is pretty crowded, even at this early hour, and I'm surprised when instead of heading over to a table where his teammates are sitting, he chooses to follow me. I notice the way Brantley's eyes connect with mine, and the question behind his gaze leaves me unsettled. We locate an empty table, and I work to regain my composure as I sit across from him. As we eat, he tells me about their upcoming game against Mercyhurst. Davis seems to think they'll come out the victor, and judging by the way they've been playing, I would have to agree. We're halfway through our lunches when Brantley decides to join us. Frankly, after the look he'd given me, I wondered why it had taken him this long. He lowers himself into a chair beside Davis and burns me with his gaze. While the questions may go unspoken, I can still read his mind.

What's up with you two?

Are you interested in Davis?

And my personal favorite, but only because it tells me he's jealous.

Are you gonna to start dry humping him now?

Rather than answer him with a look of my own, I shift my gaze back to Davis and attempt a genuine smile.

"How's it hanging, Cage?" Davis addresses him as they fist bump one another in greeting.

"A little low on the left, same as always. What are you lovebirds up to?" he asks, quirking his lip wickedly as I turn fifteen shades of red.

"What?" Davis casts a nervous glance my way and throws up his hands. "It's not like that. We're just having lunch and talking. Sorry about this idiot." He rolls his eyes to the right toward Brantley, whose smug smile has disappeared.

"It's okay." I laser my stare at Brantley and flash him a million dollar smile. "He's only jealous because he's afraid I'll ask you to tutor me next. But don't worry, B, I can only handle one hot tutor at a time." I stand and gather my tray. "Thanks for hanging with me. Let's do this again sometime. Brantley, I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah, sure," he replies, clearly flustered by my casual attitude.

"Later, boys," I sing-song and sashay my way across the crowded dining hall, fully aware their eyes are glued to my ass the entire time.

***

Roni's already seated at the counter by the time I stroll through the door. Comet Coffee is nestled just off a brick paved alley lined with quirky little shops, and in my opinion, it's the heart and soul of the Nickel's Arcade shopping district. The place is packed with students, as it always is this time of day, and I shove my way through the crowd to fill the empty seat next to her.

"I took the liberty of ordering you a macchiato." She slides a cup across the small space. "I'm glad I got here early and beat the crowd. This is crazy," she blinks, looking at the long line of bodies waiting for their caffeine fix. There are plenty of coffee shops on campus, but there's something about this place that seems to draw a crowd. For me, I prefer the cozy atmosphere, but it's also about the experience of arriving here. The entire alley is covered by a glass ceiling that hovers four stories above the hustle and bustle of foot traffic below. Small café tables line the alley outside some of the shops, and I often spy students sitting with their computers and studying, or at least that's what I envision they are doing.

I take a sip of coffee and smile, appreciating the rich notes of caramel and cream, then turn to find her staring at me. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm not looking at you in any specific way. I'm just waiting for you to fill me in on how your evening went. You were still sound asleep when I got in this morning."

"Well, I tried waiting up, but gave up when one o'clock rolled around and you still hadn't shown your face." I give her a knowing wink and take another sip. "I take it you had a good time."

"You know, just because I'm with Josh doesn't mean we're having sex. We hung out with his frat buddies, played a few games of pool, and ordered pizza." She picks up her mug and smiles as she brings it to her perfectly painted lips. "After
that
we had sex. Amazing sex."