THREE
Rae
I’m so late.
I forgot to set my alarm before bed last night and when I woke up this morning, I spent way too much time wondering how I got to bed. I know that Brooks must have carried me in here and tucked me in, and I may have internally squealed at that thought before I turned and saw the time.
“Crap, crap, crap,” I mumble as I throw on the first clean clothes that I can find, grab my backpack, and rush out of my bedroom.
I can hear Brooks moving around in his room and I want to tell him thanks for last night, but I don’t have time.
I grab my keys and a granola bar and run out the door. When I make it down the stairs and outside, I groan.
I had parked on the street when I got home yesterday when there was no one else there but now there’s a car behind me and in front of me. They’re both about an inch from my bumper and I know that there’s no way that I’ll be able to get out.
“Shit,” I sigh, looking up at the sky.
It’s an overcast day and that seems fitting now.
There’s no way that I’ll be able to make it to campus in time for my first class now and I turn around to head back inside when I run right into Brooks.
“Whoa,” he says, reaching out to steady me as I take a shaky step back.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“Is everything okay?” he asks me, letting go of my elbow.
“Yeah, well, no actually. I’m running late and I’m parked in,” I say, pointing over to my poor car.
Brooks looks over and frowns.
“I’ll give you a ride,” he says, turning and heading to the parking lot around the corner.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m headed to King’s Gym anyway.”
I trail after him over to a newer model Camaro and climb into the passenger side while he puts his gym bag in the trunk.
“Where to?” he asks as he starts the car and backs out of his parking spot.
“Campus. I’ll give you directions to the building.”
He nods and we fall silent for a minute. This is already the longest that I’ve ever been alone with Brooks and I’m not sure what to say.
“Thanks for carrying me to bed last night. You didn’t have to do that.”
“It was no big deal,” he says and I nod, looking away from him.
I don’t last long though and soon I’m back to staring at him out of the corner of my eye. His hands are strong and capable on the steering wheel as he guides us through the early morning traffic.
“How’s your shoulder?” I ask and I swear that he almost rolls his eyes.
“It’s fine,” he says shortly and it’s kind of cute how annoyed he gets by that question.
“Sick of answering that question?” I ask with a smile.
“Yeah, it’s getting a little old,” he admits.
I want to ask him about the accident, but I get the feeling that he doesn’t want to talk about it and definitely not with a girl that he barely knows.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have carried me to bed,” I start.
I’m not a small girl and I’m sure that my size sixteen butt was a little too much for his shoulder, especially after he was moving his things around all day.
“I’m fine. You’re not heavy at all.”
My insides warm at his words. I’ve always been a little self-conscious about my size but it’s nice to know that Brooks doesn’t care.
“Turn here,” I tell him as he turns onto campus.
We wind down the street for a bit, stopping at a stop sign, and Brooks clears his throat.
“What are you studying?” he asks me, and I point out the next turn before I answer him.
“Physical therapy.”
“Really? That’s cool,” he says as he pulls to a stop in front of my building.
I’m not surprised or offended that he was shocked to learn my major. I think most people expect me to say something a little more girly, but I’ve always wanted to be a physical therapist.
“Did you grow up in Pittsburgh?” he asks as I start to gather my backpack.
“No, I was in Philadelphia, but I wanted a change of pace.”
“I bet your parents miss having you close,” he says and I frown.
“I’m not so sure,” I murmur.
I think that my mom misses having complete control over me more than she misses my company. Can I tell him that though? Do I even want to? My relationship with my mother is strained at best. We have a shaky understanding that I barely get, so explaining it to someone else seems hopeless.
“What about you? Where are you from?” I ask, trying to change the subject.
“I was born in Charleston, but I’ve been all over.”
“You don’t want to go back to the south?”
“Nah, I don’t miss the heat and all of my family is scattered, so there’s not much there for me.”
I nod, getting ready to open the door, but I don’t want to leave. Not now that we’re actually talking and getting to know each other more.
“What was your favorite place?” I ask and he looks out the window at the dark clouds overhead for a moment as he thinks over my question.
“I’m liking Pittsburgh,” he murmurs and my heart starts to beat faster.
Is it because of me? Am I reading too much into his words?
Probably.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say as raindrops start to land on the windshield.
“No problem. Do you want me to come get you after class?”
“You don’t have to. Palmer is on campus today, so I’ll just get a ride back with her.”
“It’s no problem. I’m only a few blocks away.”
I bite my bottom lip. Is it a good sign that he wants to pick me up? Or is he just being nice since we’re roommates?
“Give me your phone number and you can text me once you decide,” he tells me as it starts to rain harder.
I pass him my phone and watch as he enters his own number in.
“There,” he says as he passes it back to me.
“Thanks. I’ll see you later,” I say, and he nods.
I jog up the sidewalk and into the building, shaking off the rain on me as I head down the hallway and into my class.
I make it just in time and I grab my laptop and try to pay attention to the lesson. It’s no use though. All I can think about is Brooks and the car ride.