It’s like I can feel people staring at us. Still, I let him kiss me to his heart’s desire, gripping his collar for more. We haven’t seen each other in over a week because our schedules never align.
You’d think we’d be spending more time together. After all, we’ve been going out for three months, and the beginning of a relationship is usually when you hang out the most, but between work, summer classes, and my roommate from hell, I’ve been struggling to come up for air.
Plus, it’s not like Chance doesn’t have people to keep him occupied. He lives in a party house off campus with five other guys—including TJ and Theo. Theo is actually the reason we met. It all started when he and his roommates threw the mother of all parties last semester.
I’d been so busy that day that I hadn’t taken the time to eat. I showed up to the party with an empty stomach and a bad attitude, only to end up sitting next to Chance on the couch at some point during the night. My stomach wouldn’t stop growling. It was so loud it was embarrassing.
We didn’t say a word to each other at first. Until five minutes later, when he pushed to his feet and went up to his room. Then, he came back with a box of Oreos and gave it to me without an explanation. He just handed me the box with a shy smile. Granted, it wasn’t very nutritious, but it’s the thought that counts, right?
Chance doesn’t pull away from me until he absolutely has to. He rests his forehead against mine, a small smile playing on his lips, and says, “How’s that for an apology?”
Flustered, I open my mouth, but his phone rings before I’m able to answer. Chance plants a kiss on my forehead and grabs his phone to check the caller.
“Shit, I have to take it.” He gives me an apologetic smile and takes the phone to his ear. “Yeah?”
I hear what sounds like an automatic voice, then discern a few words here and there.
Inmate.
Correctional center.
Accept.
Call.
It’s his brother.
It has to be.
Just because Chance is easygoing doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a past. He kept the details to a minimum, but he told me his older brother is in jail. He wouldn’t tell me what happened, but it seemed like a sensitive topic, so I didn’t push him.
“I’ll be right back,” Chance mouths.
I nod, and he distances himself from the crowd. He mentioned that he and his brother weren’t on speaking terms for a while. They just recently started talking again, and Chance asked me to accompany him when he goes to visit him in jail next week. I won’t be allowed in the room with them, but I’ll be right outside for moral support.
His brother is being transferred to a different prison out of state at the end of the month. I’m guessing Chance thought he should go and see his brother at least one time before they transfer him miles away from Duke.
“You just called me single in five different languages,” Lacey chuckles as soon as Chance is out of range.
“And whose fault is that?” I tease.
She holds her hands up. “Hey, it’s not my fault every guy I meet is either taken or a douche canoe.”
I chuckle. “How long has it been since you went out with a guy?”
Lacey sighs. “Way too long. I’m not even sure I remember how to make out anymore.”
“I’m more than happy to refresh your memory,” a masculine voice cuts in.
We all turn to see TJ standing behind us with a devilish grin. His guitar is locked in its case, the strap draped over his shoulder as he shamelessly checks out Lacey. Lacey immediately rolls her eyes, and I smile. She can’t stand him, and he knows it. I swear the guy gets off on pushing her buttons. Just one of the many reasons why we could never set them up.
“Not even if you were the last man on earth, Jacobs.”
Unfazed, TJ smirks. “Keep telling yourself that, Mattson.”
I quickly stop paying attention to their bickering, casting a glance toward Aveena. She’s staring at Xavier, who’s playing beer pong with another one of Theo’s roommates, and fidgeting with the bracelet on her wrist. She seems lost in her own head, debating on what to do next.
“Vee?”