“What the fuck?” I mutter to myself and head to class, realizing now I’m late, but my smile is wide.
After my classes I find a nice quiet place to read under a tree. It’s so beautiful out today so I decide to enjoy it for once.
Minutes later someone plops down next to me. I look over and see it’s Tony again. He’s grinning that sexy grin at me.
“You lost?” I query, and he laughs at me.
“If you keep laughing at me like that you’ll give me a complex.” I lightly elbow his side.
“What the fuck are you doing, Tony?” Jared’s voice booms in the air.
Tony slouches, seemingly annoyed.
“You two know each other?” I look back and forth at them.
Jared is fuming, and Tony looks like he couldn't care less about Jared’s presence.
“Yeah, he’s my brother,” Jared explains, and my mouth gapes.
“For real?” I say. That explains why he felt familiar.
“I guess I’ll be on my way then. Always a pleasure, kitten,” Tony says, and Jared literally growls.
“Stay away from him, Erica. I mean it,” he orders, and I roll my eyes.
“Not this again! Will you stop telling me what to do? He’s harmless; we were just talking.” I start to pack my things up. Jared gently pushes my body against the tree and I instantly shiver at his nearness.
Shit, he smells good.
“Babe, I need you to trust me on this. He’s a snake in the grass. Stay away from him.”
“You’re mine.” He nuzzles my neck and I sigh.
“Are you going to tell me where you go at night?” I counter, and he shuts his eyes tightly.
“That’s what I thought.” I move away from his hold to leave.
“Erica, what I do at night is confidential. I still love you and need you in my life. I’m not cheating on you; I would never do that to us.”
I slowly turn to look in his eyes.
“What I see is a man who’s afraid to tell the truth. Trust comes first, and without that there’s no relationship to save,” I intone, and walk back to my dorm alone.
I Am His
Shannon is in the room with Sean when I arrive. They are making out heavily, and I cover my eyes to enter.
“Sean, put your damn pants on will ya?” I say, and they both laugh.
“I have to get going anyway.” He kisses her one last time before he leaves.
“’Bye, Erica.” He grins as he exits the room. Shannon is on cloud nine by the look she’s giving me. After everything that happened Shannon is still my friend, and stuck by me through everything. She knows my entire life and then some. I feel bad about all the harm I’ve caused her, but she still sticks by my side.
“I love that man.” She hugs her pillow and bites her lip nervously.
“I see that.” I smile while also feeling a tad jealous about their easy-going relationship.
“Why does everything have to be so complicated?” I ask, and she motions for me to sit.