The next day, he continued to familiarize himself with the campus and adjust to his schedule. Arriving in the middle of the semester had worked in his favor, allowing him time to discuss the course structure with the department head, observe his fellow academics, and rewrite the proposed syllabus for his advanced classes. In January he’d start teaching, but for now he had time during the day for research and to get things done.
Like sign rental papers.
After returning to the house, he made a mental timeline. He still had a few days to gather his things, then he planned to move into his new place. But tonight he intended to concentrate on his complicated relationship with Ann.
“Yo, little bro.” Dan peeked his head into the kitchen, on a work break, apparently. The couple’s home office gave them enough space to work together when necessary, though Julie normally went in to St. Charles to teach at the hospital’s computer lab while Dan telecommuted.
“Big bro.” Over the years, the pair had fought as only brothers could, but he loved Dan and would do anything for him. Knowing his brother still looked out for him came as no surprise. The Blooms had raised fine sons, as his mother liked to remind him.
“How’s it going with Ann?”
“Okay I guess.” He threaded his fingers through his hair. “No, not really. She went out with some douchebag last night. But it wasn’t a date, according to her, just a movie.”
Dan winced. “Ouch.”
“Not a date my ass. She’s testing me. She hasn’t said yes or no to being exclusive, so I’m not supposed to be mad about her movie night. Yeah, right.”
“So what happened last night? You went to her place, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I was nice. Polite. Asked about the movie. Then, well, I left her happy as hell while I walked off a bad case of blueballs.”
Dan gave him a high five. “Good man. There you go. Then what?”
“Then I came home before I forgot myself and stayed the night. Which probably would have sent her on a date with someone else to prove some fucked up point.” And why was that? He’d sensed her attraction, even her affection. He hadn’t imagined the tenderness in her eyes when she looked at him, had he?
“You sure you know what you’re doing with Ann? Last time you guys dated, she broke your heart.”
He’d never told his family about Ann stepping out with Terry, just that they’d broken up. But damn, that still enraged him. She should have talked to him if he hadn’t been the man she’d needed him to be.
“Jack?”
“What?”
“Relationships aren’t easy.”
“No shit, Sherlock.”
Dan smacked him upside the head. “Idiot. Listen to me. I know it seems like Julie and I have no problems, but we started off rocky. She was dating some jock with balls bigger than his brains, so I had to show her that geeks are hot too.”
Jack snorted. “You? A geek? You were captain of your college soccer team.”
“And a computer science major, don’t forget. Her ex was the starting quarterback and a bigger prick I’ve yet to meet.” Dan huffed. “Took a while, but I wore her down. She didn’t know what hit her when I pulled out the big guns. That’s right. The Bloom charm.”
“God. Stop helping.” Like their father had with their mother, Dan had worn Julie down with persistence. She’d called him her sweet stalker and had said yes to put him—and her—out of their misery.
Dan locked a meaty arm around Jack’s neck. “Don’t worry. I’m here for you. Want to have some fun and go thump the movie guy?”
“I would, but I get the sense he was just an excuse to see if I’d go all caveman on her. Ann acts like she wants to be with me, but I think the past is always there hanging between us. It shouldn’t be, but sometimes I feel it too.”
“So deal with it and get it done. You know women like to talk.”
“Talking isn’t my bag.”
“Make it your bag. We’re Blooms, son. Smarter than the average schmoe.”
“True.” Jack frowned. “It’s just…I hate to go back there. It wasn’t a good scene during senior year. Hell, we were both just kids.”
“She’s a smart girl. She’ll understand that, right? She made mistakes. You made mistakes. Get some closure and get over it already. Then step up and nab the woman. Jesus, act like you have a pair.”
