Guilt caused my shoulders to cave when I placed my phone face down on the desk. Any other day, I would be happy to spend quality time with my brother. However, I couldn’t risk the chance of running into Loso. No matter how much I tried to convince myself I wasn’t ashamed of running into Loso at Nightstand, my heart raced at the idea of talking to him about it. I didn’t know how long he watched me before I spotted him, but the mixture of shock and curiosity painted his mug. Even from across the room, I could hear his thoughts, and when I got home that night, I kind of hoped he came through to speak his piece.
“Who are you over here daydreaming about?”
A phony smile curved my lips as I peered up at Caleb. “You. Every time I see you behind that podium, my mind wonders if the head on your shoulders is as big as the one in your pants.”
He looked around the now empty room then cupped my chin. “You keep talking like that, and I may have to pay for another night at the club.”
“Hmph. I would prefer you use that money for an extra night in the snow.”
Caleb’s slender frame snapped to attention and his regard veered to the left. I had seen the look enough to assume the wise man was up to no good.
“Aww, shit,” I grumbled. “Here we go with this bullshit.”
“Hey. Come on, love. Don’t give me that look.”
“Sometimes I don’t think you care how I see you. Don’t make me regret choosing you.”
“I’m about to take you shopping for our trip. That should be enough to convince you that my word is bond.”
“For now, it is,” I declared while stepping out of arm’s reach. “I rode my bike over here. I’ll meet you at The Galleria.”
Caleb didn’t pretend to care when I stormed off which was all the proof I needed. Being a pushover wasn’t a requirement to be my man, but being willing to put my mind at ease was important. If nothing could make me smile amid confusion, the sight of my dark purple motorcycle always did the trick. The Triumph Twin Speed was a Christmas present from my brothers, and every time they saw me on it, they complained. I caught a few students point in my direction as I slipped on my gear, but I didn’t waste time questioning them. Just because I was having a crabby day didn’t mean they had to.
The ride from the university to the mall took about forty minutes. There was a shopping center closer to campus, but Caleb’s scary ass insisted we travel to avoid running into someone associated with the school. Unless we kicked it on Mars, I didn’t believe we could escape inquisitive stares, yet I appeased his request. I made it to my destination a little after 4:00 PM, parked my bike, then found a seat on a bench near the mall’s entrance. I tried to be patient since I knew the professor drove like a snail, however, twenty minutes passed, and he was still a no show.
“Hello?” He answered the phone on the first ring.
“Hey. Where are you? I’ve been sitting here listening to these white kids sing ‘Jingle Bells’ repeatedly. I’m getting dizzy.”
The phone line trembled with his shaky breath.
“Essen. Love. I heard the school’s choir is singing Christmas carols at The Galleria this evening. Did you hear about that?”
I snatched the phone away from my ear and eyed it like it held an infection. “Are you fucking serious? You cannot convince me you justheardabout that!”
“Don’t be a brat about it, Essen. Your pussy is some of the best I’ve ever had, but nothing is worth my career.”
“Then you should have thought about that before you started bending me over your desk! I’m sacrificing the holidays with my family, and you won’t even?—”
“Cut the shit!” he interjected. “You are becoming a fucking nag! Just because you are willing to abandon your folks doesn’t mean I’m willing to do the same.”
“Then take their round asses up north and stop calling my phone!”
“I’msorry I’m late! Traffic was crazy,” I explained, entering the lobby of the venue where Loso and his mom waited for me. I hadn’t seen Mrs. Terri Bricks in forever, and still, she greeted me with open arms and a warm smile.
“Essen!” She sang my name. “It’s so good to see you! The last time we crossed paths you were cheerleading for Silk Hills High.”
My head jerked back. “Wow. Now I feel bad that it’s been so long.”
“It’s okay. I understand life happens.” She combed a piece of her long hair behind her ear. “As much as Loso is with you, I’m surprised.”
For the first time since I stepped into the room, I noticed the annoyance on Loso’s face.
“Ma. We don’t hang out likethat,” he clarified.
“Boy, as pretty as Essen is, it should be just likethat.” She strutted away without allowing him to respond.
“Sorry about her.” Loso shook his head. “Sometimes, she does too much.”
