“I don’t know, man.”
My sigh ripples through the phone.
“I know you hate going, but they really want you there. It’s the first one of the semester.”
My jaw clenches as I mull it over, knowing he’s right. I should show my face, even if I don’t stick around.
“I’m riding with Dominic that night.”
The times don’t conflict, yet I’m fine making it sound like they do.
“I’ll come after riding. Don’t expect Dom there. You know he can only take them in small doses, and I think this weekend was enough for a while.”
Holli laughs, light and carefree, knowing I’m right as I mediate between Em and Dom. Holli’s tactic is to distract the twins with stories of the chicks at his university. That won’t be necessary tonight. More likely, he’ll dare them into some foolish stunt for the crowd’s amusement, and they’ll quickly forget all about Dom’s absence and my moodiness.
“Trust me, Dom will be there.”
His laughter fades, hinting at knowing something more than I do, which is usually the case. Hollister is the glue that holds us together.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in class right now?” I ask, wondering if he got kicked out like me.
There’s a brief pause on the other end.
“Snagged an early release, man. The professor bailed because of some department emergency or something. Lucky break. But what about you? Shouldn’t you be melting beakers or mugging down with some chick in the chem closet?”
I let out a dry laugh, the irony not lost on me.
“Funny you should mention that. I’m actually on a forced break from all things academic. Got kicked out of my class today.”
“No way, dude!” His surprised chuckle blasts through the line. “Already?”
“Yeah, it’s been a record-setting day. And you won’t believe this. My chem professor. She’s hot as fuck. Italian, and has this no-nonsense vibe about her.”
Holli whistles softly.
“Sounds like you met your match, bro. Hot and fiery, and here you are getting booted on day one. What’d you do?”
I can’t help but grin, even though the sting is still fresh.
“Let’s just say I made a grand entrance that wasn’t exactly on time, and she wasn’t having any of it. She doesn’t play games.”
He laughs again, this time with a hint of empathy.
“Well, that’s one for the books. But hey, man, maybe it’s a sign. It could be the universe telling you to change classes before it’s too late. Or is your dumbass going to try to get back in her good graces?”
“The latter. I need that class to graduate. Just got to figure out how to win over the formidable Professor Rossi.”
“Good luck with that. Sounds like you’re going to need it. And who knows, if you fail, maybe I’ll give her a shot.”
A strange burst of jealousy crawls up my throat, seizing up at the thought of losing her to the promiscuous Hollister. Visions of him and her naked deflate my dick.
“The fuck you will. You’re not messing this up for me. I need this grade.”
And if anyone’s taking a shot at her, it’s my ass. Not that I’d tell him that. He loves a good challenge, even if it’s at my expense.
“Calm down, man. Older women are Dom’s thing, not mine.”
My ears perk up with that new piece of information I never knew. Maybe he’ll have some insights he can share with me on how to get back on this older woman’s side.
