“Yeah. I do. It sucks. I tried not to catch feelings, but I didn’t stand a chance.” She nodded at me. “I’m still worried, though. He’s a known womanizer. I’m a challenge to him and as soon as the newness wears off… I don’t know.”
“First off, yes, he is a womanizer. And I know we mourned the loss of Mr. T when we found out Target guy was him, but I think he’s different with you. I’ve seen him around for over a year. He watches you like he’s into you.”
“That sounds creepy.”
“Borderline, but I think it is intrigue. You captivate him. Think of this as a real-life version ofJohn Tucker Must Die.”
“Great movie. God, Jesse is fucking hot.” We laughed. “I told him we were taking it super slow and we didn’t discuss anything. All I know is we are a thing. How lame is that? I don’t know whatthingmeans.”
“Who cares? Enjoy the ride. And, Cal, he’s not Gage. I know that was part of your hold-up.” She frowned, biting her lip in thought.
“I told him about Gage. Well, most of it.” I left out the moment when he’d stolen my virginity, left me and made a fool out of me for thinking I was different. Never again would I lose myself in a guy.Ever.Light and casual were the way to go. “I gave him the basic parts of it. I didn’t want to rehash the traumatizing event.”
“Probably for the best. I stillhatehim. Have you cyber-stalked him lately?” Greta and I had a problem of sometimes looking up people from our past. It wasn’t bad…unless one of us accidentally hit Like on an old picture from three years ago. “Last I checked, he’d moved to St. Louis. That asshole. St Louis is that armpit of the United States. He’d better feel at home there.” She ground her teeth and made the face of a warrior going into battle. “If I ever run into him…I swear.”
I cackled. “I’m glad you’re on Team Callie. You’re scary sometimes.”
“I don’t want your past to mess up your future. That’s the bottom line. I know you haven’t had a serious boyfriend since him.”
“I’ve had boyfriends.” I shrugged. I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Zade that I’d only slept with people I was in a committed relationship with. It had been…hmm…two years since I’d slept with Gage and that was the last time.
“No. You’ve gone on dates with the same guy maybe three times before calling it off. I ain’t judging you, but it seems that Gage is still winning.” She made a duck face and I scowled at her.
“He isn’t winning. I haven’t been interested in anyone, really.”
“Until Zade.” She finished my sentence for me. “Then see how it pans out. I never would’ve believed it last year, but I’m telling you, my gut feels good about him.”
“Well, you and your gut are something else.”
“Yup. Remember the time I saved your life because my gut had a sixth sense?” She got up, smug. “It never fails.”
“Nah, you prevented an old man from stealing my chicken nuggets.” I laughed, thinking about that treacherous stroll home through an old parking lot at four in the morning. It had been our senior year and our first time really drinking. We’d snuck out and stumbled home to find our parents both waiting for us with disappointed faces. We’d thought we’d been pretty damn sneaky…propping open a ground floor window with old shoes. We should’ve known better. Greta’s parents had found the shoe first, then called mine. I shuddered at the memory…the kitchen table set up as though in a court room and us interrogated as if we’d committed a crime. We’d been grounded for a month, but it’d totally been worth it. “Freckled Joe was a local favorite. He was harmless.”
“No, he was a crazy person and would’ve done unimaginable things to us. So, you’re welcome by the way.” She made a self-righteous face and marched into her room. “I have to go take online quizzes all day and I don’t want you to think I’m storming out dramatically.”
“Uh-huh. Sure. You areneverdramatic.” I opened my email. Radcliffe and I made plans to meet at nine in the library to knock out the entire diet plan. We planned on working four hours, and I thought out my snacks. I packed a lunch and spare water. The sooner we got it done, the sooner I could watch the Sox game and veg for the rest of the day. “I’m heading to the library. See you later, G.”
The walk held the first sign of the changing seasons. Summer was bleeding into fall, with warm temperatures, but the slight breeze cooled the evenings. I ate it up. Fall had always been my favorite time of the year. Warm coffee, cold nights and playoff baseball. Nothing beat fall.
I found Radcliffe sitting with a scowl at a large table. The library was partially underground while still containing windows. The lack of natural light on the lowest floor gave it a creepy, dungeon feel. It had apparently always been part of the charm of the place. I couldn’t contain my excitement at having my first study session there. Radcliffe’s scowl broke into a smile when I waved. “Radcliffe Rutger, Prince of Scandinavia, heir to the purple ruby throne. Feared by many, afraid of no one.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” He mocked me, but his eyes were warm. “I must say that was one of the more creative ones I’ve heard.”
“I’ve got a quick mind.” I sat down and pulled out my laptop. “Let’s get this done.”
“Plans later?” His tone was light, but I knew my answer mattered to him for some odd reason.
“Baseball, baby. Always baseball.” I showed him my Sox planner, pencil and old logo on my hat. “You a fan?”
“Damn. I’m more into football. Baseball is too boring for me.” He appeared ashamed and I’m sure my glare didn’t help. I needed to not care so much when people expressed their right to not like the best freaking sport in the world.
“I guess that’s allowed. Sorry, I’m intense about it sometimes. Ignore me.”
“No, no. You’re okay. You make me wish I followed the sport more.”
“It’s never too late to start. Might I suggest the White Sox?” I winked at him. He blushed and I sat back, questioning myself. I wasn’t flirting, was I? I normally acted like this… God. I hated the unclear expectations and decided to say to hell with it. I wasn’t changing who I was. “I mean, pick your own team, I guess.”
“I’d be afraid to say any other name. But I am a fan of the Bears. The team my family watched our whole lives.”
