WOLINSKILLMENOW:Can you come to mine instead? I had training and now I need to change. Unless you want to bask in my manly fragrance… (I read that in a book!) I’m on the other side of campus and my place is halfway.
I want to say no. I donotlike the idea of visiting his man cave. But if I wait for him to get here, it’s going to mess up my whole schedule.
CARRIE:OK.
WOLINSKILLMENOW:Yay! See you soon.
He sends me his dorm’s name and address.
I pull on shorts and a tank and slip on my sneakers before stepping out into the balmy September afternoon. Fifteen minutes later and I’m already regretting agreeing to this—I’m boiling, I’m out of breath, and this walk is never-ending.
“Carrie!”
Donovan is waving at me from the steps leading into his block. He jogs over to me, and I can see why he wanted to head back to his. He’s beet red and drenched with sweat, his wet jersey clinging to his chest.
“Gross!” I hold up a hand, keeping him away from me. “I can’t believe you actually train in this heat.”
He shrugs. “I’m used to it. Coming up?”
“I’ll wait here.”
“Really? I have air-conditioning and iced tea…”
“I’m coming up.”
I follow him up the steps, listening to him ramble on about his weekend, and by the time we reach his door, I’m feeling so incredibly awkward. It’s too late to turn back now, though. He shepherds me into his dorm, and I take a deep breath in.
“Hey, dude.”
One of his friends is calling out to him. I recognize the face—the guy’s name is on the tip of my tongue.
“Hey, Carrie!” He beams. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much…”
Damn! What was his name, again?
“Adam,” he whispers with a friendly wink.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t notice I forgot.” I laugh.
“Nope!”
“Hey!” another voice pipes up behind me.
I didnotexpect the place to be full right now.
I glance over my shoulder. It’s Lane. This one I have no problem remembering, I spent weeks with his girlfriend last winter, back when they were fighting and she needed a place to crash. She moped around for days. Seems like I’m destined to mend broken hearts. First Mom, then Lois… She’s a sweet girl—that’s the only reason I didn’t throw her out, screaming that relationships are bullshit.
“How’s Lois?”
“She’s doing great!”
He looks completely love-drunk.
“Is it just you two?” Donovan asks.
“Lewis is here too, but he’s been fixing a shelf in the bathroom for at least an hour now!”
