“Do you have an early class on Friday?”
“Me?” I ask, even though Memphis is looking right at me. “No,” I reply before he even answers.
“Send me the info, we’ll be there,” he tells Bates, and I’m assuming he’s talking about me too, but I don’t want to ask and look like an idiot.
“I can skip the gym Friday,” Oswald offers.
“No, you can’t. If you skip practice the day before a game, there’s no way they will put you in. We won’t stay out too late. You’ll be fine in the morning for the gym.”
Oswald gives his brother a mock salute. Apparently, I’m not the only one who thinks Memphis is bossy.
The conversation dies down until Oswald finally pushes his tray away and leans back in his chair with his hand over his stomach. “I can’t eat anymore.”
The amount he consumed was pretty impressive. I bet he’s one of the few students the school actually loses money on for the meal plan.
“Are you staying in your own room?” Memphis asks.
“Hell no. The stench of KJ’s feet has permeated the entire place. It’s all I can smell when I walk through the door. Do I stink?” Oswald tugs the fabric of his shirt toward me. I lean down and take a deep inhale, since he gave me the excuse to.
“No, you smell clean, like soap,” I tell him as I lean back.
“Feel free to check anytime. Just bury your face right here.” He tips his head back and makes a sloppy circle over his entire neck and torso.
“Are you worried he’s rubbing his feet on your things?” I’ve seen much worse with roommates.
Oswald pulls his head back and gawks at me. “Hell no, I’d smother his ass for doing something like that.”
“He just wanted an excuse to have you sniff his neck.” Bates shakes his head slowly, but he’s kind of smiling too.
“You caught me. Are we getting out of here? I’m starting to stiffen up.” Oswald places his palm on the table, readying to stand.
I gather my tray and lean down for my bag, but Oswald is already lifting it, and he makes an exaggerated grunting sound. “Damn, woman, what do you have in here today?”
I reach for my bag, but he evades me like always. “My purse and water bottle.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t topple over with this thing.”
“If it’s too heavy for you…” I tease, knowing he won’t give it back until he decides to.
“Get out of here before I put you over my shoulder,” he mumbles. Bates walks next to me while Memphis and Oswald linger behind us.
“So you’re a musician?”
“I work too, but yeah.”
“I’d love to be able to play something. I tried the piano, but I was young and gave up quickly.”
“It’s never too late to learn.” Bates lifts his hand and pushes the door open, allowing me to duck under his arm to get outside.
I put my hand out, expecting my bag so we can split up, but instead, Oswald reaches out his own hand and clasps mine. “I need that for class tomorrow, and my keys to get inside the house,” I tell him as he tows me along.
“Did you drive to school today?” Memphis asks. I dart my eyes over to the side of Oswald’s face for tattling on me, to a teacher no less.
“Yeah, I’m in a lot off of Williams Street.” It’s only a few blocks away. I’m not supposed to park there, but I’d already circled the block twice this morning, and I was getting desperate.
“Good thing you unblocked our numbers so you’ll have someone to call when you get arrested for all those parking tickets,” Oswald jokes.
“I think he would leave me there as punishment,” I whisper to Oswald, but I’m sure Memphis hears me.
