"Uh... no, sorry. It's not really my thing. But Maddie always summarizes stuff for me so I don't get lost in the university gossip," she confesses, and I laugh.
"Good. But so, what are you up to?"
"I just finished an assignment and I was considering whether to order something to eat or just sleep," she says, and I laugh again.
"How long has it been since you ate?"
"Hmm... I don't know. Since lunchtime?"
"Then there's your answer," I state, and I hear her make a frustrated noise with her mouth.
"Damn. It means I'm going to have to put on something decent and go down to pick it up," she complains, and I let a little puff of air out through my nose, entertained. I lean against a tree outside the house and watch people dancing and drinking around the pool, though it was covered now with winter approaching.
"I was going to invite you to come here and celebrate with me, but apparently you're too tired."
"Physically? No. Mentally? Exhausted."
"You could drink, dance, and kiss me. I guarantee it eases the mind," I venture, and she laughs.
"Tempting, but a party with my ex doesn't seem like a great idea either," Charlie justifies, and I kick a little pebble in the grass, unable to stay completely still even while talking on the phone.
"He's already disappeared into a room, I doubt he'll show up around here again."
"Hmm... but still... A lot of people would see me."
"So what? You're going to hold yourself back because of what people will think? Or worse, afraid of what Johnny will think?" I play my last card, and Charlie sighs.
"No. Not that," she assures me with the firmest voice she can manage.
"Then come. I promise to make it worth it. And either way, most of the people here are either drunk or very drunk. They won't be able to gossip reliably about anything," I say, and the girl laughs a little, but it quickly turns into another groan.
"But I really am hungry and if I order something to eat, you can bet I won't get out of my bed again."
"I'll order a pizza. It'll be here when you arrive," I state, already excited about the possibility of her actually coming.
"You're going to find a solution for everything I say, aren't you?" she throws out, and I crack up.
"Probably, sweetheart."
Charlie huffs and I can picture her rolling her eyes.
"Okay, you win. But I'm only staying for a little bit, okay? And only because I really have been holed up in my room for too many hours. It'll be good to see people. And I think Maddie's out there too."
"She sure is! And you'll get to see me, what's better than that?" I joke, and she cracks up.
"When did you get so cocky, Mr. Clarke?"
"Ever since you let me put my hands on your ass," I fire off, and the girl gasps.
"I can't believe you said that."
"I did. And it's true. Now come on already!" I ask, running a hand through my already messy hair.
"Okay. But order pepperoni pizza with lots of cheese. And it'd better still be warm when I get there! And the beer cold, or you're not getting that ass tonight," she shoots back and hangs up in my face.
I crack up and put the phone in my pocket, still with a smile on my face.
I was going to earn that beautiful ass.
