“Nah, Gary’s just giving me shit. Besides, I’m getting more than a workout right here,” Hunter said, thrusting up into me teasingly. He pecked at his phone a few times then became frustrated and handed it to me. “Why don’t you reply to Gary. I gotta take care of this greedy little pussy.” He gripped my hips and continued driving himself upward.
“Okay,” I said. I tried typing a quick response but found it nearly impossible because it’s difficult to hit small virtual buttons with your thumbs when a gorgeous guy is thrusting his cock into you. The message ended up saying: SowwyIm’bizzzzyy. It was a garbled mess but I hit send anyway.
Satisfied with my work, I handed his phone back to him. He briefly glanced at the message, smiled then shut it off before setting it back on the nightstand. “No more distractions.”
I nodded and we continued “studying” well into the night, uninterrupted.
I woke up naked lying next to Hunter in his bed Tuesday morning, feeling an easy contentment I was becoming accustomed to feeling whenever I woke up beside him. I was beginning to suspect we spent more time naked at his apartment than we did clothed unless comforters counted as clothes. Hunter woke up shortly after, as if our bodies were attuned to the same bizarre rhythm. Watching him open those stunning eyes after a deep slumber was something I always looked forward to.
“Hey Hunter,” I said quietly. As great as the moment was, something had been on my mind since the using-kittens-for-blowjobs incident and now that our relationship had progressed beyond friendship, I wanted to talk to him about it. I considered it an opportunity to clarify some misunderstandings so our relationship could continue to grow. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Umm . . . this isn’t an accusation but I kind of need to know—since we’re more than friends now . . . Are you seeing anyone else?”
The sleepiness in his eyes immediately disappeared. He narrowed his brows. “I’m only seeing you, Lorrie. I promise. Why do you ask?”
“. . . I’ve been burned before, Hunter,” I admitted reluctantly. “I believe I already told you I’ve had a few boyfriends in my past . . .”
“Yeah, I know,” he grunted, registering his displeasure as he did anytime I mentioned being with other men.
“Well, my first boyfriend cheated on me in high school. I caught him walking out of a movie theater with his arm around this girl who was my best friend at the time. I found out they’d been seeing each other for weeks behind my back. I felt so betrayed. After I cut off ties with them, It was so difficult for me to trust anyone that I didn’t date for a few years.”
He narrowed his eyes in concern. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said softly as he kissed me tenderly on the forehead. “You don’t have to worry, babe. I’d never cheat on you.”
“What do you think of Daniela?” I asked matter-of-factly. Daniela had more success attracting men than I did and I attributed it to her good looks and outgoing personality. I wondered what Hunter thought of her.
He chuckled at the suggestion. “Well, I don’t really know her. There was really only that one time you and her came over to see the kitties. I guess my impression is: she’s cool but there’s no way I’d date her.”
“Oh? Why not?”
“Well for one—and no offense to her—she seems kinda like one of those pushy go-getter types. Like she knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to say it or go after it. It’s an admirable trait but not really my preference. You’re much more down-to-earth and relatable.”
“Hmm . . . I thought that’s one of her more endearing qualities—her strong personality.” I recalled how Daniela was the one who set up the double-date at the Bearded Squirrel and how she hit on that Phi Kappa Delta guy on Valentine’s Day. When it came to men, she was often the one to make the first move.
“Maybe to other girls it’s endearing. I mean, I do know some guys at the gym that are attracted to that kind of personality, at least initially—it’s a thrill to be around a feisty girl—but after a while it can get tiring.”
“Umm . . . isn’t that kind of an insensitive thing to say, Hunter?” I remarked.
He shrugged. “There’s a thin line between being a go-getter and being pushy just as there’s a thin line between being arrogant and being confident. You’re confident and sassy without being pushy. I dunno how you do it.”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “I mean . . . I get what you’re saying. It makes sense, but I’m not sure I’m liking it for some reason. It’s almost like you’re saying I’m meek or passive.”
He chuckled. “Nah, babe. We both know you’re anything but meek.” He rubbed my arm affectionately. “You’re funny, sweet, polite, you call me on my shit, and you draw awesome pictures of human-fly hybrids. I’m crazy about you. You’re complicated but somehow it’s like I get you and vice-versa. You’re unlike any girl I’ve ever met—when you’re being hard, you do it in a way that doesn’t push me away. Maybe it’s because I feel that strongly about you, or maybe you’re good at being hard but soft. Maybe it’s both.”
“Hmm . . . I guess I’ll take that.”
“Good. Also Daniela’s afraid of kitten poo. That’s a deal breaker for me.”
I laughed even as I suddenly felt bad for Daniela. “She’s actually pretty smart you know and she’s probably not as pushy as you think.”
“Yeah, I’m sure she’s a great girl. She’s just not the one for me. You are.”
I blushed and curled into his chest, inhaling his masculine scent.
“But while we’re on the topic,” he said, “what do you think of Gary?”
I spluttered a laugh. “Wow, I didn’t think you would ask me that in return.”
“Well, I did. And it’s a serious question.”
“Don’t worry about it, Hun,” I said patting his chest lightly. “Gary’s a cool guy but he’s got nothing on you. He doesn’t ooze raw sex like you do.”
He grinned. “I’m more than just a piece of meat ya know.”
“You’re so much more than that. But as a piece of meat, you’re Prime Grade.” I reached down to play with his cock and I licked my lips to signal to him my arousal. “I want some more of this meat you’ve got here.”
After having sex, we spent the rest of the day hanging out with the cats, watching Bridezilla, and trying to study in between dopamine-inducing sex bouts. It was another perfect day—one where I felt wonderfully alive and safe. But as night fell and we finally ran out of condoms, we realized we couldn’t stay nestled inside the cozy apartment forever. We had responsibilities to the outside world: classes, training, friends. The pressures of the real world were growing and we both felt it. After a heartfelt discussion, we finally decided to go to our classes in the morning. It was time to face the real world again. As boyfriend and girlfriend.
Chapter Nineteen
NEW BEGINNINGS
Daniela would not stop staring daggers at me in Muller’s class Wednesday morning. It was the first time I had ever seen her not paying attention to the lecture. I did my best to take notes, but it was hard with my best friend staring at me.
When class finished, I hadn’t even gotten my bag out to put my stuff away before Daniela was on me. “Someone didn’t come home for four nights straight,” she said, her green eyes expectant. “Quite a vacation you’ve been on.”
“Yeah,” I said casually, packing my notes and books into my backpack.
“Did you at least bring me a souvenir?”
I handed her a pencil I’d stolen from Hunter’s place. It was the same one I’d used to sketch him and I’d been using it take notes during class. “Here you go. A souvenir from the illustrious land of apartment 2E.”
She pushed the pencil back to me. “Alright, Lorrie. Cut the crap and spill the juicy beans.”
I took a deep breath, trying to refrain from smiling. “Let’s save some time. Yes, Hunter and I are dating now.”
She squealed and hopped up and down. I look around, embarrassed. Several
people were staring at us trying to figure out what was going on.
“I knew it!” she whispered excitedly. “That’s so amazing Lorrie!”
“Keep it down,” I whispered back. “People are staring.”
She nodded and looked around, gradually wiping the smile off her face. The lecture hall gradually emptied out as I continued to put my stuff away.
“So are you guys like keeping it a secret or something?” she asked, this time keeping her voice low.
Were we keeping it a secret? We hadn’t really talked about it, but I guessed it would get out soon enough. Still, I didn’t want to broadcast our involvement to the world immediately.
“I don’t know,” I answered. “I guess not. But I still don’t like people being in my business.”
“I can understand that. People are going to find out eventually though.” She finished packing up and slung her bag over her shoulder and I did the same. We left the lecture hall and headed over for our usual post-psych Starbucks mini-date.
I walked behind her and out into the cold winter air. The sky was the kind of brilliant light blue that only comes around in a cold place during winter. Seeing the sun for the first time in a few days cheered me up even more.
“So,” Daniela said, breaking me out of my spell. “There’s this party I’m going to Friday night. You should come! Oh, and bring Hunter.”
I thought nervously about going to a party that weekend. All I really wanted to do was curl up with my new boyfriend and hang out with him and the kittens—maybe for four more days or even four weeks. “I don’t know . . .”
“Oh c’mon! I haven’t seen you in almost a week and you’re gonna bail on me just like that?”
I suddenly felt bad for wanting to ditch her; she was a good friend and the eagerness in her expression indicated she really wanted me to go with her to this party.
“Alright, alright,” I said, yielding to her guilt trip. “I think I can go, but I don’t know about Hunter. We only just started dating, I don’t feel like I can drag him to parties yet.”
“You have to set the rules early!” she said, smiling mischievously. “Plus I bet he’ll love it. Free drinks and hot music. Who wouldn’t love it?”
“I don’t know. I’ll ask him, but I’m not promising anything.”
She turned to me and shrugged. “Okay, just let me know. When are you seeing him next, anyway?”
“He actually wants to see me tonight. We’re having dinner in the dining hall together.”
She smiled. “You guys were together twenty-four seven for four days straight and don’t need a break from each other? He must really like you. Lemme guess, then you’re going back to his place to hang out with the kittens?”
I blushed. “I think we’re going to my room, actually.”
Her eyes widened. “Even better. Get ready, because I’m going to ask you details about how he ‘hangs out,’ if you get my drift.” She winked. “I’m just giving you a pardon for a few days because I know you’ll clam up.”
“Daniela!” I yelled, my face even hotter than before.
“What? If my best friend is dating a guy as gorgeous as he is, I’m getting the details!”
The righteousness of her expression made me laugh. I’d have to deal with her inquiries about Hunter’s sexual prowess when the time came, but at least she was giving me a momentary reprieve. Her interest in the “details” made me think of them myself. The truth was, I couldn’t wait to get him back in bed.
We parted ways at Starbucks. I opted against getting a coffee, realizing I had time for a nap before my drawing class. When I got back to my dorm room, I went straight for my bed. It felt kind of strange to be back in my room after sleeping somewhere else the previous few nights. As I dozed off, I thought about seeing Hunter that evening. It was the only thing on my mind.
My phone alarm chimed and I dragged myself out of bed just in time for class, which went smoothly. Drawing was just about the only class that was going well, schoolwise. I’d intended to get work done at Hunter’s but we ended up studying Sex Ed more than for classes we were actually taking. I decided to spend some time studying at the library before dinner so I could begin to dig myself out of the rut I’d gotten into with my classwork. After grabbing my first coffee of the day, I walked into Wheatley Library ready to get to it.
The best place to study when you really needed to get stuff done was the cubbies located in the stacks, so that’s where I went. The strong stench of old book smell greeted me; I knew a lot of people liked the aroma of book paper, but I wasn’t one of them. I found a cubby, put my bag on the desk, and checked my phone. It was five-fifteen—I had almost two hours before meeting Hunter at the Barnyard. After putting on my headphones and starting my Taylor Swift mix, I got to work.
I’d been at it for almost an hour when my mix ended. I put my headphones on the table, wanting a break before moving on to another playlist. It was then that I heard my name from somewhere in the stacks. Putting my pen down on my page of notes, I remained motionless, listening quietly.
“They have to be dating now, right? I mean she’s always over there. I heard she was even there on Valentine’s day,” a girl with a high-pitched voice said.
“Yeah,” said another girl with a lower voice. “I don’t get it though. I mean I guess she’s cute, but she’s not exactly super hot or anything, and she is such a debbie downer. Sure, I get it, your parents are dead, it’s really sad. I’m not blaming her, but come on! He deserves better than that.”
My jaw tightened as I listened to these two faceless girls gossip about me. Apparently it hadn’t gotten out that Hunter and I were dating. If it had, these two girls would certainly know.
“I’ll bet she just gives really good head,” the high-pitched girl mused.
“I don’t know, I’m sure Hunter can get a blowjob anytime he wants.”
“Yeah, but maybe Lorrie can do special tricks with her tongue or something.” She paused. “Or maybe she’s just willing to do absolutely anything?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, just think about it. Like really dirty porn star stuff.”
The lower-pitched girl giggled. “I haven’t really seen much porn.”
“Use your imagination then.”
There was silence. I felt my heart pounding in my ears and my stomach wringing itself out. Listening to these two girls talk about me was excruciating.
“I guess,” the second girl said finally. “Doesn’t really matter. I bet he’ll lose interest soon.”
“I agree.”
That was it. I had to get out of here or these girls were going to drive me crazy. The way these girls were talking about me like I wasn’t worth Hunter’s attention was pissing me off. I packed my stuff up hastily and walked out.
As I walked toward the exit I saw the two gossiping girls. One was blonde, the other brunette, and they were both sitting down in front of a book shelf. The blonde locked eyes with me and did a double-take. “Hi,” she said. I scowled and kept walking, trying to ignore what those girls said about me.
I got to the elevator and hit the button to go down to ground level, thinking I’d just spend the rest of my studying time in a study room at the Student Union. In the back of my mind, I guess I’d known that Hunter was well-known on campus so going out with him would have people talking, but coming face-to-face with it had made me feel sick. People could be so awful to each other.
I got another coffee at Starbucks and tried to study for the next hour, but it was very unproductive. I couldn’t concentrate. All I could think about was the tone those girls had taken talking about me. It didn’t even sound like they were trying to be nasty; they just sounded confused. They were wrong about why Hunter was dating me, but it shook my confidence all the same. Seven o’clock couldn’t come soon enough.
Eventually, evening came. I left the Student Union and walked over to the Barnyard to meet Hunter for dinner. As I stood in line for a tray, my appetite disappeared, repl
aced by nervous energy. Should I talk to Hunter about what those girls had said? How would he respond if I did? We had an argument before about me listening to gossip, and I tried myself not to listen to it, but dammit did gossip always seem to follow me and then linger on my mind afterward. My pulse starting to quicken, I ground my teeth and took a deep breath.
I grabbed a tray and put a modest serving of potatoes and turkey on my plate along with a dinner roll. It was probably more than I’d be able to eat, but I could give it a try. After grabbing a soda to drink, I looked around to see if Hunter had beaten me here. When I saw him, I was lucky to hold onto my plate.
Hunter was sitting with the same girl who had been cozy with him the last time I’d seen him in the Barnyard. Ada. This time, however, she was sitting across from him. Did Hunter invite her to our dinner? Or did she invite herself? I wanted to turn and run, but instead put my shoulders back and walked as confidently as I could toward the open seat next to Hunter. I had nothing to be ashamed of. I approached and she locked eyes with me.
Hunter followed Ada’s stare. His face lit up when he saw me, causing a warm bubbly feeling to emerge in my midsection. I felt myself relaxing immediately. Being around Hunter was so comfortable and felt so right. I took a deep breath and sat down next to him.
He smiled at me. “Lorrie!”
“Hey Hunter,” I said cheerily, returning his smile.
Hunter gestured to Ada and me, in turn. “Ada, this is my girlfriend Lorrie. Lorrie, Ada.”
The fact he’d immediately called me his girlfriend boosted my confidence. He knew how to make me feel good. Ada plastered a big fake smile on and tilted her head. “So nice to meet you, Lorrie.”
“Hi,” I said politely.
“Sorry it was last minute,” Hunter said. “But I saw Ada at another table and invited her over so you guys can meet. Clear up some confusion.”
“Yeah, sorry about that whole banana thing,” she said, waving her hand dismissively. “It wasn’t serious. We were just goofing around.”