Stealing Reese (Wildcat Graduates Book 5), page 11
“Same old stuff around here. Classes, ball, sleep. That about covers it. You sound happy. Things are going good for you, I take it?”
“If you mean, are my parents laying off me, then yes, things are okay. I think they’ve been talking to your parents and have finally gotten a clue,” she explains, the relief in her voice evident.
“Their talking to my parents helped you? That’s gotta be a first. They aren’t ones to give parenting advice to anyone.” Taking a bottle of water from our mini fridge, I cross to my side of the room to sit on the bed.
“Apparently the talk you had with your dad actually helped me. I don’t really understand how, but I did get an apology from them for not listening to me enough.”
“Damn.” I’m just as shocked as she is.
“No kidding,” she laughs at my almost speechless reply. “I guess they did hear me at least once when I said I didn’t want to be a corporate lawyer.”
“Well, I’m glad my confrontation did you some good,” I chuckle, mostly to myself.
“Yeah, thanks,” she says. “How are things going with you and Reese?” Oh, shit. I’ve been so centered on baseball, I haven’t really talked to her much. “I take it your silence means things aren’t going that well? What happened?” Funny how our names have the same first letters, so our nicknames for each other are identical.
Scratching my head, I lean against the headboard and groan. “I think I just missed a study date tonight,” I admit, hating to hear it for myself.
“What the hell, Dee? What have you been doing?” She sounds as pissed as I imagine Reese is. “Never mind, could she still be there?” Why didn’t I think of that?
Jumping up from the bed, I look around for my keys and shoes. “I don’t know, maybe.” It’s already eight-thirty. Surely she wouldn’t have stayed this long to wait for me, would she?
“Then get off your ass and get over there, you idiot! Dillon Montgomery, what the fuck?”
“I know, I know! Later,” I hastily reply, only to hear call me back before hanging up. “SHIT!”
Throwing on some sweats over my boxer briefs, I slip my shoes on before grabbing my keys and running out of the room. My roommate is walking down the hall so I don’t even bother closing the door all the way. Ignoring the strange looks from the people I run past, I make good time out of the dorm and continue running over to the library, which isn’t too far away.
The library closes at ten, so there are still students wandering in and out of the building when I reach it. Trying not to make a scene, I slow my pace as I go straight to where we always study. Not finding her there, I methodically search the entire library, but come up empty. She isn’t here. Shit!
“Hey, Dill,” Xana smiles when I walk past the front desk. I didn’t realize she was working tonight. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen her since lunch on Monday.
“Hey, Red. You seen Reese?”
The strangest look appears briefly on her face before she smiles, replying, “Yeah, she and the guys left about half an hour ago.”
“Oh, Noel and Cade walked her to the dorm?” I ask, puzzled. Why would they both walk her to the dorm, and why would Noel leave Xana here alone? That’s something he never does.
“Oh, sorry,” she apologizes, shaking her head. “She left with Tyler and a few friends of his.” What the ever-lovin’ fuck?!
Not wanting to show my ass, I thank her and leave the library, determined to find out what the hell is going on. Forgetting to check my messages before running over here, I pull out my cell and scroll through them, five being from Pieces with the last one being right before we were to meet.
PIECES: Already at the library. Same place. See you soon. x
The others only make my stomach fall as I see how many times she tried all day to verify we were still meeting. Messages that I never thought twice to check for. Messages that I’ve missed throughout the week. Dialing her number, it rings six times before going to voicemail. Cursing inward, I dial her number again, but still no answer. Frustrated, I send a text asking where she is and apologizing for standing her up. I’m halfway to her dorm without a response when I almost throw my cell across the courtyard. Great job, asshole.
Sitting on one of the benches just off the sidewalk, I text Stacy in hopes that Reese is with her, or in the least, that she knows where she might be.
ME: Hey, you seen Reese?
BLONDIE: You lose a grown person, DAM?
Ever since she discovered my name was Dillon Andrew Montgomery, she loves using my initials any chance she can get. She’s worse than a lion with a freshly killed antelope.
ME: Have you seen her or not?
BLONDIE: Not since dinner. You screwed up, I take it?
Fuck! Does no one know where she is?
ME: Thx
Why give her more ammunition? She’s not gonna let this go as it is.
BLONDIE: I’ll kick your ass myself. Remember that, Pretty boy.
Great, just what I need. As if worrying about how to fix this isn’t enough.
Walking back to my dorm, I try to call Reese again, not hanging up until I leave a message where I’m almost begging her to call me. My steps are slow as I replay the last few weeks in my mind, realizing just how much I’ve taken her for granted. I’m not ashamed of how focused I’ve become on baseball, it’s my dream, but hurting her in the process isn’t what I wanted to do, either.
Back in my room, I sit by the phone, checking for a message from her, like a candidate anxiously waiting on election results for the presidency. A candidate who’s screwed up big time and has little hope of winning the race. I’m pacing back and forth in my room, so much that my roommate, Preston, has gone down the hall to a friend’s, when my phone finally receives a text from her.
PIECES: Just got in.
Yeah, she’s not thrilled with me.
ME: I’m so so sorry. I was so busy with practice that I forgot what time we were meeting.
PIECES: It’s fine.
Oh, shit, no it’s not. I may not have a sister, but I’ve been around Stacy, Mallory, and Xana enough to know that fine really means she’s anything but. Needing to talk things out, I dial her number, deciding that replying with a text would not be the wisest way to communicate clearly.
“Hello,” she greets me, her tone blank and somewhat cold. Dread sinks in causing my stomach to become knotted.
“Hey,” I say, unsure of where to begin, my voice unsteady.
“I got your messages. How was practice?” Straight to avoidance… making me work for it.
“I’m sorry, Pieces. Really fuckin’ sorry I stood you up.” Guilt is tearing me apart. She’s always been there when I needed something, and I can’t even return a damn phone call.
“It’s no big deal. I was already at the library studying with some people from class for a test tomorrow, so we just studied longer.”
“Yeah, Xan told me you left with Tyler,” I reply, desperate to see if there’s anything going on there.
“We finished studying as much as our brains could take, and then we left.” She doesn’t give any further details, driving me crazy, but I shouldn’t expect anything less.
“I really am sorry,” I stress quietly.
“Don’t apologize. Baseball’s kept you busy. You have some very important games coming up, what with all the scouts coming around. I get it. We both have things we need to do.”
“I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Look, I said it’s no big deal, okay?” I can hear her moving around in her room, drawers opening and closing.
“Okay,” I give in. “We good?” I ask, praying things really are worked out and our relationship, whatever it may be, is alright.
“Fine,” she reiterates, her words a little warmer than before. “I’ve gotta go shower. I’ll talk to you later.”
“G’night, Pieces.”
“Bye,” she says before hanging up on me.
I’m still uneasy about where we stand after this, but I swear I won’t do that to her again.
ME: Dinner?
Maybe he’ll reply sooner rather than later.
Dillon’s been around more the past two weeks, eating breakfast with me and the occasional lunch or dinner here and there. I’m not oblivious to the fact that he’s trying to smooth over standing me up in the library that night. I’ve grown up with a brother who played sports and understand what scouts mean to any athlete. I’m just not going to sit idly by while he does his own thing.
Other than that, we haven’t actually talked or spent any quality time together in what feels like forever. We’re usually surrounded by friends, never just the two of us alone. His dream is to play professional ball, and of course he’s going to do whatever he can to make that happen. Doesn’t mean I have to wait around on the stands for whatever scrap of attention he gives me. I’m happy for him, but I knew he wasn’t ready for anything serious when we first got together. I’m more realistic than most girls in this situation. I’m focusing on myself right now.
“Hey, Reese,” Ty says finding me after getting out of his last class, interrupting my inner reflection. I’ve just eaten lunch and am sitting in front of Boyd Hall on the outside benches waiting for my Lit class to start.
“Hey,” I smile, glad to see him. He sits down beside me on the bench and sets his backpack between his feet. It’s pretty nice out considering we’re well into March now, and feeling the sun warm my face is relaxing.
“By yourself today?” he asks, referring to Xana usually being with me.
“She had to go back to her room before coming to class. What are you up to today?” We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well so far this semester. It’s been nice having someone I’ve made friends with have the same teacher. Makes studying for things a lot easier.
“Practice before dinner. After that, nothing really.” His arm rubs against mine, sending shivers along my skin, and I do my best to fight the shudder my body wants to make. Weird.
“At least you have some free time for a change,” I smile, bumping him with my shoulder.
Laughing he nods, “That’s true. Way overdue, too. We’ve practiced so much in between games this week, I’m exhausted.” He’s really good looking on a daily basis, but there’s something about him today that makes him more so.
“Well, if that’s how you look when you’re exhausted, you could have fooled me,” I tease.
“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful,” he laughs, his head tilting minutely backward as he does. I think he’s trying to flip his hair like they do on those silly television commercials. He waves to one of his friends as they pass by, smiling the entire time. “You got anything going on tonight?”
“Nope,” I reply, popping the last letter louder than intended. I usually can’t do it that loud.
“Things still the same with Montgomery?” He’s heard all about my relationship woes. Even witnessed me being stood up first hand on more than one occasion. I’m surprised he hasn’t dropped me as a friend by now.
“Unfortunately. I don’t know why I even bother trying to call or text him half the time,” I complain. “We haven’t talked in almost two days.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he sympathizes. “Why don’t you come over tonight and hang out with me and Aaron? He has a study thing after dinner, but after that we can watch movies or something.”
“Or something?” I ask, tilting my head and cocking a brow. “What might that entail?”
“I don’t know,” he admits, shrugging. It’s cute. “Doesn’t matter to us, really.”
“Sounds interesting,” I say, looking at my watch for the time.
“Time to go?” he asks, standing with me and picking up his bag and mine. I nod and he turns with me toward the entrance. “So, I’ll see you later?” He walks with me inside the building and up the stairs to my Lit class, carrying my bag the entire time. He never lets me carry anything if he can help it.
“Sure thing. Just text me when y’all are ready for me to come over. I’ll work on my Biology paper until you’re done,” I agree, taking my bag from him when we reach the classroom door.
“Later, Ree,” he grins, squeezing my hand before turning away to walk out of the building for a second time. Ty and Aaron, his roommate, are two of the nicest guys you could ever meet. I can’t believe they’re still single.
Having met me in the parking lot because it’s already dark, Tyler is walking me to his dorm when we come across Dillon. He doesn’t look thrilled to see me with him. His displeasure isn’t hard to figure out between the scowl on his face and the way he keeps looking from me to Tyler. I don’t really understand why. It’s not like we had any plans to do anything. Haven’t in weeks.
“What are you doing, Reese?” he grumbles, coming to stand directly in front of Tyler. His glaring sets me on edge, and I can feel Ty stiffen to my left.
“What the hell, Dillon?” I reply, barely keeping my voice at a conversational level. He doesn’t answer, just stands straighter, challenging my companion by matching his stance.
I cut my eyes to Tyler then to the dorm, silently asking him to leave us alone. He understands my request - I just can’t have this situation becoming a bigger spectacle than it already is - nodding a fraction before walking inside. People are staring, stopping what they’re doing to watch us. I can’t believe he’s doing this now.
My attention never leaves Dillon, whose continued silence only pisses me off. “What? You finally remember me?” His refusal to speak fuels my anger and frustration.
He glances into his dorm and sees Tyler waiting for us to finish talking. At least Tyler comprehends what’s going on and isn’t out here acting all caveman, unlike the jerk standing in front of me.
“Reese,” he focuses back on me, “Can we go somewhere and talk alone?”
“Are you serious right now?” He knows I’m here with Tyler and can’t stand it. “We haven’t talked in two days, Dillon!” Dillon starts to say something a few times, but nothing is ever spoken. “You haven’t spent any quality time with me, much less talked to me, really talked to me, in almost a month.” He opens his mouth to speak, but I continue. “You’ve always been up front with me that your focus in on baseball. I truly understand and support you on that. Yet, the minute you see me with someone else you act like we’re engaged or something, and I’m supposed to just follow suit and come running whenever it’s convenient for you?” Crossing my arms in front of me, I wait for his explanation.
“That’s not what I’m trying to say.” Silence again fills the air, though his expression never changes. “Why are you over here with him?”
“He asked if I wanted to hang out with him and his roommate since I hadn’t heard anything from you all day, not that I have to explain anything to you.”
“Things aren’t over between us,” he argues, but I don’t want to hear it. Not wanting to drag out this conversation any longer, I carry on letting my pent up feelings pour out of me.
“Are you kidding me? We’ve barely seen each other over the last month, and you know it! How does that make us together?” I try hard not to shout, but his behavior pushes every button I have. “I’ve made every effort imaginable to reach you, but you’ve continually left me out.”
“Reese,” he begins to argue, but I shut him down.
“No,” I say as calmly as possible, resigned at what has to be done. “We dated for awhile, but that hasn’t happened in a long time. I understand you’re busy - I get it - but I’ll explain a thing or two, “Mr. Number One Baller”. First off, just because we’ve dated and had sex doesn’t mean I automatically belong to you, nor does your sudden show of interest in me. Second of all, it takes two people to make this work. Eating a few meals together and exchanging a few texts once in a blue moon does not make you entitled to my time. A relationship with me will always be about more than a one-off of convenience. I deserve better than being someone’s second choice.”
“I never thought,” he interrupts unsuccessfully. The lost look on his face saddens me, but we can’t continue on this way.
“We were together and it was great,” I smile sadly, “but you’ve stopped communicating with me and pushed me to the side without any consideration to how I felt. ”
“I never meant to do that,” he begins, taking a step toward me, but I continue as clearly as I can.
“Maybe not, but you did, Dillon. We can’t continue like this. I told you I wasn’t going to be yanked around by anyone ever again, so let me put it into words you can relate to. Take the bench, because you just struck out.” I hate that my last words sound so blunt, but how else can I say it?
Turning away, I start to leave when he grabs my elbow to halt my retreat. “Reese, I’m sorry,” he says.
“I know. I understand how much ball means to you and I willingly accept that, but I can’t carry on being the only one trying to make this relationship work. It’s just not our time,” I smile sadly. Pulling out of his grasp, I leave him standing by the dorm doors as I walk inside where Ty is waiting to check me in.
Yeah, Dillon’s pissed and upset, but so am I. No matter how amazing being with him would be, I’ll never allow myself to become so wrapped up in a guy that I forget who I am in the process. He has dreams that I fully support and, more than anything hope he fulfills, but I can’t stand by silently waiting in the wings while he does it, unsure of whether or not he’ll remember me. Neither of us needs that pressure. It’s not fair to anyone.
“Everything alright?” Ty asks while we walk to the check-in desk, quickly glancing over his shoulder to where Dillon and I were standing. The two of us hand our IDs to the guy working, then leave for his wing of the dorm.
“Yeah. I can handle him.” His hand moves to my lower back as we climb two flights of stairs, then to his room at the end of the hallway. Unlocking his door, he urges me inside and closes the door behind him.
“Hey, Air,” I tell his roommate.
“Hey, Andrews,” Aaron says when I get inside. He’s on the basketball team with Ty and they’ve been friends since junior high. He’s easy going and fun to be around, and we have a friendly brother-sister type of relationship.
