Part 2 (1/2)
”I like your hair,” I say as I run my hands through her blonde and black streaks. She was always adventurous and charismatic. ”Maybe we could do mine while I'm here.”
”Girl, you work in a salon. You aren't here to get your hair done. You're here to party, hook up with some hotties and then repeat it the next day.”
”Geesh, you make me sound like a wh.o.r.e.”
”It's just s.e.x, Callie. I'm in college. It's about exploration and learning. What better way to learn than experience?”
”You have the worst theories. What are they teaching you here?”
She pulls me inside the building where the sound of hip-hop music resonates. ”To have fun.”
I take a few seconds to consider what this weekend could do for my state of mind. ”You know what, screw it. Let's have some fun. No regrets.”
”Woohoo,” she cheers. ”What are we waiting for?”
Lys leads me into the living room where three people sit around a coffee table. Cards are spread out and red solo cups are situated in front of each person. They're filled with some blue concoction that I can only guess tastes fruity and sweet. I wave when they stop what they're doing to take me in. ”Hi. I'm Callie.”
Two females chipper up, while an extremely s.e.xy guy manages a half-smile. They all say hi before Lys begins to introduce them. ”The b.i.t.c.h to the right is Pepper. It's really her last name, but that's what she goes by. Her room is the first one you come to upstairs. Next to her is Avery. She has the room across from mine.”
Before she can finish the guy speaks. ”And I'm her brother, Cob.”
I snicker. ”Your name is Cob? Like corn?”
He gives me a flippant look. ”Like Jacob, but shorter.”
”Don't mind my brother. He's here visiting since it's alumni week.”
”Nice to meet all of you. I won't be in the way while I'm here.”
They go back to playing the game after the introductions are finished, so Lys takes me around the house to give me the tour.
We spend the next hour in her room reminiscing about the good old days. When the sun begins to set we stroll out onto the second level deck and watch it disappear. We're joined by Cob, who plays on his phone and ignores the beautiful horizon.
Lys runs inside, leaving me there with the c.o.c.ky stranger. ”So, you went to school here?” I ask to break the silence.
”That's what I said earlier.” He never looks up. ”What about you? Where do you go to school?”
”I don't. I'm a stylist.”
His brow c.o.c.ks as he finally peers at me displaying a set of light hazel eyes. His dark sideburns accentuate the shape of his jawline and as I scan the attributes of his face I'm taken aback by the attraction I feel. He's definitely a well kept man, taking pride in his appearance and how he grooms. His facial hair is trimmed in a fine line across his chin, and those lips appear to part just enough to make me lick mine in response.
I realize quickly that I must appear desperate. As quick as I'm able, I turn away.
”So you went to trade school for cosmetology?”
”Yes,” I answer.
”I'd imagine that must have been easy.”
I'm annoyed he may a.s.sume I've taken the easy route as far as careers go. ”I'll have you know I stand on my feet for more than ten hours a day. My hands kill me at night, and sometimes I have to talk so much my throat hurts. Why? What do you do for a living?”
He lets out an air-filled laugh that causes me to turn back to look at him. ”I work for a large corporation that implements and constructs new roadways in all fifty states.”
”What does that mean? What is your job?” This guy doesn't seem much older than me, but he speaks with an educated tone.
”Actually, I just took on a new role. I work for the division that obtains the property for new roads to be constructed on.”
I begin to think about what this type of job entails. ”So you purchase property and force homeowners to move?” I remember this happening in my town a while back. The people who had to move were offered a large amount of money after they'd first refused.
”It's not that simple. I'm sure you don't want to be bored to death hearing about my job. It's work. It pays the bills and lets me live within my means.”
”Do you force people to move if they refuse?”
He lifts his phone to his ear and sticks up one finger for me to hang on. In the meantime Lys comes out on the porch and takes me by the arm, pulling me back inside. ”Hurry up. We need to change and roll out. We're going to grab dinner before we get our drink on.”
I don't say goodbye to the douchebag we leave behind. People like him annoy me. They don't care who they hurt as long as they get their job done. I could never go to someone and take away their land for a stupid road the world can probably do without. There will be much more interesting, potential men to occupy my time while I'm visiting. If I want the whole college experience I'm going to have to act just like Lys and keep an open mind.
I put on my s.e.xiest little skirt and top that doesn't cover much of my mid-drift. I've already straightened my hair, but give it a slight touch up to ensure everything is in place, then I redo my makeup so I look my best.
I spin around so Lys can judge me. ”Well, what do you think?”
”I think I'm jealous of that cute little a.s.s.” She slaps me there as she says it. ”You're totally going to have the guys chasing you around.”
”Shut up. I'm here to spend time with you.”
We begin to walk out of the apartment together. ”Don't you worry. There are plenty enough guys here to go around. They come in all flavors. I prefer the chocolate over the vanilla.”
I laugh at how she says it. ”You're terrible.”
”What? I'm just telling the truth. You prefer clean cut white boys who think their s.h.i.+t doesn't stink. I like a fine black man who puts me on a pedestal and cares for my every need. To each his own.”
I roll my eyes as we walk down the sidewalk toward the town that I pa.s.sed before pulling into the development. ”So where are we going?”
”Just down to the pub. They have the best burgers.”
”And you expect me to drink afterwards? I'll be puking my guts up.”
”You'll be fine. Pace yourself. Besides, the more you eat the longer it will take to get s.h.i.+t faced. I'll make sure you get home in one piece.”
Two hours later I'm standing in the back yard of the frat house where the party is taking place. It's crowded, with little walking room, especially when you get closer to the door. I'd been inside for a while, but since I didn't know anyone it was a bit awkward, plus there were a bunch of girls running around with only body paint covering their genitals. All the hollering was giving me a headache. At least outside I can feel the crisp breeze against my face, and enjoy the entertainment from afar. I've been waiting for a chair to open up for forever, so when I spot one I hurry over to it and park my a.s.s against the hard seat, not noticing who is sitting beside me. He's giving me a once over before turning back to the female he's chatting with. I still can't get over how attractive he is.
He wants to be called Cob, and as silly as it sounds, it intrigues me to want to know more about him. Why do they call him Cob? Does he work out, or did G.o.d give him that natural build?
I sip at my beer while I watch him out of the corner of my eye. People that pa.s.s are giving him acknowledgment as if he's pretty popular. I can only a.s.sume alumni often show up for these sort of gatherings.
It takes me a while to feel a buzz come on. I people watch, enjoying the free entertainment, though it reminds me of the antics us kids get into on the ranch. There is never a dull moment for sure.