He stops, raising his eyebrows in question.
I dig money out of my front pocket and hand it to him. “I can pay for my own drink.” I don’t even wait for my change before heading back to my table. Unfortunately, the man follows me. I turn around to confront him. “I’m not interested.”
His face scrunches into a sneer. “You think you’re too good for me?”
The words echo through my head. He said the exact same thing to me before he violated me.
I will not fall apart.
I force myself to take a deep breath. I was helpless that night, but I can stand up to this asshole. “No, I’m too young for you.”
He calls me a couple of obscene names before sulking off toward another table of university students.
I sit in my chair, shaken from the encounter. I want to go home, but Sylvia is having a good time. I should have listened when my instincts told me not to come out tonight. Then I wouldn’t have argued with Reed. But that argument had been a long time coming. If it hadn’t happened tonight, it would have happened in the near future. And even though I’m upset over our fight, I know that’s not the true source of my anxiety. I’ve been on edge since I walked in here tonight. I feel naked and exposed and it pisses me off. Have things really gotten so bad that I can only have fun when I’m not myself?
Sylvia comes back to the table after a couple of more songs. “You’re not enjoying yourself.”
I try to smile. “I’m good.”
“No, you’re not. I don’t understand what the problem is. You had fun last weekend.” She pauses for a second. “Although that might have had something to do with Rob.”
I can’t hide my amusement. “You’re terrible.”
“We could give him a call.”
“I am not going to call him.” I shrug. “Look, I’m just tired, and I’m upset over my fight with Reed.”
“Do you want to go home?”
I do, but I figure I should suck it up until Sylvia is ready to leave. “No. I just got hit on by an old guy. Give me a moment to get over the shock.”
She scans the crowd and spots him. “That one?”
I see where she’s pointing and nod.
“God, I’m sorry. What a loser.”
I try to relax, but I’m on edge for the rest of the night. A group of three guys from Southern comes over to our table to talk and everyone pairs off except for me, not that I’m complaining. I purposely avoid eye contact with any of them. I feel completely out of control in this situation, which only adds to my anxiety.
It’s a little after midnight when I see a girl I recognize, heading toward the exit with a group of friends. It takes me a moment to put together how I know her. Tina. She works in the math lab with Reed and she used to live with Caroline.
I sort of know her and she’s leaving. Since I helped move Caroline out of her apartment to move in with us, I know she lives close to campus. I jump up from my chair.
Sylvia shoots me a startled look.
“I see someone I know. I’ll be right back.”
She looks dubious. “Well, watch out for that old geezer. He’s still wandering around, trying to screw his way through his mid-life crisis.”
“He’d be more fun than she is,” one of Sylvia’s friends whispers with a smirk. Their other friend laughs.
Sylvia shoots them a glare as I turn around and hurry after Tina and her friends. I catch them right before they leave.
“Tina!”
She hears her name and looks around, passing over me in her scan.
“Tina,” I say again, moving closer. “Hi! I’m not sure if you remember me, but I’m Lexi, Caroline’s friend.” Knowing that Reed is widely considered to be a bastard on campus makes Caroline’s name the safer choice.
Recognition lights up her face. “Oh! I know you! You’re Reed’s little sister.” She gives me a sly grin. “I hear you’re quite the little match-maker.”
I shrug. “You know…”
“You’re pretty good at it. Have you ever considered going pro? I could work up some statistical probabilities for you to help you make more accurate matches. For a cut of course.”
“What?” I shake my head in confusion.
“Well, you’re a business major, aren’t you? You’d think that would be right up your alley.”
She knows more about me than I expected. I’m not sure if this is a good thing or a bad one.
“I haven’t really given it much thought.” I move closer, ignoring the curious stares of her friends. “Say, I see that you’re leaving and I need a ride back to my car. It’s parked in the west campus parking lot. I know where your apartment is, so—”
“Why don’t you call your brother? I’m surprised he let you out of your glass cage.” She laughs and her friends laugh with her.
My back stiffens. “Never mind. I’ll just take a cab.” I spin around and am heading back to my table when fingers dig into my arm and pull me back.
“Hold on, Curly Sue.” She’s grinning like she’s up to something devious. “Why don’t you want to call Reed? I’m sure he’d drop everything to come and get you. Or does he not know you’re out.” When I don’t answer, her face lights up. “He doesn’t know!” She laughs. “Hell, yeah, I’ll give you a ride. Let’s go.”
I’m not sure I like that she’s so enthusiastic about the idea that I snuck out behind Reed’s back, but she’s offering me a ride and I’d hate to refuse it. “Let me get my coat and purse.”