He inched closer, his eyes fixed on her face. She tried to read him, but she couldn’t tell anything except that he was definitely giving off some whacked-out vibes. His brown eyes bored into her and his face was tight, like he was clenching his teeth.
He continued to approach her. Each time he took a step, she moved back until she was pressed against the wall.If he comes any closer, I’m going to scream.He took another step. She opened her mouth, but before she could make good on her promise, Ricky came in through the open door. Relief washed over her and she let out a long breath. She saw him check out Marcus, who was only inches away from her, then look at her, eyebrow raised.
She pulled away from the wall and waved. “Hey, Ricky, you ready to do some psychology?” Kylie placed her hand over her wildly beating heart. Marcus craned his neck and, seeing the six-foot Ricky, mumbled something incomprehensible before scurrying out.
Ricky watched him as he left, then closed the door. “Who was that?”
“Some weird guy who came up to me at the spring festival and has been acting like we’re friends ever since. He’s in my poli-sci class.” She wrapped her arms tighter around herself. “He definitely gives me the creeps. Have you seen him around campus?”
He shook his head. “I’ve never seen him. He’s not in any of my classes, but I can find out who he is. My friend has work study, and he has a job in the registrar’s office. He can look up anyone. Do you know the creeper’s last name?”
“No, but I can find out. I’ll give it to you when I do. I just want to know what he’s up to. I mean, it’s like he just appeared and now he seems to have some fucking bug on me.” She shivered.
“If he bothers you again, let me know. I’ll talk to him.” Ricky stared at her, not like a friend, but in a way a man does when he’s interested in a woman.
Kylie grabbed her psychology book and pulled out her desk chair. She motioned to Ricky to sit down. “Thanks for the offer, but I think it’ll be okay. I guess I’m just nervous about finals and getting through all the projects and papers due in the next two weeks.” She didn’t want to think about the way Ricky looked at her.
He shrugged, flopping down in the chair. “Just let me know.”
She smiled and went over to the mini fridge in the corner of the room. “Want a Coke?”
“Sure. Do you have any munchies?”
“Chips and salsa good?”
“Yeah.”
She brought them over and set them on the desk. They opened their books and notebooks and began working on their school project.
Two hours later, Kylie stood and stretched. “This is going to blow Dr. Reddle away.”
Ricky followed suit, yawning as he did so. “It better. Damn, I need to raise my grade in the class. I’m glad he paired me with you. You understand all this crap. I’m a math guy, and this touchy-feely shit just doesn’t make sense to me.”
“Next year I have to take my math requirement, so you can help me. It all works out.”
He nodded, his gaze running the length of her body. She crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly conscious of her breast size. “So, you going to eat at the cafeteria or off campus?”
Darting his eyes from her hips to her face, he answered, “The cafeteria. I’m broke until I get paid on Friday.”
An awkward silence surrounded them, and Kylie pretended to be busy arranging her books on the desk.
“Are you and Taylor going to the cafeteria?”
“Not sure what she’s going to do for food. Right now, she’s at the library freaking out.” Kylie smiled. “I ate so many chips, I’m not hungry. I may just pick up a salad at the snack bar.”
“Yeah.” Ricky bent down on one knee and untied, then tied, his shoelaces. “I guess I better get going.” He picked up her retractable pen and pushed the button over and over with his thumb. The clicks filled the silence as she watched him play with it.
“So, I guess I’ll see you in class tomorrow.” She walked to the door and opened it.
“Yeah.” He placed her pen on the desk and sauntered over to the door. Stopping in the doorway, he rubbed his chin and cleared his throat. “You want to go to a movie and dinner with me this Saturday night?” A slight sheen appeared above his upper lip.
Kylie’s eyes widened.He’s asking me on a date. Holy shit!It was ironic because, before Jerry’s visit, she would’ve been ecstatic about going out with Ricky. Since the second semester had begun, she’d been hoping he’d ask her out, but since she’d kissed Jerry, everything had changed.
“I hope I didn’t stick my foot in my mouth. You aren’t going out with that dude you were with on Saturday, are you? I thought he was just a friend.”
The truth was shewasn’tgoing out with Jerry. He hadn’t even called her. It was like he had a good time groping and kissing her, then he went back to the real women at the club.I bet he’s fucking Rosie and Wendy right now.Bitterness crept through her. “No, Jerry and I aren’t dating. He’s just some guy I know who’s in my dad’s club. No big deal. I’d love to go to the movies on Saturday.”
“You would? Great!” Ricky’s face lit up like a lantern, and she couldn’t help smiling. He was cute, with his light brown hair that fell across his forehead and his shining hazel eyes. He’d also been a great friend while she’d been at the university. “I’ll find out what time the movie is and let you know. Are you into action stuff?”
