Changing Tunes (21 page)

“You’re pretty good at this friend stuff, even if you don’t see it yet.” She says, nudging my shoulder.

I inwardly smile and say, “Best compliment ever!”

That’s how I spend my weekend, eating junk food and watching movies in my pajamas. True to Zeke’s word, he called me the next day. He seemed a bit off, but I shrugged it off knowing if he didn’t want to talk to me, then he wouldn’t have called.

I’m excited to see him on Monday in class. Who would’ve thought I’d be looking forward to class so much?

I wake excited as hell. Zeke called me last night when he got home. He seemed sad to be gone from his family, but excited to talk to me. I wish I had the kind of relationship with my family that he does. I can’t imagine not wanting to leave them. I can’t fathom it.

I dress carefully. I’m not sure why, it’s not as if Zeke’s going to care what I’m wearing. I realize I’m nervous. It’s the first time we’ll be together since before he left. Since we christened his bedroom and his shower. I get all hot and bothered just thinking about him and us.

I hear a knock on the door, and Mac pokes her head in and smirks. “Quit day dreaming and get your ass in gear, or you’re going to be late.”

“How the hell do you do that?” I ask, laughing.

“Girl, it’s written all over your face.”

“Oh.”

I grab my bag and see a cup of coffee I hope is for me.

“Don’t forget your coffee.”

Score!

“Thanks, I’ll see you after classes. My history class was moved to this afternoon, right after chemistry, so it’ll be late.” I say as I fly out the door, waving my hand goodbye and rush to my English class.

I get to the door and see Nick sitting in the seat right next to mine waiting on me. I slow my descent, not wanting to gain any attention and plop down. I quickly glance up front, too, and notice Forrester has his eyes on me.

Damn.

I do my best to ignore it, but I can feel his gaze on me.

I chat with Nick, who seems okay after the kiss he shared with Mac. I was a little concerned it would be weird, but so far, so good.

Class begins and I get ready to take notes. I listen and begin writing everything down, careful not to miss a thing. We are then given independent study and instructed to read several chapters on our own. I still feel eyes on me, and I try hard not to glance up, but unfortunately my eyes betray me. I look up to see Forrester is full on staring at me, and not being careful about it, either. I see his lips tip down in a half smile/smirk that gives me the heebie-jeebies. I look away quickly, and glance around to see if it is obvious to anyone else. Sure enough, a quick glance to my right shows, not only has Nick noticed, but so did the same girl that’s given me attitude in the past. My heart begins to race, and I look back down at my textbook, trying to pretend I’m reading. I can’t concentrate and I just stare at empty words until class is over and we’re dismissed. I quickly pack my things and try to escape with Nick, when I hear my name being called.

“Ms. Davis, a word please?”

I stop in my tracks, and the words fuck, fuck and shit echo through my head.

Nick gently touches my arm and says, “I’ll wait for you as long as I can before my next class, but I can’t be late. He’ll skewer me for sure. Good luck.” I see the sympathy in his eyes, and I’m grateful he doesn’t seem to be holding me accountable for the attention I’m receiving. I nod my head in understanding and make my way to Forrester, who sits at the desk in front, looking smug.

“Yes, Professor Forrester?” My voice comes out shaky then controlled and I hate that. It makes me feel powerless.

“I’m looking for an assistant who would help me with certain tasks. It would mean some late nights, grading some papers and other menial things. Whatever I need you to do. There is a small salary, and it would look excellent on your transcript.” Without missing a beat he lowers the boom. “I understand your father is a benefactor for the college.”

My body wants to quake, and I attempt to tamp down my nerves. I can’t let him see me weak and not in control.

Not a question, but a statement. The truth is I will desperately need the money, once I’m out from under my father’s thumb, but Forrester freaks me out, and I’m sure I could find something else to help me financially when the time comes. I’m not about to get ‘into bed’ with this guy. I know this kind of men, too. They’re master manipulators; I’ve seen them my whole life. My father is one of them. I’m sure Forrester will do everything in his power to ruin me for not getting his way, but that’s just something I’ll have to deal with.

Taking a calming breath I reply, “Thank you for the opportunity, but I don’t think it will work with my schedule. I have three other classes and I wouldn’t want them to interfere with the assistant job. I’m sure my father would agree. My classes should come first.”

He looks surprised at my response. I have no doubt being turned down rarely, happens to him, if ever. I smile inwardly, liking the fact I’ve just burst his proverbial bubble.

“I have a class coming up, and I really need to go. Thanks for the offer, though.” I don’t wait for a response I just turn and walk as fast as I can out of there. I reach the door and spot Nick leaning against the wall waiting for me.

He waited for me.

I lean back using the wall to hold me up, and realize I’m shaking. I turn to Nick and manage a small smile, “Thanks for waiting.”

“I decided I could handle being skewered.” He says with a smile, but his face quickly turns serious, “What did he want? I know it couldn’t have been good. The way he was fucking you with his eyes and all. God, can that guy be any more obvious?”

“He wanted me as his assistant, to do some menial tasks for him.” I blow out.

“Are you shitting me?” He doesn’t wait for me to respond but begins to spout, “Yeah, he wants you in his bed, and I’m sure I know what the other ‘menial’ tasks he wants done are. That mother fucker!” He uses his fingers and does the bunny ears.

Lord, is he riled up.

He stops walking and looks at me, “I’m sorry. It just pisses me off. What all did he say?”

I’m embarrassed to repeat it, but he knows a little about my dad already and knows of his so-called ‘importance’ on campus. Nick’s become a good friend and seeing how pissed he is, and given what he’s already witnessed, he needs to know. I tell him the conversation and reiterate that Forrester didn’t say anything wrong, even if he does give me the heebies.

“The heebies?” Nick laughs.

I smile a little, “Yeah, you know, the heebie-jeebies and the creepy crawlies?”

“Girls come up with the goofiest things.”

I have a several minutes before my next class and even though he’s already late, Nick walks me.  As we get closer, I spot Zeke already there, waiting for me. I notice his eyes widen when he sees Nick with me, so I try to assure him with my eyes that I have eyes for him, and him alone. As we reach Zeke, Nick reaches his arm out to him and says, “Good to see you, man.”

Zeke shakes it and says, “Yeah, you, too,” uncertainly.

Nick glances at me before heading off to his class where he’s bound to get in trouble for being late. “Tell him, or I will.”

“Tell me what?”

“Well, this wasn’t how I wanted our first conversation to go.”

“Ashley, tell me what?”

“My professor has a thing for me.” I explain everything as quickly as possible wanting to end this conversation, pronto. I rush to say, “He hasn’t done anything physically. He just stares at me.”

“Can we talk to someone and tell them he’s being inappropriate?”

“Zeke, he hasn’t really done anything at all. He just gives me the heebies.”

“If he does anything again then we have to talk to the administration, okay? You are my concern, and this guy sounds like a royal douche bag.”

He takes my hand in his and pulls me forward. “I missed you.” He leans in and gives me a sweet kiss on the mouth that warms me to my very core.

“Too bad we have class,” I say mischievously.

“I know. Trust me, I know.” He takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine and guides us into class. We spend the next hour and half taking notes and glancing at each other periodically, making googly eyes.

Zeke walks me to my next class and kisses me good-bye, promising to call me later. It’s going to be a long ass day.

I loved going home to see my family, but I’d hated leaving Ashley, especially after the night we’d spent together. I had a sit down with my parents and discussed our situation with them. Their advice? Time would tell. Not very helpful in that moment, but I understood the jest and truthfully, as much as I hate it, it makes sense. They said to make sure she and I were on solid ground before bringing her in to that part of my life.

I couldn’t wait to see her, and when I saw her walk up with Nick laughing, I actually wanted to punch the guy. I can honestly say I’ve never felt that way before. But then she smiled at me, and gave me this look that told me it was okay and that I was it for her. It instantly calmed me. I knew they were just friends. The way she looked at him was completely different than how she looked at me. When she looked at me, it was as if I were the only one in the room.

But then when Nick prodded her tell me about her Professor, I was ready to hit the damn roof. I’ve heard stories about a professor, but I didn’t know what was truth and what was fabricated, or which professor it was.

During class I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her, and only half-assed listened to the professor. All I could think about was getting Ashley alone. God, I’ve become such a horny bastard. Alone and naked. I had to tell myself to quit thinking about it, or I was going to end up with a massive case of blue balls.

I managed to escape the rest of class with only a little pain, and kissed Ashley good-bye, hating to part with her, but knowing we would speak later. It was going to be a long ass day.