Hanging Pawns (The Fate Series Book 2) (3 page)

This is going to be harder than they make it out to be in books and on TV.

I build the nerve to try again when he speaks. 

“Do you like what you see?” he asks, finally looking back up at me.

His serious tone lets me know he didn’t just mean that the way it sounded. I cough, trying to contain the hum of laughter that’s building in my chest. The corner of my mouth curls up. I cough again, forcing down the humor of this insane stranger who’s continuing this awkward dance of words. I fail. Laughter erupts from my lips, earning a confused look from him before he realizes what he said.

“Ha, yeah. I meant the campus but I’ll accept an answer for both.” His humored demeanor helps me relax.

I suppose I can humor him since soon we’ll be done here and I won’t have to deal with him ever again. 

“It’s not bad,” I shrug.

“The campus or myself,” he quips.

Giving myself a moment to take him in, I notice those eyes are just a small part of the magnificence that is Josh Anderson. I suddenly find myself entranced by everything about the man. Good looking is not even close to how I would describe him. He is a… I am… without words.

That’s odd.

His smirk widens slightly when my eyes roam to his brown hair, cut neat on the sides with the top spiked in the front. He looks like an average preppy college guy you would see on TV. However, I have a feeling there’s more to him than meets the eye.

“Are you really going to assess me right now?” He gives a nervous laugh.

Umm, yeah. Isn’t that what people do when they meet each other?

My head drops with sudden discomfiture.

This is going great. The first time I speak to a guy, and he’s one who just says whatever comes to mind.

With my head still lowered, I notice he too is wearing flip flops; I can tell from the marks in the leather straps that, if he were to remove his foot, they would have the groove. His jeans are also ripped, and he has a carefree, relaxed vibe to him. There’s something about him, but I can’t quite put my finger on it though. I’m not one to claim “love at first sight” or even Fate. But, there
is
something about him.

I usually don’t like being so close to people who are taller than me since I’m only five-foot-three… the height difference makes me feel like a child. This guy has to be close to six feet… and I feel…

Nothing.

I feel nothing. I want to shout with joy, but I think that people would look at me like I’m crazy.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” He places his index finger under my chin to lift my face toward his, and my heartbeat quickens, causing an odd sensation to build in my chest.

Okay, now we end this once and for all. I think over the best way to send him on his way but the words won’t come out.

“Do they offer fishing here?” I squint my best dirty look at him. 

My question receives another perplexed look. He removes his finger from my chin, straightening his broad shoulders in front of me. His fitted t-shirt pulls gently across his muscular chest and the once weird feeling stops. I try to swallow, but my throat is dry.

Probably from dehydration since it’s so hot in this building.

Okay, Mea. Don’t check him out, that’s exactly what he wants you to do.

“No, but there are some good spots in the area, why?” he asks.

Giving an easy laugh, I reply, “I just wanted to know since you seemed to be casting a line for a compliment there,” I tease.

The joke makes me laugh harder than I expected, bringing tears to my eyes. I’ve never laughed like this in front of someone… actually, I’ve never laughed like this, period.

His eyes widen. “Oh Darlin’, we’re going to have to work on your one-liners… that was terrible. And you—you’re laughing at your own joke? I can’t believe I am still talking to you.” He sends me a disapproving look then shakes his head.

Finishing my bizarre fit of laughter, I dab the corners of my eyes to regain composure and clear my throat.

“Well, you could turn around and pretend like I’m not here.” My shoulders raise with an innocent shrug.

“And let you check me out from behind? I am not a piece of meat, woman. You can’t eye fuck me and go about your day…” he admonishes loud enough for others to hear.

Without thinking I lunge at him, covering his mouth with my hand. My face begins to burn red and a thin layer of sweat breaks out over my skin. His mouth moves under my hand causing me to press harder into his skin to conceal every dirty thing he’s probably saying right now.

His eyes smile down at me, sending a surge of excitement through me. They keep me frozen in place while his fingers wrap around my wrist to pull it away. The same zing from before starts to race up my arm again. He clears his throat to speak, however, all I can think about now is getting him to let go.

“I was just asking what your major was.” He gives a low easy laugh while holding my wrist.

Looking back and forth between his eyes and his hand on my wrist. My pulse begins to thump through my body. I’m so caught up in my head that it doesn’t register when he lets go until his fingers snap in my face. “Earth to Mea…” He uses his finger to move my chin toward him again.

This man thinks I’m crazy.

Feeling my skin cool down, I relax and clear my throat.

“Law,” I mutter.

He stands here, his eyes flickering between mine like they’re looking for an answer to some unasked question before replying.

“Oh, another one… I attract lawyers,” he chuckles.

“It’s just a stepping stone, someday I want to be a judge,” I deadpan.

“A judge? That’s interesting, so you want to make sure bad people get what they deserve.” He nods as he thinks it over out loud.

“Well, not put so childlike, but yes.” I adjust the papers in my arms. “What’s yours?” Having nowhere to go, I figure there’s no harm in being polite.

“Business, I have a brother who goes here as well… although he’s a year ahead of me.” He rolls back on his heels, obviously proud of that fact.

Why that’s information I need to know is beyond me, but I suppose it’s most likely idle rambling.

“Where are you from?” he begins again.

Really? We’re going to keep this going?

“PA. Yourself?” I answer quickly.

“LA.” He nods, his whole body moving with his head.

No way.

I raise an eyebrow at his answer, causing a deep laugh to echo over the hum of conversations going on around us. People turn and give him a bright smile, then look at me and stop.

Perfect, now I know they will leave me alone. If only I could get him to do the same.

“Louisiana… I just wanted to be cool like you.” His laughter starts again but lower this time.

“You realize you’re laughing at your own jokes?” I cling tightly to my bundle, shifting my weight between legs to stretch them out.

“That’s because mine are funny.” He winks.

Rolling my eyes, I dare to ask the question that might backfire on me.

“Where are you staying?” I ask, moving forward with the line. Josh is next, which means I’m almost done with this game, and it can’t come soon enough.

“I live off campus actually. You?” he inquires.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy in my whole life.

“I’m set up in the dorms actually.” Looking around his body I see the girl in front of window B is almost done.

Here it comes!!! Here it comes!!!

Soon he will be gone! I psych myself up for excitement, but my insides twist with a weird feeling of dread. 

“I would like to take you out… you know, see the town or the campus. Maybe grab something to eat… whatever.” His once strong accent now is cracking, and he appears nervous.

Yeah… never going to happen. I’m content to be alone forever.

“What if I’m crazy? I just met you—five minutes ago,” I remind him, looking around his body again as relief washes over me. I watch the girl gather her things to leave.

Good-bye, Mr. Anderson! Hello, silence!

“Josh, leave that girl alone and get up here,” the guy behind window B calls out.

“Trust me, crazy I can deal with.” He laughs, walking backwards to the counter.

“Next,” the girl in window A yells.

I walk over and hand her my papers. She looks down quickly then hands them back.

“Mae Andrews...” she says typing my name into the computer.

“Are you sure you are registered?” She looks up after a few minutes.

I open my mouth to correct her when I hear Josh jump in.

“Her name is Mea…” He winks at me.

He’s relentless.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I gave it a quick glance. Mea…” The girl glares in Josh’s direction before returning to me. “I found it, thank you—so much, Josh.” She sends him a bratty smile.

“Okay then, these are all yours.” She begins to pull papers out from the stacks they are in. “You are going to fill these blue ones out and take them…”

“Can you believe she won’t go out with me?” I hear Josh ask the guy behind the window.

With wide eyes, my head turns slowly as the man looks up from his papers at me with a wide smile.

Ignoring the woman in front of me, I lean toward Josh. 

“Okay, I was being polite before, but seriously, what is wrong with you?” I snap with a sharp whisper, making the woman snicker.

“I am trying to be hospitable,” he informs me, as he leans his body against the counter to face me.

It’s such a simple stance, but he makes it look sexy.

Stop it! This is not why I’m here.

“Hosp—what? You’re kidding, right?” I turn back to the woman so she can give me my things, and I can finally leave. “I don’t even know him.” I give a hesitant laugh to the lady who is clearly amused by what is taking place.

“What’s my name?” he asks.

What?

“Josh Anderson. Where are you going with this?” I turn to squint at him.

“And my major?” he continues.

“Business, like your brother. We’ve already established this,” I say, focusing my daggered eyes on him.

“And where am I from?” he smirks.

“LA, which means Louisiana.” I grin, remembering how dorky he was when he said that.

Oh. No.

The smile fades from my lips.

“It seems like you know him pretty well if you ask me,” the man suggests, then places all of Josh’s paperwork into a folder.

He set me up! That jerk set me up!

“I just found that out! That was low, Josh!” My voice is higher than I intend.

“You seem to retain an awful lot about a man you just met and are not interested in…” the man adds, handing Josh his folder.

I… wha… huh?

Pressure builds in my chest, making it difficult to breathe. The three of them stand staring at me waiting for an answer. A thin layer of sweat once again forms on my skin.

I might actually faint from humiliation. I think this is the worst day of my life.

“Here are all your papers, Hun. I’ll let your
boyfriend
be your guide.” The woman smiles as she places my things into a matching folder then hands it to me.

My throat is too dry for me to reply.

“Have a Happy School Year!” they shout in unison as Josh places his hand on my back to escort me out.

That isn’t the way I saw that going.

Regaining brain function, I feel myself become angry.

“I’m not going to date you,” I huff, walking fast enough to break contact with his hand.

Stupid man, why couldn’t he just leave me alone like everyone else?

Matching my speed, he takes my folder from the top of my stack of papers and tucks it into his arm along with his, before again placing his hand where it was on my back as though it’s meant to be there.

“I didn’t ask you to date me. I simply stated that I want to show you around,” he reminds me. “I would carry the whole pile for you, but you seem to have a pretty good grip on the rest of those. Is something wrong?” he beams.

Other than wanting to cause you some sort of physical pain?

“Nope, nothing is wrong. Just trying to find my room. I think dorm life will be fun. You know,
curfews… roommates…
all the college experiences I’d miss if I lived off campus.”  I give a bright smile.

It also means no Mr. Anderson annoying me.

I could live with that.

“I had a feeling you were going to say that. Allow me to show you to your room.” His hand guides me along the sidewalks until we reach the dorms.

He reaches for my ID that’s attached to a long nylon rope around my neck and I dip my head to allow him to pull it off.

In a few minutes I’ll be rid of him, the least I can let him do is open the door; his final gesture of southern charm.

Swiping the card through the lock on the door, a small light changes from red to green and the door opens.

Voilà, my hero… now go away.

Placing my ID back around my neck, he opens the door and holds it for me. I give him a pinched smile, skip through the doorway and freeze in my tracks.

What have I gotten myself into?

Chaos is everywhere; people looking for their rooms and parents looking for their kids.

This might have been a bad idea.

The door closes behind me with a hard thunk, and I witness in horror as newly graduated teenagers run through the halls.

“You’re crushing my hand against the door,” Josh groans. Taking a step in a little more, I try to appear calm even though my insides are screaming for me to run the other way.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Andrews? I thought you were looking forward to dorm life?” he whispers in my ear from behind me. I would wager that normally this might make a woman giddy all over, but right now it makes me want to punch him in his smug chest.

Southern hospitality my ass…

We spot two girls who obviously know each other throw their arms out and scream with excitement as they are reunited.

“I—I am… totally…” I raise a shoulder. “I’m just… so excited to meet my roommate that’s all.” I turn my head to look at him.

“Please Darlin’, I know a set of twins who are looking for a roommate. You don’t have to do this.” He pulls against the back of my shirt.

Taking a deep breath, I look back at him and ask what my room number is. He releases a heavy sigh and opens the folder he stole off me to look for it.