Page 28 of You Were Never Not Mine
We walk along the corridor that wraps around the upper level of the stadium and are on the other side before Tim finally turns to the aisle and shows our tickets to the employee who’s checking. The older man nods and hands them back to Tim. “Have a great time.”
Within seconds, we’re in the suite, and it’s nice. Tim and Rafael seem awestruck by the entire situation but considering the frat they’re in, I’d assume they come from money. Pretty much everyone on this campus either comes from tremendous wealth or they’re extra smart and got in on a scholarship. Neither Tim nor Rafe strike me as particularly intelligent, so I have to go with their family’s wealth is what got them into this school.
“Look at all the TVs!” Tim is bounding around the suite like an overexuberant puppy. “And the food. What a spread!”
The other people milling about the suite are watching the boys—because that’s what they’re acting like, complete boys—with barely concealed contempt. Elise is already standing in front of the table that’s basically a giant charcuterie board, a plate clutched in her hand as she’s loading up on a variety of meats and cheeses.
I offer an apologetic smile in the direction of an older couple who are wearing matching concerned expressions. I can tell they’re loaded. She has on so much jewelry I’m nearly blinded by all the diamonds winking at me. I have no idea who they are, but they look important. Everyone in this suite looks important, save for us.
How did Tim and Rafael get tickets to this again?
After I load my plate with mostly crackers and fruit, I go over to the bar and get a Coke, not in the mood to drink tonight. Elise joins me in seconds, requesting a Tito’s and sodawith a twist of lime and the moment the bartender hands the drink over, she slams it back.
“You should probably slow down—” I start, but she whirls on me, her expression serious.
“Don’t start. I’m letting loose and having fun tonight.” She leans in close to me and practically shouts in my ear. “Free alcohol, Sinclair! We have to take advantage.”
Oh dear.
Tim and Rafe join us at the bar, Tim chewing with his mouth open as he orders a beer for both of them. He grins at me and I swear I see bits of yellow cheese between his teeth and I shouldn’t judge. He’s nice and he’s funny and he’s harmless. I can’t help but recoil inside though, faintly disgusted at the fact that he’s eating like a slob and acting like he has no class.
Maybe Elise and Tim and everyone else are right. Maybe I am intimidating and I come off snotty. And Elise is definitely right when she says I throw up walls to protect myself from getting too close to anyone. There’s no one I want to get close with. Not even Elise at the moment, because she’s acting so different around her “new man,” ugh.
Is it because they just had sex and now she’s worried about keeping him interested? I think it’s a good sign that he’s taking her out tonight. But then again, I don’t like how possessive he acts around her. Always grabbing at her and trying to kiss her, even when she’s squealing and trying to get away from him. The way he keeps calling her babe too. I find that annoying. They’ve gone on a couple of dates, if you can call it that, and they’ve had sex once. Now they’re acting like they’re already a couple? It’s odd.
My gaze shifts to Tim to find he’s still watching me, his brows furrowed and the expression on his face makes me think he can’t figure me out. Which is fine. I can’t figure me out either.
“You okay?” He slides closer to me, his hand coming close to mine, and I jerk away before he can touch me, grabbing a grape from my plate and popping it into my mouth.
“I’m great!” My voice is overly bright and terribly fake and I realize I am talking with my mouth full just like him. “Why do you ask?” I say only after I’ve chewed and swallowed the grape. Hoping he gets the hint.
“You seem almost like you’re…embarrassed by us. All of us.” He points at Rafe and Elise, who are currently cuddling together in front of the bar, Elise hand-feeding Rafael a piece of salami while the bartender watches them with amusement.
“I’m not embarrassed.” I paste a smile on and grab my Coke, taking a sip of it.
“What are you drinking? Jack and Coke? Oh, maybe rum and Coke. Am I right?”
I nod. “Yep.” I have a feeling they’ll think I’m weird for not drinking and I don’t want to make myself stand out any more than I already do.
“Cool. You need a refill?” He turns toward the bartender like he’s going to make a request and I rest my hand on his arm, stopping him.
“I’m fine. Really.” I send him a soft smile, which works. He softens too. I can even feel the tension leave his arm beneath my hand and I wonder if he was nervous. If he was trying to impress me.
Probably.
“Want to go sit and watch the game?” he asks.
“Sure.”
We take our plates and drinks and head over to the stadium seating that’s right in front of the window that overlooks the stadium. The first quarter has already started and we settle into seats that are far from where the rest of the people are sitting.
“Don’t really know them so…” Tim shrugs as he settles into the seat next to mine, his elbow jabbing into me and nearly sending my plate to the ground. A little yelp leaves me and I save some of the food, but most of it is on the floor. “Shit, Sinclair. I’m sorry. Want me to get another plate for you?”
“No, it’s o—” I start, but he’s already gone, leaving me alone.
Sipping from the skinny straw in my glass, I keep my gaze fixed on the field below, watching the teams scramble around. I have zero concept of what happens during a football game and I sit forward, wishing I understood at least a little bit. My dad wasn’t much of a football fan and never watched it when he was home, which was a rare occurrence.
My father was always working, always trying to come up with a business idea that would make him millions—direct quote. When I was in middle school, he did. And once the business took off, he was never around. My older brother had graduated and went off to college and Mom was always either with my dad or her friends. Meaning I spent a lot of time alone.
