Page 87 of Ink & Ambition

BythetimeIget back into the living room, the crowd has seemed to switch to a lighter topic, which I’m grateful for. I didn’t mean to trauma-dump on Margot and her crew, and it also made me realize that I hadn’t told her much about my dad or what’s going on after graduation. And she has barely said anything about herself. If this was going to work, we needed to get to know one another better. I want to hear about her future plans and I want her to know mine. Shoot, maybe they could include each other.

Plopping back down next to Margot on the floor, I give her knee a tight squeeze, reassuring her I was fine after that conversation. I see a small smile form on her lips and I know she got the message.

We got onto a tangent about pineapple on pizza, something I am vehemently against while Margot seems to have a differing opinion. Something we’ll have to argue about in the future. My phone buzzed in my pocket and when I pulled it out, I was reminded against my will of the conversation we just moved away from.

“Give me a minute,” I say to Margot as I leave the apartment and take the call in the hallway.

“Hello?”

“What is this vandalism I’m hearing about? And fighting?”

I say. “I’m fine, Dad. How are you?”

“Enough with all that. You’re supposed to be the leader of KA. How am I supposed to trust that you’ll be a good VP of Prescott Cars if you can’t manage your own frat brothers.”

“What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t prevent any of that from happening.”

A glass clinks on the other side of the phone, a sound I know well. The top of a decanter being removed. “You need to be smarter. Get ahead of the other frats.”

“Right,” I replied, rolling my eyes.

“Alexander, I have a reputation at that school and I won’t have you tarnishing it. You need to get your head out of your ass and get control of the situation.”

“Yes, sir.” The phone disconnects. “Love you, too.” Running my palms down my face, I look up at the ceiling. I can’t have control over my future but I need to be able to control the fraternities here? How am I supposed to do that?

Either way, I know I don’t want to work at Prescott Cars. I don’t want to eventually take over my father’s empire. I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

A laugh rings from the apartment, and the sound brings a reluctant smile to my face. I may not know what I want to do in seven months, but I know exactly what I want to do right now and that’s go inside this apartment, kiss Margot right on the mouth and talk to her brother about his fitness routine.

By the time public speaking class rolls around, I am exhausted. I had spent most of Monday morning in the gym or in the library, catching up on work I’ve missed while hanging out with the guys or with Margot. I know the bookworm would’ve helped me out if I asked her to but I didn’t want to burden her with my problems. She’s got enough on her plate.

Before I left last night, I said goodbye to Arden, not knowing how much longer he was staying or if I’d see him again. We shook hands, and he gave me that look that saidhurt her and die.I leveled him with my reply.I’d take that punishment freely.He seemed to accept that response and gave me a pat on the back for good measure.

Margot had walked me to the door and I finally got that kiss I’d been jonesing for all night. It wasn’t sexy but it was intimate and sweet. It was Margot and I would’ve loved for a thousand more to grace my lips before I had to leave.

I am happy to see her in our usual seats for class and I plop right next to her. Without glancing in my direction, she hands me the pen she is using, already ready with a spare for herself.

A woman who anticipates a man’s needs is sexy as hell. Even if that need is just a writing implement for class.

“Alright, everyone. It’s that time again. Speech time,” Professor Walker announces at the top of the room. I feel Margot stiffen beside me. I would’ve thought with the podcast she would’ve felt a little bit better about public speaking but it seems from her stance that that’s not the case.

The professor continues, “Next week, you will take into consideration everything we’ve worked on so far and you will present a speech about your goals and ambitions for the future after college. And don’t get complacent. If you went last the first time, expect to go first this time around.”

That meant Margot was likely to be in the first group of presenters and I was in the last. It didn’t make a difference tome. Public speaking had never really been an issue of mine, a skill required for running a frat house. I’d made plenty of speeches in my day and not batted an eye.

Margot, on the other hand. Her eyes were shifted, looking back and forth without actually noticing anything. She was completely panicked.

The topic of the speech did startle me, though. A speech about my goals and ambitions for the future? Fuck me.

Margot and I didn’t really have a chance to unpack the information I dropped on her at dinner last night so I’m not surprised when she glances sideways at me with worry.

After the professor dismisses class, neither of us move from our seats. The room empties out around us. Margot waits for me to speak.

“When I was a kid, I used to say I wanted to be in the NBA.”

Margot breathes out a laugh and I nudge her with my elbow.

“Hey, I was the best shooter on my eighth grade team.”

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