Page 30 of Stay
“Hey, Beth.” I pause and wait for her to make eye contact. “What’s the deal with your roommate?”
When she turns toward me, Austin cooperates by licking and sucking on her neck. Can’t say the guy doesn’t always have my back.
“It’s Brooklyn,” she corrects.
“Oh, right. Sorry, Brooklyn.” At this point, I can’t see any reason not to delve straight in. With my luck, she’ll lose focus. “So, what’s up with Cassidy?”
Her eyelids feather closed as Austin nibbles away at her earlobe. “Ummm, what do you mean?”
Do I seriously need to spell it out for this girl?
I want details.
And lots of them.
Anything.
Everything.
I want to understand what I’m working with here. If I wait around for Cassidy to finally open up, I’ll be waiting around forever.
She’s like sand. Already I feel her slipping through my fingers, which is starting to make me desperate. I’ll be honest, desperate isn’t my usual style.
Here’s the most important question…
“Is she seeing anyone right now?”
Her roommate giggles as if that’s the funniest thing she’s ever heard. Or maybe Austin has just found her ticklish spot. This feels like pulling teeth. I need this girl to concentrate for five damn minutes.
“No,” she says when her laughter subsides, “Cassidy doesn’t date.”
Hmmm. She admitted that to me.
I’d just assumed she was blowing smoke up my ass. I mean, come on, the girl is totally hot. She’s gorgeous, with a nice body. And super smart. Not to mention, quick-witted. She’s the total package.
So, what’s her deal?
Why isn’t she dating?
My attention is pulled back to Brooklyn when she adds, “Cassidy is really focused on school.”
I lean closer before gesturing for her to continue. “What else can you tell me?”
“Umm…” Brooklyn’s eyelids drift shut again as Austin sucks the flesh of her neck into his mouth. She tilts her head, allowing him greater access.
I almost roll my eyes. “Uh huh.”
Jeez, just spit it out. I need something here. So far, she hadn’t told me anything I didn’t already know.
“There’s not much to tell.”
I frown, wondering if this girl is purposely being evasive. I’m beginning to suspect she is.
After a few silent moments, she opens her eyes and pins me with her green gaze. She doesn’t look nearly as wasted as I first suspected. “Why are you asking?”
Her expression changes, and she looks more like a mama bear protecting her cub.
I lean back in my seat before taking another pull from my beer. It’s probably a little too late to play it cool. “Just curious, that’s all.”
