Page 7 of Learning to Love

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Persistent much? I don't know where I get the courage to send him my response, but I guess everyone has more grit behind a phone screen. "He obviously wants an answer, so I'll give him one." I reply to him quickly.

Sorry, Jack, I was on the phone with my boyfriend, Bubba. No need for an escort to tonight's party. Thanks though.

Sasha is giggling! "I wish I could see his face when he reads that text! You called him Jack!! Omg!"

I smile big. I may be a scaredy-cat, but there are moments when I'm a pure genius. "He should leave me alone now. I made it clear that I’m taken and not interested."

Sasha whistles and shakes her head. "Listen, all teasing aside, I know we haven't been friends for long, and I don't claim to know everything about you, but I can tell you're innocent. And if you are, I love that about you, no reason to be ashamed. That text message will probably have the opposite effect on him. Guys like that, the ones that are used to having girls throw themselves at them, would see that text message as a direct challenge."

"You're not wrong about my innocence. For which I am unashamed. However, I do wish I had known that particular outcome before I hit send. I'm going to have to hire somebody to be my Bubba."

She grins. "I get it. He'll be persistent at first and try and wear you down and let him if that's what you want. And if it's not, then stand your ground, and he'll take the hint. I've heard he's a good guy, but if he steps out of line, let me know. I'll take care of it. I won’t let anything happen to you."

I smile and give her a huge hug. "Thank you. I'm glad I won the roommate lottery. Let's get ready and leave before eight! I can dodge him for at least tonight!"

"Yes!! Let's go find you a Bubba!"

"Yassss! The man of my dreams. And you can date his third cousin, Billy Bob!"

At the insistence of Sasha, I put on my new denim cutoffs and a red silk tank. It’s low cut in the back with lace trimming on the deep v-cut. My boobs look good in this one! I pair it with some casual strappy sandals. She curls my hair, and I do my makeup. She approves, except she wants me to define my eyebrows more. She shows me how, and then we're both ready to go.

Jake hasn't texted me back, so maybe he got the message, and Sasha is wrong about him. There are always exceptions to the rule. If he were still going to pursue me, wouldn't he have already texted me?

We are confidently far enough away from the dorm room that we slow down as we continue in the direction of Fraternity Row. "Are you going to rush a sorority?"

I hold my breath as she answers. She probably won't hang out with me after she gets picked. "Nah. I thought about it and decided against it. Why, are you?"

"No! I wouldn't know how to talk to them, near-perfect girls."

"You know, withstanding the whole bus debacle, you're not as socially awkward as you think."

I smile and think of Elvis. My granny loves Elvis! "I think you're being overly nice, BUT I'll take it! Thank ya. Thank ya, very much."

"Okay, never impersonate Elvis again." She starts moving in the middle of the sidewalk. She moves her hips from side to side, just like his famous dance move.

"Yes, Queen!" I start mimicking the motions with her. We’re laughing and Elvis-ing which makes this a great night already.

Next thing I know, we hear a horn beep, and a guy is calling out our names. I feel his stare before I meet his gaze. The Jake Ryan is smirking at me. His eyes twinkle with amusement. Dear Lord, he saw everything. Can this day get anymore awkward for me? Dallas is hanging out the window of the back seat. "You naughty girls! You weren't in your dorm room."

I bite my lip to keep from smiling. He's trashed. "Are you drunk already?"

"No, ma'am! But everybody in the club gettin' tipsy!"

I laugh and look back over at Jake, noticing his ride for the first time. He’s driving a massive, brand-new Chevy Silverado. He must come from money. Figures.

"I told you we could make it on our own. Thank you, though." I loop my arm through Sasha’s and start walking. I hear Jaxon’s cackle, but I didn't see him in the car a minute ago. He must be in the shotgun seat.

I finally hear the sweet deep baritone of Jake's voice. "Listen, we're all going to the same place. Why don't we just ride together?"

I look at Sasha, and she shrugs. I guess it wouldn't hurt. They are liable to follow us the whole way if we don't. "Fine."

Jake whispers something to Jaxon. He gets out of the front seat and into the back seat without another word. Dallas jumps out and motions for Sasha to get between him and Jaxon. I try to beat her there, but she wins the "race" easily. I grit my teeth and slide into the front seat. This is going to be a very long night.

Chapter 5

Petty Crocker