Page 84 of The History in Us

I suspiciously eyed my roommate. “And how would you know this fact?”

Shifting on the cushions with a little jump, she spun to face me. Her fingers pointed at me and she ticked off her reasons with her other hand.

“One, he’s too good looking in a suit for his own good.” My eyebrows rose in response.

“Two, he’s selfish, arrogant, and entitled.” One finger tapped another.

“Eeek. The worst combination.”

“Three, his eyes are too beautiful.” I stared at her, questioning what this had to do with his personality.

“Uhm—“

“Four, he would never do anything nice for someone. He lives to insult. Flirt and insult. Flirt and confuse and insult.”

“I don’t see—“

“And lastly, his lips are too big.” I blinked at my best friend.

“And you know this how?” I giggled.

“By looking at him,” she huffed, her arms crossing like a petulant child. I couldn’t help myself, I laughed. A hearty laugh that filled my throat and made my belly ache.

“Oh Penelope, I’ve missed you.” I sighed.

“I’ve missed you, too, Katie Kat.” Her head fell over on my shoulder and we resumed staring at the television. Both our minds occupied with confusing men.

* * *

I held my breath as I entered VetGym. Levi was the last person I wanted to see, but I volunteered for an extra day before I left for winter break. Sidonia had offered me a week off and I was taking the holiday between the semesters to go home again. While Kentucky and Penelope wanted me to party up my loss, stating the holidays were the perfect time to find no-strings-attached-sex, my heart knew I’d never be into that. I couldn’t even be Levi’s friend-with-benefits. I had always wanted more and bided my time hoping things would change.

I checked in with Vic.

“Happy holidays, Santa baby,” he sang to me. I smiled weakly at his attempts to flirt.

“Why so glume, sugar plum?” he tried again. His old, liquidy eyes softened with concern. “You look like you lost your best friend.”

I stared over the counter at him as he took the sign-in pen from me. Shrugging a shoulder, I responded.

“It’s nothing like that,” I said softly.

“It’s worse, isn’t it?” Vic’s older voice lowered. “Damn it. He broke your heart. Let me at him. I’ll straighten him out. Who was it? I’ll knock him into next Wednesday and twice on Thursday.”

I giggle-huffed, a strange puffing combination, as Vic lifted his shaky, veined fists and shook them in the air.

“Was it that new fella? The one always coming around here lately?”

My heart leapt to my throat and I felt sick. Was Levi here? I couldn’t see him. I twisted from left to right as if I’d find him standing in the front lobby.

“He isn’t here today,” Vic muttered. “But if he’s the cause of your heartbreak, I’ll break him in two and feed him to my cat.”

I had to laugh at that and shook my head in dismay.

“Oh Vic, I love you.” I smiled. His wrinkled face turned a shade of pink, and his trembling lips curved upward.