The Junior (College Years 3)

“Okay.” I turn to find Gracie approaching me with that giant smile still on her face. “I think I found more than enough stuff to try on. And it’s all on sale, so that’s a bonus.”

“Great,” I say, my voice flat, causing her smile to fade. “How long is this going to take?”

“You can go wait outside if you want,” she says, sounding defensive. “You knew it would take a while, shopping with me.”

True. I did know this. “It’s cool. I’ll find something to do.”

My gaze goes to the sales associate—Kylie?—and realize she’s headed in our direction, smiling as she sees the giant pile of clothes in Gracie’s arms.

“Let me take some of that for you,” she says, taking a few hangers from Gracie, her gaze sliding over to me briefly, just before she does a double take.

“Oh. Hey,” she says weakly.

“Hey.” I give her a chin nod, trying to keep it cool. Did I piss her off the last time I saw her? Can’t remember. I’m sure I bailed on her quick. Or convinced her to leave. That’s my usual mode of operation after I finish doing whatever I’ve been doing with a girl. “How are you?”

“Great.” Her smile grows. “How are you? Haven’t seen you around much lately.”

“Not partying as much,” I answer, glancing quickly over at Gracie. Her head goes back and forth as we speak, as if she’s watching a tennis match. “Been busy with work.”

“Still playing football?” the girl asks.

“You know it.” My gaze drops to her tits, looking for a nametag pinned to it, but she’s got nothing.

Damn it.

“My friends and I will have to come watch you play. Like last season,” she says, her tone turning flirtatious.

“Uhhh, excuse me, but could you get that dressing room going for me, please?” Gracie thrusts her armful of clothes toward the sales associate—damn it, I wish I could remember her name—and a couple of hangers fall out of the clothes, landing on the floor.

“Of course,” the store employee says, seemingly flustered as she dips down to gather up the hangers. “Are you still looking around?”

“Yes, but I’ll be ready to try it all on in a few minutes.” Gracie’s smile and tone is syrupy sweet.

“My name is Skylee. Call me if you need me,” she says, her gaze shooting to mine quickly before she turns and heads for the dressing room section.

The moment she’s gone, Gracie is on me. “Please tell me you’ve never hooked up with that girl.”

“Okay,” I say slowly. “I won’t tell you anything then.”

A frustrated sigh leaves her. “Can we not go anywhere without running into someone you’ve been with?”

“I didn’t see anyone I knew in any of those other stores you went into,” I point out. “And I thought her name was Kylie.”

“No, it’s worse than that. It’s Skylee.” Gracie rolls her

eyes. “That’s awful.”

“Wait until you start teaching. I’m sure you’ll come across some crazy names,” I tell her.

Gracie contemplates me for a long, quiet moment before she starts to slowly shake her head. “You’re something else, you know that?”

Before I can ask her what she means, she’s gone, calling out Skylee’s name, gushing over all the good deals as Skylee lets her into a dressing room. I watch them, my hands in my pockets, worry eating at me over what those two might discuss about me while they’re hanging out or whatever.

The moment Gracie is in the dressing room, Skylee heads straight for me, her expression hopeful.

“What are you up to tonight?” she asks.

“Uh…” What the fuck? That’s a pretty ballsy question. I could be with Gracie—as in she could be my girlfriend. Skylee doesn’t know who she is to me. “I’m hanging out with her.”