Hope(less) (Judgement of the Six #1)

Peter considerately picked a parking spot for himself with a free space next to it for me. Clay unwedged himself as I parked. I grabbed the leash and snapped it on. He watched me exit and hopped out after me staying close to my side as we walked.

Rachel and Peter politely included me in their conversation. It helped distract me from my nervousness about meeting Peter’s friend. I knew what to expect even if neither Rachel nor Clay fully understood. Peter’s lack of reaction to me had pleasantly surprised me. But his response wasn’t the norm. I just hoped Clay would behave.

Scott waited for us at one of the tables outside. Peter had texted him the change of plans before we left. He stood when he saw Peter, a welcoming smile on his face, his hands loosely in his pockets. From a distance, I saw several female patrons sitting at nearby tables casting speculative glances his way. Fit and tall with light brown hair and a carefree smile, no doubt his good looks warranted it. But something about the way he held himself bothered me. It sent off an insincere vibe as if he’d practiced his pose.

His smile turned secretive and cunning as his pale blue eyes fixated on me. The subtle change probably escaped everyone else’s notice, but not mine. Depressed, but hiding it well, I rested a hand on Clay’s back. Whether in comfort or restraint, I couldn’t be sure.

“Scott, this is Gabby,” Peter introduced us when we stood next to the table.

I smiled a tentative greeting, not offering my hand.

“A pretty name you don’t hear often,” he murmured pulling out a chair for me. Taking that chair would put me across from Rachel, forcing me to sit between the two guys. Clay wouldn’t like that. He didn’t like the comment about my name either, but other than a twitch I’d felt with my hand on his back he behaved.

“Would you mind if we switched spots, Scott? That way our dog,” I said, including Rachel since she fully supported Clay’s rights, “won’t be so close to people walking by. He’s very friendly, but big. I don’t want anyone being intimidated by him.”

“No problem.” He sent me a reassuring smile and pulled out his own chair for me. Loosely holding Clay’s leash, I moved to the chair next to Rachel. Scott politely pushed the chair back in as I sat and leaned close to move his drink. Clay quickly moved to lie between my chair and Scott’s, which he nudged further away before Scott could sit. I pretended not to notice.

We made small talk while we perused the menus. I felt Scott’s gaze continually return to me, but refused to look up.

Each of the more experienced students shared their knowledge of the university, after we ordered. Scott offered, twice, to take me on an official tour when I admitted not knowing many of the campus locations they mentioned. After declining the second time, he looked less like the nice guy I’d met and more like a guy who would give me problems. I looked down at Clay. He still lay next to me, head on his paws. Only the twitch of his ears indicated his attention to the conversation.

“Why not have a drink with us, Gabby?” Scott asked indicating my water.

He hadn’t worried about what I drank until I’d evaded his invitations for a tour.

“I’m a bit younger than the rest of you.” I glanced at Rachel and saw her studying me. Crap! Was she noticing? Was she getting mad? I should have stayed home. Folding my hands in my lap, I tried to play it cool.

“Really? How old are you?”

“Eighteen. I’m not much of a soda drinker either, so water works.” I tried to turn the conversation off myself, asking, “How much longer until you graduate?”

“It depends on how far I want to go,” Scott said his intense smile relaxing a little. He nodded toward Peter. “Peter told me he declared his major freshman year and has never changed. I, on the other hand, have changed twice. I like what I’m learning now, so I hope I won’t change it again, but you never know. What about you?”

“I’m going for massage therapy. So I won’t be here as long as the rest of you.”

“Massage therapy? I hear they ask for volunteers to come in for those classes,” he said leaning in closer with a fascinated smile on his face. “If you ever need someone to practice on, let me know. I’d be happy to come in.” He reached over to pat my hand. The timely arrival of our food saved me from having to avoid his touch. It would have been awkward since my hands still rested in my lap.