Chapter Three
I’ve Got Your Number
I somehow managed to wake up on time the following morning. It might have had something to do with the fact I was hoping to see Drake somewhere on campus during the day. With that in mind, I took extra care getting dressed and even applied a small amount of make-up. I grabbed my bag and stepped outside my door just as Logan came out of the stairwell.
He took one look at me and grabbed his chest. “Oh my God, it’s a miracle! She’s on time! I think I’m having a heart attack from the shock of it all!”
I made my way past him and into the stairwell.
“Don’t get used to it, you’re still my alarm clock. Today was just a fluke.”
He laughed as we stepped out of the stairwell and threw his arm over my shoulders. “Oh Chloe, don’t worry. I know this won’t happen again anytime soon. Besides, if it did, my heart couldn’t take it.”
I tried to elbow him, but he moved out of reach. “Shut up a*shole and walk me to class.”
He laughed again and wrapped his arm back around me., “Bossy little thing this morning aren’t we?”
I ignored his comment as we made our way to my building. His class was a few buildings down from mine, so he had decided to take it upon himself to make sure I made it to class. When we stopped outside of my class to say goodbye, he surprised me by kissing me on the cheek.
“What was that for?” I asked as he pulled away.
He glanced over my shoulder into the class and then back to me, “Just didn’t want any guys getting any ideas about you while we’re apart.”
I smiled at his overprotectiveness., “Gee, thanks. Now if you’ll excuse me Mr. Overprotective, I need to head inside. I’ll meet up with you later this evening, ok?”
He smiled down at me and nodded, “My last class lets out at six o’clock, so I’ll drop by your room after that and we can grab something to eat.”
I waved as I made my way into the classroom. Scanning around for a seat, I noticed Drake sitting in the back corner grinning at me. My heart stopped as he pointed to the chair next to him. With my heart hammering in my ears, I made my way over to him and took the seat.
“Morning.”
He gave me that wicked grin of his as he spoke, “Good morning Chloe. I see you managed to make it from your dorm to here without any cracks getting in the way.”
My face instantly turned red and he busted out laughing, “You’re never going to let me live that down are you?”
His gaze traveled down my body and back up to my eyes before answering. “Nope, but with you wearing jeans, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun to watch today as it was last night.”
I smacked his arm and felt electricity shoot from my fingers up my arm at the brief contact. “Shut up or I’ll move to a different spot. I don’t have to take your torment for the next two hours.”
“Oh, she threatens. I’m scared now.”
I stuck my tongue out at him as I turned back toward the front of the class, pulling my book out of my bag, “You should be.”
He was silent for a moment, so I glanced up at him and my breath caught at the look in his eyes. They looked as if he wanted to devour me on the spot and I gulped.
“What?”
He leaned toward me slightly as he spoke, “Stick that tongue out at me again and see what happens.”
My mouth dropped open at his words, and I quickly looked away as the professor entered the front of the room. Once class started I tried to ignore him, but it was impossible. I kept glancing at him, and every time, he would be staring at me with those lust filled eyes. I wiggled uncomfortably in my seat at his scrutiny and he grinned. The professor called a break half way through and I stood, stretching my arms above my head to get the kinks out of my back. My shirt pulled up, revealing my belly button ring and I caught him staring at it.
“What are you looking at?”
He pulled his eyes up to my face and grinned, “Got anything else pierced?”
I gave him the sexiest smile I could muster as I replied, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
He grinned at me as he stood, “I’m going outside to smoke, want to come with me?”
“Sure, why not. Maybe I’ll get some second hand smoke, that’ll really make my day.”
We made our way outside to a group of other students smoking. Drake lit up and glanced at me as I stood awkwardly next to him.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, just trying not to breath.”
He started laughing loudly and some of the other students glanced our way at his outburst. “You just say whatever comes to mind don’t you?”
I gave him a sheepish grin, “Logan tells me I have no filter. It drives him nuts most of the time I think.”
“I like it, it’s refreshing. Most people never really say what they think. They worry about what everyone else will think, but you just put it right out there.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“So is Logan the one who was with you in class yesterday?”
“Yeah, that’s Logan. He my unofficial alarm clock and self-appointed body guard.”
“Ah, I see. Overprotective boyfriend as well?”
I laughed, surprised at his way off base observation. “Um, no, definitely not boyfriend. He is my best friend though.”
He frowned at my words, “You sure about that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that I saw how he looked at you yesterday. It definitely wasn’t as a friend.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Logan is just Logan, he doesn’t look at me any way except as a friend.”
He shrugged his shoulders, “Whatever you want to believe, but trust me, I’m a guy, I know that look. It’s the ‘I want in her panties.’ look.”
I rolled my eyes at him, “Whatever. We aren’t like that.”
He stomped out his cigarette and we made our way back into the classroom without speaking. His words worried me. There was no way Logan thought of me like that, we were best friends and nothing more. But what if he was right? I tried to think of Logan in a different way and failed miserably. Sure, he was extremely attractive, but he was like a brother to me. If he did care about me like that, it would ruin everything.
I thought about all the times I had changed clothes in front of him, and he had never acted like it bothered him. Sure, he would make some kind of smart ass remark, but nothing he said ever indicated it got him worked up. I sat down in my seat and sighed. I hadn’t expected this when I sat down next to Drake. I glanced over at him and he was grinning at me again.
“Now what are you thinking?”
“Nothing really, just that you’re insane with the whole Logan thing.”
He leaned toward me again and whispered into my ear, his breath against my skin making me shiver, “You want to know how I know I’m right? Because when I look at you, I do it the exact same way.”
At his words, I felt tingling between my legs and my mouth dropped open in shock. This boy was a total flirt. I started giggling and rolled my eyes as he leaned back and grinned at me.
“You know, when I say stuff like that, I don’t expect the girl to laugh at me.”
“Drake you are such a flirt and you know it, but I hate to break it to you, it doesn’t work on me,” I lied with a straight face. I had known this guy all of two days and he got to me like no one else had. He started laughing again, and I felt the tingles between my legs reappear.
“You know what Chloe? I think you and I are going to end up being great friends.”
I couldn’t suppress my grin at his words, “I don’t know, guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
I somehow managed to survive the rest of the class with Drake giving me that smoldering stare of his. As soon as we were dismissed, I darted out of my seat to escape him but he quickly caught up to me, trying to make small talk as we made our way across campus to the cafeteria. As we walked in, I spotted Amber sitting off to the side waving at me like a mad woman to catch my attention.
I laughed and waved back to her before turning to Drake, “Well, Amber seems to be flagging me down, so I guess I’ll see you later.”
He glanced at Amber behind me and grinned, “What, you aren’t going to invite me to eat with you? I’m crushed.”
My stomach seized at the thought of having Amber and Drake at a table together. I had yet to tell her about last night, but I knew she’d still be going crazy over him. I looked him over from the corner of my eye and really couldn’t blame her, he was sex on legs. I glanced back at his face and he was standing there with a smirk on his face, waiting for my answer.
I sighed dramatically before motioning him to follow me, “I guess I can put up with you if I have to.”
We made our way to Amber and I saw her eyes widen and her mouth drop at the sight of him.
“Amber, Drake. Drake, Amber,” I threw my backpack into a seat and turned to Amber, “Now that introductions are over, I’m going to grab something to eat.”
I walked away without glancing back at either of them to get my food. Seeing as Drake was going to be eating with us, my appetite had all but disappeared so I grabbed just a soda and a bag of chips. After showing my I.D. and paying, I glanced over at our table and my stomach dropped at the sight of some bleach blonde bimbo standing next to Drake and rubbing his arm.
My temper instantly flared and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to walk over to her and rip her arm off. I made my way slowly back to the table, taking deep breaths and reminding myself I was not the crazy jealous girl I was acting like. I slid into my seat next to Amber, giving her the brightest fake smile I could muster, completely ignoring Drake and the bimbo. Amber raised her eyebrows but said nothing about our company as I asked her about her morning class. It was a pitiful attempt really, next I would be asking her about the weather.
Drake seemed oblivious to my attempts to ignore him and his company as he plowed right into the middle of our conversation while Blondie settled herself onto his lap. “So Amber, were you at the party with Chloe last night?”
I raised my eyebrows at the girl, but she simply smirked at me, assuming I was jealous. She was right of course, but I wasn’t about to let her know that. Amber cleared her throat and I glanced in her direction to catch her trying to hide her smile. I was so busted and I knew she’d be pumping me for information as soon as we were alone.
She turned her gaze to Drake, “Yeah I was. Why do you ask?”
“I just wondered if you heard us playing, Chloe here seems to think we were the most amazing band she has ever heard.”
I snorted, “Please, I said you were good, but I’ve heard better,” I turned back to Amber, “Please don’t encourage him, I don’t think I can handle it if his ego gets any bigger.”
Drake smirked before putting on a hurt face, “Is that what you really think Chloe? I’m deeply hurt, I thought we had something special.”
Amber and I giggled as Blondie leaned in closer to him and ran her hand down his chest. “I’m sure I can think of something to make you feel better.”
Drake pushed her hand away and glanced over at me. “Not now Chrissy, why don’t you run along, I’ll find you later.”
She pouted as she stood up.
“Fine Drake, be that way, but you know where to find me,” she said as she leaned down and kissed him deeply on the lips, staying attached far longer than necessary in my opinion.
I felt my stomach tighten and I had to look away from them before I did something stupid. She finally pulled away, smirking at Amber and me before stalking away swinging her hips extra hard. Unable to contain myself, I glared daggers at her until she was out of sight. I glanced around the table to Drake and Amber once she was out of sight, and both of them were staring at me.
“What?”
Amber coughed as she tried to cover a laugh, “Nothing sunshine, not a thing. Anyway Drake, I had no idea that was you playing last night. You guys sound insane, I loved it.”
I nibbled on my chips as they talked about the band, stealing glances at Drake when he wasn’t paying attention.
“So how did you guys meet anyway?” Amber asked, turning her attention to me.
I wasn’t planning to tell her about the incident after the party while Drake was around so I shrugged, “I had to sit by him in my morning class yesterday, and the one today. I was desperate for human interaction so I ended up stuck with him.”
Drake grinned at me, “She’s lying. I saved her ass last night, literally. So she was groveling at my feet this morning.”
Amber glanced between us, “What happened last night?”
I was going to kill Drake for telling her.
“Well, I was walking home from the party last night and the heel of my shoe got caught and broke. Due to my natural grace, I fell down and Drake helped me up and gave me a ride home.”
“Wait a minute! You broke my shoe? Just when were you planning on telling me about that?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her missing the part about Drake giving me a ride home and skipping right to her damaged shoes.
“Sorry Amber, I’ll buy you a new pair.”
“You better! Until then, I’ll just borrow those awesome black pumps you have. Actually, I was planning on dragging you to that club down on 5 street tonight, I’ll wear them then.”
“I can’t go tonight, I’m hanging out with Logan after he gets out of class.”
“Oh, come on! You can hang out with Logan anytime, come with me tonight, we can get our dance on! Pretty please?” Amber stuck her bottom lip out at me and gave me her best puppy dog eyes.
“I don’t know Amber, I already promised him. I guess I could check and see if he wanted to come too, let me text him and see.”
I reached for my bag and started digging through the contents trying to find my phone. After a few minutes and a few muttered curse words from being stabbed by random objects, I pulled my hand out defeated.
“I must have forgotten my phone in my room. I’ve got some time before my next class, I’ll run and get it.”
Amber clapped her hands and threw her arms around me, “Thank you! I know he’ll say yes, he can’t deny you anything.”
Drake coughed and we both looked up to see him watching us with an amused look on his face. “He can’t deny her anything? He sounds more like a whipped boyfriend than a best friend.”
Amber looked at him like he had grown a second head, “Logan and Chloe? Have you lost your ever loving mind? They might as well be brother and sister. The day they get together I’ll give you my favorite pair of Chucks.”
“Whatever you say, you know them better than anyone. So am I invited to this club tonight or are you two going to completely ignore me like you have been for the past five minutes? Mention shoes and you’re gone.”
“Rule number one, never get between a woman and her shoes, and yes you can come keep Chloe company tonight, I’m sure she doesn’t mind.”
My cheeks flamed at her words, “Listen, I’ve got to go get my phone, but you’re welcome to come with us if you want.”
I stood and started to grab my bag from the chair, but he got to it first and threw it over his shoulder.
“I don’t have class until later, I’ll walk with you.”
I nodded as I quickly turned away from him, trying to hide my grin. He was seriously carrying my bag for me and he was going to walk to my room with me. Where we would be alone. With my bed. My stomach twisted from the nerves, but I quickly pushed it aside as we left the cafeteria and made our way toward my dorm. He was just being friendly, and from the way that blonde Crissy had hung all over him, he had much better options than me. Why would he ever go for plain Jane me when he had those kind of options?
We walked beside each other in silence for a few minutes before Drake spoke. “So do you like to go to clubs and parties or does Amber force you?”
“She usually has to force me to go, but once I’m there I have fun. I mean, I like to party and dance, I just don’t like being in crowds, especially with a bunch of super drunk people.”
He nodded his head in agreement, “I can understand that. This might sound stupid since I’m in a band and all, but I hate crowds too. But without crowds there would be no reason to perform. Plus, with crowds come groupies, and you’ve got to love the groupies.”
He shot me a sly smile and I nodded, “Exactly, I mean how could you be a man whore with no groupies?”
“Hey now, I’m not that bad. It’s not my fault they show up in next to nothing and flock to me. I mean, look at me, can you blame them?”
I rolled my eyes, “You really are full of yourself aren’t you?”
“Always. You know, the groupies are great and all, but they aren’t the ones that really catch my attention.”
I glanced up at him and noticed the serious expression on his face. “Oh really, and what kind of girl really catches your attention?”
We had made it to my building by this time and he was standing in the doorway, blocking my entrance. The serious look was still on his face as he stared at me.
“The ones who don’t try, who don’t fall all over themselves with me, and aren’t impressed because I’m in a band. But they also have to have a sense of humor, and give me attitude right back when I give it to them,” he cleared his throat, “Of course they have to be smoking hot as well, or the rest is just a waste.”
I laughed as I pushed him aside to open the door and make my way up the stairs to my floor, “Wow, you were really starting to sound deep there, glad you redeemed yourself at the last minute.”
I pulled my key out as we reached my door and unlocked it. Stepping inside the door, I took my bag from him and threw it and my key on the chair next to the door as I started searching the desk for my phone.
Drake walked in behind me and went straight to my bed, flopping down on it like he owned the place.
I glanced back and raised an eyebrow at him, “Don’t just stand there, please make yourself at home.”
He grinned at me as he kicked his shoes off and put his arms behind his head, “Thanks, I think I will.”
I turned back to the desk and continued my search. Unfortunately my phone was nowhere to be seen, so I moved to my bedside table and started moving papers and other junk out of the way before opening the drawer. My phone wasn’t there either and I groaned.
“I have no idea where I put the damn thing.”
He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “What’s your number? I’ll call it for you, I have to ask someone do this for me all the time. I lose my phone more than I use it.”
I recited the number to him and stood still, straining my ears to listen for it as he dialed. After a few seconds I heard Bury Me With My Guns On, my unknown ringtone, coming from the bed but it was muffled. I dropped down to my hands and knees, searching under my bed, but it didn’t sound like it was under there.
I stood back up as the ringing stopped. “Dial it again, it’s here next to the bed but I can’t find it.”
He redialed and the muffled ringing started again. I crouched down next to the bed and realized the sound was coming from underneath him.
“Hey dumbass move, I think you’re on it.”
He looked over at me and grinned, “Make me.”
I grunted as I started trying to shove him off the bed. As soon as I touched him I felt tingles running up my arm, but I ignored them. He refused to move, so I shoved on his hips harder as he laughed at my pitiful attempts.
“Is that all you’ve got? What a wimp.”
At his words I started pushing him even harder, but my hands slipped from his hip and I tumbled down onto him. My breath was sucked out of me as I landed on top of him and I felt those tingles everywhere my body pressed against his. I tried to shove away from him, but he grabbed my arms and pulled me up so I was fully on top of him, chest to chest, stomach to stomach, hips to hips. He was hard everywhere I touched and I felt my cheeks turning red as I looked at him.
His eyes had darkened until they were black with hunger as he stared at me, and a smirk appeared on his lips, “You know baby, if you wanted to get on top of me all you had to do was ask.”
He released my arms, but I was frozen, staring into those beautiful eyes. I glanced down at this mouth, if I moved an inch I would be kissing him. I shook my head to clear my crazy thoughts and pushed myself off of him before I did something incredibly stupid.
“Whatever jackass, you made me fall so don’t try to blame me.”
He gave me an easy smile, but I could still see the hunger in his eyes, “You’re right, I just wanted an excuse to get you on top of me. It worked though, didn’t it?”
I ignored his comment and started trying to shove him again. “Will you please move so I can get my phone?”
He rolled to his side so I could check the bed, and sure enough my phone was sitting right below the pillow. I snatched it up and unlocked it. I had a couple texts from Logan asking how my morning was going, and one from Amber.
Amber: Don’t think I didn’t hear that boy say he gave you a ride home. I want details when we’re alone. Xoxo
Me: He’s here now, I’ll fill you in later.
I sent Logan a text asking him to go to the club tonight and he replied almost instantly.
Logan: Yeah, that’s fine with me. I’ll come to your room after I finish class. Wear something hot!
Me: You’re hilarious… I’ll see you then.
I glanced up at Drake and saw him watching me, “He said it’s fine.”
Drake nodded as he rolled back onto his back, “Alright, guess we’re going clubbing tonight. You have a fake I.D.?”
I shook my head, “No, but I wasn’t planning on drinking anyway.”
There was no way I was getting drunk with Drake around me, plus Logan would drive me crazy trying to watch out for me if I did. I did not need another embarrassing moment like the night before. I stood there awkwardly as Drake watched me from the bed.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you later tonight then, I’ve got your number so I can text you when we leave. You can meet us there,” I hinted for him to leave, but he stayed where he was.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No not at all, I just figured you had better things to do than hang out on my bed.”
He grinned at me, “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“So how long have you been in your band?” I asked to change the subject as I moved across the room to sit on Rachel’s bed.
“I’ve been with them since I was sixteen. I’ve lived here in Morgantown with my uncle since I was ten. My mom and dad died in a car wreck so he took me in.”
I didn’t know what to say to that so I just nodded.
“It’s ok, you don’t have to freak out or anything, it was a long time ago and I’m over it.”
“Yeah, well I really don’t know what to say to that besides I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry for unless you were the drunk driver that hit them. Anyway, are you from around here?”
“No, I grew up in Charleston. My mom and I have a complicated relationship, so by the time I was fourteen I had pretty much moved in with Amber and her parents, they took me in like I was their own. Everyone talks about what a great school WVU is, and since Amber and Logan both applied here so I did too. So here I am. Yay Mountaineers.”
I waved my imaginary pompoms and he laughed, “Nice.”
We sat in silence for a few minutes until I looked at the clock.
“Wow, I’d better get going, my class is a fifteen minute walk from here.” I stood and grabbed my bag as Drake sat up and slipped his shoes on.
He walked past me and out the door before turning and grinning, “At least some good came out of you losing your phone.”
I looked at him confused, “What?”
He held his own phone up as he turned to walk away, “I’ve got your number now.”