Me: See you bright and early
I think of adding some cheesy emoji but then think better of it and press send.
As the sun sets, the house gets busier and busier and so does the noise level. I head out for an evening run. That should clear my head since booze isn’t an option. The girl from the paper this morning pops in my head. I don’t know why, other than thinking of a story being written about me is giving me hives. But no, that’s not what it is. There was something about Poppy. Something familiar. . .
FIVE
Poppy
“Turn the sun off,” my roommate Bonnie whines. She gets to sleep in most mornings and I didn’t want to bother her. I only turned on my lamp so that I could find something to wear.
“It’s just my lamp. Sorry,” I apologize.
“Why are you up at the ass crack of dawn?” she groans.
“I’m writing a story about one of the guys from the hockey team. I need to head to the gym now and start my interview while they are working out,” I explain, rummaging through my clothes. I have nothing fitting except for an old pair of jogging pants and an oversized T-shirt.
Bonnie sits up in her bed and rubs her eyes.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. Go back to sleep. I’ll be outta here in a minute,” I say and place my clothes on my bed.
“Poppy, there’s no way you can wear that.” She winces and so do I. “Sorry, I don’t mean it in a bad way.”
Of course you don’t, Bonnie. It’s fine, it wouldn’t be the first time someone’s made fun of my wardrobe.
“It’s fine,” I assure her, even if I’m a little offended.
“No, seriously. You’re going to hang out with some of the hottest guys at this school. I know things didn’t work out with the Cage guy, but maybe it can with one of the players?” Her voice rises and sounds hopeful. Bonnie is trying to help me. I can see that and it’s sweet of her, but maybe I can’t be fixed. Also, there is no way in hell Ryse would allow me to date a player from his team. Even if I can’t get Declan out of my head or the thought of kissing him. I can’t believe I let it slip that I’ve never been kissed, lucky for me he doesn’t remember.
“I think I just need to find someone who sees me for me,” I say.
“That’s the dream. Isn’t it? I want that too,” she says. “But reality check… the first thing you notice about a person is their looks. Don’t tell me you haven’t done this before. See a hot guy and think he’s all that based solely on his looks.”
I shrug. “Guilty as charged.”
“Do you see my point though, Poppy? You cleaned up real nice the other night. Just borrow some of my clothes and put on your contact lenses. Let the guys really see you.”
I’ve never been one for materialistic things but some of what she says rings true, and I’m supposed to be getting out of my comfort zone a little. Besides, getting dressed up and having those good-looking guys at Black Market checking me out did wonders for my wounded ego.
“Okay,” I agree.
Bonnie whips off her blanket and charges for her closet. She has a hanger in there with some makeshift shelves. She begins to sift through it, talking to herself with a lot of nahs and maybes.
About twenty seconds later she flicks on the light in our room and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the brightness.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” I check out the outfit she’s laid on my bed.
“Hell no,” she says. “Now get dressed.” She turns away and heads into the bathroom. I want to argue with her but I’ve never worn such a sexy outfit before and a part of me is intrigued.
I slip on the sports bra and leggings she’s left me. The sports bra is black and stops mid torso. The leggings are cropped and a nice teal color. I turn to look at myself in the mirror and appreciate that the leggings have done wonders for my behind. So uplifting and formfitting.
Bonnie comes out of the bathroom and shrieks, “Yes!” She pumps her fists in the air.
I laugh. “You’re nuts.”
“We’ve already established that, darlin’.”
Okay then. I grab a hoodie zip-up and Bonnie doesn’t protest. No way am I walking around campus in this sports bra and it looks pretty cool outside.
“Just take it off when you get in the gym.” She winks.
“Yup,” I say and grab my notebook, since I’m old-school, and place it in my backpack so I can take notes on what Declan says.
“Just one more thing.”
“What?” I ask, looking at her.
“A little mascara and lose the glasses,” she says, tilting her head to the side and batting her lashes at me.
“Okay,” I agree. I drop everything and head to the bathroom to deal with my dreaded contact lenses. I have my own mascara, which I never use, so I slather some on my lashes. It does make my eyes pop.
I leave the bathroom and Bonnie does a cheer. “You look hot.”
“Thank you.” I curtsy, although I’m not sure why I do that other than feeling awkward.
“Any time, now go be beautiful. I’m going back to bed.” She climbs into her bed and throws the covers over her head. I’ve never had a friend like her before. One who is confident and has that many clothes and knows so much about fashion and looking good.
I laugh to myself then pick up my backpack and head over to the gym.
As I approach the gym my stomach starts swimming. Ryse is going to freak when he sees me, and not only because of my outfit but because I will be mingling with his team, which is a definite no-no in his book. It makes him sound like a domineering asshole, but he really isn’t. We moved around a lot as kids and some of the neighborhoods we lived in had high teenage pregnancy rates. Ryse was determined for me to not be another statistic. He’s been a really good older brother, even though he is overprotective.
I head into the gym and lift my hand to adjust my glasses out of habit and forget they aren’t there.
I scan the place, looking for Declan, but I see Ryse first. I duck away and head for the women’s locker room, figuring I’ll take a locker to put my backpack and hoodie in so I’ll be hands-free to take notes on Declan.
With my notebook and pen in hand, I head back out to the gym. It doesn’t take me long to spot Declan. He’s doing lunges. My gaze roams over his body. In a black Nike tank top, his biceps are on display. His chest peeks from the corners. His leg muscles work as he sets himself into the lunge and my mouth waters, especially when my eyes roam back up his body and land on his eyes. The color gets me every time but it’s not just the color, it’s the storm of emotion inside him too.
He spots me and smiles and I make my way over to him when a hand comes out and grabs me. “What the hell?”
“What are you doing here?” Ryse asks and then he looks me over. “And what are you wearing?”
“Don’t be like that,” I quip quietly. “I’m here on official business for The Gazette. I was asked to write the Spotlight on Declan McAvoy. It’s a pretty big deal.”
“Wow. I know they choose a player to write a Spotlight on every year. I figured it’d be Dec. Good that your editor gave you the story. It’s a big piece every year. I’m proud of you.”