CHAPTER 2

Hey, are you free tonight? Come hang out with us. I can come pick you up.

I read the text from Aydon over and over. Us? What did he mean by us? Him and his goddess? Or the big-boy group? Did any of his friends like me? No, this isn't how it's supposed to be. I should be called to come study, not called to hang out. Keep focused. I picked up my phone and typed:

jfsfkdsfhhfvl

That's what I typed. I couldn't think straight. What if? It was still early in the semester and we were in the first week. What's a little hangout gonna affect? I remembered the college officer's rules. What was the perfect reply to this? I thought of his hug after orientation.

Brrrrng! Brrrng!

The vibration came in again. This time it was my brother. Just a casual check-in. I have two sisters and a brother — that's lore for another day. At least they aren't in my head at this point.

"Yeah, I'm free tonight. Come pick me up," I replied.

Then I did the unexpected.

Can you come alone?

Sent.

What did I just do? I sent him that? Yeah, I did. He was my friend and I had the right to send him that. Since he was just coming to pick me up, that shouldn't be a problem.

Sure, no problem. Share your location.

I watched his message pop up. He obliged. I was excited and not excited at the same time. What would he think? I dropped the phone.

Aydon pulled up exactly twenty-seven minutes after the text. I had just finished curling my eyelashes. I wore jeans and a sweatshirt. It was just a casual hangout with friends, so I didn't do extra.

"Hey, you look great."

He came in for a hug with his big arms. My heart beat faster as I put my arms around him.

"Really?" I asked as I pulled out of his hug, smiling sheepishly.

"Come on, look at you." He shifted back and seemed to gesture to my whole body.

I liked that. I think I blushed — not sure — but I was flushed. I noticed he dressed lightly too. He wore grey pants and a black shirt. He looked so clean and tailored. Amaye was lucky. They were both lucky.

"You look amazing too," I told him. "Amaye is really lucky." I added it cheekily.

"I think I'm the lucky one," he said, then turned to get in the car.

He didn't open the door for me. I felt some kind of way, but I dismissed it quickly. It wasn't a date.

"How did you guys meet?" I asked.

I sat down gently beside him. I didn't know why I wanted to know then. But I think I know now. It was one of those questions I shouldn't have asked. I wasn't expecting what I heard. But I liked it.

We talked about a few more things, but I couldn't get past how they met.

We got to the house. A big whole house with a swimming pool and a big-ass front yard. I was surprised, but I shelved it. I didn't want him to think of me that way. I acted normal. But whose big-ass house was this?

Amaye and one of the guys, Banu, came out smiling heartily. She went straight for her boyfriend.

"Hey, sweet. I missed you," she said as she pouted. "Hey…" she greeted me nicely.

"I'm good. Settling in nicely, at least."

Banu reached out for a slight hug. He had even bigger arms. Wow.

We walked into the house and I wasn't ready. The house was perfect. Were they students? Probably they were surgeons already. Surgeons can't afford this condo, no. It must be something else. There was a gym right in the house — maybe why they had big arms. The house had state-of-the-art modern furniture. It was so clean you could tell the house had no history.

The last guy was at the minibar, mixing whatever drink he had.

My phone buzzed.

Babe.

My boyfriend hadn't texted me since we had a disagreement last week. I thought it was over and I had made up my mind. Why now? I'd shifted. I had a crush now. I thought about what to say. I was deep in thought when I heard a deep baritone voice behind my ear.

"Hey, sugar." He opened with a smile. "What drink would you like?"

Sugar? It wasn't the speech. It was the voice. Sing to me. I turned to him.

It was the last guy. Smooth voice. Nice arms.

"Anything not strong," I said, smiling.

He disappeared to the minibar again. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt. His back was well developed, muscular and toned. Why? Why me? Medical school was gradually becoming the opposite of what I had in mind. I expected nerds and study groups. I was in a condo with the hottest friend group ever known.

Yeah, I haven't mentioned Amaye. She disappeared into a room with Aydon and I didn't want to think about what was going on behind closed doors. I didn't care. Did I? I thought about it. Maybe once.

"Here you go."

The same baritone voice. Here I go, into your arms, into your world.

"Thanks," I said and proceeded to take a sip.

"We planned on seeing a movie over drinks," he said as he sank into the space beside me on the couch.

He smelled nice. Aydon, Amaye, Banu, and this sleeveless guy. What changed in me? Why was I being drawn to them? I needed to leave. I needed to say something. I needed to reply to my boyfriend. Gosh!

"Huh, that's okay. What movie do you have in mind?" I tried to sound as normal and casual as possible. I was the newest in the group. I couldn't decide for them.

"We agreed to watch American Pie," Banu replied.

"You imposed that on us," the sleeveless guy said jokingly.

Aydon and Amaye came out at this point, smiling at each other. Wow. Just wow. They were in house fits. Amaye had on bum shorts and a tank top. OMG. They were both lucky, truly. Her nipples were piercing through the top visibly. I could see she had a ring on the left nipple? How? I thought medical school was full of nerds. These people were at the orientation. Her C-cup breasts were so firm I had to adjust whatever fabric was around my bust.

The night drifted slowly and I forgot totally about my boyfriend. Who wouldn't? I was in a condo with the hottest friend group in a nice condo. Med school didn't get better than this.

Almost everyone was asleep towards the last part of the movie. I guess the movie only interested Banu. They mostly complained throughout and now they were asleep. Ironically, Banu was asleep, and only the sleeveless guy was up. He was next to me. Just the two of us left awake. I didn't know if he was aware, but I think he knew. His next actions proved it.

I felt him closer. Or maybe his breath was closer. My heart was racing. What if he made a move? How would I react? Deep down, I wanted him to. At least try to make an attempt. I was hot enough. On the other hand, I didn't want him to. I had eyes on Amaye and her boyfriend. And I didn't want drama. My heart kept racing. Did he notice?

Then my phone rang.

My boyfriend.