Someone Like You (13 page)

He frowns at me but
remains silent and follows me into the kitchen. I make him sit at the kitchen table while I go to the bathroom to look for something to clean the cut on his lip.

I grab some antiseptic and make my way back to the kitchen.
I then fill the basin with water before grabbing a clean cloth. I pour some antiseptic onto the cloth and gently tilt his chin up so I can get a better look.

He flinches when I start to dab at the cut.

“Sorry.” I say. “That probably stings.”

He shak
es his head. “Nah. I’m fine. Look, I just want to know … are you okay?” he asks, his grey eyes scrutinising my face.

I try to steady the shake in my hands as I continue
to clean out the cut. “Yeah.” I reply, avoiding his gaze.

“You sure about that?” he asks.

Reluctantly, I look up at him. “Thank you.” I blurt out, deliberately avoiding his question.

He raises an eyebrow but nods. “No thanks needed. I just did what anyone would have done.
”

“Still, thanks. I feel like such an idiot.” I admit.

He shrugs. “Don’t … Look, it was partly my fault. I thought it was Carter too. And you know I didn’t mean it when I called you dumb. I just …” he trails off and shakes his head irritably.

I heave a sigh
. “I know you didn’t. I just feel so stupid. I know you warned me about him but he caught me by surprise. I just never thought he’d go so psycho.” I say with a shudder as the memory of his forceful grip resurfaces.

Priestly sighs. “It’s not my first dealing with him but even I’m surprised at his crazy behaviour. You should report him.”

I nod. “I will. I just …” I trail off, wondering if I should ask him what has been playing on my mind.

Nixon had hinted at what really happened between them but I’m hesitant to find out the truth.

Priestly eyes me curiously. “You just what?”

“Nixon mentioned something about before.” I blurt out. “About what really happened between you two.” I add.

Priestly heaves a sigh. “I wish I could tell you but I don’t like dredging up the past.”

I nod but can’t seem to hold my tongue. “He said it was all a game for him. He mentioned something about your cousin and your girlfriend?” I say, posing the last bit as a question.

Priestly looks surprised. “He did?”

I nod.
“Yeah. What really happened? Are you ever going to tell me?” I ask, still dabbing at his lip.

He stills my hand by pushing it away from his face.

“No.” he replies firmly but his expression softens a little.

“Why not?”

***

Priestly

Do I really want to drag this
shit up just to satisfy her curiosity?

“
What happened?” she persists.

Oh God, I don’t know anymore.

I heave a sigh. “Just because we agreed to a truce, it doesn’t mean that I have to tell you
anything
.” I retort sharply.

I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with me. Why am I acting like this?

Okay, so I was worried about her but that doesn’t mean anything.

I’m just glad I got here before some really bad shit went down.

I glance at her, noting her frightened eyes.

Ah shit.

Even though I’m pretty adamant that I don’t want to tell her, I feel myself weakening.

Nixon has dropped the breadcrumbs, so it’s only logical that she’s going to follow the trail.

It seems as if I don’t have a choice anymore.

“
It all started with my cousin.” I tell her. “Nixon wanted to date her, Ariana.”

I watch as her bright blue eyes, hidden behind her glasses, gaze at me intently.

“And like you – I thought he was a good guy.” I continue. “Ariana’s quite shy and I thought Nixon would be a good match for her so I gave him her number. Everything was going great, he was being charming, and I was glad to see Ariana happy.”

I pause and heave a sigh
. “But, then he started to disappear for hours and make excuses about why he couldn’t meet up with her. So, I followed him one night … and saw him hooking up with my girlfriend at the time.”

I watch as Temperanc
e throws me a sympathetic look but I shake my head.

“Oh, I haven’t even started yet.” I tell her with a wry laugh. “That’s not even the worst part. No, I told Ariana what I saw but Nixon convinced her that
I
was lying and that my girlfriend was the one who made the first move. Ariana believed him and was so mad at me – I guess she didn’t want to listen because she really liked Nixon – he was the first guy she’d dated.” I explain before continuing.

“Anyway, if that wasn’t bad enough, my girlfriend dumped me and
continued to date Nixon while he was still dating Ariana. No matter what I said, Ariana wouldn’t listen. So, I told my aunt about what was going on and she told Ariana that she wasn’t allowed to see Nixon anymore. But, Ariana’s stubborn. She sneaked out to see him and ended up catching him cheating. For a while, everything was okay but then Nixon starting to spread horrible rumours about her.”

I pause as Temperance shakes her head
in disgust. “What a jerk!”

I nod in agreement. “Yeah,
that’s why I tried to warn you about him but I didn’t want to tell you the truth since I don’t feel right telling people about it behind Ariana’s back. It took her a long time to get over it.”

She nods. “I get it. Thanks for telling me the truth in the end
though. I guess that’s why you kicked his ass in high school?” she asks with a smirk.

“Yeah.” I say with a chuckle. “
But fat lot of good it did. He still hasn’t changed. The creep deserves a lot worse.”

“
Oh I know but I really don’t want to start any trouble.” she says quietly.

“What?” I half yell at her. “He attacked you! You have to report him.”

She nods. “Um, yeah okay. I will.”

“Good.” I say. “Now, please tell me you’re not looking me to clean the flat
?” I ask with a smirk.

She starts to laugh. “Nah. I think we both deserve a break. There’s always tomorrow.”

Damn, I could kiss her right now.

No, bad idea, remember?

“That’s okay with me.” I say. “You know, you’re not too bad … for a Nerd Girl.” I add, knowing I shouldn’t tease her after the night we’ve both had but, I can’t resist.

Besides, it’s totally worth it when she throws me that killer smile.

Damn. What is happening to me?

Chapter Nineteen

Temperance

“And you haven’t jumped his bones, why?” Anson asks as soon as I finish telling him that Priestly saved me from Nixon last night.

Um, what the hell?

“Oh give me a break Anson. That’s the last thing on my mind.” I tell him with a frown as we walk along, making our way back to the flat.

“Did you at least thank him?” he asks, sounding exasperated.

I nod. “Yeah, I did. After he told me off.” I admit sheepishly.

Anson raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh?”

I quickly tell him what Priestly said and he suddenly claps his hands in glee.

“Sweet! He’s totally protective of you darlin’!
I say he likes you.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t think so somehow.”

He shakes his head. “My God, for such a bright girl you can be really dumb sometimes.”

“Hey!” I shout, feeling
defensive since that’s the second time I’ve been told that in as many days.

“Well you are!” Anson retorts with a smirk. “He’s into you, darlin’. Trust me.”

“You’re crazy.” I tell him, shaking my head.

Anson looks sceptical. “Um, hello? Sexual tension, playful banter, dirty innuendos, and protection from sexual predators … need I go on?”

I shrug, trying to act aloof. “It’s all in your mind Anson.”

No n
eed to mention the almost-kiss … he’d definitely have a heart attack at that!

He waves his hand dismissively. “Whatever. If a guy is willing to kick some creep’s ass, he’s definitely interested in you … I still can’t believe Nixon is such a slime ball!” he adds.

I nod. “I know. But once Priestly told me about what really happened between them in high school, I didn’t feel so bad about falling under his sleazy-ass spell!”

Anson laughs and then eyes me seriously. “
See – that right there says he’s interested. He trusted you enough to tell you the truth about what happened. Now, just when are you going to make a move?”

“Um, never.” I reply. “Have you seen his usual conquests? I’m not exactly the parade-around-half-naked type. Besides, I’m not sure if I like him like that anyway.”

“Pah! Bullshit!” Anson shouts, elbowing me in the ribs. “You should set up a cosy study date tonight and pounce on him when he least expects it.” he tells me with a wink.

I throw my head back and laugh hysterically. “Are you even listening to yourself? Have you met me? Do
I look like the predatory type?”

Anson shakes his head wearily and throws his hands up, defeated. “I give up. If you can’t see what’s right in front of you, then I don’t care anymore. Talk to you
later darlin’.”

I watch as he makes his way across the street and then let myself into the building.

***

Priestly

“So, did you report him yet?” I ask Temperance as soon as she enters the flat.

It’s been bugging me all day about that creep Nixon and I want to make sure he gets what’s coming to him … or else my fist might connect with his jaw again.

Temperance looks startled by my presence and jumps. “Jeez, don’t do that!”

Shit. She’s probably still on edge from last night … nice move dumbass!

“Sorry.” I say, eyeing her carefully. “You okay?”

She nods. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

I shake my head. “No you’re not. What did they say when you reported him?”

She starts to mumble something incoherent and avoids my eyeline.

I narrow my eyes at her. “You didn’t report him, did you?”

“No.” she admits quietly, her cheeks turning red. “I don’t want to cause any hassle.”

I stare at her, dumbfounded. “Are you serious? This isn’t the first time he’s acted like a creep you know.” I remind her.

“I know but I can’t face the fact that everyone will find out about what happened.” she tells me softly. “I don’t want to draw attention to myself – that’s not me.”

Heaving a sigh, I nod. “Okay, but any funny behaviour from him, tell me.”

Little does she know that I’m going to have a little man to man chat with Nixon … it’s time to remind him of his colourful past … and just how easily it could be revealed to every student on campus.

Temperance throws me a curious look but merely shrugs and says, “Okay, thanks. So, what do you want for dinner?”

“Wanna order pizza?” I ask, just as my phone rings.

Carter.

I hit ‘answer’ as Temperance signals that she’s going to order the pizza.

“Hey man,” I say to Carter. “What’s up?”

“Dude, you coming out tonight?” he shouts at me over some music in the background.

“Nah man,
I’m going to give it a miss tonight.”

“What
?” Carter yells at me. “Why?”

I heave a sigh. “I’m
still hungover from last night.” I lie. “I just need to chill out.”

“I’ll say.” he begins in a serious tone. “
It wouldn’t have anything to do with you kicking the shit out of Nixon again, would it?”

“How’d you find out?
” I ask warily.

“Word travels fast. So what did he do this time?”

“Oh, the creep was up to his usual shit again.” I say, deciding to leave out the part about Temperance since she just told me that she doesn’t want everyone on campus knowing her business. “He was pestering a girl I was walking home.”

“Oh you’re a regular, fucking hero, aren’t you?” Carter tells me, his tone heavy with sarcasm.

“Oh, you know me … whatever helps win over the ladies.” I tell him with a laugh.

He lets out a low chuckle. “Okay, see you
tomorrow dude.” he says before hanging up.

I shake my head wearily and turn to find Temperance watching me.

“Pizza’s on the way.”

I
nod and say, “Good. So, let’s get started with this cleaning then. But be gentle with me.” I add, teasing her. “I’m not used to this kind of work.”

She flashes me a grin. “No pain, no gain.”

“Oh, now I’m intrigued.” I quip back. “Is this going to get kinky? Am I going to get
punished
for doing it wrong?”

She blushes but looks me straight in the eye as she says, “Well, you know what they say … it’s the quiet ones you gotta watch out for.”

Holy.

Fuck.