The Recruiting Trip (The University of Gatica #1) (7 page)

They had to park the car a block from Tyler’s house. The party was in full swing, spilling out to the lawn and laughter carried over to where the girls had parked.

Linda tossed her coat into the car. “I’m not going to try and find it later.” She crossed her bare arms over her nearly naked belly. She seemed oblivious to the cold. She marched in front of Jani and Aileen.

“Tyler’s place has, like, eight bedrooms. Last year he threw the party this same weekend and had a room set for coats. Even had a rookie football player manage a coat check.”

“Really?” Aileen snuggled into her jacket, wondering how many people where actually going to be there. “Does Tyler live with any other track members?”

Jani shook her head. “A couple of footballers. Eight bedrooms and only four guys live there. They each get two rooms. So lucky. I’d make one into a closet.”

“That would be cool. Put a door between the two rooms and tell everyone you have a walk in.”

Jani clapped her hands. “Exactly!”

They came to the house. There was a park to the right of the house and a large garage on the other side and then the neighbour’s house that was dark. Tyler’s house was massive. It was an old heritage home, probably around when the north fought the south.

“Do footballers get more money that other scholarships?” She wondered how he afforded living in a place like this.

“Nope. It’s all the same. I heard the guy who owns the house used to play football for Gatica. He’s a big alumni supporter and played in the NFL. He probably rents it to the football players for next to nothing.”

“Lucky.”

Music blaring from a stereo on the front porch stopped any chance of hearing a conversation. The music bounced off her chest and blasted into her ears. Aileen covered her ears as they made their way across the wrap around porch to the side entrance. It lead them into a crowded, high ceiling kitchen.

“I thought you said it was a track party?” Aileen asked Jani as she watched Linda push her way through people towards a keg.

“It is, plus a few friends.” Jani winked. “If it’s too busy, just say the word and we’ll head out.”

“Thanks.” She tried not to appear obvious as she searched the kitchen for Tyler. It was his party, she should say hello when she saw him.

Jani grabbed her arm, and a bowl of chips off the counter. “Come on, let’s introduce you around.”

The hallway that lead out of the kitchen opened to a winding staircase that had a balcony above which over looked the large front entrance below. This house was unbelievable.

“Aileen!! Aileennneee!” someone called down from the second floor.

She looked up and saw Sean weaving his way by people and then down the staircase.

“I can’t believe you came!” He hugged her.

“I can’t believe you aren’t wearing your red coat costume!” She gestured at his jeans and button up shirt.

Jani burst out laughing. “You’ve been here two days and you’ve already seen the red coat get up? Which one? Sean’s got like five of ‘em.”

“I only have three!” He looked down. “Do you lovely ladies need a drink?”

“We’re not drinking tonight.”

“Not even coke? There’s a machine in the kitchen that’s got some fruit punch concoction that is non-alcoholic.” He pointed his thumb behind his shoulder. “I’ll go grab you one.”

He wasn’t going to give up. “Yes, please.” At least holding a cup would have something to do with her hands.

“Me, too,” Jani added. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.” He bowed dramatically. “If you make your way to the living room, there’s a dance floor already bustin’ a groove.” He saluted and then disappeared into kitchen.

Aileen thought she saw Tyler upstairs behind some people leaning against the railing. She strained her neck trying to get a better look.

“Do you like dancing?” Jani asked her.

She did, she just wasn’t sure she wanted to head onto the dance floor at this party. Her heart missed a beat when she saw Tyler coming down the stairs. It was him before, at the top of the stairs. He had on a grey polo shirt that made his eyes look brighter than usual. Even his dark jeans seemed like they were made just for him.

He smiled and waved when he saw her. A girl on the stairs stopped him and began talking. He listened and responded to her, but his eyes kept shifting over to Aileen.

“What are you guys still doing here?” Sean came back carrying three drinks. He handed each of them a cup, keeping the one full of beer for him. “I thought Jani would be tearing up the dance floor by now.”

Jani elbowed Aileen. “I’m just waiting for Aileen to decide if she wants to stay here watching Tyler or come along.”

Aileen’s face burned instantly. “I wasn’t…” She had no idea how to finish that sentence and when Tyler began coming down the stairs, she grabbed Jani’s hand and pulled her toward the living room trying to move fast and beat Tyler before he made it down the stairs. She was way too embarrassed to talk to him now. “Let’s go dance!”

“I thought you’d never ask!” Jani teased.

They slipped in between people as they made their way to the dance floor. The living had the same high ceiling and the furniture had been pushed against all the walls. A DJ had a corner with the only light in the room besides the strobe lights flashing on the middle of the floor. It was crowded but because of the size of the room, there was plenty room to dance.

Jani stepped in front of Aileen and found a spot big enough for them to move around and dance. She was glad Sean had managed to stay with them and began moving the minute a new song came on.

From where she stood, Aileen had a clear view of the entrance to the living room. When Tyler came into the room she dropped her gaze and focussed on what Jani and Sean were doing. She had taken jazz, pop and every other dance class as a kid, and it came to her rescue now.

She tried to get lost in music but she could feel Tyler’s eyes on her as he made his way toward them. He was a popular guy. People constantly stopped him to talk or high five him or offering him a drink. She tried not to watch, but couldn’t stop herself.

After the fifth song they had danced to ended, Aileen was hot. She pulled her three quarter sleeves up and wished she could take her boots off. Her drink was long gone. She tapped Jani on the shoulder. “I’m going to grab a drink. Do you need another one?”

Jani nodded. “Yes, please.” She glanced around, her eyes pausing a moment on Tyler who was watching them. “Do you want me to come?”

“I’m okay. I’ll be right back.”

Jani turned back to Sean and grabbed his hands. “Show me your moves, skinny man.”

Aileen slipped behind a group dancing beside them and attempted a detour as she tried to avoid bumping into Tyler. If Jani hadn’t said anything, she would have been fine. Except, Aileen kept thinking about what Jani had said at the hotel, and then her comment here.
I’m on a recruiting trip. Not trying to hook up with a guy. That’s totally not me.
Why was she trying so hard to convince herself? Did it really matter?

She paused in the hallway as a cool breeze teased her hot skin. The front door was open but nobody was using it. She stepped out onto the porch and headed right. People stood laughing and talking on her left, which would bring her around to the kitchen. She just wanted a moment alone to catch her breath and maybe gather her thoughts.

She walked around the corner to an empty spot of the porch. Only a bench stood against the side of the house. She ran her hand along the limestone and could feel the base of the music from the living room beating against it. The music came out muffled and quiet, the stone absorbing most of the sound.

“Are you avoiding me?” Tyler’s voice came out teasing behind her.

She spun around, surprised.

He stood a few feet away, hands in his dark jean pockets, his chest muscles pressing against his shirt, grinning at her. The guy could be a model. He probably was.

“You’re a popular guy.”

“I am?”

“Every time you take a step, someone has to come up and talk to you.”

His grin turned into a sexy smile. He took a step closer to her. “Have you been watching me?”

She wished she had pockets so she had something to do with her hands. She played with the pendant on her necklace instead. “Maybe. Have you been following me?” Where did this boldness inside of her come from when he was around?

“Maybe.” He took another step, now they stood less than a foot apart. His gaze wondered from her eyes to her mouth.

She ran her tongue over her lips and held her breath. For a moment it seemed like they were the only two people in the world.

“I really want to kiss you.” His bold statement made her gasp slightly. “I just don’t know if I should.” He ran a hand over his short hair, pausing at his neck. “I feel out of control when I’m around you. Like I want to let go of everything and just… just… kiss you.” He moved so there was no space between them.

Aileen dropped her arms to her sides and closed her eyes as she brought her head up toward his. She felt his warm hands fit perfectly into hers. His lips brushed against hers softly and she heard herself sigh. He pressed his mouth against hers with more urgency, his hands sliding up her forearms, his fingers curling around her elbows.

He slowly let his mouth move away from hers as he rested his forehead against hers. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m not,” she whispered.

“This isn’t right. I’m not the calm in a storm you’d be looking for, I’m the shipwreck that’ll take you down.” He sighed. “And now I’m quoting songs.”

“Aileen?” Jani’s voice called out from the front of the house.

Tyler jumped back as if he had been bitten. He ran his thumb over his lower lip, as if trying to rub any possible lipstick away. He cleared his throat.

“She’s right here, Jani.” He called over his shoulder, his face and body language completely unreadable now.

Aileen hoped she didn’t look as frazzled as she felt on the inside. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, thankful the night shadows would hide her face.

Jani slowly came around the corner, her arm around Linda holding her up. “I think we, uh, gotta go.”

“I don’ feeltho ‘hood,” Linda mumbled, her words barely coherent.

“Crap!” Tyler grabbed Linda around the waist as she feel forward. “How about we take a little walk around the porch here. Get some fresh air inside of you?” He basically carried Linda as they walked down toward the back of the house and turned around again. “What she been drinking?” he asked Jani.

“Purple Kool-Aid and vodka.”

He grimaced. “Have you been drinking it too? Either of you?”

Aileen and Jani both shook their heads.

“I think she’s going to need to lie down—” Tyler said.

“I’m bine,” Linda cut him off and lurched away from his suddenly, running to the edge of the porch. She leaned over and vomited.

The stench of it wafted over to them. Jani dashed over to help Linda by holding her hair back. “Go away, bitch!” she barked at Jani. She lifted her high heeled foot and shoved Jani away from her.

Jani cried out as she fell backwards.

Linda lost her balance and tried to grab onto the wooden balcony railing to catch herself. She missed.

Everything seemed to happen so fast and also in slow motion at the same time. Tyler leapt forward to try and grab Linda but her short, tight top gave nothing to hold onto. She flipped over the railing, literally head over heels and landed in the grass below. The porch was easily four feet off the ground.

Linda swore and then cried out.

Aileen ran over to Jani, terrified Linda’s weapon-like shoe had stabbed her in the belly. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just landed on my ass real hard. If my legs weren’t so freakin’ skinny I’d have some fat on my ass to absorb the landing.” She grabbed Aileen’s hand and pulled herself up. “Where’s Linda?”

Tyler had hurdled over the balcony. “She’s down here.”

Jani and Aileen rushed down the porch to the stairs near the back of the house.

Tyler crouched beside Linda who lay spread out on her back. “I think she’s okay. Just really drunk still.”

Jani plugged her nose. “At least she managed to avoid landing in her puke.”

Aileen squinted and pointed to Linda’s arm tucked grotesquely under her. “I think her arm’s broken.”

“Oh shit!” Tyler shook his head. “I was so freakin’ concerned about her head, neck, back and legs, I didn’t even look.” He rubbed his face with his hands. “We need to get her to a hospital.”

“Let me go grab my car. Aileen and I can take her,” Jani grabbed her keys out of her pocket.

“I’ll come,” Tyler insisted.

“You can’t leave the party. Don’t tell anyone. We’re so dead if Coach finds out,” Jani covered her mouth with her hand.

“Guys, I’m fine.” Linda sat up and stared at her left shoulder. “Freakin’ cool! What this!” She shook her shoulder as her left arm flapped helplessly.

“Her arm’s not broken. She dislocated her shoulder.” Tyler knelt down beside Linda. “You’re going to be okay. Luckily you’re drunk so I’m guessing it doesn’t hurt too bad?”