chapter 7

By the time we got back to town, Drake had to run so he’d make it to his team meeting on time. He wanted to drop me at my dorm first, but my car was already at the airport. I raced to the dorm to meet Aubrey. I’d sent her a text when we landed to make sure she was there. Luckily, Faith and Natalie were gone for the day, so we’d have some privacy. I needed her advice about Drake. She had a lot more experience than I did with boys and relationships.

Aubrey was waiting for me with the makings for sundaes set out. She had all my favorites—vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and cherries. “Comfort food! It sounded like something was up in your text. Sounded like a sundae occasion to me!”

“Damn! That’s why I love you, girl. Just what I needed.” I gave Aubrey a hug and started to pile ice cream into a bowl. I was generous with the toppings I added before we settled onto the couch.

“What’s up? Did something happen with your dad on the trip?” Aubrey asked.

“You won’t believe who our passenger was. Drake fucking Bennett,” I answered.

Aubrey’s jaw practically hit the floor. “Shut the front door! Seriously? Is that what has your undies in a bunch?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Flying with Drake as a passenger wasn’t that big of a deal. Finding out that he’s interested in me threw me for a curve. Going to his mom’s birthday party was a little different. Kissing him and having him pretty much telling me that I am going to be his girlfriend? Yeah, that’s enough to make me a little crazy.”

Aubrey squealed. “Yikes! Sounds like you were wrong. Third time was the charm with him. What did he say? Did he kiss you or did you kiss him? C’mon, dish already!”

I recapped the trip for her, sparing very few details. By the time I was done, she was on the edge of her seat, her sundae sitting forgotten on the table. Apparently, the idea of me having a love life that featured Drake Bennett was more interesting than ice cream. Go figure.

“So when are you going to see him again?” she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not sure. He had to get back to campus for some rugby thing. We swapped phone numbers. I’m not sure when he’ll call.”

Aubrey wagged her finger at me. “Uhm, no! You don’t have to wait for him to call. Take the initiative and make the next move. He made it clear that he’s interested. There’s a ton of girls on campus who would die for a chance like this. Go for it!”

I held my hand up to stop her rant. “No way! That’s not gonna happen. I’m not even sure that I want to date Drake in the first place. He seems like a player to me. The last thing I need is another cheating boyfriend.”

Aubrey just laughed at me. “Lex, no! You can’t think that way. You have to start dating sometime, and I will kill you if you pass up this opportunity. You haven’t noticed another guy in two years, but you perked right up when you mentioned Drake yesterday morning. You’re interested in him, aren’t you?”

I shoved a big spoonful of ice cream into my mouth and pointed at my face to indicate that I couldn’t talk. Aubrey leveled a stare at me until I finally broke. “Okay, okay. I admit that he’s hot, but does that really mean I should date him? Maybe now that my hormones are awake, I’ll start noticing other guys too.”

“I know you’re scared to trust someone again. Dating a new guy is scary no matter what. After Brad, it has to be even more frightening for you. But you aren’t going to go out and find someone you are barely attracted to just so you can try to protect yourself. That’s just crazy.” Aubrey looked disappointed in me. “Besides, you already told Drake you would give him a chance. You just told me so yourself. Are you going to go back on your word? Because I don’t think he’s the type of guy who will let you get away with that.”

My cell phone chimed with a text message.

Drake: Free tonite?

Aubrey snatched the phone from my hand to read the message and typed out a response before I could react.

Alexa: Yes!

Drake: Dinner?

Alexa: Where?

Drake: You pick. Pick you up at 8.

Alexa: K

I chased Aubrey around the room as she replied to each of Drake’s messages. “Woo-hoo! You have a dinner date with Drake tonight at eight. No backing out now!”

Aubrey handed my phone to me, and I read through the conversation. “Aubrey! I told you that I wasn’t sure I wanted to date Drake. Whose side are you on anyway?”

“Yours. I am always on your side. No matter what. That’s why I’m telling you to go on this date. Drake’s hot and seriously interested in you. If he ends up being a total ass, you’ll find out before you get in too deep with him. I’ll just ask Jackson for all the dirt on Drake. I’ll have all the details for you when you get home tonight. Promise.” She swept her finger across her heart in a cross motion.