from across the way. She was with Andrea and another girl, I didn’t know. “Come eat over here. I wanna show you pictures of a style I want to try on you.”
My first thought was no. I didn’t want to eat with humans. And I certainly didn’t want to be around Ashton and Aivery’s friends. I could spend better time alone. But then I remembered how cool ShawnNicole and I had become. So I committed a single nod, made my way over to the counter, and tapped on the kiosk.
As I waited, I was once again reminded of how different things were for me. I was counting down the time for me to quit my job. Ashton Spencer offered to help me out financially so I could focus on boxing and school. I could never take him up on the offer, but with what was coming in my next check, I would be okay for a week or two.
I still couldn’t get over how last night, Ashton had food and an Epsom salt bath waiting for me. Dude had an actual Jacuzzi. I didn’t pay much attention to it the first few times I used his bathroom because I was rushing in and out. But I soaked in hot silky, flower-fragranced water for a whole hour, unbothered after I showered and ate bomb ass Margherita pizza.
And after I soaked and showered again, Ashton and I talked and talked, and even laughed before we fell asleep in his bed, both beneath the same comforter. He didn’t try anything with me. Didn’t touch me in a sexual way. What was odd was he made me feel like…girlfriend material. Last night, Ashton treated me like we’d had dinner and winddown time every night for years. It wasn’t about getting off. It was about me feeling like a proper human. It was so bad—or good—that I made it super awkward when I left out this morning. He was offering me breakfast to my back as I hauled ass out of there. I needed to get to my dorm to get dressed for our morning run. And, as usual, Ashton and I didn’t talk during the run.
“McNabb!” That boom snapped me out of my thoughts.
My food was ready. I grabbed the tray and left the station remembering my promise to ShawnNicole. Hesitantly, I made my way over. Her smile on my way to her warmed me. Andrea’s face was buried in her Blackberry, thankfully. I went for the hand sanitizer pump the moment I sat down, then for my food.
“Here’s what I wanted you to see.” ShawnNicole’s excitement bounced off the table as she turned her laptop screen my way. “I want to try it on you.”
“You wanna cut my hair?” my voice lacked concern, but it was a sincere question.
I’d never had my hair cut. I could barely comb, no way I could maintain getting it trimmed on a regular basis.
“What you think?” ShawnNicole’s face lifted to get a good look at me, creating a glare in her glasses. Glasses I was sure she wore just for fashion. “Can you live on the wild side?” She wiggled her shoulders as Andrea and the other girl looked on.
“Ohhhhh!” A deep, vibrating shout neared me. “Is that a Panther over there, scarfing down that chicken?” I recognized the country accent before I could see Al.
And he was with a gang of guys, at least eight. Eight hyped up Panthers approaching me with speed and purpose. Paulie’s frame couldn’t hide among the crowd, he was so tall. Ashton was amongst the crew. His speed was slower, confident, but just as purposeful as he bit off a piece of a fry.
Al plopped his big ass next to me at the table. “So, I hear you’re keeping secrets.” His beam was bright and wide.
But the word secret spiked my anxiety. My eyes shot over to Ashton, who leaned against the end of a booth, slowly making small bites into stupid fries. Amusement glistened in his dark eyes. Did he tell the football and basketball teams about us? Had all of this been some kind of joke to him?
“What secret?” I felt my nostrils stretch.
“Your birthday, McNabb!” Al’s jolly ol’ Saint Nick laugh should have immediately killed my panic, but I’d gotten worked up in no time. “You can’t be a Panther and not share that pertinent information. You must be celebrated!”
That cued the crowd of athletes to hoot and holler. Except for Ashton and Paulie. Ashton found it all