When she let me go, she had tears in her eyes.
“I wish you’d been my first. I love you.”
That surprised me. I had never hoped that we would ever be more than friends. It would be easy to fall in love with Suzanne. I wasn’t sure if it was the orgasms talking or what, but I did love her.
“I love you too,” I said, with all the emotion I felt.
I fell asleep with her in my arms. I woke to her sneaking out of bed. I looked at the clock and it was three a.m.
“Hey, where are you going?”
I startled her.
“It’s a school night. I’ll catch hell for being out this late. I’ll be grounded if I come home in the morning.”
“Did you mean what you said earlier?” I asked.
By now she was dressed, so she sat on the side of the bed.
“Yes, I do love you, but don’t worry. Nothing is changing. We can’t date because I’m leaving in a few months. I’d never put you through what I experienced when my ex went to college.”
I pulled her to me and we kissed. I let her go so she could get home. I thought for a while about her and my feelings. I knew what was best, but the temptation was there. She was special, and I did love her. I loved her enough to let her go to find her own happiness. She deserved better than a confused freshman like me.
Chapter 10 – All I can say is OMG
Friday January 31
TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY. I had a math test that I aced. I turned in my art project early and hung it up so everyone could see it. I thanked Stacy for her help by giving her a kiss on her cheek. She blushed in front of the class but had a smile the rest of the day. Jeff had started coming to our workouts. We brought our baseball gloves and played some catch while I waited for Kendal to come pick me up.
When Kendal showed up, Chuck jumped out of the car to start his security gig. I teased Jeff and said I thought he looked suspicious. Chuck frisked him in front of about twenty people, which gave us a good laugh when Jeff got a bunch of strange looks from people passing by.
We made it to the airport and were soon on our way to New York. Rafael had arranged for first class for me. I had my earbuds in and eyes closed when I felt someone take my hand. My eyes snapped open and I had a photographer in my face. I looked over and about shit. Hannah Minacci was sitting next to me, smiling. I was not passing this up.
I leaned forward and kissed her. I heard the camera click five or six quick shots before Hannah could push me back.
“Adrienne was right, you are a good kisser. Unfortunately, my boyfriend will kill us.”
I looked behind us, and there he was, grinning at me.
“Will you go to Prom with me?” I blurted out.
I thought everyone in first class was going to die laughing. She looked back at her boyfriend and he just shrugged. He was a pro pitcher who was about ten years her senior. Inside I was doing the Snoopy dance, I was so happy. Then she crushed me.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. Adrienne would kill me.”
“Oh, no, we talked about that. If you want to go, all three of us will go to Prom. I’m sure that dating me will push your popularity through the roof.”
That got everyone laughing again. She didn’t know how to take me. Neither did her boyfriend.
“I’m not so sure that dating him is such a good idea. This one is a little too good-looking and smooth talking,” her boyfriend joked.
She gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“I’ll think about it.”
I did a fist pump and said, “Yes!”
They went back to their seats. The photographer went back also. I stopped him.
“Not so fast. I want copies.”
He sat down beside me and sent the pictures to my tablet. There were a couple of me with my earbuds in and Hannah making funny faces at me. The one when I realized it was Hannah was priceless. I looked like a six-year-old boy who’d gotten a puppy for his birthday. I emailed it to Greg and Angie.
I got a text from him, ‘FUFUFUFUFUFUFU.’
I sent one to Adrienne that said it would be a party of three for Prom. I heard Hannah bust out laughing when Adrienne sent her a text. Adrienne had me send all the pictures to her. I had no idea what she was up to, but I hoped she was working on Hannah going to Prom with me.
THIS TRIP, THE PLANS changed. Adrienne asked us to stay at her place instead of going to a hotel. She had three extra bedrooms in her condo. Tonight Chuck, Kendal and I would each get our own room. When Kara showed up tomorrow, I had to bunk with her. Why is it they always pick on the youngest? Being the all-around nice guy that I was, I took it with good grace.
Tyler took me aside to have a conversation.
“Have you seen all the press you created last trip?” she asked.
“No. I’m stuck in the boonies. We don’t get that much news on the modeling universe.”
“I don’t suppose you do. New York is like its own little world. Adrienne has been working overtime getting your name out there,” she said as she pulled out a binder.
It had all the press clippings and a CD that I assumed had the video from our interview.
“Adrienne has already started to get feelers about you. Rumor has it that Ford has also received some calls.”
“I guess Ford may actually start finding me some work other than Range Sports.”
“Adrienne gave me your contract and I looked at it. Whoever put that together was a colossal dumbass. Be very nervous if you start hearing they want to redo your contract. It’ll be for something innocent like adding services.”
I snapped my fingers.
“They already tried. I was doing a job in Florida and suddenly they show up to help handle some negative press.”
“Was that the ‘butt scandal’?”
“Someone took naked photos from a boat. Did you know they wanted 35% of last weekend just to sign the release?”
She just shrugged.
“David, it’s just part of the business. If they can get into your pocket, they will. It’s how they make a living. Someday ask Adrienne about the crap that’s been pulled on her.”
“Tyler, I want to thank you and Adrienne. I learned a lot last week. If you guys ever need anything, please let me know. I know I’m just a small-town guy learning the ropes. I hope that someday that’ll change. I mean it, anything.”
“Thank you. So many people in this business would hang us out to dry if we got in a bind. I believe we could count on you. I think Adrienne sensed that and wanted to help you. By the way, did you get your bonus?”
“Oh crud, I’m such a dork. I forgot to thank Adrienne for that.”
“Don’t worry about it. Your people sent her a thank you note.”
“It’s good that I have people to cover my butt,” I smirked.
“Tonight, you’re going to a party. It’s an annual bash thrown by the fashion industry and it’s very exclusive. You’ll be Adrienne’s plus-one. I’ll take Kendal and Chuck out to dinner, and then we’ll hit a club I’ve wanted to go to.”
“I take it this is a big deal?”
“It is. I need to warn you about something: there will be drugs at the party. I know you’re not into anything like that, but they’ll be available. The fashion industry is notorious for it.”
“What are we talking about? Some joints?”
“And much more. I know you’ll not touch the stuff. Adrienne wanted me to give you the drug speech. Don’t take a drink from anyone that you don’t know. Only get it at the bar and watch it being made, unless Adrienne hands it to you. If you set your drink down to go dance, get another one. Don’t even take a sealed water bottle from someone you don’t know. If you’re not sure, don’t drink it.
“Next is not to let anyone blow smoke in your face or French kiss you. The smoke could be anything. By kissing you, they could slip a tab or pill into your mouth. If you start to feel funny, get the hell out of there. If you can’t find Adrienne, just go. She’s a big girl and can take care of herself. If anything would happen to you, she would be devastated.”