Bryan and Trent flopped on opposite couches making themselves at home while Kenna and I looked around. Peering into the kitchen I notice paint peeling off the white cabinets. Next to the window is a table with more nicks in it than not and six different chairs settled around it.
“Hey if it isn’t Ricky, Lucy, Ethel and Fred.” Gabe jogs down the stairs. He is shirtless with a pair of faded jeans that hung at his hips.
We had started to be referred to as the I Love Lucy gang after Trent and I started dating last year. With Kenna and Bryan already a couple it made us even more inseparable. This past summer Trent and I decided to end things. I couldn’t explain it if I tried, we were just better at being friends. Trent started dating Chloe again but that only lasted a month. Since Trent and I are still close friends a lot of girls have a hard time dealing with it causing a lot of fights between them and Trent making breaking up inevitable. I wasn’t naïve though, I have heard of more than one occasion how Trent would hook up with girls from the neighboring towns when he went out with the guys from his indoor soccer team. At first I was jealous, as though he was mine but when I needed him he was always there for me and that’s all that mattered.
“Put on a fucking shirt man. I don’t want her thinking things about you.” Bryan nods his head towards Kenna.
“You afraid your girl will be thinking of me while she’s under you. Can’t change genetics Edwards.” Gabe points his hands down his body while putting the shirt in his hand on. Suddenly, I am upset his body is covered. I don’t remember his body so muscular and lean.
“Anyway, didn’t you hear Lucy and Ricky are taking a break, AGAIN?” Kenna speaks up instantly making me turn to her as though she is a traitor.
“Surprise, Surprise. You guys are off more than you are on.” Gabe rolls his eyes walking into the kitchen. “You guys want something to drink?”
“Beer” Trent asks. He knows it’s a long shot but figures Gabe might give.
“I’ll tell you what, you win state tomorrow and you guys can have a beer.” He gives them an ultimatum.
Trent and Bryan look over at each other grinning wide. Kenna and I roll our eyes. The four of us aren’t huge drinkers. Yes we have attended some parties over the years in high school but none of us got out of control and we always make sure someone is the designated driver.
“So, where’s the place to be tonight?” Bryan asks Gabe.
“Nowhere. You both have a huge game tomorrow. You guys will be staying in,” he points to the two of them. “Now the girls can come with me if they want.” He smirks over at me.
“No thank you.” Mackenna sneers.
“What about you Madgirl? You want to have a night out with a real man.” He never looks toward Trent once.
My eyes drift to Trent who seems unfazed. He raises his shoulders indifferent to the whole thing which makes anger bellow inside of me.
“Sure,” I agree my eyes never leaving Trent’s.
Trent shakes his head back and forth.
The five of us go to dinner at some pizza place and come right back to the house. Gabe takes the keys to his truck from Trent mostly I think because he doesn’t want them to go anywhere. I am sure Mrs. Basso put Gabe on strict instructions not to let Trent and Bryan party before tomorrow. Starting to feel guilty about going out tonight I contemplate not going.
“You should go.” Kenna urges me. “He goes out with other people, you deserve the same.”
“I know but he has the game tomorrow and I shouldn’t make him upset.”
“Mad, he doesn’t seem upset. Just go, have fun. You know Gabe will take good care of you.” She pushes me to go.
“I know, Trent doesn’t seem to really care.” I put my head down fiddling with my phone.
“Is that what is bothering you? The fact that Trent doesn’t care if you go out with his older hotter brother?” She says, concern in her eyes.
“No, why would you even think that?” I come back fast and sharp.
“I will never understand you two. You won’t be together but you want the other one to act like it’s the end of the world if you are with someone else.” She shakes her head in disgust.
“I just don’t want to ruin his chances at State tomorrow.” I lie.
“Trent will be fine Maddy, Bryan and I are here.” She rests her hand on my arm. “He isn’t your responsibility.”
“I know…I know.” I feel the tears pricking in my eyes but I quickly shake them off.
An hour later I come downstairs after showering and getting ready. I had no idea where we were going. Since I couldn’t get in a bar I assume a house party. So luckily I had a pair of dark jeans that hugged my hips with a long sleeve black shirt that is tighter around my chest but loosens up around my waist. I have always been more conservative, never showing cleavage and when I would sit down you will never see a thong like other girls. To be truthful, I didn’t even own a thong.
Sometimes I wondered if that was the problem with Trent and me. He always went after girls who wore the tight satin shirts that you could see their nipples poking through. The girls that wore their jeans so low and tight when they sat down you could see their butt crack or like Kenna and I referred to as a coin slot. They always had bleach blond hair compared to my dark chestnut.
Coming down the stairs the four of them are waiting for me watching some prank show on television. Trent and Bryan are sporting their running pants with t-shirts, Mackenna is already in her pajamas. Safe to say they aren’t going to sneak out tonight.
“Wow, you look awesome Maddy.” Kenna says most likely complimenting herself since she did my makeup.
“Let’s go.” Gabe motions with his hand towards the door.
I look over at Trent one more time but he never takes his eyes off the television or says anything to me.
“Go Maddy, have fun.” Kenna pushes me towards the door. “Don’t even think about him.” She whispers in my ear while hugging me goodbye.
“Take care of him. Make sure he goes to bed at a good time, ok?” I whisper back.
“You are hopeless,” she pushes herself back from me. “Now, take care of our girl Gabe Basso, otherwise you have me to answer to.” She points at him.
“You scare me a little Ross.” He laughs showing a small amount of space between his thumb and pointer finger.
Gabe holds the door open for me and we leave the three of them on the couch.
I am surprised to see Gabe wants to take the truck. The reason Trent has his truck is because students don’t need a car at the University. Everything is in such close proximity it’s more of a hinder than a pleasure to have a car here. Parking alone costs a small fortune that most college students can’t afford.
Gabe doesn’t open my door for me, not like I expect him too. We aren’t on a date or anything. He fits naturally in the truck like he should, it belongs to him.
“I hope you don’t mind, I told a couple friends I would pick them up on the way.” He divulges while pulling away from the curb.
“Of course not, where are we going?” I sheepishly ask. I don’t remember ever being alone with Gabe. Usually someone was always around. It feels awkward and uncomfortable.
“A buddy of mines house. Just a small get together, nothing major.” He pushes his shoulders up showing unimportance.
“Ok.” I respond. All of sudden I am having second thoughts about this. I won’t know anyone but Gabe. I don’t want him to feel like my babysitter.
Five silent minutes go by and we pull up to a huge fifteen story building and it reads Terrace Hall on the outside. I assume this is one of many dormitories here. Before I can ask him two huge guys come running up to the truck hopping into the quad cab in the back.