My Aussie Guy (My Guy Series, Book 2) Page 2

  All of us turn.

  It’s Elsie. Damn, she’s so good-looking. Her long hair flows behind her as she runs to catch up to us. She has curves in all the right places.

  “What happened to your assignment?” Parker teases.

  I watch Addison glare at him while he continues to smirk.

  “I finished it. What’s it to you, anyway? I need to borrow Addison for a moment.”

  “Come back to the house. We’ll get some food. You can talk to her there,” Parker responds casually.

  “What? Do you speak for her now?” she bites back.

  Damn, she has serious sass. I like it.

  Addison quickly jumps in. “No, he doesn’t. I’m staying there tonight. Just come.” She raises her eyebrows at Parker and releases his hand then moves and hooks her arm through Elsie’s.

  This exchange is weird. Have I somehow been placed with the most awkward group of people?

  “I’m going to drop Devon home, and I’ll meet you back at home,” Dane says as he and Devon head toward his car which is parked on the side of the road.

  I like the way they all look out for Devon—it’s awesome.

  I watch Elsie walking with Addison and Parker in front of me. This girl could be trouble. I can guess they’re talking about me when both girls turn around and realize they’ve been busted. I smirk. This could be fun.

  The girls quickly disappear when we get back to the house. Jimmy, Parker, and I are chatting about tonight’s game when Elsie and Addison appear again. Elsie’s looking rather flushed.

  “Have any of you ordered the pizza?” Addison asks.

  All three of us look between each other, and she’s met with crickets. None of us have, and by the huff she releases, she knows it.

  “Come on, guys, it’s not up to the woman to deal with food. I’m not your slave. What did you do before I arrived?” She digs a phone out of her bag and steps away from the room to make a call.

  Here’s my chance to talk to her again. “Hey, Elsie, take a seat?”

  She turns toward me as I pat the seat beside me with her eyebrows raised. “Yeah, okay, thanks.” She hesitates a little but then makes her way to the seat beside me.

  “I saw your name on the tutoring list when I signed up.”

  I watch as she processes the words, then slowly, she nods.

  “Yeah. Ah… why mention that? Did you sign up under me?” Elsie shifts in her seat. Her fruity perfume floats around me.

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I tease, leaning back, studying her.

  Elsie’s eyes widen. She opens her mouth to respond, but we’re interrupted when Addison comes back into the room.

  “Pizzas are ordered,” she says as she heads to the fridge and pulls out a soda.

  “Did you get supreme?” Jimmy asks while he stares down at his phone.

  Parker throws a cushion across at him. “Dude, she’s not your slave. She’s mine.” He winks.

  Jimmy shrugs, tossing it back at him. “She was ordering for everyone, wasn’t she?”

  “Calm ya tits, boys,” Elsie says unexpectedly.

  “Thank you, Elsie,” Addison says as she walks to us and stands in front of Elsie. “Now, move over.” For a split second, Elsie doesn’t shift until Addison nudges her leg. A two-seater couch now squeezing three people on it. Elsie moves closer, and our arms rub against each other’s. She becomes stock-still, and I swear I hear her breath hitch.

  What kind of game is Addison playing at? When we got here, she filled me in on tonight’s game. She also told me she’d been sussing out Aiden. She reported all good things, and now she’s trying to literally push us together.

  Begrudgingly, I slide over closer to Aiden so Addison can sit on the couch. She’s a sly one, this one. I know full well she’d usually sit on Parker’s lap.

  “What were you guys talking about before I came back in?” she asks.

  “Aiden was asking Elsie about tutoring,” Parker pipes up.

  Could they be any more obvious? Since I saw Aiden at the court, I’ve been a mess. Flustered and all over the place. I hardly know this guy, yet he’s here, causing my brain to turn to mush and my heart to flip at every opportunity.

  “Oh, you were, were you? Are you going to help him?” she asks me, glancing between us. I aim my glare at her, trying to tell her to stop with this—whatever it is she’s trying to do. It’s uncomfortable. I’ve known this guy all of five minutes, and here she is, trying to shove us together.

  Thankfully, Aiden jumps in. “I already signed up today after meeting Elsie. She was one pissed-off chick.” He laughs, tapping my arm.

  My head turns toward him. “You guys were being loud and rude. Did you really expect anything different? Seriously, it’s a library, for goodness’ sake.” I finally get a good look at Aiden. His warm, deep-brown eyes watch me. My heart leaps, and I find myself holding my breath for a moment. No guy has ever made me go gaga like Aiden does. Perhaps it’s the Australian thing.

  “So, Aiden, you keen for the game on the weekend? I think the coach is hoping you’re as quick as your comebacks have been,” Parker says. Jimmy laughs.

  “Well, ya know, you losers can’t be as good as me.” Aiden grins.

  Oh, hell, his smile is a chick magnet. I’m totally done for. I have zero chance with this guy.

  “Please, I could run rings around you.” Jimmy finally puts his phone down and looks over at Aiden.

  “Seriously, boys, it’s like a kindergarten in here.” I laugh. “Is that all you guys do? Argue over who is better? You’re on the same team, for goodness’ sake.” I stand and walk to the kitchen to retrieve a soda from the fridge. I shut the door and turn. My focus is on opening the bottle, and I almost collide with someone. “Oh, sorry.”

  I look up. It’s Aiden, and we’re inches apart. His hand reaches out and touches my arm. Is he trying to get close to me?

  “Excuse me,” he says, his voice a whisper. Even two small words make my world shift.

  “Oh, sorry.” I step aside, out of his way. My face is flaming. Here I was thinking he wanted to get close to me. As usual, I am very wrong. My hands begin to shake for some unknown reason. Why does he have this effect on me? I hardly know the guy, and even if I did, I probably shouldn’t get involved with him because he’s only here on exchange and will be leaving in a few months.

  All right, Elsie, snap out of whatever fantasy you have brewing in your crazy mind about Aiden and just be yourself.

  Don’t get attached. I repeat. Do not get attached.

  A knock at the door brings Jimmy to his feet. “I’ve got it.” Food makes that guy jump to attention.

  “Anyone would think he’s starving.” Aiden laughs behind me.

  I jump, not realizing he’s that close, and step forward. “Ha, yeah, he is all about the food these days… and being a pain in the ass.”

  “Yeah, I’m slowly figuring that out,” he says as he brushes past me, his chest sliding over my arm. Is he doing this on purpose? I’m sure there’s plenty of room for him to go around me.

  Stop analyzing everything, Elsie.

  We eat in silence, and I swear I can feel eyes on me, but whenever I glance between them, no one appears to be paying any attention to me. I can feel it, though—a tingling up my back.

  When we’re all finished, I stand. “Well, I’m going to get going. Got a big day tomorrow with classes.”

  Addison jumps up from Parker’s lap. When did she move there? Totally missed it.

  She walks me to the door. “You are so quiet tonight,” she whispers.

  “I feel weird. It’s so not me to be this silent.”

  “I know. You’re freaking me out with this weirdness.” She smiles.

  “I’ll move past it. It’s just the newness about him that has me very intrigued. Plus, he’s Australian. Who wouldn’t fall for that? I’m sure every girl will be tripping over their panties to meet him.”

  We laugh. Addison hugs me.

  As we part, Aiden steps ou
t from the living room. “Let me walk you home.”

  Is he serious? “Ah… no, it’s okay. It’s only across the road.” I wave my hand around, brushing off his offer. Secretly, I want him to walk me home more than anything.

  “No, I’d rather you got home safely.” Aiden sidesteps around me and opens the door. I give Addison a hug and call out bye to the other guys.

  “Message me,” Addison says as I move out the door with Aiden following closely behind.

  “Will do. See you later.” Stepping into the cool night air refreshes my frazzled brain.

  “You good? You have everything?”

  My hand drops to my phone in my pocket and my bag hanging off my shoulder, so I nod. “Yep, all good. You really don’t have to walk me home… it’s literally across the road,” I say, clasping my hands together in an attempt to stop them shaking. He makes me nervous.

  “Trust me. It’s all good.”

  “All right. So long as you’re sure.” I must sound like a fool, repeating myself.

  Aiden laughs. “Yes, I’m sure. Let’s go.”

  A rather awkward silence falls between us. The street is quiet tonight as we come across no cars at all.

  Aiden clears his throat. I look up at him. “So, do you actually play basketball?”

  A heated flush warms my cheeks. Damn him. “I… ah… no, I don’t, and I don’t even know why I offered. I feel foolish. Hence the reason I smacked my head on the door as well. I was all over the place tonight.” I laugh nervously. My stomach squeezes with dread.

  “Why?”

  Dude, what’s with the twenty questions? And I can’t even avoid them.

  “Just because.” I really don’t want to have to explain that my reason was meeting him. That’s downright embarrassing. I quickly jump in before he can bring up any more of my awkward moments tonight. “So, how long are you in America for?”

  He shrugs. “I think a year. I’m not set on a date yet.”

  “Cool. Do you have a girlfriend back home?” I want to slap myself across the head. Why did I ask that stupid question?

  Aiden is silent as we walk across the road and back onto campus grounds.

  I sense he doesn’t want to talk about it. “If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. I shouldn’t have asked. Occasionally, I don’t have a filter, and words just spill from my mouth.”

  Aiden shoves his hand into his pockets. “No, it’s okay. I, ah… I have a girlfriend.”

  Double embarrassment. Here I am, being all nervous and hoping he likes me, and he has a girlfriend. Well, that sucks. All of a sudden, the excitement I had deflates like a balloon.

  I rub my neck. “That’s cool. I bet you miss her.”

  “Yep. I do.” I look up at him, and his eyes are averted from mine, unlike earlier when he sought the connection. “So, do you think you could help me with tutoring?”

  Thankful for the change of subject, I say, “Yeah, sure, but you’ll have to go to the library to fill out a form. Sorry. It’s so I can keep track of who I’m working with. It’s so I don’t overdo things and not get my own work done.”

  “Yeah, all good. I did that today.”

  We reach the café, and my dorm is only one more block. “You don’t have to walk me the whole way… my dorm is in the next building. Thanks for walking me back, though.”

  “It’s fine. I couldn’t let you walk on your own. I look forward to getting to know you, Elsie.”

  “You, too, Aiden. You never know… when all this apparent awkwardness disappears between us, and our friends stop trying to push us together, we could actually have a good friendship…” I pause. My hand lifts up, and I slap myself on the forehead. “I’m so sorry. Word vomit.”

  Aiden laughs harder than he has tonight. It’s a relief, actually. I was beginning to think he thought of me as a crazy person.

  “You’re a crack-up, Elsie. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He pats me on the back and turns.

  “See you then.” I walk away with a smile on my face, but deep down, I feel a little hurt.

  He has a girlfriend.

  I shouldn’t be feeling like this.

  Pull yourself together, Elsie. We can be friends, at least.

  “Oh, he’s here!” My fingers curl around Willow’s arm, latching tightly, digging into her soft skin. She flinches and follows my line of sight. Aiden. I hadn’t seen him around since he walked me home on Monday night. I scan the room again for Addison and Parker, momentarily removing my stare from him. They haven’t arrived yet. Where could they be?

  It’s another weekend party. I love a good party, especially when there is a new guy in town whom I’m trying to impress and prove I’m not a crazy girl. So far, I’ve failed miserably. And now that I know he has a girlfriend, there’s no pressure on me to even try.

  The basketball team crushed their opponents again tonight. My eyes were all for Aiden and watching how he played since it was his first game for the season. Parker scored the winning shot, and boy was it a hair-raising moment. I thought it was going to bounce out of the ring and not sink through the net. The crowd went crazy, people standing on their seats. The cheering was the loudest I’d ever heard in the stadium when the ball sank through the hoop.

  Willow, Jane, and I have crashed the basketball team’s house for their party. Technically, it’s not really crashing if our friend is dating the basketball captain.

  A drink is thrust into my hand. Turning to my left, I see Jane handing it to me.

  “Thanks.” I smile. We stand in the corner of the room and peruse the fellow partygoers. My eyes always find their way back to Aiden. I must seem pathetic. I’m swooning after a guy I don’t know and can’t even have. He has about five girls hanging off him now. Good luck, girls. But I want him to make eye contact with me.

  Stacey struts up to him. She doesn’t seem to care. He’s already talking with Laura from English, and she pretty much throws her boobs in his face. Honestly! What a ho. It’s pretty embarrassing to watch. I groan.

  “Stop staring, Elsie. He has a girlfriend.” Addison’s playful words cut into my trance. I turn to look at her with raised eyebrows.

  She’s holding hands with Parker and is practically glowing. “You.” I point a finger at Parker. “Why didn’t you tell me he has a girlfriend?” This was the first time since Monday I’ve seen him.

  Parker’s mouth falls open. Still, he says nothing. He steps back and pretty much hides behind Addison.

  “I made a damn fool of myself, and this one here didn’t help.” I stomp my foot and point to Addison. I swing my attention to her. “Are you sure you didn’t know? I mean, you told me you didn’t, but why didn’t he say something to the guys?” I cross my arms over my chest, pursing my lips.

  “What? No! If Parker or I knew, I would have told you. You know me better than that.”

  I throw my arms around her, giving her the tightest bear hug. She would have told me. I think my drinks are starting to take effect. My snappy, chatty drinking self is coming out to play.

  “Elsie, he didn’t tell us. You’re the first person he’s told. I haven’t heard him on the phone to anyone other than his parents and sister. But I’m not saying he hasn’t got one; he just doesn’t mention her.” Parker laughs. I cross my arms over my chest, not wanting to talk about it anymore. If only that were true.

  I release my hold of Addison and assess what she’s wearing—tight black jeans and a red fitted shirt. She looks hot. Her long brown locks always sit perfectly. “Looks like you’re finally starting to want to dress up,” I tease, letting her go.

  She shoves me playfully. I step back. “Shut up. Not everyone can be a supermodel like you.” Addison nods toward my body.

  Tonight, I chose a simple black dress. It sits above my knees. I figured showing a little leg and subtle curves on display won’t hurt anyone. It also makes me feel sexy and confident, although I’m not feeling either of those things in this moment. I want to be strutting up to the Aussie guy and hitting on him withou
t a worry about what he’ll think. But I’m not, because I’m not the type to come between a couple. I have a zillion butterflies wreaking havoc on my stomach every time I catch a glimpse of him. I can’t keep my emotions in check. More alcohol is definitely needed, so I throw back another mouthful of my drink.

  “Have you spoken to him again?” Addison asks.

  “No way. I’d probably embarrass myself even more.” I recall my head hitting the doorframe. Gosh, I must have looked stupid.

  “He’s actually a nice guy. I’ve had a few chats with him over the last couple of days,” she says. Of course, she would have.

  I grip her shoulder with my free hand. “I haven’t seen his name on my list for tutoring, so perhaps I scared him off.”

  Addison’s eyes light up, a hint of mischief in them. She leans into me and says, “Here’s your chance to find out if he signed up.”

  I spin around as Aiden stops beside Parker.

  “Hey, man. Wicked party,” he greets Parker.

  I freeze. My eyes go wide and connect with Addison’s. She smiles. I want to run away and hide.

  His accent—swoon.

  My stomach flips upside down upon hearing it.

  Oh. My. Goodness.

  “Thanks. Thought we were going to lose, though.” Parker and Aiden strike up a conversation about the events of tonight’s game.

  Slowly, I remove my hand from Addison’s shoulder and down the rest of the drink. I need another. Liquid courage. As if someone has read my mind, two shots are put in my vision. Jane takes my empty cup, and Willow gives me the shots. I throw them back, and they settle in the pit of my stomach. Tequila. Damn, Willow and Jane know my weakness. This drink gets me chatting and crazy all the time. It loosens me up, which is just what I need tonight.

  I turn and stand beside Addison. Willow and Jane are on her opposite side. None of us are speaking. Our attention is on the guys in front of us who are chatting like they’ve been friends forever.

  It’s as if there’s a glow around Aiden. He appears carefree and confident. Cocky and confident may be better terms. His dark hair is smoothed back and sits neatly. The dark-blue jeans he’s wearing are tight and show off his perfect ass, which is appealing to the eye. He’s also wearing a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Those tattooed arms make my stomach twist—in a good way. Damn. I’d love to know what it feels like to be wrapped in them.