“You think?”
Melissa laughed. “I’ve just been looking out for you. You know that. You tend to like guys that are terrible for you.”
“Just Austin.”
“James counts in that list too. Dating a professor wasn’t exactly in your best interest. Especially when there was a super nice guy who clearly adored you. With nice abs and a great personality.”
“How is Tyler doing?”
“He wanders around the frat house like a sad puppy.”
I looked down at my lap.
“I’m kidding, he’s fine. I’ve even seen him make out with that Natalie girl he hangs out with. Like I told you before, he’s a big boy, he’ll be okay. Besides, he definitely needs to move on now since you’re fleeing to New York with James.”
“But I still don’t get it. Seriously, why did James call you?”
“Because we’re friends. Geez, not everything is about you. Stop being conceited. I thought you wanted us to get along.”
“I do.” She was definitely hiding something from me. “Do you know where he was?”
“He didn’t say. You said he was with Rob and Brendan though, right?” Melissa suddenly looked worried. And it worried me that she looked worried.
“Yeah. Why?”
“I don’t know.” She turned away from me.
“Melissa, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. It was kind of weird. At first we were having a really nice conversation. But after a few minutes it didn’t really seem like he had a reason for calling. He didn’t really have anything to say in particular. And I was trying to avoid the subject because I didn’t want to worry you. But he didn’t sound like himself, Penny. It seemed like maybe he had too much to drink or something? He seemed off. Like maybe he had just drunk dialed me or something?”
I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. He told me he wasn’t going to drink too much. He told me I didn’t have to worry.
“Does he do that a lot?” Melissa asked.
“What? No.” I tried to clear away my nagging thoughts. “Was there lots of music? Maybe he was at a bar or something?”
“No, I just heard a few people. Maybe it was Rob and Brendan? If they’re with him, I’m sure he’s fine. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said anything. I’m just being silly. Just pretend I didn’t say anything.”
“Do you think I should call him? Maybe he needs me to pick him up or something?”
“I’m sure he’s fine. I really don’t know him that well. Maybe I’m just misreading the situation. And you don’t want to be that girl.”
“What girl?”
“You know… that girl. The one that nags her boyfriend all the time. You have to trust him.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I do trust him. I’m sure he’s fine.” But I wasn’t sure. I didn’t want him to do something stupid again tonight. I was surprised that Professor McCarty hadn’t gone to the cops. Next time James might not be so lucky.
“Speaking of the time, I need to get going.”
“I didn’t mention the time.”
“I know, but I really am going to be late. Are you sure this is okay?” she asked, gesturing to her dress. “It’s formal enough?”
“Very formal yet very sexy. It’s classy. You look absolutely beautiful.”
Melissa gave me a big hug. “Seriously, don’t worry about James. I’m sorry I even said anything.”
“Okay.”
She laughed and released me from her hug. “I’m really bummed that you’re not coming tonight. But you look kind of tired. Maybe you should just call it a night and go to sleep early?”
“Okay, now you’re just being mean.”
She laughed. “I just meant so you don’t have to worry all night. I’m sure James is fine.”
“Mhm.”
“Bye!” she said and blew me a kiss as she left me alone in the dorm room.
I immediately pulled out my phone and called James. I didn’t care if I was that girl. If he was drunk wandering the streets I needed to go pick him up before he did something stupid.
“Hey, hot stuff.”
“Umm… James?” Geez, he really was hammered.
I heard laughter on the other end of the phone.
“James?”
“No, it’s Rob. Do we sound the same on the phone?”
“Yes, you do.”
“Damn it! I should have convinced you to have phone sex or something. Can we rewind a couple seconds? Hey, Penny, it’s Professor Hunter.”
“Gross. Rob, can you please put your brother on the phone?”
“Sorry, love, can’t do that.”
“And why is that?”
“You’re going to be mad at me.”
“What are you guys doing?”
“We ran a few errands and then I finally convinced my tightly wound brother to go to a bar. But, we both know how he is…”
“Can you please just bring him home?”
“In a bit.”
“Rob, I’m serious. Bring him home right now.”
“Don’t be such a party pooper, Penny. We’re having fun! If he’s too drunk to fuck you when we get home, I’ll be happy to stand in. Don’t you worry.”
“Stop being gross. Just bring him home safely, okay?”
“You have my word, sugar tits.”
“You’re drunk too, aren’t you?”
“Mhm.”
“You’re impossible.”
“You’re impossible!”
“And you’re seriously not going to let me talk to James?”
“Professor Hunter is currently unavailable. Please leave a message at the beep.” Rob made a farting noise and the line went dead.
Sunday
“Penny.”
I immediately opened my eyes. James face was a few inches away from mine. “You’re okay?” I reached my hand out and ran it along the scruff on his jaw line. “Thank God you’re okay.” Ow. I had fallen asleep on the couch waiting for him and my back ached.
“Of course I’m okay.” He had a huge smile on his face.
I looked down and saw that he was on one knee by the side of the couch. Oh my God. Oh my God! I sat up.
“Penny, I love you so much.”
He’s proposing! My heart was beating out of my chest. I hadn’t missed my chance. He was asking me again.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, you thought…” He laughed. “No.” He laughed again. “I just dropped my cell phone.” He picked it up off the ground and stood up. “I said it would be romantic. This is hardly romantic.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t think you were proposing.” I had thought he was proposing. For a brief moment when I was talking to Melissa last night I had come to that conclusion. I thought he may have called Melissa to ask her for my ring size or something. But then it seemed like he was just out getting drunk. I had been so worried about him. But when I woke up and saw him on one knee I thought maybe he really was just planning on proposing. I could feel my face turning red. I was so embarrassed.