Page 32 of Shadowed With Fear

Liz had told me about the contents of Issac’s letter. He pretty much gave a rundown of the whole situation. From his point of view, Lizzie definitely misunderstood. She jumped to the conclusion he was cheating on her because she walked into his room and found him on his bed with another girl. Fully clothes, and even sitting somewhat apart. The problem was that they were hugging, and the girl was crying, and Lizzie couldn’t see her face on Issac’s shoulder. The girl was his roommate’s girlfriend. She was crying because her dog had died, and his roommate wasn’t there when she showed up.

“I mean, if he wasn’t he needs to change his major to fucking English cause it’s one hell of a story.”

I snort. “Yeah, I guess so. He seemed really put out the other day, though. I mean, he was wearing sweatpants.” Liz gasps.

“What? Sweatpants?”

“Yeah, and not like joggers either. Straight up sweatpants, Rocky style.”

Her hand goes to her mouth in shock. “Oh my god.”

“And, not to make him seem like all great and shit, but he did kind of save my ass today.”

“What happened? Just lay it on me.” She falls back onto my bed, arms over her eyes. “My body is ready.”

I roll my eyes. “The assistant in Photo Foundations was being…weird. He came over and, whether he knew what was happening or not, he got the guy off my back by talking about the Grims match this week.”

“Of course, he’d come to your rescue by using hockey.” Liz chuckles. “What do I do, D? I know what I saw, or at least, I thought I did,” she sighs, “I’m just confused.”

“What was it you said to me? Femme fatale energy. Mysterious, alluring— “

“Sexy.” We say together.

“Yeah. Okay. You’re right. Make him work for it.”

“Harder than he already has?” I mumbled.

Liz throws a pillow at me giggling. “Fucking asshole. Yes, maybe I do mean harder than he already has. I want his ass groveling at my feet because I have not been having a great time, okay?”

I hold my hands up in surrender giggling too. “Alright dictator, I understand.”

A knock at my door causes both of us to jump. I giggle harder, the sudden burst of energy lighting me from the inside.

“D?”

I jump off the bed opening the door. Brahm is standing there in his ball shorts, looking like a pig in the middle of July.

“Ew, Jesus Christ, could you at least put a damn shirt on. You’re dripping sweat on the floor, dude.”

His green eyes turn fiery, an evil glimmer shining brightly. He swipes his hand through his hair, leaving it sticking straight, and wipes his hand on my face.

“Oh, my fucking god. Out. Out now. Don’t come back,” I yell pushing at his chest, trying not to gag. “You fucking reek and you’re a dickhead. Out.”

He laughs. Hard. Gasping for air type of laughing. “Oh, dude, your face.”

I stare him down through thin slits. “What do you want?”

Behind him, quiet footsteps tread down the hall. Grayson’s tall build pops up from behind B. He’s shirtless too, just as sweaty, chest heaving, face flushed, and for some reason I’m a little less disgusted.

“Can I shower?” He asks Brahm, his eyes on me. They float from my head to my toes. I push a stray curl behind my ear, feeling hot.

“Aw, seriously. I wanted to shower first. I guess- “

“You can use mine.” I blurted out. Now I’m starting to sweat too. That came out so fucking fast. Grayson’s eyes widen. His mouth opens and closes but nothing comes out.

“Aye, yeah, takes D. I’m going now. Oh, D, I was gonna tell you that we’re going to Bobby’s. You want your usual?”

Liz groans from behind me. A crease forms on Brahm’s forehead and he leans forward to look into my room. Liz is spread eagle on my bed, face buried into my comforter.