“Bye, Grant,” I call out but he’s too far to hear me.

Brady’s eyes follow mine to Grant’s back. “Do you have time to get something to eat?”

“Sorry, I can’t.” I stare at the ground, not wanting to look into his eyes.

“Can’t or won’t?” He dips his head down, trying to see my face.

“Won’t,” I answer softly right before my stomach grumbles. My face instantly reddens.

“I was on my way to get something to eat. Walk with me to the Student Center.” He motions with his head. “We can sit at different tables if you want,” he teases.

“I thought you were waiting for the elevator?”

“Plans change. I heard your stomach and now mine’s reacting. Come on.” He shrugs his shoulder forward to follow.

“Don’t get any ideas Carsen, my stomach made this decision.” I walk in line next to him.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Sadie Miller.” He wraps his arms around my shoulders before I squirm out of it. “Sorry, I had to take a chance.” He laughs and I try to conceal my grin from him.

Brady doesn’t touch me for the short walk across the campus to the Student Center. When we enter through the doors, tables are filled with students reading and talking.

“What are you in the mood for?” Brady asks me as his eyes roam across the different fast food places.

“I don’t know.” The last thing I want to do is eat in front of him, but I will never make it through Clinical Psych without something in my stomach. “I think I’m going to get a bagel sandwich.” I point to the bagel place.

“Sounds good.” He puts his hand on the small of my back, leading me that way. His hand radiates a wave of heat throughout my body so I start walking a few steps faster.

“You don’t have to get anything from there,” I tell him, assuming he wouldn’t enjoy it.

“What are you trying to say? A guy can’t like a bagel sandwich? Do you think I should stuff my face with fries and burgers?” His face shows no trace of humor.

“No, that’s not it. It’s just…” I try to backpedal.

“I’m kidding, Sadie. To be honest, I have never tried this place but you have piqued my interest.” We stand away from the shop to look up at the menu. “So, what do you usually get?” he asks.

“The veggie de lite.”

“Are you a vegetarian?” he inquires, sounding like it could be the worst thing in the world.

“Is that a deal breaker for you?” I ask.

“Deal breaker?” he scrunches his eyebrows, confused.

“You know, something you find out about someone that makes you not want to date them,” I answer.

“What’s yours?” he asks.

“I asked first. If I was a vegetarian, would that be a deal breaker?”

“I’m not sure anything I find out about you would be a deal breaker, but to be honest, I don’t understand vegetarians.”

“Hmm.” I turn around to give my order to the cute red head behind the counter who can’t keep her eyes off Brady.

“You never answered. Do you eat meat?” He comes up behind me.

“No, I’m not a vegetarian. I just like the sandwich,” I honestly reply. “I’ll have a veggie de lite with low fat cream cheese,” I say to the girl. Usually I get the garlic and herb spread, but I’m not about to talk to Brady with garlic breath.

“What can I get you?” The red head looks Brady up and down while her co-worker starts to make my sandwich.

“Same, but garlic and herb cream cheese.” He smiles over to me and I’m sure awe fills my face. I’m half tempted to change my order. “I hate that low fat shit.”

“They have meat, you know,” I tell him.

“I know. I want to experience why you like it so much.” He scoots next to me and my heart races when his hand brushes against mine. I quickly make my way down the line away from him.

When we get to the cash register, Brady pulls out a twenty before I can even get in my messenger bag, adding chips and drinks to our meals.

“Don’t pay for me!”

“Why not?” Brady looks around, seeing a few students peering our way after my outburst.

“This is not a date,” I confirm.

“Hey, just because I decide to buy you lunch or dinner or whatever this meal is, doesn’t mean it’s a date.” He softens his voice, getting closer to me.

“It’s just…things get implied with dates.” I’m desperate to compose myself. I don’t want to owe him anything.

“Relax, Sadie. I’ll make you a deal.” He grabs our tray and leads us to a table.

“What?” I take a seat, happy he picked a table in the back.

“You can buy me a meal tomorrow.” He smirks up at me.

“Nice, Carsen.”

“A meal for a meal, then we’re even.” He takes both straws and pounds them on the table until the wrappers fall down. He puts one in mine and the second in his own drink.

“When are your classes tomorrow?” I ask.

“Well…I live off campus and I don’t have classes on Fridays, so it will have to be later.” He takes a bite of his sandwich.

“Later, when?” I ask before I take a bit of mine.

“This is really good, you don’t even miss the meat,” he says, lifting his sandwich. “After my show,” he answers my question.

“I told you the sandwich was good. After the show, what?” I take a sip of my soda.

“I have a show tomorrow night. We will get something after I’m done,” he casually says while he continues to eat his sandwich.

“Sorry, but I’m not going to that bar, house or whatever it is from last week.” I shake my head back and forth.

He laughs. “Good, because we are playing at Aces. I’ll pick you up.”

“Um…no. Let me just give you the money.” I dig through my bag and get the ten dollars out, placing it on the table.

“That’s not the deal. A meal for a meal. Just so you know, after a show I’m so hungry you might get the raw end of this deal,” he jokes.

“I think I already got the raw end. I can’t go to your show tomorrow or out to eat,” I say, putting my sandwich down, suddenly not able to finish it.

“What do I have to do?” he asks me before he pops a chip in his mouth.

“Nothing. I don’t date.”

“Okay, it won’t be a date. A friend coming to another friend’s show and then grabbing something to eat. I will even invite my band if it makes you feel better.” His eyes are begging me and I have to admit I want to go after listening to him sing the last few days.

“Fine,” I sigh. “But I’m bringing my roommate, Jessa, with me,”

“Great, the more people the better. I’ll pick you both up.” He picks his sandwich back up, happier than before.

Chapter 4

Brady texted me this afternoon, saying he would pick us up at seven. Jessa was going to the show anyway so she agreed to come with me and Brady. I don’t think she understands why I don’t want to go with him by myself and I’m not about to tell her how much he scares me. I wouldn’t have picked him out of a lineup two years ago. Sure he is attractive, but not my usual well-groomed type. My dad would have a coronary if I brought him home. With all of that said though, I can’t remember feeling so relaxed with someone. He looks at me differently, like I matter. As though what I have to say is important. My guard falls every time he is around and that is the last thing I need right now. I have to keep remembering the promise I made to myself. I will go to his show and pay for his meal. Then that will be the end of Brady Carsen in my life.

At seven on the dot my cell beeps; it’s Brady telling me he’s outside. I take one more look in the mirror. I straightened my hair, so it falls a couple inches past my shoulders and my eyes are smoky with dark eyeliner and mascara. Since I recently swore off red lipstick, I opted for a nice soft shade of pink lip gloss. I smooth out my blue blouse over my dark skinny jeans. Sometimes I still don’t recognize myself in the mirror. Closing my eyes, I tell myself it will be okay. Relax and have fun, Brady has no expectations.