In the few minutes that passed, I tried swallowing down the large lump that was forming in my throat. I’d really gone off the deep end. I let my image issue get the best of me. But I had a feeling that it was more than just me picking a fight with him. From the time I moved in here, the air had been tense between us. The pressure was too much, and I was buckling. I truly enjoyed having my independence and living here despite my few run-ins with Camden. I couldn’t break now and say ‘screw it’ and move back in with my mom. I would make this work. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to feel around Camden after my little episode downstairs. And I hated the way he made me feel like I was under a microscope when he was in the same room with me. I knew that had to be mostly in my head, but I’d always put people like him up on a pedestal, which only served to make me feel bad about myself. That had to stop, right…now! He was a normal person, just like I was.

Now the other issue at hand was the draw I felt when he was near. It was more than just attraction. And that really pissed me off. I didn’t want to like him. He was very good looking, and that was just something that wasn’t going to change. But the air between was so electric it was almost tangible. Last night was something that shouldn’t have happened. I let him mess with my head. He was being nice, and he seemed to like to make me want him. Maybe he was one of those guys that got off on the idea that if a girl didn’t appear to be into him, he’d lure them in and feel attraction. Had he done it on purpose just to mess with me? I wasn’t sure I wanted an answer to that. For now I’d go back to my original game plan. I would ignore him when he was around, and I would do my own thing. Today I’d stay in my room and study for my A&P test later this week and maybe call Macie to see what she was up to.

I’d just gotten out of my history class when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned around, and Dodger was crossing the hall to get to me.

“Hey there Blue, whatcha doing? Just get out of class?”

I groaned. “Not you too. Care to tell me where that name came from? Your brother doesn’t seem so forthcoming.”

He barked a laugh. “It’s your eyes, Keegan. They’re the bluest I’ve seen, even compared to mine. It fits you.”

My eyes? That was where Camden got the nickname from? I shook my head refusing to think too much into it. “Well, I don’t think I care for it. Besides, isn’t that the nickname for the old guy on the movie Old School? You’re my boy Blue.” I did the worst impression of Will Ferrell.

Dodger was practically in stitches laughing at me. I tried to scowl at him, but honestly the air around him was light, and I couldn’t help the grin that stretched across my face. This was why I enjoyed being around him. He was always happy.

He wiped under his eye and stood up straight. “Didn’t know you were an impersonator. You got any more you can do?”

I nudged him with my arm as we started walking. “Shut up.”

“No seriously, that was great. You shoulda taken off your shirt and ran through the campus yelling it. Would’ve made it so much better.”

My face heated, and I knew I was red. He was still laughing as he slung his arm around my shoulder. “You’re unbelievable,” I scolded him.

“That’s what she said.” He wagged his eyebrows at me.

I sighed. He could go on all day, so I quit while I was ahead. I noticed a backpack hanging off his shoulder. “How did I not know you were a student here? I’m feeling like a crappy friend here.”

“The subject never came up. I’m in my third year, going for my physical therapy license.”

“Huh, I can see that,” I said, glancing up at him. “Would you work out of The Dugout?”

A sly smile spread across his face. “Camden tell you about it?” When I nodded but didn’t say anything else he continued, “I figured, why not? I wouldn’t have to open my own place, or find some doctor’s office to work out of. I’ll probably add on to the building so it seems more separate, and I can use the equipment in the gym for what my clients will need.”

I winked. “Sounds like you have a good plan.”

We walked silently and fairly slowly when he asked, “Where are we going?”

“Well I am going to the Bulldog Café. And you are more than welcome to join me. I always meet Macie for lunch.”

“Macie, huh? What’s her story anyway?”

I quirked my brow at him. “Why do you ask?”

He looked straight ahead and dropped his arm from my shoulder. “Just curious is all.”

“Uh huh. You are interested in her, aren’t you?” When he didn’t say anything I glanced up at him. “Mace is my best friend, and I love her to pieces, but she’s a bit of a player.” I stopped walking and pulled on his arm. “Listen, I get that you are probably into her, but I’m thinking it might be best if you stay away from that one. I hate talking about her like this, but I really like you Dodger, and I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”

His emotions flittered across his face before he settled on a grin and teasingly said, “I’m not looking to marry the girl, I was just wondering.”

“If you say so, just please, be careful alright?”

He reached out and ruffled my hair, and I swatted at him. “You worry too much. Loosen up. Oh, speaking of, so there’s this party at one of the frat houses…”

I interrupted him with a gasp. “Oh my gosh I would have never pegged you for a frat guy.”

“Well if you would have listened to what I was saying I was getting to the part where I would have said one of my really good friends lives in the house that’s hosting it. It’s going to be a Halloween party so you’ll need to dress up, but it would be fun if you came. I could introduce you to some people, and it’ll give you a chance to get out and stretch your legs some.”

“Stretch my legs?” I giggled.

“Yes, stretch your legs.” His smile was beaming. “So far I’ve only seen you work, go to school, and hang out with your sister and Macie. Get out a bit, Keegan. There’s got to be a little she-devil hiding in there somewhere.” He squatted down so he was eye level to me and acted as though he were searching.

I blushed. “No, there’s not. And I don’t want to go to some frat Halloween party where I’m forced to dress like a slutty cop or a sexy nurse. It sounds like a nightmare stuffing me into spandex and something too short. I would look like a can of exploded dough.”

His face became stoic. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“Seriously Dodger, I’m not blind. I know what I look like, and I make no qualms about what I see in the mirror. Squeezing into something that is only going to make me uncomfortable all night doesn’t sound like a good time.” I stopped talking when I saw him clenching his fists, and his mouth had formed a straight line. Tilting my head I said, “Did I say something wrong?”

He shook his head. “You really don’t see yourself clearly.”

“What?”

“You have a very distorted view, ‘cause what you’re seeing is not what I’m seeing. You’re not fat, or chubby, or whatever else you like to call yourself. You’re beautiful, Keegan. And before you argue with me, I’d like to believe that I’m a pretty good judge on what’s hot and what’s not. You, my friend, are smokin’.” His eyes ran the length of me while he gave me a wickedly handsome smile.

I felt like I wanted to go hide under a bush. I had no doubt my face was bright red, and I really wasn’t sure how to respond to his misguided compliment. “Ummm…thanks?”

“You say that like it’s a question.” He placed both of his hands up on my shoulders. “So you’re not one hundred pounds soaking wet and as tall as a skyscraper. You have something else that those girls don’t have.”

Now he’d piqued my curiosity. “And what would that be?”