Evelyn Vine Be Mine (2 page)

She shut the door on me and locked me out. Groaning quietly, I shuffled quickly past the procrastinating students in the hall and made my way outside with my camera. Hopefully, I could get a few good nature shots for my Photography course while I was out here and the afternoon wouldn’t be completely wasted.

***

The next morning, I woke at 0600 hours as I usually did and crept around the room quietly as I dressed in my gym shorts and a fitted tee. I grabbed my trainers and made my way to the Rugby pitch for my daily work out. I sat down in the stands as I laced up my shoes and breathed in the early morning air. I shivered, wishing I’d thought to bring a jumper down with me. It was the first week of June and winter was definitely upon us. I loved the desert winters; freezing cold during the night, but still hot during the day.

The sunrises here were amazing as well. I glanced up at the sky, smiling at the reds, oranges and pinks vividly brightening the horizon. Red was the predominant colour of the Australian outback, right down to the soil beneath our feet. I laughed at the richly green turf of the rugby field. This upper-class university was about the only place you could find green ‘grass’ around here. I loved seeing the faces of tourists when they saw what we called a golf course. No lush greens here. Kangaroos, snakes, lizards and all sorts wandered freely over them as well.

I hurriedly began my warm up, realising that I’d been wasting time daydreaming when I should have been ‘hustling’ as Dad and Zane had called it. People often wondered why I still did this. I was much too skinny as it was, according to almost everyone I’d met. At 5”, I managed to look frail and delicate, no matter how many pushups I did. The truth is I often found it hard to eat. I was too busy worrying or doing something else…like studying. I couldn’t stop this morning ritual though and even if I could, I doubt I’d want to. It was an important memory of my childhood and I clung desperately to it.

Reining in my thoughts and turning on my focus, I began my 5km run, my long legs eating up the distance as I ran lap after lap around the field, my body slowly adjusting to the cold, helped along as the temperature very slowly rose. When I finished, I quickly dropped to the grass and began my fifty pushups, followed by one hundred sit-ups, one hundred crunches and thirty tricep dips (using the stands to hold onto). I collapsed on my seat and shivered a little as a cold breeze swept over my sweat-slicked body. I quickly began my stretches, fearful of getting a cramp.

I shivered as a strange, prickly sensation wandered up my spine, as though someone was watching me. I looked around nervously, suddenly feeling very self-conscious in my form-fitting top and revealing shorts. I froze as I saw him, sitting across the field in the stand opposite mine. How long had he been here? Had he been watching me? My body trembled in reaction to him and I gnawed at my bottom lip in anxiety.

I raked my eyes over him, studying from a distance. I shivered again, though for an entirely different reason. God, he was something to look at! He wasn’t particularly gorgeous or handsome by society’s usual standards…but there was something about him that just called to a girl. Woman, I corrected, reminding myself that I’d be eighteen in less than six months.

I couldn’t see the finer details from this distance, but I didn’t need too. His features were permanently etched in my mind. Everything about him screamed Man, with a capital M. My cheeks reddened and my skin warmed as I realised he was dressed only in track pants. There was a beanie on his shaved head, but he wore no shirt or jacket. I could see the strength in his form from here, but craved a closer look.

I shook myself hard. This man was scary. I wanted nothing to do with him; I never wanted to be controlled by a guy again…not after last time. Besides, he’d never be attracted to me. His girlfriend, Chloe Fox, was stunning. I had no interest in him. I was merely admiring his form. It was natural. Every female did.

His gaze left mine as he stubbed out his cigarette and withdrew a box of Smarties from his pocket. I giggled at the sight. For some reason, Stone always carried a box of Smarties with him. Everyone said they were his favourite, but I secretly suspected he stored drugs or something in them (yet another reason to avoid him).

He looked back over at me and I had the sneaky suspicion that he was about to make his way over. No way. I hurriedly got up and walked briskly back to the dorms, knowing that if I’d held his gaze for much longer, I’d have been trapped.

two

My first week of exams passed quickly and despite Candy’s best efforts to draw me away, I studied just as hard as I had the previous week. Saturday afternoon came faster than I expected, leaving me unprepared for Candy’s sneak attack. She lured me out of our room with the promise of study snacks, only to push me into her boyfriend’s arms. Mason swung me up over his shoulder and ran down the flight of stairs to his car, laughing at my squeal of protest. Candy caught up to us, a large bag swinging from her shoulders. From the evil smile on her face, I figured she’d packed me some clothes in there too.

Mason put me down gently and opened the back door of his car, gesturing for me to climb in. I sighed and slid in dutifully. Candy dropped in beside me, a wide grin on her face.

“We’re going to have so much fun!” she said, throwing her arm around me. I nodded slowly, not wanting to admit that I wasn’t keen on playing third wheel, especially if we were sharing the one tent. I’d just have to sleep outside the tent, I decided. Growing up in an army family, I’d swagged under the stars many a time without the cover of one. I blinked as a familiar looking male opened the front door and sat in the passenger seat beside Mason. He was one of Stone’s friends.

“Hi ladies,” he said, grinning mischievously at us, “How are you Candy-lips? Still tasting sweet?”

Candy gave him the finger and Mason punched him in the arm. “Watch it Donny,” he growled.

The guy laughed and turned his attention to me, looking me over thoroughly. I shifted uncomfortably, well aware that I didn’t look especially great. I’d been studying after all. I was wearing a tight, pink singlet, beneath a short, denim, overall-dress that stopped at mid thigh. My long hair was pulled into a perky-high pony-tail and I was wearing pink, bunny slippers. I must have looked like a small, sickly child, with my skinny frame and cute outfit.

“And who’s this cutie?” he asked, his smile turning wolfish, “Evelyn Vine right?”

I blinked at him. How did he know my name? Not wanting to be rude, I slowly nodded.

“Evie,” I squeaked.

He smirked, “Is that your initials or your nickname?”

I blushed. “B-both, I guess,” I stuttered, “B-but I meant, just call me Evie.”

“Great,” he said, shooting me a wink, “Since Mase is sharing with Candy, are you going to swag up with me?”

My face turned scarlet and I frantically searched for something to say back. I opened my mouth several times, but couldn’t answer.

Only if you promise to keep me warm, sexy…

You wish, perve!

No thanks, I don’t sleep with musicians.

Oh my god, yes please! You’re so fucking hot!

I didn’t say any of that. I turned my face away to look out the window, still blushing madly. Unfortunately, this just seemed to amuse Donny more.

“I’m Donovan Brody,” he said smugly, “But you can call me Donny.”

I nodded politely, but didn’t look back at him. “Nice to meet you,” I whispered.

He chuckled and I couldn’t help but sneak a covert look at him. He was definitely attractive. Tall and lean, with messy black hair and sharp brown eyes, he fit the stereotypical looks of a rock-star. He wore black skinny jeans and a navy singlet, but I noticed he’d dumped a thickly-lined denim jacket at his feet. I glanced at the bag Candy had set between us and wondered whether she’d packed anything warm for me. I shivered at the thought of spending the night in the desert in the little I was wearing.

I glanced back at Donny, to find him still staring at me with unconcealed interest. “You shy, little darling?” he questioned with another chuckle.

I inwardly rolled my eyes. Why do people always ask questions they know the answers to?

Candy laughed. “Be nice Donny,” she said, giving me a one-armed hug.

“I am being nice!” he protested with mock affront, “I’m making friends.”

I don’t get handsy with my friends, I thought as I gently eased my bunny-slippered foot away from his naughty fingers. He noticed though, and tugged it back toward him.

“Did you bring any shoes for my new friend?” he asked Candy with a small frown.

She rolled her eyes. “Duh,” she said, popping the gum in her mouth with a loud smacking noise. She unzipped the bag and gave me my trainers. I took them gratefully, but would have preferred my hiking boots to protect my skin from the worst of any spinifex grass we might come across.

“So what are you studying?” Donny probed while I struggled to put my shoes on.

“Visual arts and Media,” I grunted with effort, “Focusing on Photography though.”

His eyes lit up, “Photography hey? I’m studying Music. I’m in my second year.”

“You should take some pictures of our band. Have you ever seen us perform?” he asked, with a quick glance at Candy.

I shook my head. I’d never gone to the uni club or the local bar, despite Candy’s urging to join her (Mason was a DJ at the uni club, so Candy spent most Friday nights there).

He shrugged his shoulders as if unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm on the subject. “You should come with Candy next time we play,” he told me.

I bit back a sigh and grudgingly made an effort to participate in the conversation. I felt incredibly rude letting him carry it by himself.

“What do you play?” I asked quietly and Mason turned down the car CD player so that they could all hear me better.

Donny’s face lit with triumph at my tentative question. “I play guitar and I’m lead singer,” he informed me proudly, “I’ve been told I’ve got a sexy voice.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.

Hmmm, I guess I’ll have to come and hear for myself, I should have said, but didn’t.

I coughed and averted my eyes. “What sort of music do you play?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Mostly Metal,” he replied, “Some heavy, some not so much. We do a little bit of Rock and Alternative sometimes.”

I smiled and nodded in understanding. My brother Paulie (the one studying to be a teacher) had dabbled a bit with music and his garage band’s style had varied. I personally didn’t like over-the-top screamer songs, but most Metal music was good in my book.

“Do you like Metal?” he asked, watching my face curiously.

“Some of it,” I replied, shifting uncomfortably and wishing he’d stop staring at me as if I was some sort of lab experiment.

He grinned and gave me a pat on the knee. “Come hear us play,” was all he said, before turning back around and leaving me alone.

“Don’t worry,” Candy whispered in my ear, “He makes everyone blush. He’s the biggest flirt on campus.”

I smiled at her, relieved that I hadn’t been singled out. But as soon as we reached the race track and parked, Donny opened my door and pulled me out, tugging me after him with a firm grip on my hand. I tensed again, immediately alert. He was touching me. He was leading me somewhere and Candy and Mason weren’t following. I tried to think of a way to get him to stop…but all I could think to say was that my clothes were back there with Candy. I didn’t mention that though, smart enough to predict the line of conversation that would bring up.

My mild panic was cut short though as Donny came to a halt. I breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn’t taken me far. Until he pulled me in front of his body and I looked around the campsite at the amused faces before me. Oh my God. My gaze stuck on one face in particular and my knees buckled as anxiety returned full-force. Donny caught me with an arm around my waist, laughing a little as I hurriedly found my feet again.

“You okay Evie-baby?” he murmured near my ear, a sexy purr in his smooth voice. I didn’t take my eyes off Stone. I nodded slightly in answer and quickly moved out of his grasp, shuffling away slightly and looking around at the other members of the band.

Donny pulled me close again though and I stumbled from the force of his enthusiastic tug. “Hey guys,” he said cheerfully, “I made a cute, little friend. This is Evie.” He placed a great deal of emphasis on my nickname and I wondered if he was making some sort of secret point I wasn’t privy to.

He threw his arm around my shoulder and grinned at his friends. I glanced at Stone again and shook slightly at his hard features. He seemed stonier than usual. Was he displeased that I’d joined them? Should I leave?