Lying With Temptation (12 page)

             
I smile, “Maybe…”

             
About that time Professor Jennings walks in and I notice Gabby tense up automatically. 

             
I whisper, “Gabby is everything okay?”

             
She nods, “Yeah, I need to drop something off to Professor Jennings after class…can you wait with me?”

             
I scowl a little, “Yeah sure whatever you need…”

             
When class is over she makes her way up to the front and hands him an envelope, he glares at her.  “Ms. Lewis, I’ll be seeing you in a little while…correct? What is this?”

             
She shuffles a little, “Um no you won’t.  That is actually my letter of resignation…I got a job at a gym as a trainer…and it works with my major a little better.  You know since I’m Sports Medicine and all.”

             
I swear I see anger in his eyes, “I’m sorry to hear that Ms. Lewis…You were doing so well, I really hoped to work more with you.”

             
She shrugs, “I’m sorry, this job just came up and I don’t want to miss out on it.”

             
He scowls, “Well, that’s unfortunate…Would you mind stopping by my office later…I have a couple of things to go over with you?”

             
“Um actually I have a pretty busy day…maybe another time.”

             
With that she looks at me and we walk out of the room.  I can look at her and tell she’s visibly shaken.  After we get into the foyer of the building I look over at her she still has this look on her face like she may throw up.  I look over at her, “Gabby lets go work out in the weight room.”

             
She shrugs, “Yeah, sounds good.  But don’t you have class in a little bit?”

             
“Yeah, but I want to go work out or maybe lets go for a run.”

             
She smiles, “Are you sure?  I mean I don’t want you to get into trouble with your coach for skipping class or something.”

             
“Nah, it’s just a current affairs class.”

             
She smiles, “Then a run sounds great.”

We go back to the apartment and change for our run.
  I notice her phone keeps dinging that she has text messages and she keeps ignoring them.  Once she comes out of her room I notice she leaves her phone on the table. She has her IPod which she never carries when we run,
what in the hell is going on with her?

             
“Gabby, if you wanna talk about anything…I’m here.”

             
She smiles and kisses my cheek, “Yeah I know, I’ve just got a lot going on in my head.”  She goes to walk out the door and she turns and glances over her shoulder, “I’ll talk to you soon I promise…I’ve just got to work some things out.”

             
I nod, “Okay let’s go for that run.”

             
We run for what seems like forever in silence, once we get to the other side of campus she finally stops.  She leans over with her hands on her knees breathing, I go to hand her a bottle of water and realize for the first time that she’s crying.  I pull her to my chest and we sit down, we just sit there for a few minutes.  Finally almost as if she’s just realized what’s going on she looks up at me.

             
“Linc I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do this.”

             
I stroke her back, “Gabby it’s okay…Now please tell me what’s going on?  I’m not sure I can take much more of knowing that you’re hurting and me not being able to help you.”

             
She wipes her cheek and looks up at me with those big green eyes that I still see tears in, “Please don’t hate me Linc…”

             
“Hey, I can’t hate you.”

             
“The night of the party, I slept with Professor Jennings.”

             
I know the look on my face has to be one of shock, “Gabby did he…did he force?”

             
She stops me, “No, I mean I was pretty much drunk and I was a mess from my run in with Reece, but no he didn’t force me.  This isn’t something I’m proud of…Now he won’t let it go…That’s the reason I quit my job, Russ helped me get the one at the gym off campus…he is who was blowing my phone up after class…”  She puts her face down, “This has become a complete cluster fuck.”  She flops down onto her back and covers her face, “Linc what have I done?” 

             
So that’s what has been going on with her and Russ.  “Gabby who all knows about this?”

             
“Just you, Russ, me and Jennings.  Please whatever you do don’t tell Cade…I can’t handle his ‘Gabby how can you be this stupid’ lecture.”

             
“Well, I feel like I should be saying the same thing…except I know you were hurt, intoxicated and vulnerable at the time.  I seriously just want to hold you right now…but that’s not how I want this to start.”

             
She moves her hands, “Linc, what do you mean?  Not how you want what to start?”

             
“Gab, I really like you.  I mean I like you…not just your body
which is awesome
…but you as a person.  I would like to ask you out on a date, but not right now…”

             
She looks at me and I see more tears, “I’m sorry Linc, I screwed this up.  I don’t blame you for not wanting me.”

             
“No Gab, trust me I still want you.  I’ve wanted you since before we kissed after coming home from the bar.  But I want you to get all of this figured out right now…I figure you need a friend right now more than you need a date.  But trust me once you’re ready…there will be no more skirting the issue.  I will be asking you out on a for real date.”

             
She smiles, “I’m pretty sure I’ll accept.”

             
“But I have to admit I’m a little lost in all of this…so can you fill me in? You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.  I just feel like I want to make you feel better and without knowing what I’m working against I’m lost.”

She half way chuckles and explains everything to me.  I’m glad she did.  The past few days she’s looked so sad, so lonely all I want to do is hold her.  We walk back to the dorms
and I wonder how on earth people could treat her the way they do.  That dumbass Reece needs his balls strung up and cut off.  That jackass Jennings needs the same thing to happen to him, Reece for making her think it’s okay for people to treat her like a second class citizen and Jennings for taking advantage of her.  But I’ll do my best to make sure neither one of them get to hurt her again. 

Chapter 16

Gabby

              As we walk back in our room, I glance over and see Russ on the couch.  I guess he could tell by my face something was wrong. He jumps to his feet and is in front of me before I know it.

             
“Gabby what the hell is wrong?”

             
I shake my head, “It’s all okay now.”  Linc wraps his arm around my shoulders. Russ’s eyebrows shoot up.  I give a slight smile, “Linc knows everything Russ.  I sure hope you really got me that job, because there is no way in hell I can go back to my old one now.”

             
He chuckles, “Yeah it’s yours.  Zack said you could start next Monday, I told him I’d bring you by this week to get your paperwork filled out and so you guys can discuss your schedule.”

             
Linc give him a playful punch, “Thanks man, for getting her the job and for being her ear.”

             
Russ shrugged, “Nah not a big deal, I’d loved to castrate Jennings, but she won’t let me.  So this is the least I could do.”

             
Linc laughs, “Hell I’d love to do the same thing.”

             
“Okay well if you two are finished chest bumping at my expense…I could really use a drink tonight. How about we make some Mexican food and one of you go get us some beer.  I need to shower.”

             
Russ chuckles, “Yeah Gabby you really do need a shower…I mean I wasn’t going to say anything since I’m a gentleman, but you kinda smell.”

             
“You’re far from a gentleman Russ, so since Linc was nice…I nominate you to get the beer.  You know why don’t you swing by El Rio and grab us some take-out rather than cooking….since you’re proclaiming to be this gentleman.”

             
He chuckles, “Sure whatever…you know I’m going to be your brother-in-law one day when Anna and I get married so you should be nice to me.”

             
At that point Linc spit the water he was drinking all over the kitchen table and was holding his stomach he was laughing so hard and at that moment I was too. 

             
Russ acting offended grabs his keys, “Fine I can see I’m not appreciated.”

             
I giggle, “Thanks guys I’m getting in the shower.”  I grab my phone and head in the bathroom I guess I should check all those texts.

             
Jennings:  I need to talk with you.

Jennings
:  How about dinner at my place tonight.

             
Jennings:  Don’t think you can avoid me.

Jennings
:  I never figured you to be a prude.

Jennings
:  I will see you again.  Don’t think that Jock boy will stop me either.

             
Jennings:  I WILL SEE YOU SOON.

             
Me: Leave me the fuck alone.  I’m your

             
Student for crying out loud.  Yes I will

             
Be in your class, but that is all.  All of

             
That was a mistake, I was drunk and you

Should’ve known better. Stay Away from me.

              With that text sent I climb in the shower.  I hope like hell he stays away from me. 

             
An hour later, Russ is back with our food, Linc and I have both showered and dressed.  I open my beer and fix my plate.  “Hey Russ, thanks for the beer and the food…I was starving.”  I give him a hug.  I look around, “Have either of you spoken with Daria or Cade?”

             
Russ laughs, “Oh he text me earlier, his roommate is out of town for some club convention this week so I’m guessing Daria’s staying with him this week.”

             
I nod, “Okay, those two jeez.”

~*~

              These past few weeks have flown by.  I’m actually enjoying my job at the gym quite a bit. I have gotten to spend some time with some of the physical therapists there and talk about my major.  It’s all kind of been exciting, I feel like I’m learning more about what I want to do with the rest of my life.  Linc has kept his promise and given me time, but he also still gives me those little smiles to let me know he’s still interested.  Jennings class has been…well a little bit of a nightmare.  He gives me glares, Linc glares at him.  I’m just glad my grade hasn’t seemed to suffer too much.  I was kind of worried about it. He hasn’t text me anymore either, but I always feel him watching me…it’s creepy.

             
I did find out the other day that my sister and Russ have been texting each other.  Part of me would like to know what those texts are about…but then part of me is scared to know…I mean this is my little sister.  She texts me during every game they play at home to make sure I’m going and send her pics…but they both swear they are just friends…whatever. 

             
Cade has had a million questions as to why I quit my job, but they are all happy about me being at the gym.  I feel like deep down Daria knows or has a feeling since she knew about the kiss, but she hasn’t said anything.  Tomorrow they have a big home game…I’m stoked.  Daria has turned into quite the little football fan…well more like Cade fan.  She only pays attention when he’s on the field and then most of the time she’s confused as to what is actually going on.  I almost fell off my seat a couple of weeks ago when she asked me if college football has like a
world series
or something.  Yeah Cade and the guys have been giving her shit since then.  On the plus side Cade has taken the time to teach her a little more about the game. So I don’t spend the entire game texting pics to my sister of Russ and explaining the game to Daria.

~
Game Day~

             
“WOOHOO!  THAT SEXY BEAST IS MINE!”

             
“Jeez Daria sit down…Cade won’t be able to concentrate with you up here all but striping for him and branding him in front of all these other women.”