Let Me In

“I will, Dad. I’m sure he’s sorry, too,” I lie. Rob isn’t exactly the guy you bring home to meet your parents, and I don’t think he really cares that he never got a chance to have the uncomfortable conversation with my dad on his intentions of dating me. Although my dad has never asked me to change anything about myself, I secretly know he doesn’t understand my piercings or why I cut my hair so short. I think the only thing he’s on the same page as me is my tattoos. My dad has a half dozen of his own, but all are in discreet places that can be covered up for his business affairs.

“I love you.” He winks at me one more time, grabs both his and my mom’s bags and they both walk over to the skycap.

“Love you, Dad. And you too,” I say to Sam, reaching over to hug her.

“You know I like what you’ve told me about Rob but Grant, he’s the one for you, Jessa.” Sam has always spoken her mind, so I shouldn’t be surprised she’s doing it now.

“Just go back home and don’t worry about my love life,” I joke, pushing her lightly toward the skycap.

“I love you, big sis,” she sing-songs. “See you at spring break.” She waves her hand and turns around toward my parents. Once they’re all at the doors, they turn around for one last wave and my mom blows me her signature kiss, and then just like that they’re gone. I miss them the minute the glass doors slide shut.

Chapter 2

Grant

I’ve filled my time this past week by working almost every day at Barbells, a health club at the edge of town that caters more to bodybuilder types than ru

I finish signing up a new guy, who was referred from one of our longtime members, when Emily walks in. She’s been coming here for the past few months and I’m pretty sure she’s in my sister sorority, but I’ve been skipping some events lately so I can’t be certain. The redhead is much too cheery for me, but she’s cute, curvy, and most of the guys from the weight room admire her. On more than one occasion, I’ve seen a line of guys in the doorway watching her do crunches. She acts as though she doesn’t notice, but trust me, she purposely swings her ass back and forth walking away. She knows exactly what she’s doing. I’m about to rush to the office in order to dodge her, when she calls out to me.

“Hey, Grant, nice to see you here,” she says from across the counter.

“I work here,” I respond flatly.

“How come you’re in town?” she asks with that a

“I’m from here. Born and raised,” I answer, not willing to give her any further information about myself.

“I just got back from being home. I thought more girls would be back, but no one’s here. What are you doing tonight?” She shuffles from side to side, stretching her arms back and forth, preparing to work-out. I would rather she just go and do her thing.

“Going to a friend’s party.” As soon as the words cross my lips, I automatically wish I wouldn’t have revealed my plans. After not hearing from her for the past week, Jessa texted me the address this afternoon. When I saw her name light up the screen, I think I smiled for the first time since I said good-bye to her on Christmas.

“Oh, can I come?” Her voice raises another octave. “Please, Grant. I don’t want to be alone on New Year’s Eve,” she begs in the most a

“Um…it’s not a Greek party,” I admit, hoping she’ll back off.

“That’s okay. Come on, Grant. I don’t want to stay home by myself on New Year’s. You know whoever you kiss tonight, you’re supposed to spend the year with,” she whines, giving me the most flirtatious eyes as she cocks her head to the side.

“Alright,” I give in, releasing a breath.

“Great,” she exclaims. “Pick me up?’

“Sure,” I say, rolling my eyes. How she doesn’t notice my a

“You’re so silly, you know where I live.” Oh shit, I don’t want to admit that actually I have no fucking clue where she lives. “DDE,” she tells me and I’m relieved she gives me the information anyway.

“I’ll be there at ten,” I say, walking backward to the office, hoping to find my escape from her.

“Oh, I’m so excited, Grant. Who knows, maybe it will be me next to you at midnight,” she says, winking at me before walking away toward the treadmill, swinging those hips. I have to admit, she may be a

Jesus, what the fuck did I just do? I’m barely going to fit in at this party, let alone Emily. The two of us will stick out like a ru

It’s cold as hell tonight. Not wanting to draw more attention to myself, I opted for a pair of jeans and a Henley. My hair is probably too styled for this bunch, but I’m not ashamed of myself and I’m not about to change my appearance to suit them. I can say one thing; I’m not as noticeably different as Emily. Her micro mini pink dress with platform heels is making all the heads turn as we walk up to the door. Fortunately, it appears the guys like what they see and therefore are disregarding me, making me hopeful that I won’t get into a fight tonight.

The party isn’t too crowded, so Emily and I are able to make our way to the kitchen to grab a drink fairly quickly. I breathe a little easier when I find Brady and Sadie standing in the corner while Trey, their roommate, pours himself a beer from the keg.

“Hey man, glad you were able to make it.” Trey puts his hand on my shoulder before giving Emily the once-over. His eyes peruse her body and the sly smile that comes across his face makes me pretty certain he’s imagining her without the dress.

“Yeah, Jessa told me about it,” I say, sca

“Well, her and Rob got held up at home,” Trey informs me, giving me a look of curiosity, and I automatically assume he’s noticed too much between us.

“But they’ll be here soon,” Sadie chimes in, giving me a hug. “Hi, I’m Sadie and this is my boyfriend, Brady.” She holds her hand out, greeting Emily.

“Hi, I’m Emily,” she says, limply shaking Sadie’s hand while gawking at Brady.

“How do you know Grant?” Sadie asks, possessively placing her arm around Brady, while he mimics her motions. If Sadie only knew she has nothing to worry about with Emily.

“I’m in his sister sorority,” she says in her high octave voice, hooking her arm through mine.

“Oh, that’s nice,” Sadie responds, looking toward the floor. I don’t know all of Sadie’s story, but I know she was in a sorority at her last school, and that there’s a reason why she came here her senior year, just like Jessa. Apparently, they were both ru

Brady pulls Sadie into him, giving her a kiss on her head, and she smiles up at him. They have an unspoken bond that makes me envious, but I’m not capable of having what they have. “Hey, you came.” Her voice makes me melt like ice cream after hot fudge has been poured over it. I turn around to find her holding hands with Rob. I hope I can disguise the disgust I feel seeing her hand in someone else’s.