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  "I saw Betina was all over you. You gonna hit that?" Chad asked as they walked into the kitchen.

  "Hell no. She's been all over me for years but can't seem to take a hint"

  "You don't have to marry her bro, just let her touch your little wiener."

  "Fuck you, man. There's nothing small about my wiener."

  "If you have any genetic link to me, I'm sure you're packin'." They laughed and walked out to their cars.

  Michael jumped in his black truck. "You want a ride to campus?"

  Chad shook his head. "Thanks but I'm headin' to work. Oh man, speaking of work, Dad called. The three month window is almost up then 'all Bartons are supposed to fend for themselves,' " Chad mimicked.

  "Shit. I forgot about that."

  "It won't be that bad. You don't have a car payment and rent is cheap. So beer and food mainly."

  "I'll start looking. Catch ya later." He shut the door and started the engine.

  Great, a j-o-b. I'll worry about that next week.

  Michael was walking down the hall towards his class, lost in his own thoughts. That's why he didn't notice her standing in front of the door until she called out to him.

  "Hey." It was soft but loud enough to get his attention. The first thing he noticed were her legs. He was really hoping the weather would stay warm so she would keep wearing those little shorts. Her tight black t-shirt said The Cure right across her chest. He wasn't trying to check out her rack, he was just reading. This all took a split second. Legs, tits, face and eye contact. Guys were efficient when it came to checking out a girl without being detected.

  "Hey, Charlie. How ya doing?" He got visions of her crying in the grass. The strange events of that night had bonded them in a weird way. It made him want to hug her, but he settled for a nudge with his elbow.

  "I'm good...hey I just wanted to thank you, ya know, for everything. I promise I'm not a total psycho, despite my behavior...Anyway, I wanted you to know I appreciated it. So did Jess."

  Oh fuck.

  He'd been attracted to her when she was being all tough and bitchy, but this was too much. The sweet, kind of vulnerable girl in front of him was enough to make him crazy. He zoned in on her mouth. Her upper lip looked like a heart and the lower one was full and pouty. He wanted to suck on her lower lip so bad.

  Boner.

  Damn it speak, you're creeping her out.

  "Think nothing of it."

  Their teacher passed them with a greeting so Michael started to follow him into class. Charlie put her hand on his arm.

  "Sorry I was such a bitch last week." Her big brown eyes sincere. He nodded and walked inside the room. He wanted to seem casual and unaffected, but in reality his arm was tingling where she'd touched him. He may never wash that arm again.

  She had a strange look on her face. Maybe he'd played it too casual. Damn it.

  No, something told him he needed to play it cool. Girls like her didn't want a guy drooling all over them.

  That's right, I'm cool. Not picturing her naked. Nah that would be perverted. I haven't thought about having sex with her in at least the last 30 seconds...never mind...

  Friday Sept. 17th

  So this week wasn't that bad. Made a new friend in history and had lunch a few times with Shane. Talked to my brother. He sounds like he misses me, even if he'd never admit it. Trent and I have made peace. I didn't realize how much stress that put me under. Trying to avoid someone like the plague is hard work. We're not best friends but being able to be in the same room without damaging his genitalia is a step in the right direction. Yeah me!

  I haven't been feeling as violent as I had been. Well I'm not counting the fucker that stole my parking space yesterday. It was an asshole move and he needed to know about it. So he deserved the verbal beat down and creative hand gestures. Not my fault.

  Freshman 15 update: I can't help but eat shitty here. The cafeteria by my dorm has the best crinkle fries on the planet! And is it my fault that the fried burrito counter is open until 11:00 pm? I mean, I need snacks when I study! There's a grocery store somewhere around here. I mean seriously all I have in my mini fridge is diet Coke and chocolate pudding. I have room for a fucking apple.

  Luckily my metabolism is holding steady. Thanks Mom! Maybe it's all the walking around campus. I should probably go to the gym in the athletic center, but then I'd have to sweat and that's just gross. If I'm getting sweaty there better be a guy involved.

  Yes, I said it.

  And on the getting sweaty note, the guy front is same. Guy from English class that I now think is cute and very funny...well, let's just say I don't think he's interested. Probably has a girlfriend. Maybe Trent can go more than 10 seconds now. At this point I'm so horny I might not need more than that. I need some lovin!

  *Random hook up on the horizon?

  Isn't that what you do in college?

  *Going to my first football game this weekend. Not that I give a shit about the game part. What interests me is free beer and tailgating with the Sig Eps. There I shall scope for my first college conquest.

  Chapter 12

  ~Charlie~

  The yard was packed with people. Music was blaring from two huge speakers on either side of the cement slab they called a back patio. The outdoor furniture consisted of four white plastic chairs and a crate with a piece of plywood on the top. There was zero shade, but the noon sun was not yet scorching.

  It was one of those perfect days. A clear blue, cloudless sky. The air wasn't quite cool but fall was around the corner. She could smell it.

  "Chuck. You made it!" Charlie smiled despite the nickname. She might as well get used to it. Shane's brown hair flopped as he ran over and spun her in the air. She let out a squeak and laughed.

  "How much have you had to drink, Shane? It's barely lunch time.

  "Yeah, but the game starts at three, so we've been drinking since ten."

  "Yuck, beer for breakfast."

  "Don't knock it til you try it. Beer put the B in brunch."

  "I'll take your word for it...Is that Donovan over there by the grill?" They both looked over and yes, it was Donovan. He had on an apron that said "Fuck me I'm Irish" and was waving around the biggest spatula Charlie had ever seen. "Why is he manning the grill? Surely there are more skilled cooks in the fraternity...And he seems to be sweating profusely."

  "A pledge has to work the grill before every game. It was just his turn. I think you're right. He seems to be marinating the burgers...Hey, Donovan! Wipe your fucking face, dude! You're dripping all over the food!" Donovan looked over at us and nodded, wiping his face with the bottom of his apron.

  "Can I get you a beer?" Shane asked.

  "Sure."

  "Come on, I'll hook you up with a salty burger." He grinned and pulled her by the hand. She scanned the crowd as they walked towards the keg. She didn't know many people and it could've felt awkward, but Shane and Donovan always made her feel so welcome it was hard to feel self-conscious. That was until she saw Trent with his hands on the hips of a petite brunette with very tight shorts. If you could call them shorts, more like a belt with a zipper. Charlie knew hers were short too, but it was because she was 5'7". She had a hard time finding shorts that went past her mid-thigh unless she wanted to look like she was going to play golf with her mom. Trent had every right to feel up whomever he wanted, but she didn't want to be front row Joe for it either.

  Stop staring then...

  "Sorry, Chuck. Is that weird for you?" Shane asked nozzle in hand.

  "You know what? No. Beer me, amigo." He obliged and they went to grab some food.

  A hamburger and many beers later, Charlie was feeling good. She laughed and cheered as Shane, Donovan and Trent threw football on the side yard, reliving their glory days as football studs at their high school. Trent was recruited to play at a tiny school in Oklahoma, but he passed. He wanted the big university experience with his best friends. He knew football wasn't a career for him.

  "Come on, Charlie. Go l
ong!" Donovan bellowed. She set her plastic cup on the ground and went wide right to catch his pass. Donovan launched it and Charlie tucked it right into her chest.

  "Yeah!!" The guys cheered.

  "Two years of powder puff, bitches!"Charlie yelled. That was when once a year the junior and senior girls played a game of flag football. It was a huge to-do and Charlie, with her height was wide receiver. She didn't mind sweating for that...Charlie slammed the ball into the ground and wiggled her butt, making the guys hoot even louder. She was laughing so hard she had to put her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

  "Hey guys," Shane called. Charlie started, realizing that she was in mid-wiggle, with her butt facing the new arrivals. She froze and turned. Michael was wearing a school t-shirt and shorts. He was hat free for once and she noticed how light brown his curls were. He was standing by a very good looking guy who had a smile on his face, obviously enjoying the view.

  "Don't stop on our account," said the mystery cutie. Michael walked onto the grass. He grabbed the ball out of Charlie's hands. "Nice catch."

  "Um, thanks."

  "This is my brother, Chad. Chad, this is Charlie and you know the other guys, right?"

  "Shane, Donovan, and Trent, right?" The guys nodded and said their hellos.

  Charlie said hey and grabbed the ball with a quick stealth move. "You gonna join us?"

  "Sure, why not," Michael said. His brother declined.

  "I gotta drink a few more of these before we walk over to the stadium. Catch you later, bro. Charlie it was very nice to meet you." He was very charming and Charlie was flattered. "Nice to meet you, Chad."

  "Not you too?" Michael asked with a nudge.

  "What?"

  "Drooling over my brother," Michael joked.

  "What, there was no drool. I was just admiring his nice manners...and his tight ass." She laughed and ran over to her friends. Michael was grinning. At least he found her amusing.

  "Let's break up into teams, shirts and skins. Charlie, you're with me. We'll be skins."

  "You wish, Shane."

  They continued their game, laughing and taunting each other. The sun was warm and Charlie's buzz had burned off. If this was college life, then sign her up.

  "Okay, Chuck. One more, go long. Ha ha, I said long," Shane laughed at his own joke.

  Charlie groaned and rolled her eyes. "Just throw the ball, lame ass!" He took several steps back and she took off in the other direction. Shane launched the ball and Charlie was in position right in front of the tree they'd deemed the goal line. The sun made visibility of the oblong rocket impossible for a few seconds and that was just long enough for Charlie to get hit.

  Ummppfff.

  Michael had grabbed her by the waist and rolled with her on the ground until she was straddling him. Once Charlie got her bearings, she hit him in the shoulder.

  "Hey asshole, it's touch football." She laughed and pulled a piece of grass from his hair. He still had his hands on her hips.

  "If this were a movie, we'd be paralyzed by the sexual tension, wondering what it would be like to kiss each other." She teased and rolled off with a laugh. Michael laid there for a bit then shook off whatever reverie he had going.

  "Hey, stop groping my girl, Barton!" Trent yelled jovially.

  Charlie sniffed. "My girl? Give me a break. Weren't you just molesting a half dressed brunette about an hour ago?" Trent shrugged his shoulders and shoved the guys a few times.

  "I don't know about you slackers, but my buzz is totally gone. I need to reload before the game." Charlie left them to their shoving and made her way back to the keg. Her tee was moist from all the running and she was pretty sure her eye makeup was to her cheekbones, so she was surprised when she got hit on by a handsome blond. Obviously drunk guys really didn't have standards.

  "Can I help you with that?" Mystery blond asked gently grabbing the keg nozzle from her hand.

  She looked at her full cup.

  "No thanks, I managed to fill it up all by my little ole lonesome." She added an aggregated southern belle to the last part.

  "Are you always a smart-ass?" a voice she knew to be Michael's said to her back.

  "Not when I'm sleeping."

  He laughed and stood between Charlie and the chivalrous keg attendant.

  "Thanks, Scott. I've got it from here."

  "She yours, mini B? Sorry, bro. I didn't think you had it in you to score something as luscious as this." Charlie noticed the guy named Scott got a cocky look on his face, like he wasn't sorry in the least. That smirk seemed to suit him, not that phony nice guy routine. She also noticed that Michael tensed a bit. She wasn't sure if it was because of that condescending nickname or maybe he just didn't like this creep. And that's what he was, that much had become apparent in the last five minutes.

  Michael was about to speak, but Charlie beat him to the punch.

  "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to find the asshole-free zone. Come on, Michael, if I keep you around I'll always be in the right place." She grabbed him by the hand and walked away from the keg.

  "Sorry about that. Scott is a decent guy, I guess. He's just an asshole when it comes to girls," Michael admitted.

  "That kind of negates the whole decent guy thing in my book."

  "True enough. I'm supposed to meet up with some friends to walk over to the game, so I'll catch you later?" Charlie was surprised by the disappointed feeling that came over her. She schooled her face. "That's cool." She gave him a small wave and walked away.

  Chapter 13

  ~Michael~

  He watched her walk away with grace and purpose. Well, it was graceful until she tripped over her shoelace. Nice recovery though...He liked how her hips swayed slightly when she moved. It wasn't intentional like some girls. And she had a really nice ass.

  This had been one of the best days he'd had in a long time. So why did he just say he needed to meet his friends?

  "Because I'm a dumb ass, that's why," he grumbled under his breath.

  In his attempt to seem casual he'd ended their time together. And was he crazy or did she seem a bit disappointed? It was there for a second. Her mouth crinkled on one side. He noticed that she did that when she got upset. He was probably imagining things, projecting his own feelings of disappointment onto her.

  Thinking about the past hour brought a smile to his face. The more he saw of her, the real her, the more he liked it. She was funny and smart. Soft, but tough at times. How did she do that? One minute he wanted to arm wrestle her and the next he wanted to buy her flowers.

  He mentally pouted the whole way to his friends. He knew he must have been scowling when he heard his buddy Jake say, "Man, who farted in your Fruit Loops?" They were all about to make their way to the stadium and had congregated on the front lawn. Some were downing their beers and others were tucking flasks into their Redwing boots.

  "Yeah dude, you strike out or something?" another friend named Sam asked.

  Michael just shook his head.

  "What? The Barton charm doesn't translate to college chicks? This is awesome!" Jake laughed and the others joined in.

  "The Barton charm works just fine on college chicks, numb nuts," Michael's brother chimed in, elbowing Jake in the ribs.

  "Maybe for you, Chad. But I think your little bro here struck out."

  "Let me guess—that fine one you were playing football with?" Chad asked.

  "I didn't strike out!"

  "Okay, okay. We're just ribbin' you, man," Jake said handing him a drink. They all gave each other a look as Michael walked ahead of the group. They weren't sure what had soured his mood, but they knew enough to drop the subject.

  "There was so much hot ass at the house today, my dick was getting whiplash," one guy in the crowd said. They all laughed and started to tell stories about various hook-ups and conquests. Blonde this, and tight ass that. Great legs, big tits...and so on.

  "Did you see the chick Shane was with? God damn she had the nicest fucking legs I've ever seen. I
'd wrap those around my neck and..."

  "Shut the fuck up!" Michael growled, finally joining the horndog banter.

  "Well, well, well. Does wittle Mikey have a wittle crush?" Brad Malone teased. He was one of his brother's friends and a complete asshole.

  "Drop it, Malone," Chad said, pushing him in the shoulder.

  "What? We can't tease your baby brother?" He mocked.

  "It's okay, Chad. Malone can't help but be a prick. He has Asshole Tourette's," Michael said.

  "You think you're the only one with dibs to nail her? You better get in line. Trent already has and it looks like Shane's up next. Maybe even Donovan. Maybe all at the same time."

  Michael's hands clenched into fists and his brother must have seen it. He shoved Malone again and steered Michael in the other direction. "Just let it go, man." Chad had a way of always calming him down. This time was no exception, but the urge to kick the shit out of Malone, even though he outweighed him by a hundred pounds, was making his hands shake.

  "We all know Malone is a loud mouth. If he knows he can get to you he will. Don't give him ammo...You like this girl." It wasn't a question.

  "Yeah. She's a friend and really cool. I just didn't like him disrespecting her like that." They had lagged behind the crew and were walking slowly under the shade of the large trees that lined the sidewalk.

  "The guys were disrespecting a lot of girls just now."

  Chad had a point.

  "I know, but I didn't know any of them."

  "Who you think you're foolin', little bro?" He grinned and hooked Michael's head under his arm, giving him a noogie. Michael groaned, pulling out of his brother's grasp. He attempted to get his hair back in order and wished he'd worn a hat. He thought about telling his brother about his fledgling feelings for Charlie, but decided to keep in close to the vest. He wasn't sure what he was feeling anyway or what he was going to do about it, so he just let it lie.

  Chapter 14