I trusted Gavin and even in the short time we had known one another, I trusted Flora a hell of a lot more than I ever trusted Ben, or any of the other guys I used to live with.

  It was nice; freeing and even if Flora hadn’t come into my life, I wished I had done something like this a long time ago.

  My only regret about the whole situation, was that I wished I had gotten a nice, solid hit on Ben while we were fighting.

  I was just beginning to relax and settle in for the firework show, which was going to start any moment now, when I heard a voice that was vaguely familiar behind me. I didn’t know who it was, but I knew exactly the kind of person it was…and the thought made me cringe.

  “Oh, lord! Would you look who it is?” A woman with large boobs and an even bigger ass came bouncing up to us. Her voice was high-pitched and annoying. It was one of those voices that made everyone around her wince every time she opened her mouth.

  However, judging by her dye job and the tattoo on her breast that was visible peeking out of her low-cut, red white and blue tank top, I figured most men didn’t want her for her conversation skills.

  As she approached, both Flora and I sat up.

  “Hi…Um…Can I help you?” I offered, trying to politely tell her to leave me the hell alone, but she was persistent.

  “Don’t tell me you forgot who I am, Collin,” she insisted in a manner that made me sure I had pissed her off, but she was trying to continue to be joyful. “I’m Brandi! Remember, I ran into you at that frat party last semester and we spent the night together?”

  As she spoke, she popped her gum, and stuck a pose, as if her thrusting her boobs closer to me was going to jog my memory.

  “I’m sorry, Brandi, I think you have me confused with someone else,” I replied curtly, knowing that she was trying to cause trouble.

  I was certain that I had never spent the night with her. She certainly wasn’t any kind of my type. In fact, the thought of screwing her kind of made me nauseous…

  However, that also could be because I knew that there was trouble brewing with Flora. I was certain that regardless of whether I had actually slept with her or not, this was going to cause a rift between us. I only hoped that I would be able to patch it before it did any real damage.

  Her face scrunched up in anger as her eyes narrowed, “Wow! I knew you were an ass, but really? You don’t remember me?” She scoffed, directing her attention to Flora, “Honey, enjoy it tonight because if he doesn’t remember me, then he sure as hell ain’t gonna know your name in the morning.”

  With that, she turned and stomped off in a huff.

  I bit my tongue, far more concerned with Flora than with getting the last word against that bitch.

  “I am so sorry,” I insisted as Flora looked back at me, her mouth gaping with surprise.

  Flora was usually quiet and reserved but after recovering from the verbal sucker punch, she grumbled something and moved to stand up.

  “Whoa! Flora? What are you doing?”

  “Stupid bitch…I want to show her who she’s messing with,” Flora hissed, glowering back at me, with a ravenous ire flashing in her eyes.

  “Listen, Flora, I’m sorry. It’s not worth it. Please…I didn’t even…”

  Before I could even finish, Flora had come to her senses and stopped trying to stand. Instead, she settled back down in my arms and stated, “It’s okay, it’s fine. You’re right. It’s not worth it. I’m above all this drama shit.”

  “Yes, you are…And I’m sorry. I’ve never really…wanted a relationship before, so the people I’ve been with…their…”

  “Like that?” Flora insisted, her lip curling with disgust. “Did you get checked for STDs, or fleas?”

  I grinned, contemplating whether I should tell her that I hadn’t slept with that woman, but seeing Ben and a few of his friends laughing a few rows behind us, while the slutty woman strewn her massive self against Ben, I figured out what was going on.

  I was angry, but at the same time, I figured it wasn’t worth it. I didn’t want to have to explain everything to Flora. She shouldn’t have to deal with that. Sadly, pretending that whore was my ex-fuck buddy was easier than going into detail over what was really going on between Ben and me.

  After all, I still wasn’t supposed to know that he was the one who attacked her. I wasn’t sure how Flora would react if I told her, so I figured, at least for now, that it was best to keep my secret my own.

  So, I covered her hand with my own and spoke earnestly, while still trying to drive the conversation away from the actual issue at hand. “Flora, I swear, you are the only woman in my life and I like it that way.”

  Suddenly feeling ashamed, though, I looked away from her, but quickly returned my gaze to prove my honesty. “Look, I know I’ve got a past…A long past, and it’s filled with some skeletons. She might not be the last woman who comes up to us and does something like that…So, I’m sorry.”

  “I get it. I see how people act in frat houses. You really are some horny animals. You’ll literally fuck anything with a pulse,” Flora replied, trying to sound like she was joking with me, but I could tell she was actually taking the opportunity to insult me.

  That was fine, though. I supposed I deserved it. Whether I had slept with that woman or not was kind of irrelevant, because it was still my fault that she had come up to us. If it wasn’t for my actions, Ben wouldn’t be messing with me and that woman would’ve stayed over there with her current bedmate, without bothering us.

  However, if I had never left the house, maybe I wouldn’t be here now. Perhaps I wouldn’t be able to date Flora, because I would be too afraid of the repercussions.

  With that in mind, I decided that perhaps this was still the better alternative. At least this way, I wasn’t the least bit afraid anymore.

  “Flora, you and I have something different, something special…I really like you.”

  At first, Flora didn’t respond, and my heart sank. However, after a moment of contemplation, she grinned, carefully, as though she wasn’t sure she wanted to admit this to me yet.

  “I like you too. I’ve been having a lot of fun with you and I want to see where things go. I’m not promising anything and I’m only asking for one favor, if this is going to work.”

  “Sure,” I answered, eager to please.

  “Please, regardless of what happens to us, don’t you ever think that I’m gonna stand for you treating me like one of your bimbo conquests. I deserve better than that. It doesn’t matter what happens, or how long we stay together, I don’t deserve to be ranked in the same category as that woman, or any other one night stand you were with.”

  “Deal!” I insisted, happy to be able to honestly oblige.

  “Okay, good. In that case, I will be able to judge our relationship for what it is and how you act while we are together. I won’t hold anything you did against you, so long as you stay faithful to me. If not, just tell me it isn’t working out. I can respect that. I certainly don’t want to keep you if you don’t want to be here.”

  I shook my head in agreement and grinned.

  “I can do that,” I assured, and she settled back into my arms as the show started.

  Yet, while she watched the fireworks, I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. After all, I hoped she didn’t worry that I would lump her in any of the women from my past, simply because she slept with me the first night we met.

  After all, I was genuinely attracted to her. For the first time, maybe ever, I wanted this relationship to have a chance. I was willing to do whatever I could to ensure it had stable footing to expand.

  If it didn’t work out, at this point, I wouldn’t be devastated but it would hurt.

  With Flora, I didn’t have the love her and leave her attitude that I had with every other woman I became involved with. Once I got what I wanted, I was normally out, and I certainly wasn’t begging for more. Yet, while being with Flora, I couldn't get enough.

  All week, I had thought about how this relationship could work, with Flora being so structured and hell-bent on doing well in school, as well as what we both planned on doing for a living.

  Although, I was willing to figure it out as we went along. She had admitted that she wanted to see where this relationship took us, and I was opened to that. I wanted to try to make it work as best as I could.

  However, while I watched the pyrotechnic display, shifting my eyes between Flora and the show, I ultimately decided that even though I didn’t have an answer yet, I was encouraged and inspired by the idea that Flora wanted to make this work to. So, if it had any possibility of becoming anything, at least for now, it seemed like we were on the same page.

  Flora’s willingness to make this relationship work was a fact I hoped for but hadn’t had confirmed before now. So, now that it was confirmed, I was endowed with renewed sense of purpose.

  So, after the fireworks, when we got into my car, I decided that there was no way in hell I was going to take her anywhere on this stupid campus.

  “Where are we going?” Flora asked, tilting her head to the side and peering at me.

  “We’re going on an adventure,” I told her with a smirk.

  “Oh yeah?” She insisted, as the corners of her mouth rose into a sneer. “An adventure, huh?”

  “Sure! I don’t feel like being trapped on this stupid campus all night. I’m done with this place. I want to do something fun adventurous,” I exclaimed.

  We drove for a long while, until I finally found a place that I thought we might be able to have some fun at.

  It looked like a nice hotel and I thought it would be better than going anywhere closer to the campus, after the evening we had.

  When Flora realized my plan, she seemed to be all for it.

  “Ooh! I’ve never done anything in a hotel before,” she grinned in a seductive manner and as I peered at her, it was hard to imagine that this was the same girl I had met a few weeks ago.

  Yet, I couldn’t be happier that she had chosen to show her adventurous side to me.

  When we pulled up to the hotel, though, I had to admit that I was nervous. It was a big risk taking her here, when I was already of thin ice. After all, with the way the night was going, I wasn’t sure if getting laid or friend-zoned was in my foreseeable future.

  Don’t be ridiculous! I thought to myself. She is totally into you…I hope.

  However, that still didn’t set my mind at ease. Considering everything that had happened tonight, I had an odd fear that she was going to turn on me at any moment.

  What gave solidarity to my fear was the sense of awkwardness I felt rise up between us, the moment we pulled into the parking spot.

  While I didn’t think Flora would, legitimately turn on me, I couldn’t be entirely sure and so, I was freaking the hell out.

  All I kept thinking about was that damn girl who tried to set me up and how angry I was at Ben for trying to ruin our night. I would never forgive Ben if his stupidity cost me Flora’s trust and affection.

  “So, we’re here…” I said stupidly when we sat in the parking space for a moment, outside the hotel without Flora moving.

  As soon as I spoke, I realized that I should’ve just kept my damn mouth shut but my nervousness certainly got the best of me.

  “Yeah, I see that,” she answered, but didn’t move. I hoped this was a good thing but tried my best to keep my mouth shut this time, although the sense of agitation I felt was weighing on me.

  I wondered if Flora was nervous too, now that we were here. After all, it was one thing to say she wanted to do something, but it was a whole other thing to actually be doing it.

  Although, it wasn’t like it was our first time…

  It is the first time since you were approached by that stupid bitch. I thought. Maybe she is having second thoughts, because she feels like you’re using her.

  “Is it okay for me to take this hesitation as a way of you telling me that you had the best night of your life?” I asked, finally forgoing my vow of silence, in hopes of moving this along a little bit quicker.

  Flora laughed and for some reason, that laugh bothered the shit out of me. However, when she finally spoke, I calmed slightly, “Okay, so don’t get ahead of yourself. I wouldn’t say this was the best day of my life, but I will, begrudgingly admit that I did have a good time, despite the hiccup of your, possible former…whatever.”

  So, she was thinking about that stupid bitch! I thought, but I wasn’t surprised.

  “Thank you, Flora, that’s very big of you,” I teased, instead of trying to defend myself, which I feared at this point wouldn’t do any good.

  Still, Flora didn’t move to get out of the car and I didn’t want to try to make her feel committed to anything.

  With no further information about what I was supposed to do, I had a strange sense that a cold shower and a slew of disappointment was in my future.

  Yet, just as I thought she was going to turn and give me some spiel on why I should just take her back to her dorm, she replied, “I guess we could go up and try their coffee…Being in a hotel is better than being in a dorm, any day. I mean, it’s probably just crappy motel coffee but...You said you wanted an adventure.”

  “I sure did!” I explained, hoping that she was going to be able to give me a chance. “I’ve had my fair share of crappy motel coffee and in my experience, the company has a way of turning it into some of the best damn coffee ever,” I grinned, feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement, that she was at least going to give me a chance.

  “I’m sure you have, and I am sure you do,” Flora answered in a mocking manner before shaking her head and slamming the car door.

  Unsure how to take that and hoping it was only her idea of banter, I hurried out of the car and materialized at her side within a record time.

  I opened doors for her and after checking in, I press the elevator button, all gentlemanly stuff but Flora seemed unimpressed.

  Again, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was simply dicking me around. I wasn’t used to being the one getting played and I didn’t like it. Yet, that certainly didn’t mean I was going to pussy out. If she was fooling around with me, after what had happened at the fireworks, I couldn’t exactly blame her.

  I had promised that I would be different and what Ben did, from her perspective had proven that she was right about me all along. It wasn’t her fault, though.

  I just hoped I could fix it before it was too late.

  Once inside the hotel room, Flora opened up again, making small talk with me while she fixed the crappy hotel coffee, as promised.

  “So, what do you think you’re going to do after college?” She asked, pouring the coffee from the pre-portioned package into the coffee filter.

  “I dunno,” I answered honestly, “I mean, I’d love to actually do well with it, but I’m more of an observer and an advisor, than an actual businessman. I know what needs to get done and I have a passion for what needs to get done, as well as an eye for talent, but I’m not the personality to actually get the job done.”

  “Then, why don’t you focus on consulting?” She asked genuinely, flicking on the ancient Mr. Coffee that shook, sputtered and steamed as though it had definitely seen better days.

  I laughed, unintentionally, which garnered her attention. “If my father learned that I became a consultant, he would shit himself.”

  Slightly amused, Flora snickered, “Well, then maybe that’s exactly what you should become. It’s the best of both worlds.”

  For a brief moment, I thought about it but eventually decided it wasn’t worth the aggravation, “No. I can’t do that. I think it would kill my old man. If nothing else, it would completely destroy his ego.”

  “Maybe that’s what he needs to get his head out of his ass,” she hissed and when I stared at her, she dialed her intensity back slightly, “I mean, that’s what it sounds like. He needs a wakeup call. You’re not him.”

  “I don’t know. I mean, as much as he’s an asshole, he’s still my father and if I can eventually make him proud, I’m going to try. I mean, it’s not like I want to be the weird son.”

  To my surprise, Flora shook her head, as though she was disappointed in me. This struck a chord.

  “I’m sorry, Flora. I’m not like you. I can’t just pick up and leave my family behind in a cloud of dust while I go forge my own path.”

  Flora’s shoulders rose and fell in reluctant agreement. Though, she wasn’t angry. She seemed to have accepted what she’d done and how she acted around her family, which made me feel slightly worse for my reaction.

  “You’re right. You can’t, not if you are still too tied up in making your family proud. How are you supposed to do anything you want to do, if you keep looking behind you, to seek approval that you’re likely never going to get?”

  “Wow, that was a little below the belt. So, what? You don’t care about your family’s approval?”

  “No,” she answered simply as she poured the thick, sour liquid into two cups and turned around, “I would love to one day get my family’s approval, but since I can’t do that without making my life miserable I’ve decided that I can live without. It’s the harder road; in every possible way, but it’s what I want. My parents gave me life, but if I don’t do something that makes me happy with that life, I feel like it would be doing them a disservice, whether they recognize it or not.”

  Watching her, I suddenly felt as though the two of us were connected in some strange manner that I hadn’t quite perceived before. Even though we felt completely different about how we decided it was best to go about the situation our lives had put us in, we were still dealing with essentially the same demons.

  Knowing this about her made me feel even more attracted to her.

  As she handed me the coffee and sat down on the small couch, I couldn’t help but enjoy the moment of experiencing an overwhelming connection.

  “To being more than our parents ever expected us to be,” she chuckled, raising her mug.

  “I’ll drink to that,” I agreed, clinking my mug against hers.