One of the Guys

Chapter Five

Chapter 5

"What do you think of this one?"

"It's nice."

"That's what you said about the last four dresses I've tried on."

"Tammy, they're all really nice."

"Yes, I know, but which one do you like best? I mean this welcome dinner is extremely important.  All of the new pledges will be there and I cannot look like some kind of butch tomboy."  Trent's head rose.  His mind instantly drifted to the girl who had moved in a month ago.  He immediately thought back to the pick-up game of basketball he'd played with her the other night.  Maxine had been a good player, but if he was being honest, he'd have to admit that it was more what she was wearing during the game than her actual skills.

"Trent, we should go out tonight."

"Sure."  Maxine had only been wearing a sports bra and very short shorts that she had rolled at the waste.  Trent couldn't stop thinking about her.  He knew that he should be fully focused on Tammy, but somehow it just wasn't possible.  Her smirk before she made a jump shot, the way their sweat slicked bodies collided as she went for a steal, and even through all of that she still smelled of the peaches and cream bubble bath he'd spotted in the shower caddy.

"I just want us to have time to relax before our lives get crazy busy again.

"Definitely."  He began to wonder other things about her.  Her soft skin, her beautiful smile, but he really focused on what she would taste like.

"I mean, we've hardly spent any time together since Max moved in-"

"What?"  That caught his attention.  Tammy lifted an eyebrow.

"Max, that guy that moved in?" Trent blinked a few times as if he didn't understand.  "Ever since he moved in you've been spending all your time with him trying to get him better aquainted with everyone.  I mean it's not like he's from out of state or something."  Clearly, she was pissed.  He hadn't really been spending all that much time with Maxi, had he?

"What do you mean? It's only been a month, I couldn't have spent too much time with him."  At least not enough for her to be complaining, he thought silently.

"Seriously?  Trent, you've canceled three of our dates."  His girlfriend folded her arms in irritation.  He could feel his mouth drop.  Was it possible that he was so engrossed in Maxine that he was neglecting Tammy?  Of course it was.  She was everything Tammy wasn't and it was hard not to be fascinated by her.  He would just have to go back to giving her the cold shoulder.

"I'm sorry babe.  I promise, I'll make it up to you tonight." 

"Really?"  Her expression immediately softened.  She crossed the small distance between them and sat down, lightly placing her hand on his chest.  "I've missed you so much.  It feels like you're miles away from me and even today, it was like you were distracted."  She looked almost angelic, vulnerable.  It was not a natural thing for her to talk about her feelings.  Trent could tell she was really upset about him.

"I promise."  He said kissing her sweetly.  "Tonight will be a night you won't forget."

----

Jason sat on the couch with his head back, staring at the ceiling.  He heard the soft footsteps moving around the room, but chose to ignore them.  Maxine was going about her business, grabbing her purse and putting on her shoes.  A smile crept onto her face as she noticed Jason.  "Hey, you.  Long day?"  She asked, clearly amused.

"Not really."  He replied, still not moving.

"Well, what's with this?"  Maxi, gestured to his current sitting position.  "Are you depressed?"