The Love Rectangle

Chapter 15

It's my first day back on campus for the spring semester. My arms are full of bags and packages to move back into the suite when my phone rings. I drop everything in a pile in the common area, and look at my phone. It's Craig Baxter's office calling. I wasn't expecting to hear back for a few more days, so I eagerly answer the phone.

"Hello, this is Carter."

"Carter, Craig Baxter calling."

I'm somewhat shocked he's calling himself; doesn't he have oodles of people to do things like this for him?

"Yes, Mr. Baxter. It's good to hear from you."

"Call me Craig, please. Listen, Carter, I was prepared to ask you in for another interview with my wife and some board members, but it seems that won't be necessary. My son, Chad, speaks very highly of you, says he's known you for years. Chad seems to think you're the perfect addition to the Operation Education team. We'd like to offer you a position with the foundation."

Now, I'm completely in shock.

"This is fabulous news," I muster. "Thank you very much, and a big thank you to Chad as well. I'd be honored to join your worthy endeavors after graduation."

"Yes, yes. After you graduate, of course. I realize we have a few months before you can officially join us, but we're excited to have you. I'll have my assistant reach out with an official offer tomorrow. You can look it over, and sign it back once all your questions are answered."

"Thank you very much," I manage to reply.

With that, he clicks off. I melt onto the pile of stuff I dropped on my floor. Last semester started with me dumping my boyfriend to pursue singledom, and this semester is starting with a real, grown-up job offer once I graduate. Holy cow.

This is cause to celebrate. However, just about everyone on campus was planning to celebrate anyway. The first nights back on campus are always big party nights for everyone. The word on campus is that everyone will be raging at Gemini's Twin tonight. The bar is offering 'welcome back' drink specials.

My suitemates are genuinely proud of me, and treat me to pre-gaming specials. We drink while getting ready and, of course, dance around the suite a fair amount as well. We are all getting along so nicely. Sam is under control with her incessant talking/ gossiping, Kat isn't stressed over getting to the studio for once and Shelby, well, Shelby is actually accounted for and present. This is going to be a great night.

My buzz has me warm, tingly and super smiley! I feel sexy in my brand-new clothes, all of which I got with my discount, of course. My black pants are just tight enough, and my black halter top shows off the spray tan I splurged for yesterday. Just for fun, I'm wearing a shiny red pump. I'm feeling it.

The four of us cruise past the long line waiting to get into the bar. Apparently, Shelby "knows" the bouncer. This is much appreciated since none of us is wearing a coat in January. Kat sails to the bar to pick up our first round of drinks, and I make my way to the dance floor area.

It's dark and crowded. The club lights are flashing, making it hard to determine who is who on the floor. The music is awesome. I can't entirely identify the song, or songs, as the case may be but the beat is rad. I look up at the DJ booth, and halt dead in my tracks. Next to the house DJ is Sean, and it's then I realize his music has the crowd raging.

He never mentioned a single thing about this. He also never answered any of my texts from earlier today when I was dying to tell him about my job offer. In that instant, I go from so proud of him to wanting to vomit on my fancy red shoes. Right up front. Like dead center of Sean. Jen Cooke is dancing and drinking her face off. For some reason, I feel like she's not surprised to see him up there like I am.