Outcast (Wiltshire University Book 1)

Chapter 10

I stayed in the tub until the water turned cold. The hot bath put an end to the shivering, but the warmth of the very dry clothes did wonders to chase off most of the chill that still lingered. It is a little odd not wearing a bra and underwear around a stranger, but it's not like I had much of an option; at least Tanner thought to leave me a sweatshirt. Slipping on the socks followed by the grey sweatpants I pulled the drawstrings until I was certain the pants would stay up around my hips.

Tying the strings in place, I rolled the top down until the pants sat low on my hips. The legs of the pants were pooled at my ankles and were going to stay that way; I was too tired and sore to mess with cuffing them. The red t-shirt advertised some fraternity's frisbee golf tournament. Hmm, apparently Tanner is in a fraternity and into frisbee golf; interesting. I could see the frat thing maybe, but frisbee golf seems a little dorkier than I would peg Tanner for. Slipping into the white Wiltshire zippered hoodie, I made my way out into the bedroom, careful to avoid the wet spots in my socked feet. Odd, I could have sworn the bed had a blue comforter, not a red one before I went into the bathroom. Noise from out in the apartment drew my attention. Padding back out into the hall I went in search of Tanner.

"There you are," Tanner said with a glance over his shoulder flashing me a quick smile before turning back to the frying pan he was tending to. "I figured you might be hungry so I made us some soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Grab one of the stools here, they're almost ready." Traversing the space, I realized the rest of the apartment was open concept; a living area with a large u-shaped couch faced a tv and fireplace and backed up to a dining nook divided from the kitchen by a peninsula.

Climbing onto one of the stools I took advantage of Tanner's distracted state to study him. His earlier preppy look suited him, but he could equally pull off the sweats and t-shirt look. The blue t-shirt he wore tugged across his chest and back. Tanner definitely worked out; those weren't the type of muscles you could thank genetics for, but he wasn't bulky in an "I spend three hours a day in the gym" kind of way. A slight wave ran through his still damp hair. Without the product, I could tell he kept it a little longer on top but tight around the neck and ears.

"Hope you like chicken noodle," he said with a smile setting a plate and a bowl in front of me. My breath hitched. In the light of the kitchen I finally noticed his sparkling hazel eyes, a brown starburst like a halo surrounding his pupils faded into stormy blue.

"Everything ok?" Concern clouded the inviting pools as he noticed my awkwardness.

Monkey balls, he caught me. Ducking my gaze, I focused on the soup. "Umm, are these dinosaur noodles?"

"Oh, um, yeah." Tanner wiped at an invisible spot on the counter. "Long story, but we have an unreasonably large stock of dinosaur shaped pasta."

"Well, now I'm jealous..." I grinned bringing a spoonful of steaming soup to my mouth. "Everyone knows dinosaur is the best-tasting shape of pasta." Blowing on the hot broth, I mentally did a little happy dance as Tanner's eyes lit up at my retort. Tanner remained standing on the other side of the peninsula, taking a bite of his sandwich. Silence descended between us. I racked my mind for something to talk about; I had never been comfortable with silence amongst strangers.

"So, I guess you are an upperclassman, in a frat, and a fan of frisbee golf?" It wasn't the best conversation starter, but it was the best my exhausted mind was able to do. The adrenaline of the unfamiliar situation was starting to wear off, couple that with the warm, cozy clothes and the hot food filling my belly and I could feel myself fading fast.

"Frisbee golf?" Tanner's brows pinched. By way of explanation I unzipped the hoodie far enough to reveal the frisbee tournament emblem on the front of the t-shirt. Understanding spread across Tanner's face as he rocked back on his heels, "Oh, that," he chuckled, "that was a philanthropy event for a buddy's frat. It may be the only time I ever played. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure I actually played; I may have just taken the cup and the shirt for my donation. I don't remember if that was a participation required event." Tanner shook his head loading his own spoon up with soup. "To answer your other question, yes I'm an upperclassman. Did not living in a dorm give it away?"