Free Push the Envelope by Rochelle Paige

for later when we’re alone. Go do what you need to do to get
ready for the flight. I’ll see you when we land.”

 
 
 
 
 
    chapter
7

 
 
    By the time we got back to town, Drake had to run
so he’d make it to his team meeting on time. He wanted to drop me at my dorm
first, but my car was already at the airport. I raced to the dorm to meet
Aubrey. I’d sent her a text when we landed to make sure she was there. Luckily,
Faith and Natalie were gone for the day, so we’d have some privacy. I needed
her advice about Drake. She had a lot more experience than I did with boys and
relationships.

 
    Aubrey was waiting for me with the makings for
sundaes set out. She had all my favorites—vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce,
whipped cream, and cherries. “Comfort food! It sounded like something was up in
your text. Sounded like a sundae occasion to me!”

 
    “Damn! That’s why I love you, girl. Just what I
needed.” I gave Aubrey a hug and started to pile ice cream into a bowl. I was
generous with the toppings I added before we settled onto the couch.

 
    “What’s up? Did something happen with your dad on
the trip?” Aubrey asked.

 
    “You won’t believe who our passenger was. Drake
fucking Bennett,” I answered.

 
    Aubrey’s jaw practically hit the floor. “Shut the
front door! Seriously? Is that what has your undies in a bunch?”

 
    I shook my head. “Nope. Flying with Drake as a
passenger wasn’t that big of a deal. Finding out that he’s interested in me
threw me for a curve. Going to his mom’s birthday party was a little different.
Kissing him and having him pretty much telling me that I am going to be his
girlfriend? Yeah, that’s enough to make me a little crazy.”

 
    Aubrey squealed. “Yikes! Sounds like you were
wrong. Third time was the charm with him. What did he say? Did he kiss you or
did you kiss him? C’mon, dish already!”

 
    I recapped the trip for her, sparing very few
details. By the time I was done, she was on the edge of her seat, her sundae
sitting forgotten on the table. Apparently, the idea of me having a love life
that featured Drake Bennett was more interesting than ice cream. Go figure.

 
    “So when are you going to see him again?” she
asked.

 
    I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not sure. He had to
get back to campus for some rugby thing. We swapped phone numbers. I’m not sure
when he’ll call.”

 
    Aubrey wagged her finger at me. “Uhm, no! You don’t
have to wait for him to call. Take the initiative and make the next move. He
made it clear that he’s interested. There’s a ton of girls on campus who would
die for a chance like this. Go for it!”

 
    I held my hand up to stop her rant. “No way! That’s
not gonna happen. I’m not even sure that I want to date Drake in the first
place. He seems like a player to me. The last thing I need is another cheating
boyfriend.”

 
    Aubrey just laughed at me. “Lex, no! You can’t
think that way. You have to start dating sometime, and I will kill you if you
pass up this opportunity. You haven’t noticed another guy in two years, but you
perked right up when you mentioned Drake yesterday morning. You’re interested
in him, aren’t you?”

 
    I shoved a big spoonful of ice cream into my mouth
and pointed at my face to indicate that I couldn’t talk. Aubrey leveled a stare
at me until I finally broke. “Okay, okay. I admit that he’s hot, but does that
really mean I should date him? Maybe now that my hormones are awake, I’ll start
noticing other guys too.”

 
    “I know you’re scared to trust someone again.
Dating a new guy is scary no matter what. After Brad, it has to be even more
frightening for you. But you aren’t going to go out and find someone you are
barely attracted to just so you can try to protect yourself. That’s just
crazy.” Aubrey looked disappointed in me. “Besides, you already told Drake you
would give him a chance. You just told me so