Dodge A Bullet

Chapter 10

Sam

I dodge through all the students and speed walk as fast as I can. I then stop and grab me a sandwich before heading towards the center of campus. I walk through the doors and I can already see Austin, Rose, and Viv sitting at the table. I grin widely and throw my bag on the table before taking a seat. "What's up, guys." I smile and bite into my sandwich.

Austin and Viv greet me but Rose is currently on the phone. "Baby. I know." She pause. "I know." She opens her mouth to say something but quickly shut it. "Nathalie. I know." She repeats with a frown.. "We're looking over it right now. I promise. Austin have some good ideas just chill out..." Rose smack her forehead. "I know you want everything to be perfect but you're driving everyone insane..." Rose pause. "Nathalie." She then look at her phone. "Ugh. She hung up on me."

I bite into my sandwich again and moan at how my taste buds tingle. I swallow and then say, "You shouldn't have called her crazy."

Rose roll her eyes, "Well. I give up. You talk some sense into her."

I shrug my shoulders, "Sure."

Rose narrow her eyes at me but before she can say anything Austin is speaking, "Seriously, Sam. Everything needs to be perfect for Nathalie cause she's my friend. But, also because I'm working for Miranda and she will destroy me if everything is not how Nathalie wants it"

I snort, "She'll kill you."

Austin frown and I continue to chuckle. "Okay, fine. I'll talk some sense into Nathalie. She's just being her normal self."

"Who would have thought a wedding would make everything stressful." Rose complain.

I roll my eyes and laugh, "Stop being a baby. You know you love Nathalie when she's being crazy."

"In bed." Rose corrects. "Only in bed. I can't even get proper sleep at night because she's forcing me to make a perfect guest seating chart. What the fuck is that even for? Let people sit wherever the hell they want."

I snort again and bite into my sandwich. "Glad you're first." I swallow not even noticing what I just said. Rose give a huge smirk and ask, "You and Miranda back together?"

"What?" I shift uncomfortable.

Rose grin gets wider. "Don't play stupid. It's obvious."

"What is obvious?" Tessa place her things down before sitting next to me. Rose look between the two of us and answer, "Sam and her ex is back together." She forces out her mouth. I narrow my eyes but Rose give me a piercing stare back. "Great right?" She cock her head to the side waiting on Tessa to answer.

Tessa shift and focus on her wrap before saying, "Yeah sure. Miranda is great."

Rose almost choke on her own spit and Austin look up from his laptop in caution. Viv as always is scrolling on her phone but she doesn't have to be looking to know what is going on around her. I think she likes to stay far away from the drama after what happened between her, Nathalie, and Rose.

"She knows." I answer and then desperately try to change the subject. "So, have Nathalie chosen a dress yet?"

"How did you find out?" Rose cock her head to the side. "Did you catch them on the couch?"

"Rose." I hiss.

Tessa looks surprised by the question. "No. I didn't catch them anywhere. It was obvious."

Rose shrug her shoulders as if the answer is good enough. She then focus her attention back on me. "Well. It's great you two is back together and having sex...." Rose say. "Now Nathalie can focus on this wedding, her grades, and her internship without worrying about you two."

"How noble." I say sarcastically. "But, we're still working it out."

Rose nod her head. "As long as you two is having sex you're inseparable." She snorts at her own joke.

I frown, "We're not having sex either."

"What?" Rose ask.

"Seriously?" Austin comments while still typing on his laptop.

Viv even look up from her phone. She giggles, "Lies."

"Ugh." I say. "We're not I swear."

"Then why are you so happy then?" Rose narrow her eyes again. "There is no reason to lie. Everyone knows you two are like rabbits."

"I honestly don't have to prove anything to you, Rose. Forget it." I pick up my sandwich and bite into it.

Rose chuckles loudly gaining my attention. "Well, I'll be damned. You two really not having sex. How are you even functioning. It's been months now right?"

"I think that's her business Rose." Tessa jumps into the conversation. "Give her a break. She's happy. That is all that matters."

Rose arch her eyebrow. Before she can be more of an ass her phone is beeping. She roll her eyes and then dial Nathalie number. "Baby." She answers and then stand. "Let's just forget about the wedding and go get dinner tonight." She pause. "No, I'm not backing out?" She pull the phone away from her ear and grab her earphones. "Catch you guys later." She walk away while saying, "Yes. Baby. I'm listening."

I snort and continue to finish my sandwich. Austin look up and turn around the computer. "How about this." He point at the different colors. I shake my head and frown. "That's too loud. Nathalie will hate it." Austin run his hand over his face and I can see the stress building in his eyes.

"Try something bright but soft. Maybe yellow or something." I say.

Austin look disgusted before something clicks. "Thank you, Sam!" He grab all his things in a hurry and lean over and kiss me before speeding off.

Tessa chuckles and I laugh along with her. She pokes me playfully and ask, "Why didn't you tell me you were back with your ex?"

I chew the food that is in my mouth and swallow before saying, "We're working things out. I like to keep my relationship problems private."

Tessa nod. Today her hair was down her back in dark waves. She had a pair of expensive shades resting on top of her head and a vneck shirt and a pair of shorts. "That's understandable." She say. We continue to talk about our upcoming project and she click away on her laptop showing a few examples.

I snort at one of her corny jokes and Viv finally look up from her phone and say, "I'm gonna go. See ya." She then disappears quietly. Tessa nudges me and say, "Let's go get drinks tonight. I gotta go. I'll text you."

"Sure." I smile.

[][]

I hurry home after my last class and when I walk in Nathalie is sitting on the couch with Rose next to her. I walk into the room cautiously because I didn't want to interrupt Austin presentation. Miranda is sitting on the love couch sipping her wine elegantly. Austin click through the pictures and videos before finally ending the presentation. "So, what do you guys think?"

Nathalie stands, "It's perfect." She turn around and look at Rose who looks half asleep. "What do you think, Rose."

Rose eyes widen and she look at the TV and then at Austin. "It's awesome. I like the colors."

Austin nod happily and everyone eyes go to Miranda for the final judgement. "Acceptable." She say before dialing someone's number on her phone. She walk down the hall and I walk towards everyone and say, "It's look great. You should become a wedding planner."

Austin frown, "Hell no. I will never do this again. So, hire someone else for you and Miranda wedding."

I blush. "What?"

Austin roll his eyes and walk away. "I'm leaving." He announces. "Any questions just call me. I need sleep."

Nathalie rushes to Austin and pull him in a tight hug. "Thank you so much. I love you. It's so beautiful." Rose appears next to Nathalie and throw her tattooed arm around Nathalie shoulder. "Yeah." Rose agrees. "You did good."

I choose this time to go and take a shower. I take my time and wash my hair quickly. I walk out the bathroom wrapped in a short towel and Miranda is sitting on my bed. She's looking around and picking up one of my textbooks. "What are you doing?" I laugh.

She turn around and look me up and down before saying innocently, "Nothing."

"Sure." I smile. I walk toward my dresser and drop my towel in a teasing manner. I can feel Miranda eyes on me. She's probably biting on her lower lip and pulling on the sheets to keep herself at bay. I pull out a pair of lace black panties before sliding it up my legs and then a matching bra. I turn around and Miranda is watching my every move. I head toward my closet and grab a huge shirt before throwing it over my head and then I fall onto the bed next to her.

I snuggle into her side and she instinctively run her fingers through my damp hair the way I like it. She pull at the knots and untangle the curls. I inhale deeply and squeeze her thigh. I'm halfway asleep when her phone began to ring. "Yes." She answers with an annoyed tone. She then carefully move my head and say, "I'm on the way."

I lift up as she is grabbing her purse and slipping on her heels. "Everything okay?" I ask.

"Yes." She run her fingers through her hair. "It's Piper."

"She's okay?" I ask.

"Yes." Miranda answer. "She's having some trouble with the bigger kids. I'm just going by to see her."

I roll over, "I can come..."

"No." Miranda pushes me back into the bed. "Go to sleep. I'll be back." She then bend down and kisses me softly on the lips. I lift up and kiss her back and she pull back with a smile on her face. "I love you." She say.

"I love you too." I grin.

[][]

Knocking is what wakes me. It's dark in my room and I'm in the center of my bed with my arms and legs spread out. I lift up in fright and the knocking continues before my phone begin to buzz. I stretch and hurry to the door. "Coming." I yell. I wonder if it's Rose and she's misplaced her key again.

I open the door and it's Tessa. "Hey. You ready!" I blink my eyes several times because there is still sleep in them. I rub my eyes and Tessa frown. "You forgot huh." She's wearing a skin tight red dress that stop right at her thighs with a leather jacket on her arms and some high stilettos heels.

She lean against the threshold. "Dammit Sam."

"I'm sorry." I tell her. "Come in."

She follows me in and I rush to my bedroom. I hurry and throw on some shorts before running a brush through my hair. I wasn't even close to ready. But, I didn't want to bail on her. I walk out my bathroom and Tessa is sitting on my bed eating a bag of Rose chips and she has a bottle of Miranda wine in her hand. "This is some good stuff." She smile.

I chuckle, "Are you drunk?"

"I came prepared to party and you look like a zombie."

"Hey." I pick up the nearest pen and throw it at her. She tries to dodge it but fails because she doesn't want to drop the chip that is about to go in her mouth. "I can still get ready." I tell her.

"Whatever." She wave her hand. "Forget about it." She move down to unstrap her heels and toss them off and then her jacket goes next. She lean over and grab the fire stick remote off the bed and click the TV on. She scroll to Netflix and then tap on something random. She then pop open the bottle of wine and pour a glass and hand it to me. I sit in the desk chair and we drink and watch the movie on the TV.

It's really quiet and I think Tessa has fallen asleep but the movie goes off and we're almost done with the bottle. I stand and everything is a bit dizzy. Tessa chuckles and I frown at her. I move towards the bed and lay down on the other end.

"Why are you so far away?" She complains.

"I'm right here idiot." I snort.

She gives a small pout. "It's cause you're back with your girlfriend."

I shrug but I don't answer. Thankfully, she choose to change the subject but I'm not prepared for the question she ask, "Who is Paul?"

I look at her in confusion. "Where did you hear that name from?"

"I over heard Austin talking about his old roommate." Tessa shrug her shoulders. "I saw a picture of him in Austin phone. He's kinda cute. Just curious."

"He's a old friend." I explain.

"Where the hell is he?" She jokes. "I bet he wouldn't have bailed on me like you."

I chuckle and throw a pillow. She dodges it this time. "Stop throwing things." She laughs.

I laugh. "He would have liked you."

"Who?" Tessa cock her head to the side.

"Paul." I answer. "He was a great person."

"Do you miss him?" Tessa ask.

"Yeah. Sometimes." I reply. "He was a good friend."

"Where is he then?" Tessa ask.

"Um." I pause. "I'm not sure. He had a mental breakdown and had to leave."

Tessa frown and she almost look sad. "I'm sorry to hear that. College is the fucking worse, I swear."

"It's fine." I then grab the firestick. "My turn to choose."

A few hours pass and I blink my eyes tiredly. I glance at the watch and it was almost two in the morning. Tessa stand and she wobbles, "I should go."

"You can't drive." I grab my keys. She lean forward and put her hand on top of mine stopping me. I turn around and she's really close and I try to move back but I hit the desk.

"You can't either." She laughs.

"Right." I swallow. "I can sleep on the couch then."

Tessa roll her eyes, "Forget that. We can sleep in the bed together."

I laugh, "No. Not a good idea."

She lean closer. "Why?" She whispers cocking her head to the side. "Because you have a girlfriend or because you're attracted to me."

I swallow and shut my eyes in confusion. Damn wine.

"Or is it both?" She whispers.

Tessa hand squeeze my hips and she began to lean in and I turn my head quickly and her lips connect with my jaw. She sigh and I say, "I can't."

"You're single." She reminds me. "There is nothing wrong about any of this."

"Yes it is." I respond. "I may not be with Miranda but I love her and I want us to be back together."

Tessa clenches her jaw.

"I thought you respected that." I say. "I thought we were friends."

Before Tessa could say anything more someone else voice is speaking, "You can't be friends with snakes, Sam."

I move quickly around Tessa and approach Miranda slowly. She is fuming. I could tell from the throbbing veins in her neck, to her clench fist, and the fire burning in her eyes. "Miranda." I say slowly. "It's' not what it looks like." Miranda eyes move around the room. She sees the empty bottle on the floor and Tessa jacket and shoes.

"Snake?" Tessa questions.

I turn around in shock that she's even speaking right now. She however ignore my stare and her eyes in still on Miranda.

Miranda step forward but I block her way. "You think you can slither your way in this home and tease Sam out her pants."

Tessa chuckles madly, "Don't speak like you're a saint." She narrow her eyes. "I know more about you than you think."

Miranda frown, "I never said I was perfect. It's time to grow up Tessa and become a woman because that is what Sam is attracted to. Mature older women. Don't think for a second I'm intimidated by you or your pathetic threats. I'm honestly two seconds away from losing my patience. Have some respect for yourself and our relationship. I will not stoop low and argue with a college student who is not even close to my level of expertise but I will kick your ass when it comes to Sam."

"She deserves better. Not someone who will die twenty years before her. Have you ever thought about that you selfish 'mature' woman." Tessa hisses while throwing up air quotes.

I suddenly snap and turn around in anger. "Get out." I tell her with rage laced in my voice.

Tessa finally look at me in confusion, "Sam..."

"No." I hiss my voice low and deadly. "Get the fuck out. Call yourself a cab. I don't care. Don't ever speak to her like that."

Tessa open her mouth and I step forward but Miranda is grabbing my wrist. "I'm fucking serious, Tessa." I can feel my heart accelerating and I was close to seeing red. Tessa shut her mouth and bend over to grab her jacket and her heels quietly. Miranda stand with her arms folded and watch her closely. She then walk around the both of us. She tries to make eye contact with me but Miranda is speaking again, "I don't think she needs to tell you again."

Tessa finally gets the hint and she leaves out the door. I pace the room and inhale through my nose before exhaling out my mouth. I squeeze my fist and run my fingers through my hair in aggravation. Miranda stops me and hold my face in her hands, "I'm sorry." I whisper. "I should have slapped her for saying that...."

"No no." Miranda shake her head. "It's okay. We're okay."

I lean my forehead against hers. "I should have listen to you."

Miranda hums in agreement. "You're too nice."

"I know." I whine.

"It's okay." Miranda smile. "I trust you and I know you didn't kiss her."

"Good." Sam exhale. "Because I promise I didn't and I didn't want to."

Miranda kisses me sweetly on the lips, "I know baby." She then grab my jaw her nails digging into the skin aggressively. "But, remember we agreed on no girls being in your bedroom, Sam. Especially that treacherous and deceitful little girl."

I nod my head in a drunken manner. But, I choose to not say anything.

"Now what if I walked in at the wrong time, darling?" Miranda whispers harshly. "Why would you put me in such a position."

"What type of position?" I ask.

"Deciding if I needed to bury one or two bodies tonight." She let's go of my jaw and she look like she's in deep thought. "I would have gotten blood all over my louboutins."

I shudder and she bend over to pick up the empty bottle. "Disgraceful." She comments before leaving out the room. I sigh. I dodged a bullet. Literally.