She's All Mine(9)

“Sounds like a plan,” Levi agrees, not sounding too happy about it. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to stay at their place. Tank lives in their building. I learned that when Liv took me to her boyfriends’ condo on a mission to get her underwear back. Now nothing surprises me when it comes to her. I wasn't shocked either when Tank showed up to once again take me home. God, that was more awkward than the first time. Now that I knew he was doing it because the twins asked him to.

“Let’s stop for ice cream. We can make banana splits.” Livvie wiggles her eyebrows, not caring about any bears. That’s probably because Levi isn’t going to let a bear get to her. Me, I’d be on my own for sure. I always am. Why is that only bothering me lately? Two weeks ago I would have said that with a happy fist pump. If I fist pumped.

I nod. I want the ice cream but don’t want to stay at their place. Maybe I could split after the banana splits. I quirk a smile at my own stupid pun.

“Hey, Audley.” The two words roll through my whole body. I know who it is without having to see him.

“Tank, my brother. What’s up?” Levi asks, sounding more chipper all of a sudden. That’s probably because Tank could take a bear. Easily. He is a bear.

He walks over to Levi, bumping his shoulder, a simple act that would have me flat on the ground if Tank did it to me. Not that he would. He’s always so gentle with me. He always treats me like I’m delicate. He called me his treasure.

“Nothing. Good game, by the way.” His eyes flick over to me. I lick my suddenly dry lips, looking anywhere but at him.

“Thanks,” Levi responds.

God, I don’t want to do this awkward exchange. Is he going to say hi to me? Do I say hi to him?

“I’ll take the little one off your hands. I’m heading to her dorm anyway,” Tank says before I can come up with something to say.

Take me off their hands? Jesus. Did they call him again or something? Maybe I’m not liking the Audley twins so much anymore.

“Oh, she’s not going to her dorm,” Liv pipes up. “We’re taking her home with us.”

My eyes ping pong between Liv and Tank, oddly curious who will win this face off. This could be better than the football game I sat through to get my mind off Tank. It didn’t work. In fact, now he’s materialized and he doesn’t look happy.

“I mean, maybe she wants to go to her dorm.” Levi jumps in now. Well, that settled that. They totally called him again to babysit me.

“She doesn’t.” Liv loops her arm through mine. “She wants to come and have banana split sundaes with us, don’t you, Erika?”

“I mean, well, I guess?” I'm not sure. I always want ice cream, but being around Tank makes my heart ache even if I’m enjoying watching him and Liv spar. I no sooner get the words out of my mouth than I’m over Tank’s shoulder and being carried away.

“Like I said, I’m headed to Erika’s dorm anyways. See you around,” he fires before taking off with me faster than a man his size should be able to move.

“Hey, come back here,” Livvie yells, but Tank isn’t stopping. I should have known brute force would win. It always does.

I spent days avoiding Tank and I’m now draped over his shoulder. His hold is firm yet gentle. I want to be angry with him but I’m enjoying being near him again. His scent has me relaxing into him. He’s got me mind wishing that one day he will hold me for real, not just because he feels a debt to the Audley twins but because he wants to. I shut my brain down from having more of those thoughts. They are dreams and if my parents taught me anything, it’s that my dreams don’t matter. I didn’t see Tank coming but I really should have.

The man is unmissable.





7


Tank





My first thought as I toss her over my shoulder is, I shouldn't be doing this. My next thought is, How long can I keep her in my condo before she calls the police? Neither thought keeps me from moving forward. I don’t even stop when I realize that Erika hasn’t let out a peep of protest. I tap her lightly on the ass. "You okay?"

“This isn’t the most comfortable position I’ve ever been in,” she answers.

That’s not good. I lift her off my shoulder and lower her until she’s cradled in my arms. I haven’t been able to touch her for nearly a week and now that I have my arms around her, I don't really want to let go. Her hair is up in her standard ponytail. The long rope of hair brushes against my arm as we walk.

“This better?”

“I have strong legs from dancing, so I can actually walk.”

Her words only make me clutch her harder.

"There are rocks on the ground," I say, as if that's a perfectly reasonable explanation for carrying her across the street in full daylight when she’s not injured in any way.

"I certainly don't want you to worry about the rocks on the ground.”

Is that sarcasm? I can’t tell, but given that she’s not trying to wriggle out of my grip, I’m carrying her all the way to the condo. If she asks why, I’ll tell her it’s arm day and I gotta work my shoulder muscles.

“Zeke must’ve done you a really big favor,” she says.

“Huh?” That wasn’t the question I was prepared for. I mentally switch gears to the Audley twin.