3. Dex

3

DEX

Before we head to Shenanigans, Ian, who is apparently not only the student council prez but the Poli House leader too, holds a meeting to discuss our upcoming calendar. "We expect all tenants to be involved in house events as well as community service."

That was made clear before I moved in, and I agreed wholeheartedly. The money we raise goes to local organizations, which is gratifying. It allows me to give back to the community, as well as meet the students who might not even know the university has a government. As a senate member, most of the issues I'm involved in revolve around students' needs and complaints, so these events provide the space to meet people in person and connect.

Craig opens an official-looking notebook. "Our next event is the Poli House mixer in a couple of weeks." He must be some sort of event planning chair—or something less formal because this is only campus housing, but I wouldn't put the title past this group.

The others nod, but Milo looks at me. "The idea is to pass out red poppies around campus and encourage students to give them to someone else," he explains.

"What do the flowers signify?" I ask.

"Poppies have been used throughout history in remembrance of significant political events," Carson says self-importantly, and I barely keep from rolling my eyes.

"Okay, sure…and?"

"We're poli sci majors!" he retorts.

"Carson came up with the idea last year," Ian says with a shrug. "And it checks, so why not?"

I hold up my hands, not wanting to be the contrarian. "Yeah, okay. Makes sense."

"Anyway, the poppy is your ticket into the mixer," Craig says. "And last year, people used them to invite others or as conversation starters."

Carson nods. "We place buckets of flowers around campus, with posters explaining the event."

"And someone is stationed at each site to encourage people to take one for themselves and pass another to someone else."

"Cool," I say. It reminds me of something similar we did in high school for a Valentine's event, but that had to do with romance and dating, which was pretty cheesy. I'm not like Austin, who eats that stuff up. His head is so far in the clouds that I'm afraid his expectations will disappoint him too much.

Once we're finished discussing the event, we're off together toward the ocean side of the campus, where Shenanigans is located on the pier. Living in California never gets old, not when the weather cooperates most days of the year. I considered attending a college in New York, but the idea of dealing with snow and cold makes my teeth chatter.

As soon as we're inside and at a table reserved for our group, I look around for Austin and immediately spot him near the bar, next to two people holding hands. Must be Kael and his girlfriend. Too bad his new living arrangement won't turn into a roommates-to-lovers scenario like in those romance books he's hooked on. The idea of that happening makes my stomach twist, but I can't unpack why. I suppose I'm afraid Austin will get too busy or preoccupied to spend time with me. But I have no room to talk. I'm the one who left and already has a full schedule.

I lift my hand in a wave, then head their way.

Kael's girlfriend is ordering a drink from a bartender named Perry. He's Ty's brother, the infamously cocky lacrosse player, someone everyone around here seems to know.

"Hey, you." God, it's good to see Austin. Okay, I'm being overdramatic.

"Hey, back." Austin smiles in that shy way he does when we haven't interacted in a while, though it's only been a few days.

Maybe he's missing me too.

"This is Kael and his girlfriend, Angelica."

"You must be his friend Dex," Kael replies.

"Best friend and ex-roommate," I add, and Austin rolls his eyes.

"Wait, so you're the ex-roommate? Is there something I'm missing?"

I'm a bit hurt that Austin hasn't told his new roommate key things about our history.

"How much time do you have?" I reply, and when their eyes widen, I chuckle.

"Kidding."

"Actually, I'm the one who kicked him out." Austin smirks. "I said go live with your Molly House friends, where it's constantly noisy."

I shake my head. "I moved into the Poli Sci House."

"Is that the one with all the different flags flying?"

It's sort of lit that students recognize it that way. All the flags were one of the draws for me. Not only the American flag but also the United Nations and LGBTQ flags, among many others.

"Yep, that's the one." I smile. "And with me being gone, Austin thought he scored a single. But I think he's secretly glad to have you there to keep him social."

Kael winces. "I'm not much better. Angelica is the party animal."

I glance at Angelica as she sips her drink and sways to the background music. "I guess we've got our work cut out for us."

When I high-five Angelica, Austin and Kael laugh. But that feeling in the pit of my stomach is back. Maybe Austin found the perfect situation. I wonder if Kael loves books too.

"There's one of my roommates." Angelica lifts her hand and makes a beeline for her friend, dragging Kael with her.

Austin and I are left standing awkwardly like we don't know how to act around each other. I glance over at the table where my housemates were just served beers and food. Austin and I are still underage, as is Milo, so we weren't given the wristbands at the door to signify we're legally able to drink.

"I don't want to keep you," Austin says. "I'll go find Kael."

"I was actually hoping you'd join me, at least for a little while?" I feel almost shy asking him. Strange. "I'll share my nachos."

He smiles, but I can see the wariness in his eyes. "Sounds good."

He follows me to the table, where I steal an empty chair from another section and set it beside mine. "Thanks."

We eat nachos and drink sodas while chatting with Ian and Milo. Austin's shoulders unwind, and he even jokes with my housemates. He doesn't even realize he can be social—even charming—in most situations that don't involve dating attractive men.

"So, how long before Dex's dirty clothes started piling up by his bed?" Austin asks Milo.

I narrow my eyes as Milo replies, "About an hour?"

When Austin cracks up, I mock-pout. "Hey! At least I keep things on my side of the room."

"True," they both admit. The banter makes things feel more normal, so I breathe out in relief.

Once we're finished with the nachos, Austin stretches out his legs. "I should probably go see what Kael's up to."

"Mind if I tag along?" I ask, and he shakes his head.

We stand and tell Milo we're gonna go find a friend.

Milo gives us a thumbs-up, and once we're out of earshot, Austin says, "Does Milo help keep you on schedule like I used to?"

"Obviously not." I frown. "That's what you do best."

"It's a bit hard with you across campus." He scoffs. "Besides, that's what daily planners are for. Have I not taught you anything?"

"It's just not the same without you," I admit, and his eyes soften.

He playfully bumps my shoulder. "I know what you mean. Who's gonna get me out so I can live vicariously while you flirt with gorgeous guys?"

Austin is definitely introverted, but he would also get antsy in the dorm room and seem almost relieved to be invited somewhere by me. He's stubborn enough not to admit it, and I wouldn't prod if I didn't know him so well. Just like he knows me well enough to not bring up certain topics from my childhood. The truth is Austin wants more opportunities to put himself out there, but he doesn't always know how to approach it.

I smirk as my gaze moves toward the makeshift dance floor, where Kael is surrounded by Angelica and her friends. That's when I spot a cute guy people-watching from the edge. "Like that dude in the green shirt? Seems your type."

Austin's neck turns red because I'm right. He likes beefed-up guys, and who am I kidding? So do I. But I'm also not as picky as him. A good time is just that.

"Ooh! He just looked over here!" I say, hamming it up but also wanting Austin to have more confidence when it comes to attractive men.

"Let's be honest. He's more than likely checking you out."

I scoff. "You act like you're an ogre."

He hitches a shoulder. "I don't match anyone's ideal of beauty or body type."

"You have no idea if that's true."

He gives me a pointed look.

"Just because one asshole said stupid shit to you doesn't mean he sets the standard for everyone else."

"Yeah, I know, but I'm not good at the whole hooking-up thing like you are." He shifts to lean against the wall. "I wouldn't mind an actual date and some good conversation."

If you ask Austin to list the attributes he's looking for in a guy, he'll tell you he would choose brains over brawn any day of the week. And, of course, I agree. Intelligent conversation is a hell of a turn-on—and usually, there's not much of that during hookups.

"Those things are attainable too," I say, but he looks doubtful. "I've tried to give you pointers, but you always brush me off."

"That's because it comes naturally for you."

"Anything can come naturally with practice," I counter.

His jaw tightens. "Not sure about that."

"Just follow my lead." I give the cute guy a little wave, and he smiles back.

"Oh God," Austin says as the man starts heading over to us.

"Just be yourself," I whisper to Austin. "Try to add in a couple of flirty lines if you get the right vibe from him."

"Like I even know what that means," he hisses back.

"Hey there," I say when he gets to us. "I'm Dex, and this is Austin."

"I'm Darren."

I notice he's wearing a bracelet that means he can drink. "Are you a junior?"

"Yeah." He glances between us. "How about you?"

I wait for Austin to reply, but it's like someone has sewn his mouth shut. "We're sophomores."

When I subtly nudge Austin, he straightens as if coming out of a trance. "Oh, um, so…what major is yours? I mean, what's your major?"

Darren laughs nervously, and Austin winces and looks away. It's endearing when he gets all tongue-tied, but I bite back my grin because I know it doesn't feel that way to him.

"I'm a graphic design major," Darren replies. "You were in my communications class last year."

"Last year…communications…" Austin blinks. "I was?"

"Uh-huh. I thought maybe that's why you motioned me over."

"Well, technically, I didn't…not me…I mean, I wasn't the one who motioned to you?—"

"Austin said you looked familiar." I deliberately step on his foot. "He's studying library science."

It's not a hard leap from Austin's love of reading to becoming a librarian. But, apparently, that job requires a master's degree from an accredited college in California.

"Cool," Darren says. "I'm taking the 200-level class this semester on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I think you might be in it too. Social Constructs of Information?"

Austin's eyes light up. "Yes!"

"So maybe I'll see you around?" Darren asks.

Austin's mouth opens and closes like a fish before he nods.

We watch as Darren makes his way back to his perch near the dance floor. When he waves to a group of guys dancing, I realize he's here with friends. Still, my plan worked because it got Austin out of his comfort zone.

"No way I'd remember that guy from class," Austin says.

"I'm not surprised. Those classrooms are huge. Plus, you're so unaware of your surroundings that a serial killer would be able to lure you into the back of his white van."

"Very funny."

I grin at him. "But see, it wasn't that hard."

He scoffs. "Says the guy who talked the whole time."

"Practice makes perfect." I glance toward his friends. "Now, let's work on shuffling our feet on the dance floor with Kael."

"No fucking chance," he hisses, and I laugh, having known that would be his response. He does have his limits.

I join his friends for the next track while Austin holds up the wall and watches. I can see him mouthing the lyrics, so it might not be that hard to get him out here someday. But I don't push. The talk with Darren was enough for one night.

By the end of the song, I've caught a hot dude's eye. I wink and show off a little because I've got some good moves. He slips me his number on my way back to Austin, and as I pocket it, I hear Austin mutter, "Un-fucking-believable."