*Author's Note: I really appreciate everyone for their feedback on my first attempts. I'm hoping the story and writing are both getting better as I move forward. As always feedback is welcome!*
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My walk back to the student center had more to do with wrapping up loose ends more than anything. I had never punched another person like that before, and I certainly hadn't lost track of even a few seconds without some alcohol helping out. I thought a lot before I heard the dull echo of the crowd after a few minutes. The party was still going on.
For some reason, I felt a bit disappointed, almost as if I had hoped my sudden, violent interruption had halted the party. I shook that off, and returned to the confusion and guilt; they were more comfortable emotions. I pushed my way through the crowd and found Jen and Doug on the first floor, away from most of the people, talking to the campus police. Doug was holding an ice pack to his head, and Jen was holding his arm. I steeled myself and walked up to them.
"Excuse me. Officer?" The officer was about as tall as Doug, and I put him at about 40. Gray hair just at the edge of his temples faded into a dark brown, and he had a full beard, neatly trimmed that was also tinged with gray. His eyes met mine and I saw him glance at my hand.
"I take it you're the guy," he said. I nodded, and put my hands forward. He glanced at me and rolled his eyes. "There a reason I need to put you in cuffs?"
"I punched Doug," I said blandly.
"Yes. You did. Repeatedly. Luckily for you, Doug is saying he egged you on. He's willing to let this go right now, and so am I. Are you?"
My hands went behind my back. "Yes, sir." The officer nodded.
"Good. Less paperwork for me to fill out. I'm sure I'll have more work to do tonight. You two hug and make up, or whatever. I appreciate the call. If you need anything else, please call." He turned and strode away.
Doug switched hands and offered his. "I was way, way out of line," he said. "I'm sorry. I'd like to apologize to Carmen, too." Jen gave me a pleading stare. I waited, and Doug obliged. "I shouldn't have said it at all, and certainly not to her. Your reaction was completely justified." I took a deep breath and shook his hand briefly. My first reaction was that his apology was rehearsed, but he seemed eager enough. Maybe he just talked like that.
"Apology accepted. I can't make any promises about Carmen," I said. Doug nodded.
"Don't expect forgiveness from her. I'd like the chance to let her know, though," he said. I nodded.
"I'll ask her next time I see her." Doug's face was grateful. Part of me hated that he seemed so remorseful. I felt bad enough for hitting him in the first place.
"See you upstairs?" he asked Jen. My ex nodded, kissing him on his non-swollen cheek. Jen looked at me as he left.
"Thank you for coming back and handling that," she said. I shrugged.
"Not a hard choice for me." Jen nodded, a faint smile on her face.
"I know," she said. "I'm sorry about Doug. I had no idea he'd seen that video, and I had no idea what it was until he just explained it."
"Glad you hadn't seen it," I said. Jen's face tightened, and I recognized her defensive posture as she turned her shoulders.
"That's not my scene," she said. "Have you seen it?" she asked. I shook my head.
"Then how did you know?" Jen's eyes were trying to bore holes into me. I stared back, trying to hold back my annoyance.
"She told me about it," I responded.
"She told you she had a sex tape?" Jen asked. She shook her head. "You've been dating a week?" I shrugged, not bothering to answer. "Have you made one?" My stare grew a bit colder.
"That's none of your business," I told her.
"It's my reputation on the line," she said. I cocked my head.
"How do you figure?" I asked, looking her up and down.
"If you have a sex tape with Quick Draw, then maybe you had one with me." I took a deep breath.
"Her name is Carmen," I told her, and I made sure my eyes caught her. "And we didn't make a sex tape. Unless you made one without me knowing." I couldn't resist pushing, and I was getting hotter and hotter.
"I wouldn't put myself in that position." I felt the color drain from my face, and I chewed on my lip for a minute.
"So it's her fault?" I asked. Even I heard the ice in my voice. Jen rolled her eyes.
"Don't get all righteous," she said. "You're the one still dating her."
"And you're still with the guy who actually watched the video," I replied. "Good to see you again, Jen." I turned and walked off, ignoring a call. I stalked to my dorm room, grateful that I was alone this time. I was angry, and anyone near me would have gotten an earful. I pulled open my laptop when I got to my room, and thought a hundred times of texting Carmen. Instead, I just lay down on the hard floor and did situps and crunches until my stomach hurt. By the time I looked at the clock it was midnight. I got into bed and turned out the light.
I woke up at 6:00, and felt somewhat better. My stomach was knotted up, both from the ridiculous idea that exercise would make me feel better, and the uncertainty surrounding me and Carmen. I knew it was likely an overstep, but I found myself planning a lunch for her. There was only one place I could get what she'd want, and they weren't open.
I went for a run, then showered before studying. The hours ticked by slowly, and eventually I turned on a football game to pass the time. As soon as I realized the restaurant was open, I practically ran to my car, remembering only after I had made it to my usual spot that I was still parked in front of Carmen's dorm. I much less quickly made it there, and grabbed Carmen's lunch.
It smelled amazing, and I got two bags. If she didn't want me eating with her, I'd grab mine and go. But I was still a pile of nerves moving into the library.
