Chapter 6: Fleeting Moments
Another month had passed and I was ecstatic that after class tomorrow I was heading home for Thanksgiving break. I had declined Matt's many attempts at getting me to join the water polo team, but I still saw him twice a week in class. He was always friendly, and fortunately had stuck to his word and hadn't made anymore advances towards me. Matt and I paired up for another project that we presented in class today. The presentation went off without a hitch and I was happy with the result as I headed off to my next class.
"Hold up Bobby." Matt said as he tailed me out of the building. "Thanks for working with me again."
"No problem." I answered as I continued walking.
"I was wondering if you'd grab a cup of coffee with me Bobby?"
"I have class." I answered as I stopped to look at him.
"What about tonight, after you meet your roommate for dinner?" Matt continued.
I thought about it, there was a warning in the back of my mind, but I suppressed it. "Yeah I guess."
"Cool." Matt said. "The coffee shop across from campus, say 8:00?" He smiled as he waited for my reply.
"Yeah, okay." I answered as I headed off to class. I couldn't help but wonder what had I just agreed to? At least I was meeting him in a public place, where he wouldn't try to kiss me again. I barely heard a word the professor said as my mind ran through the various scenarios that could arise tonight.
Billy noticed my distraction when we met for dinner. "What's got you wound so tight?" Billy asked, noticing my hands fidgeting on the table.
"Matt said he wanted to meet me tonight. I agreed to meet him for coffee." I answered
"Matt, as in the guy who tried to make out with you?" Billy's eyes widened at the thought.
"Yeah, that Matt." I answered. "Meeting him at the coffee shop, I think I'll be safe in public."
"Do you like him?" Billy asked.
"Like him?" I repeated the question. "No!" I answered firmly. Maybe in another world, if I wasn't with Rob, I could like him, but compared to Rob, it was no contest, Rob won in a landslide.
"Let him down gently." Billy smiled at his joke and I shook my head, but smiled back at him.
*
Matt was waiting at a small table for two when I walked into the quiet coffee shop. I would be lying if I said he wasn't handsome. He had shaved off his beard, but his face showed the traces of stubble. His engaging green eyes locked onto me, they were stunning, lighter in color than Rob's, but just as striking. He waved me over and held up a cup of coffee. I had never developed a taste for the hot beverage, but took it from him.
"Thanks." I said as I sat down and took a sip. I couldn't disguise the look that crossed my face as the bitter liquid hit my tongue.
"You don't like it?" Matt asked as his nose wrinkled in recognition.
"Not much of a coffee drinker." I admitted with a smile.
"Damn, sorry." Matt said as he took the cup from me and headed to the counter. He returned with a new cup. "Try this." I took a hesitant sip, but smiled when the hot chocolate hit my lips.
"Mmm, better, thanks." I said, he smiled and sat down. "So what'd you want to talk about?"
"I really like you Bobby." He said. "You're all I can think about."
"Matt." I started, but was interrupted.
"I know you have a boyfriend, but if there is any way, any shot, I have to take it." Matt reached for my hand, but I pulled it away before he could touch it.
"I'm sorry Matt, there's not a chance." I felt bad as his smile faded from his face. "You're a good looking guy Matt, I'm sure you'll have no problem finding someone else."
Matt shrugged before speaking. "I guess, but you're so damned cute Bobby." I felt heat rush into my cheeks and immediately wanted this conversation to be over. "Your boyfriend is a lucky guy."
"He knows." I smiled as I thought about how lucky I was to have Rob.
"Well if anything changes-."
"It won't." I cut Matt off before he could finish that statement. "Thanks for the hot chocolate." I said as I stood up from the table. "I'm sorry Matt." I was turning around to walk out the door when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I braced myself to retreat, expecting him to try to kiss me again, when I turned around he was holding out his hand for me to shake.
"Friends?" He suggested, his mouth curled up in a slight smile.
"Friends." I answered shaking his hand before heading to my dorm.
**
"Hey dad." I said into my phone as I headed back to my dorm after my final class before Thanksgiving break.
"Hey Bobby, we'll be there in about thirty minutes." My dad spoke into the phone.
"Good I'll be ready, I packed this morning. We're still picking Rob up on the way home right?" I asked, feeling slightly guilty for missing Rob more than my parents and sister.
"Actually..." He hesitated a moment before continuing. "Rob's uncle is picking him up; he'll be at home when we get back.
"Oh." I tried to hide the disappointment at having to wait longer before seeing Rob. "Alright, well just call me when you're here and we'll head down." I ended the call as I headed into my room.
"Hey Billy, my parents will be here in thirty."