Read Can't Go Home (Oasis Waterfall) for Free Online Page B

about me. It still sucks that Kathryn’s going out with him though. This is a first for me. I’ve never been turned down, stood up, or picked last.
    “And, I told you not to call me, ‘Katie.’ Don’t do it again … I also told you that I don’t play games,” Kathryn reiterates.
    “I said it’s no big—”
    “It is a big deal. It’s a big deal to me, because I wanted to see you tonight,” she affirms. Kathryn is so straightforward, so honest. I’m not used to this from a woman, from anyone for that matter. “Dre, are you free tomorrow night?”
    “Are you asking me out?” I ask, grinning.
    “Do you need a handwritten invitation or will an oral—I mean—verbal do?” Kathryn asks, chuckling at her innuendo.
    “Nah, I think I’m good—verbal or oral—it’s all good. Tomorrow works,” I laugh.
    “Oh it does, does it?” she jokes, shaking her head. “Same time. Right after work.”
    I nod. I can’t wait. Shit. I like this girl. As she starts to walk away, I lightly touch her arm and turn her back toward me. “I know I shouldn’t ask this, but … but … fuck it … who is he? Theodore?”
    I hate showing envy, but damn it, I’m jealous. I cannot believe we haven’t gone on a real date, kissed, touched, or anything, and I’m jealous of some douchebag in pastel yellow shorts and boat shoes.
    Frowning, she nods her head, and says, “My ex.”
    “Oh that’s just—”
    “Stop,” she says. “It’s over. We’re friends. Just friends. Read. My. Lips. I don’t play games, Dre,” she confirms.
    Kathryn Howell winks at me and begins walking backward toward Teddy, not taking her eyes off of me. This woman is something else. Then, she yells, “Oh Thee-adorable, are you ready for some grub? I’ve got the grumbellies.”
    Thee-adorable? There goes that green-eyed monster yet again. I haven’t even as much as brushed up against Kathryn, touched her hand, or kissed her … her … cheek, and already I’m as jealous as fuck over a guy, referred to as “Thee-adorable?” He’s the epitome of someone I’d beat the fuck out of in high school or college—in my past. A long time ago. But seriously, the dude’s wearing yellow shorts. Come on.

 
     
    I can’t believe it. I cannot even begin to believe it. I actually forgot that I had plans with Theodore Baker. My Teddy Baker. There was a time when I never thought that I’d be able to forget him, never be able to move on, and most certainly never be able to love anyone else.
    Theodore and I were the perfect couple; “were” being the operative word. I met him when I went to college orientation at Georgetown University. He was one of the tour guides. Upon sight, I was smitten and convinced there was no other college—or college guy for me. I kind of have a thing for the nerdy type. A 4.0 grade point average is an aphrodisiac for me. I love a man with a mind. My friends used to gag and groan whenever I said some chemistry genius or marching band boy was hot. I always laughed it off, pretending that I was only kidding. Truth was, I have a type, a type that was social suicide to pursue.
    Finally, the summer after senior year, at college orientation, I decided that high school Katie and college Katie were going to be two different people. If I wanted something, then I was going to get it. I was going to stop caring what everyone else thought, and I was going to do what I wanted to do without fear of ridicule. I remember telling Sydney that I was crushing on Theodore, and she started in on me with the teasing and eye rolling. When she realized that I was serious and that he’d really gotten to me, Syd helped me get his attention.
    Truthfully, it didn’t take much. Theodore wasn’t really in high demand, so the competition wasn’t too steep. Basically, on the second day of orientation, I wore a tight-fitting tank top, short shorts, and flip-flops. Since I hadn’t found my “Freshman Thirty” yet, I was rocking that tank top. I told Theodore