Taught: A City's Secrets Novella (8 page)

“No, not crazy Emma this time.”

She let out a sign of relief. “Can’t be having that again, seriously Emma. I can’t deal with the stench and the insane comments.”

“I did not have a stench!”

Okay, maybe I had a slight stench, a very small smell, but I wasn’t proud of it, and I definitely didn’t need to admit to it.

Don’t judge me. College could be really stressful sometimes.

“Yeah, sure you didn’t, psycho.”

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at her as she sat at the other end of the couch. She let it bounce off her shoulder.

“Shaking the haters off,” she said. I laughed then stood up. Before I could walk into my room, my phone dinged loudly, and I nearly leapt through the roof. Lane gave me a weird, sideways look.

“You a little jumpy?” she asked. I ignored her and checked my phone. It was a message from a number I didn’t recognized. I swiped right and pulled it up.

10:45am 555-864-2651: hey it’s Jim.

I added him into my contacts.

10:45am Me: so what’s the news, rockstar?

“Hello? Who are you texting with that smile?” Lane said. I got the feeling that I had missed an earlier comment from her. I quickly locked my phone.

“Nobody, just a friend.”

“You fucking liar!” she exclaimed. “You’re texting Jim, aren’t you?”

I was not the best at hiding things from Lane, and I had absolutely no experience with keeping a boy from her. Actually, I had little experience with guys at all in the last year or so. Maybe I was getting rusty.

“Yeah, fine, it’s Jim. So what?”

“So what? Are you kidding, you gave him your number!”

“Of course I did. We made out pretty hard, remember?”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you want to see him again. This is a huge step for you.”

I sighed. That was actually a good point. Just because we had hooked up for a little bit, didn’t mean he was my boyfriend or something. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to pursue him further, and yet there I was giving away my number and responding to him immediately like a lovesick puppy. I was pretty lame, but I couldn’t help it. I kept thinking about Jim’s hands on my hips, his soft lips and warm breath, and the confident way he took me through the city streets. It was sexy, the way he seemed to own the space around him.

“I don’t know what I want, Lane.” That was as honest as I could get.

“I hear you. Just go with it, you’ll figure it out eventually.”

My phone dinged again, and Lane grinned. “Not a word,” I said. She exaggerated zipping her lips and throwing away the key. I rolled my eyes at her bad joke, and retreated back into my room. I put my laptop on my desk and plopped down in bed, letting the sheets wrap around me. I had those T-shirt sheets, the super comfy kind, and I loved laying around in them. It made getting out of bed in the morning really hard.

10:48am Jim: he says there was a guy from sub pop, and he’s interested. Not sure I believe him yet but that could be huge.

Holy shit, Sub Pop was a huge indie label. I was immediately impressed and a little jealous. Although I didn’t have any musical talent myself, I was really into the scene, and went to as many shows as I could. I was pretty familiar with the major record labels.

10:51am Me: sub pop! That’s amazing! Are they interested in signing you guys or what??

10:53am Jim: I honestly don’t know yet. George is being frustrating and vague. I’m pretty sure he was wasted when the guy talked to him, which is why he doesn’t really know any details.

10:54am Me: that’s hilarious. I’d be so pissed.

10:56am Jim: yeah but I’m used to it. Apparently the guy is going to call this afternoon, so I guess we’ll find out more later.

10:59am Me: that’s so exciting. Keep me updated.

I put my phone away and lounged back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. I was pretty torn at that point. His band was possibly taking off, or at least had a chance, and he was a professor at my college. All signs were pointing to us not pursuing anything. And frankly, I wasn’t sure I was even that upset about it. He was cute, hilarious, a great kisser, had a fantastic body, shared the same taste in music and TV, and was confident in the right ways. But I had promised myself that I’d focus on my studies, and not let some guy distract me. I had pretty constant pressure from my overachieving parents to consider.

There was no easy answer, as much as I wanted one. I had to consider my obligations and his reservations.

Either way, we were taking it slow, whatever it was.

“W
ho do you keep texting?” George asked me. I had a stupid grin on my face, and kept looking down at my phone.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, not really interested in hearing all the douchey things George would say. I knew him, and it was always the same: stuff about how badly I needed to hit that, how I was such a pussy for being into her, etc. Stupid frat boy crap. The sort of thing a guy who actually got any wouldn’t say. George didn’t mean any of it, but it was still annoying. He kicked his feet up onto my coffee table and changed the channel on the TV.

“I’m not worried, I’m curious.”

I sighed. No use fighting it. He’d bug me until I told him. And despite all that, he was still my best friend.

“It’s the girl from last night.”

He nodded sagely. “As I thought.”

“That’s it?”

“What else did you want?”

“Just expected you to ask if I ‘hit that’ or something.”

He snorted. “Look dude, ever since that Amy chick broke your heart, you’ve been moping around. I’m just happy to see you getting out there again.”

“George, that was surprisingly mature.”

He grinned at me. “Don’t get used to it. I’ll want all the gross details eventually.”

The problem was that I still wasn’t sure there would be any details to tell him. It was true that I’d already crossed a line the night before, but it still wasn’t too late to back out. We weren’t exactly in a relationship, and we hadn’t done anything we couldn’t move passed. Sure, there was a strong attraction, and we had kissed, but we were adults. Kissing didn’t mean we were getting married.

“Nothings on,” George mumbled.

“Go to your own apartment then,” I said.

“Nah man, waiting on that call still.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t believe the idiot met a guy from Sub Pop but was too drunk to remember anything about what the guy said. I was glad George had come over early, though, because I didn’t want to rely on him giving me all the details. I wanted to hear the guy for myself, or at least George’s side of the conversation.

I stretched my legs out. I was sitting in a chair in the living room while George was sprawled out on the couch. My apartment was in a decent neighborhood, but it wasn’t anything to speak of: one couch, one TV, a small kitchen, small bathroom, and a tiny bedroom. It was the best I could afford without being in constant debt.

My phone buzzed, and I looked down.

11:15am Emma: what do you teach again? Sorry, I can’t remember

11:16am Me: why, planning on taking my class?

11:16am Emma: haha no, I think my friend does though

11:17am Me: intro to music theory. who’s your friend?

11:18am Emma: her name is Nicole, and she’s definitely in your class.

My stomach dropped. I had a Nicole in my class, and they were probably the same year. I could never be sure though. I could feel panic well up in my chest as I imagined Emma telling Nicole about the night before, and Nicole freaking out. What if she told an administrator? My teaching job would be over and done with in a second.

11:18am Emma: and before you freak out, I’m not mentioning last night.

I stared at that text. I guessed Emma understood my predicament, and didn’t want to jeopardize my position. She was being surprisingly cool about it, actually. She had every right to tell whomever she wanted, and I would never try and control what she did and didn’t do.

11:20am Me: thanks, I appreciate that. I know Nicole, she’s a good student. How did that even come up, if you don’t mind me asking?

11:22am Emma: she mentioned she had a cute music teacher, and I figured it was you.

11:22am Me: seriously?

11:23am Emma: hahaha no sorry. she just mentioned having a test in your class and used your name, so I figured I’d ask.

11:24am Me: ouch. well that’s a funny coincidence.

I felt a little at a loss in that moment. Somehow, her knowing someone in one of my classes made things much more serious. I didn’t want to completely freak out, at least even more than I already was, but I felt out of control.

Above all, I was torn.

Although I loved my job, Emma was the first girl I was remotely interested in since Amy Woodall had rejected me. I thought I was in love with Amy, really in love, more in love than I ever had been before. But looking back on it, the only reason I professed anything to her was because she had left the café and was dating someone new. In contrast, Emma struck me immediately as someone I wanted to get to know. Amy had been like that, but I never really tried to pursue it beyond a friendship. I had to decide whether or not I wanted to follow that same route with Emma, or else wind up in the same pathetic position as before.

Before I could get too deep into the introspection spiral, George’s phone started to ring. He lazily looked at the caller ID, and then suddenly sat straight up.

“I think it’s them,” he said.

“Who, the label?”

“Yeah man, Sub Pop. I think.”

“Answer it!”

He swiped and put the phone up to his ear.

“Hello?”

I was on the edge of my seat, literally. I tried getting as close as I could, and maybe catch the other side of the conversation.

“Yeah, it was good meeting you, too.”

George looked serious, which was rare for George.

“Okay, that’d be great. What time?”

“What are they saying,” I whispered. He gave me a look.

“Sure, we can do ten in the morning on Wednesday. That’d be great.”

I stared at him. Was he setting up a meeting? Why wasn’t it on speaker?

“Yeah, sure. I’ll pass that along. Thanks so much. Yeah, you too. Looking forward to it. Bye.” He put the phone down in his lap, his expression shocked.

“What the fuck man?” I said.

He looked at me. “They want to meet with us.”

“What for?”

“They want to sign us.”

“Holy shit.” I didn’t know how else to respond. That was huge. Sub Pop wasn’t a major label, but they were one of the biggest independents. It would be an enormous boost to the band to get a record deal with them. Actually, it would make us legit. We’d be able to tour and make actual music in a real studio. No more basement tracks and awful local gigs, we’d have a label behind us. I was in shock.

“Yeah man, holy fucking shit,” George said.

“What else did they say?” 

He shrugged. “Not much. We have a meeting on Wednesday at ten. We’ll go over the contracts and the details then. But he said they’re interested in a two album deal.”

I stood up. I could feel my joy bubbling over. “George!” I yelled.

“I know dude.” He looked like he was about to explode. I started to pace around the apartment, nervous energy flowing out of me. I couldn’t believe it, everything we had done, the struggle and the hard work, was finally starting to pay off.

“We made it,” I said.

“I know man. I know.”

“George!” I said, and then jumped on him. We hugged, laughing, not caring how weird it was, not caring about anything but the incredible news we had just gotten. Finally, I climbed off him, and started pacing again.

“We have to call the others,” I said.

“Yeah man, I’m on it.”

“And we have to make sure Tom doesn’t fuck this up.”

“Absolutely we do. But I don’t think he will, not something like this.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Holy shit man.”

“I know, I know. Let me call the others.” George stood and walked into my bedroom. I kept pacing back and forth, imagining the future. We’d tour the world, become real rock stars with actual fans and records. Our music would be everywhere, on the radio and in record stores. We’d play all the talk shows! I couldn’t sit still let alone calm myself down. It was probably the happiest moment of my life, or at least in the top three.

I pulled out my phone and wrote a text.

11:51am Me: Just heard from the label. We have a meeting on Wednesday.

11:55am Emma: wow, what does that mean? Are you getting signed?

11:56am Me: I don’t know! I don’t know. I think so.

11:57am Emma: Jim! That’s amazing! Congrats!!!!

11:58am Me: I’m in shock honestly.

11:59am Emma: I would be too. I’m so happy for you!

12:00pm Me: Thanks. You’re the first person I’ve told.

12:02pm Emma: hah I’m honored.

I had no clue why she was the first person I told, but I couldn’t help myself. All thoughts about the job had suddenly vanished from my mind. The only thing I cared about was the meeting, and what would happen after that. If we really got signed to Sub Pop, my life was about to change in a serious way.

12:03pm Me: Want to meet up on Tuesday?

I didn’t know what I was doing, but I suddenly needed to see her. I didn’t care if her friends knew, or if anyone knew. I just wanted to see Emma, and maybe celebrate. I didn’t care where we went or what we did, as long as I got to do it with her.

12:05pm Emma: okay, sure. What do you want to do?

12:06pm Me: I don’t know. How about lunch?

12:08pm Emma: It’ll have to be after my class. How about at 2?

12:10pm Me: That’s good. Meet me outside the student center?

12:11pm Emma: See you then.

I was beyond excited, almost shaking. I was about to meet up with a student I was seeing on campus. It wasn’t like we were about to make out in front of the dean of students or something like that, but it was still a serious move on my part. I figured we could grab lunch from a truck and hangout, which wasn’t totally unusual for a professor to do. Lunch wasn’t breaking any rules. And besides, I didn’t care about the rules at that point. My life was on the verge of tipping over into something different and great.