Page 40 of Spiral
“And was it good?”
I nod, a smirk forming across my lips.
“We didn’t get to finish the interview… which is why he invited me here.”
“GOD,” she snorts, throwing her head back against the seat. “The kiss was that distracting, huh? Ugh, I’m so happy for you, Georgie. What are you waiting for? Your prince is in there!”
She gestures maniacally for me to leave the car and head into Henry’s house.
“Call me when you’re done!” she yelps, reaching across the passenger seat and shutting the door behind me.
Unlike the night of that party a few weeks ago, the front porch is now empty and quiet. There are no chaotic sounds of music, or dancing, or laughter. Henry’s truck is the only one parked outside – I recognize it from the day we found Patrick waiting beside it outside Mason Field.
Patrick.
My heart rate quickens at the thought of him stepping out of the apartment next door, seething in anger. I glance in the direction of the parking lot and notice that, thankfully, his car is nowhere to be found.
You’re fine, Georgia. Just go inside.
I take a deep breath and knock quietly before stepping away from the door.
Why are my palms sweaty? It’s just an interview. So what if I kissed him. God, get it together, Georgia. You’re a professional columnist for the TU Tribune and–
“Hi, beautiful.”
Henry’s muscular frame fills the open doorway as he looks at me, a soft smile across his face. The dim light of the streetlamps illuminates his skin and hair, highlighting his chiseled features with shades of gold.
“Hi, Henry,” I reply, rolling my eyes as my cheeks burn under his gaze.
A beat of silence forms between us, and I can hear the soft chirping of the Central Texas crickets flow through the warm and humid night.
Henry’s arm is out of his sling now and, for the first time, I see the full extent of the damage. From the top of his shoulder down to his elbow is a large purple bruise, intertwined with shades of green, yellow, and blue.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” he says quietly, as if reading my thoughts. “Do you want to come in?”
He opens the door wider for me and I nod, stepping slowly over the threshold of the apartment. The living room, which before had been packed with beer cans, sorority girls, and EDM music, is practically unrecognizable. A large, overstuffed couch is pressed against the wall, with a vintage cedar coffee table and a few dim lamps illuminating the space. Textbooks of all different subjects are stacked on the kitchen counter and the side tables near the couch. The tidy room smells like lemon cleaning spray, fresh and comforting.
“It’s cozy in here,” I remark, breaking the silence.
“Thanks, I try to keep it clean. The guys like to throw the parties… like the one you saw. But normally it looks like this, if I can help it.”
He leans against the counter and grins at me comfortably, dimples forming in his cheeks.
“So… for the interview,” he begins, “would you rather work down here or in my room? Wherever you’re more comfortable.” He puts his hands in front of him, palms outward, leaving the choice to me.
“When will your roommates be home?” I ask, glancing at the kitchen clock that lets me know it’s just past 8 p.m.
He sighs, a gravelly laugh escaping as he replies. “Jonah’s a bit of a… party animal. He’s my teammate, and a big reason we have people here all the time. But he has Danny with him tonight, so they could be back early.”
“Danny’s not a big partier?”
I venture into the living room, admiring the numerous pieces of artwork hung along the walls.
“Not unless there’s anime involved.” He gestures towards the various posters of Japanese manga and anime framed around us.
“Oh my God, is that Jujitsu Kaisha? That’s like my favorite show!” I step a bit closer, examining the vintage sign depicting all three of the show’s main characters.
“It is! You’re an anime fan?” he asks, an eyebrow raised.