Page 7 of Tongue-Tied
He hitches a shoulder. “I don’t match anyone’s ideal of beauty or body type.”
“You have no idea if that’s true.”
He gives me a pointed look.
“Just because one asshole said stupid shit to you doesn’t mean he sets the standard for everyone else.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’m not good at the whole hooking-up thing like you are.” He shifts to lean against the wall. “I wouldn’t mind an actual date and some good conversation.”
If you ask Austin to list the attributes he’s looking for in a guy, he’ll tell you he would choose brains over brawn any day of the week. And, of course, I agree. Intelligent conversation is a hell of a turn-on—and usually, there’s not much of that during hookups.
“Those things are attainable too,” I say, but he looks doubtful. “I’ve tried to give you pointers, but you always brush me off.”
“That’s because it comes naturally for you.”
“Anything can come naturally with practice,” I counter.
His jaw tightens. “Not sure about that.”
“Just follow my lead.” I give the cute guy a little wave, and he smiles back.
“Oh God,” Austin says as the man starts heading over to us.
“Just be yourself,” I whisper to Austin. “Try to add in a couple of flirty lines if you get the right vibe from him.”
“Like I even know what that means,” he hisses back.
“Hey there,” I say when he gets to us. “I’m Dex, and this is Austin.”
“I’m Darren.”
I notice he’s wearing a bracelet that means he can drink. “Are you a junior?”
“Yeah.” He glances between us. “How about you?”
I wait for Austin to reply, but it’s like someone has sewn his mouth shut. “We’re sophomores.”
When I subtly nudge Austin, he straightens as if coming out of a trance. “Oh, um, so…what major is yours? I mean, what’s your major?”
Darren laughs nervously, and Austin winces and looks away. It’s endearing when he gets all tongue-tied, but I bite back my grin because I know it doesn’t feel that way to him.
“I’m a graphic design major,” Darren replies. “You were in my communications class last year.”
“Last year…communications…” Austin blinks. “I was?”
“Uh-huh. I thought maybe that’s why you motioned me over.”
“Well, technically, I didn’t…not me…I mean, I wasn’t the one who motioned to you?—”
“Austin said you looked familiar.” I deliberately step on his foot. “He’s studying library science.”
It’s not a hard leap from Austin’s love of reading to becoming a librarian. But, apparently, that job requires a master’s degree from an accredited college in California.
“Cool,” Darren says. “I’m taking the 200-level class this semester on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. I think you might be in it too. Social Constructs of Information?”
Austin’s eyes light up. “Yes!”
“So maybe I’ll see you around?” Darren asks.