Rhett (Rhett #1)(20)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Clementine, can we come in?” I stepped into her apartment without waiting for an answer. “Where’s Elliott?”

“He’s watching the movie.” She frowned at me. “We just paused it.”

“Tell me you’re not watching it in the bedroom.” I strode down the corridor and into the living room, feeling furious. “Oh, hi.” I stopped as I saw Elliott on the couch eating popcorn. He looked up and gave me a small smile.

“Hi,” His expression was friendly, but surprised. I looked him over and wanted to laugh. Elliott looked like a nerd. He couldn’t have been taller than 5”10 and he looked like he had a pretty small frame. I knew that he didn’t compare to my 6”2 stature and 200lbs of solid muscle. He had blond hair and doeful looking brown eyes. He was cute, I’d give him that, but he certainly wasn’t a hunk. Not saying that I’m a hunk or anything, but I knew that if we both walked into a bar, there would be way more girls over me.

“I’m Rhett.” I walked over to him and reached my hand out. “I’m Clementine’s best friend and Knight in shining armor.”

“Elliott.” He jumped up and shook my hand firmly. “It’s nice to meet a friend of Clementine’s.”

“Best friend.” I gave him a deceptively innocent smile.

“Does that really matter now we’re in our twenties?” His eyes narrowed as he continued smiling back at me.

“Does what matter?” Clementine walked into the room with Veronica following behind, looking out of place.

“The distinction of best when talking about friends.” Elliott walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “I just thought that was a pretty grade school thing, to classify friends as best.” He shrugged and smiled at me. “I’ve never been one to have to stress how close I was to someone.”

“Oh,” Clementine laughed. “I guess Rhett and I still refer to each other as best friends.” She gave me a winning smile, but I didn’t smile back. What did she see in this douche?

“This is your best friend?” Veronica looked at me and then at Clementine, her eyes narrowed. I looked at Clementine through her eyes and I understood why she looked pissed. Clementine looked hot in her black skinny jeans and midriff top. Since when did she own a midriff top? Her long hair was flowing around her shoulders and her brown eyes were sparkling. I looked closer and I could see that she had eye shadow covering her eyes. When did she start wearing eye shadow?

“You look like a raccoon.” I muttered at Clementine and she frowned at me.

“What?”

“We need to talk.” I walked over to her and grabbed her hand and pulled her to her bedroom with me. “We’ll be right back.” I muttered to Veronica and Elliott as we left the room.

“What’s going on Rhett?” Clementine exclaimed as we walked into her bedroom.

“Do you know how irresponsible you’re being?” I growled at her and leaned against the door so no one could get in.

“Huh?” She looked confused.

“You just met this guy online. He could be a psycho or a stalker.” I shouted, furiously. “And after one date you already have him in your apartment, alone. How stupid are you?” I glared at her. “I had to leave my date to come and check up on you to make sure you’re okay.”

“Are you crazy?” She glared at me. “Elliott is not a psycho and you didn’t need to come and check up on me.” She shook her head. “What the f**k is your problem? You chose to bring that bimbo here.”

“She’s not a bimbo.” I glared at her.

“Sure, okay is not a bimbo.” She glared back at me.

“What?” I frowned, confused by her words. Then I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. “Her name isn’t okay. Her name is Veronica.”

“Same difference.” She grinned at me, reluctantly.

“She’s hot.” I shrugged. “Her name means nothing to me.”

“That’s so wrong.” She sighed. “Poor girl.”

“You don’t care.”

“I care about you.” She bit her lower lip. “I want more for you than nameless encounters.”

“This is about you, don’t change the subject.”

“Don’t go all Papa Bear on me Rhett.” She sighed. “I can take care of myself.”

“What if he makes a move on you?” I frowned. “What are you going to do?”

“I can take care of myself and I can make my own decisions.”

“You’ve never been in this situation before.” I stiffened. “You don’t know what guys are like.”

“I know you.” She smiled gently. “I know what you do with girls, I’m not some sheltered little princess.” She sighed. “And I want to start dating. I want to get out there. I want a boyfriend. I want a life.”

“I thought you were concentrating on your studies.” I could feel my heart beating fast.

“My studies aren’t going anywhere.” She looked at the ground. “I’ve wasted so much time already. I feel like I’ve wasted so many years.”

“You’re 21, Clementine.” I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah, but most girls my age have had a boyfriend before.” She sighed. “Most girls went to Prom.”

“You went to Prom.” I protested.

“I went with Jake.” She shook her head. “Going to prom with your little brother is no fun.”

“You went with me too.”

“Rhett, you had a date.” She rolled her eyes. “You went with a date and I went with Jake. Yeah, we shared the same limo ride, but it wasn’t fun.”

“I thought you had a good time.” My heart thudded. “I tried to include you, you know that.”

“I know.” She stepped forward and grabbed my hands. “You’ve always been here for me, Rhett. You’re the best friend a girl could ask for, but I need more than that. I want a boyfriend. I want romance. I want a man to sweep me off of my feet. I want to be the only date of some guy. I want him to wake up and think of me. I want him to fall asleep dreaming of me. I want him to text me in the middle of the day just to say hello. I want him to love me with all his heart. I want his heart to be so full of love for me, that he can’t believe he’s so lucky.” She gave me a short smile. “I know I sound sappy, but I’m ready for my true love.”