Icing by Ashley Stanton Read Free Book Online

last before mid-term exams and Thanksgiving break.
    “Hi Taryn.  Can I join you?”
    “Yeah I’m just enjoying the day while it winds down.  I have a bad habit of writing down this stuff.  Feels more certain when I do it with paper and pen.  I know my phone is made to handle it all, but I like to see at it dog eared on my desk with tasks scribbled out.  Someday I’ll catch up with technology.”
    “Don’t you dare Taryn.  It suits you. Seeing pen and paper in hand is a rarity.  You’re unique!”
    “Thanks Tim.  Are you set to go home to Jersey?”
    “No.  I’m going to the Big Apple to visit my brother.  My mom will have a houseful at home with my oldest brother and grandkids.  I can’t leave my other brother alone for the holiday and he has to work on Friday.  It will be an adventure!”
    “Tim my dear.  I try but I can’t keep track of all your brothers.  I want to meet your Mom.  She did a good job with all of you boys.”
    “Yeah.  We were a handful.  Five boys and no husband. We do our best to make her proud. Do you think it’s a sin to tell my Mom I attend mass every Sunday?”
    “Tim -   you don’t.  Whatever, you’re going straight to hell”
    They exploded and walked together to dinner.  Tim could always provide levity when needed.  You could tell he was raised by a woman because he sure knew how to treat one.  His Dad died before he was born.  He seemed to fit the role of big brother, but maybe he was just being the father he wished he had.
    ****
    “Are you alive Kyle? I haven’t seen you in about a month.  I get an occasional look at you in class but you come late and leave first.  Are you avoiding me Kyle? Truman smiled.
    “It has been the toughest month of my life. I have practice tomorrow and I’m back on Monday.  Don’t call me at home I’ll be sleeping.  I’ll see you in March.”
    “Really dude.  I need you to tag along with me tonight.  I need my man by my side. Protection and shit like that.  Let’s blow off a little steam.  We will make the last bus home. I’ll have you in bed before one.  I promise.”
    “Off campus party.  I just can’t do it Tru.”
    “Kyle, you’ve gotta come out.  Maybe you will see the hot blond.  It’s love……..remember?
    “Fuck you Truman.   I haven’t given her a thought since that night.” Kyle lied.
    “Consider it a favor.  The boys of 2012 hitting the town.  You owe me one.”
    “I don’t remember owing you anything.”
    “Give me a minute.  I’ll come up with something.  Well maybe not, but it sounded good.”
    “Tru”
    “Please?”
    “Give me 15 minutes.  Don’t ever mention the blond again.”
    “Ouch – sensitive.  O.K. thanks Kyle.”
    They hopped on the bus to the apartment complex on the outskirts of town. Off-campus keg parties were strictly advertised by word of mouth.  Invitations did not go out for these underage drinking soirees, they were based on vague tales. It was common to find nothing at all or you might luck out finding an affair thrown by some trust fund kid.  Lots of free beer if you came upon the latter. This one was based on something Tru heard of at his stock trading club.  It was a Wallstreet fantasy league preparing for the real thing.  They concentrated and truly believed they had hit it big if their portfolio was fat.  It was said that these guys racked up serious credit card debt as the lines between the game and real life blurred. Kyle had no time for the folly and kept an eye Tru.
    A crowd was filling the hallway and the stairs leading to the second floor accommodation.  Students poured on to the lawn, red cups in hand filled with the amber brew that appeared to be flowing freely.  It was only assumed being that the attendees were pleased and certainly relaxed.
    Truman and Kyle fell in line.  One cup of beer would not throw Kyle off the course of good reason.  He had a couple of days to rest after tomorrows practice.  Mark’s basement at home