Continuance Read Online Free

half-collared
shirt was similar to Jason’s, but instead of a vintage band name from the
2060’s, the front of Stuart’s echoed his heritage - a superman logo in green,
with a shamrock where the S should have been. “I’m surprised I missed you,”
Jason said.
    “The autonav’s pretty clear
today, so I had time to run back for a quick shower.” He gave Jason a sidelong
glance. “You left something lying around, though.”
    “Sorry. Did I leave the RealiSIM
out again?” Jason tried to make his voice nonchalant, knowing full well Stuart
wasn’t talking about the entertainment system.
    “You’re such a bum puddle. Not
photonic. Female. I didn’t introduce myself, but she was still asleep, so I
assume she didn’t mind.”
    Jason had thought the girl would
be gone by the time Stuart showed up. “Don’t worry. I can introduce you later.”
    Stuart snorted. “If you remember
her name.”
    Jason put on a pained look. “So I
don’t hold a deep and personal interest in this girl? Is that what you’re
saying?” Then, in his best southern drawl, he said, “I find your insinuations
deeply insulting, sir.”
    “I think you mean accurate .”
    Jason gave an exasperated sigh
and concentrated. Calling up the fragmented memories of the night before, he reached into a space beyond, searching. More fragments were there, and his mind
assembled them, almost of its own accord as the perks took hold.
    “Katelynn,” he said. “Katelynn
Carilla Perez. Want more?” The details were crystal clear now. “She’s a senior
here at Everton. Communications major, but hates watching TV. Not into sports,
but likes racing and tennis. Maybe I’ll give her a call to see if she wants to
play doubles with you and Ivory.” He raised an eyebrow at Stuart, allowing
himself a smug smile.
    For a reply, Stuart darted in
front, jolting him to a stop him with an outstretched hand to the chest. He
furrowed his eyebrows, peering at Jason’s face as if reading his thoughts.
    Jason rolled his eyes. “What? So
no tennis then?”
    “ What? Impressive trivia,
but we both know you have no intention of calling her is what.”
    “And how would you know that?”
    “Because I know ,” Stuart
said. “I know you , and that’s enough. What was it this time? Your
horoscope tell you to stay away from gorgeous brunettes with any trace of
bikini model potential? No? What then?”
    Jason couldn’t help but think
that as fun and interesting as Stuart was, maybe he should have opted for a
less perceptive roommate. Now that he’d pulled last night’s memories together,
he remembered it all. The roar of his car’s engine at full throttle during the
race. The pulse of loud music and the intoxicating taste of Katelynn’s lips
later on. He remembered waking up this morning while she still slept, letting his
gaze drift from her face and trail along the smooth, tan skin of her back and
legs, interrupted only by the folds of the white sheet draped loosely across
her hips. But most of all, he remembered that as the last night had worn on and
he’d gotten to know her a little, he’d felt a familiar buzz growing in his chest.
One that had nothing to do with the drinks or pure physical attraction – the
budding tingle of something more. A connection. Which was what he’d wanted to
forget.
    She’s probably a
great girl. What if I could be happy with her? What if I’m just throwing it all
away again? No. His time with Katelynn had been enjoyable as far as it went, but Stuart was
right. There would be no phone call.
    “She’s not my type,” Jason lied.
    They rounded a
bend in the walk, and their destination came into view. A concave ribbon of
glass and steel half a dozen stories tall, the Novella building sat above a
small plaza. Clear blue sky and white clouds played in reflection across its
mirrored windows, and a wide flight of flagstone steps fronted the entrance
before fanning down to a fountain in the plaza’s center. Compared to the
bustling center