Chapter 82
Darren rocked up at the driving school half an hour later.
He caught a cab over.
As he got closer, I could clearly see a blush spread across his fair cheeks, a hint of booze on his breath wafting over to Tina and me.
“Got tied up in a last–minute thing,” he whispered, his concern apparent as he checked in on us. “You guys haven’t been waiting long, have you?”
Thad already filled Darren in over the phone about why I was missing in action, same spiel 1 gave Tina, but Darren seemed genuinely worried, insisted on coming down in person.
Straight from the booze–up.
“I’m the one who should be saying sorry.” I admitted, feeling sheepish. “Did I mess up your party vibe?”
Before Darren could reply. Tina chimed in with, “Xaviera, don’t be a stranger! Darren’s our beloved class rep, the kindest of the bunch. He’d be thrilled to have you hitting him up every day.”
“Knock it off.”
Tina shrugged it off. “Ah well, my dad’s calling me home for dinner. Since our dear class rep is here, he can take over and show you the ropes with driving.”
She dashed off, disappearing from view in a flash.
Darren explained. “Tina’s dad’s the top coach around here.”
Suddenly, it all clicked.
That figured. Only someone with connections could score such a primo practice spot. “Let’s talk about you,” Darren steered the conversation back to me. “Xaviera, at tomorrow night’s shindig. Tack’s gonna be there too. His company’s eyeing our market, sending him and the big guns over to scope things out. It’s a golden opportunity.”
The hope that had been doused inside me suddenly sparked to life again with a few words from
Darren.
Seeing me speechless, he prodded, “Aren’t you a huge fan of his? Don’t you wanna meet him?”
I was taken aback, “How’d you know?”
Darren flashed a grin. “That’s not all I know.”
Suddenly lost for words, I heard Darren add earnestly, “Xaviera, everyone’s seen what you’re capable of. Go meet Tack. You can’t let one rejection from back in the day keep you down, right?”
Chapter 62
“Rejection?” I was totally at sea..
Darren glanced at me, “Sorry, I stumbled upon your study abroad application at the counselor’s office. I mean, competition for Software Engineering at Elysium University is fierce, and Tack’s one of the top engineers worldwide. It’s no surprise, really.”
The words “study abroad application” detonated in my mind, leaving me stunned.
I thought that was a secret known by very few.
Memories flooded back, and I couldn’t help but think of the Elysium University acceptance letter I had secretly torn up.
Tack was the man in charge back then.
Darren must’ve thought I was turned away.
But swirling with those memories was a mix of resentment and frustration buried deep in my heart.
My voice was barely audible, “Darren, is there still a spot?”
I’ll admit it, I was tempted.
Darren lit up. “Of course, Xaviera, I’m stoked you’ve made this decision.”
He opened his arms wide, way more fired up than his usual polished self.
Guess he wanted to fire me up too, so I reached out, “Darren, thanks a bunch.”
After a bit more chat, I offered to drop him off.
Darren glanced at the BMW, same model as his, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
“Company perk, chosen by President Lott,” I admitted, feeling kinda awkward.
Darren raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on his face, “President Lott’s got good taste, huh?”
Fifteen minutes later, I dropped Darren off near University Town at the Youth Hostel.
Standing in front of the car, he pointed at the building and said, “Well, now you know the way. Swing by when you’ve got time.”
“Sure.”
“What I mean is, Kevin and Tina crash here for a free meal now and then,” Darren clarified, ever patient. “I’m pretty handy in the kitchen.”
