Crashing Hearts (Pine Valley College #2)

25. Skylar

CHAPTER 25

SKYLAR

A fter my boy leaves, I clean up and pour a mug of coffee. Standing at the counter, I stare out at my apartment, knowing I probably look like a lunatic.

He came to me.

He wanted me.

He’s mine.

He didn’t even fight me on it. He let me have him over and over. It meant something, even to him, and watching him hightail it out of here this morning was just the cherry on top.

I sip my coffee, smiling like a fucking idiot. After I finish my mug, I shower and dress, and then I lean against my door, looking at my phone. Like clockwork, his door opens ten minutes later, and I open mine, grinning at him. “Fancy seeing you here, neighbor.”

He sighs, slams his door, and points at me. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” I ask, shoving my hands in my pockets.

“Being adorable and shit,” he mutters, and when he realizes what he said, he turns and stomps down the corridor. I hurry after him, slinging my arm over his shoulders. He shrugs it off, but I wrap it around his waist instead, and he fights me as we walk to the elevator.

“You think I’m adorable?” I murmur into his ear.

His elbow hits my side, and I double over, breathing heavily as he steps into the elevator with a wicked grin on his lips.

I step in after him and don’t stop until I’m behind him, my hands on his hips. “I think you’re adorable, blushing for me and acting all shy when you were screaming and clawing my back a few hours ago.”

He shudders as he spins, poking my chest until I hit the wall, but I can’t make my smile drop. I love this side of him just as much as I love every other facet.

“Skylar Warren, stop it,” he warns. “Just because I had sex with you doesn’t mean I’m yours.”

“Ah, baby, that’s where you’re wrong,” I murmur. “I told you what would happen if you climbed into my bed.” Leaning forward, I watch his nostrils flare in anger as I grin. “I told you it means you’re mine.”

The elevator dings, opening on another floor, and he turns, ignoring me as someone else steps on. The guy looks between us, arching his eyebrow before hitting a button.

Smirking, I move over to Bones once more so I stand at his side, my hand sweeping across his hips to his ass. He slaps me, but I keep a grip even as he grunts and fights me. The guy turns to look at us. I wear an innocent smile, and he looks between us again before shaking his head and facing the front.

I stick my hand in his pocket and rest my head on his shoulder. He studiously ignores me, but I see his lips twitching, and I know I’m getting to him.

He’s probably overthinking, which is his strong suit, so I’ll be an idiot if it makes him calm down and just be here with me, not lost in his thoughts.

The door opens, and the man steps off. Bones goes to rush after him, but I hook my arm around him and drag him into my arms, my lips brushing his ear. “You can run all you want, angel, but I’ll chase you. Be a good boy at school today. I’ll see you tonight.” I kiss his cheek then leave him there. I whistle as I walk to my car.

“Fuck you, Skylar Warren!” he yells.

I wave as I smile. “You already did! Love you too, beautiful.”

Despite qualifying yesterday, I’m at the garage bright and early. Most of the team is already here, with Mackie nursing a coffee and looking far too hungover. Ruffling his hair, I sit and steal a pastry from the middle of the table, eating it whole.

“Good night?” I ask around a mouthful of food.

He gags and turns away. “God, stay away.”

Laughing, I wipe my chin and lean in. “You look wrecked. Did you get drunk?”

“Maybe,” he admits, staring at his coffee before looking around to ensure we are alone. “I made a move on Noah. It backfired, so I got fucked up.”

“Shit, what happened then?” I ask.

“He found me in the garage with a groupie.” Mackie blinks. “She was checking out the car, and I was drunk. He ordered her to go home then dragged my ass out of there. It was so embarrassing. I don’t remember much after, but I woke up at his place and left before he could scold me.”

“You’re a bad drunk.” I chuckle. “What did he say about you making a move?”

“He said I was drunk and didn’t know what I was saying,” he mutters as he lifts his head. “I had one drink, one fucking drink, and he acts like I don’t know my own mind . . . like I’m still a kid.”

“So show him you’re not.” I shrug. “You like Noah, right?”

He nods.

“Then prove it to him. Don’t let him lock you out. He likes to keep everyone safe. I also think he doesn’t believe he deserves to be loved. He will be hard to crack, so you’ll need to be persistent.” I smack his shoulder. “But you can do it. Don’t back down or let him talk you out of it. If you want him, fight for him.”

Nodding, he stares at his coffee again. “You’re right. I’m tired of trying to do everything right to get his attention and still not being enough. It’s time I showed him what I want.”

“That’s my boy.” I clap his shoulder. “But maybe shower first.” I scrunch up my nose. “You stink.”

“Gee, thanks.” He hits me. “You had a good night?”

I smile secretively as Alek drops into a chair opposite us, and before we know it, the whole team is here. Noah stands in front of us, clapping to get our attention. His eyes purposely avoid Mackie, but the fact that he has to fight not to stare makes me smirk. He eventually gives in, checking him over to make sure he’s okay, even if he doesn’t want to.

Noah might not want to admit it, but he has feelings for Mackie.

I wonder when he’ll give in.

“Alright, I’m glad we all had a good night.” There are some chuckles. “But the time for celebration is over. We qualified, but that just means we need to work harder.” Everyone groans, and Noah smirks, the masochist. “Our next race is in two weeks?—”

Alek slides his chair over so he can whisper in my ear, distracting me. “You’re smiling like a crazy person. Did you have a good night?”

“Maybe,” I reply.

“Sky, tell me you didn’t corrupt Bones,” he grumbles.

“Maybe he corrupted me,” I mutter, and he slaps me so I slap him back, and before I know it, we are both slapping the shit out of each other until someone clears their throat. We break apart, turning to Noah.

“Interrupting something, are we?” he says sternly.

I lean back with a smile. “Noah, you look a little tired this morning. Did you have a long night?”

His eyes dart to Mackie and back to me, and I grin sweetly. “Moving on . . .” He turns away, and I wink at Alek, who rolls his eyes.

“Asshole,” he mutters.

“How’s my Evvie? Maybe I should stop by?—”

He covers my mouth, his eyes narrowed. “If you go near him with your whore penis, I will chop it off,” he warns.

Covering my cock, I groan. “My boy wouldn’t like that. He likes what it does to him too much. Besides, I’m only a whore for him now, no one else.”

“How fucking romantic,” he deadpans. “Now, can we stop talking about your dick?”

“You brought it up. Would you prefer we talk about yours?”

He watches me for a moment. “Why are we friends?” he asks.

“Because you’re a grumpy bastard that no one else will put up with?” I retort sweetly.

“Ass,” he mutters, but he shoots me a grin just as a mechanic skids into our impromptu meeting, stopping Noah mid-sentence.

“Boss, come quickly!” he yells. “It’s Manny—oh God, please come!”

Alek and I share a look, and then we are on our feet, running.