15. Lincoln
FIFTEEN
LINCOLN
“ I don’t think I’ve ever been over on this side of campus,” Cali said as she rubbed her arms. The thick fabric of her sweater moved with the pressure, and I felt a pang of guilt for dragging her all the way out here without a coat.
She had started shivering mere moments into our walk across campus.
The image of her trying to keep up with my long strides forced the corner of my mouth to twitch upwards.
I shouldn’t have found it amusing, but the way she scrambled to keep up at times was… cute.
As she gazed in the direction of the chalkboard menu that was posted above the register, I took her in.
Her cheeks, high and freckled, were a rosy pink from being out in the cold.
My eyes traced the edge of her face, coming around to her smooth jawline.
But what really drew me in were her lips.
They were full and pouty, appearing pillowy soft.
What the hell was I thinking?
I darted my gaze to the faux brick wall behind her, effectively breaking whatever trance I was under.
The conversation I had with my mother the other night filtered through my head.
This was a bad idea. I don’t know how we ended up here or why I even offered to have dinner with Cali in the first place, but I was beginning to regret it.
Maybe, somehow, the tutoring session had put me in a good mood, or perhaps it was the sound of hearing her stomach growl and learning that she had passed on dinner to come and find me. Whatever the case was, I was on a very slippery slope.
“Do you come here often?”
The sound of her soft voice had me dragging my eyes back to her. “No,” I answered. “But I do come here whenever I need a break.”
Her doe-eyes were asking me to elaborate. “From training?”
From everything.
Instead of opening that can of worms, I nodded.
The Break Room was a quiet restaurant in the basement of the main business building at Fenton, one of my best-kept secrets.
Considering the campus was massive, you’d think there would be plenty of places to hide.
It was secluded and far enough from the hustle and bustle that most students didn’t even know this place existed.
Besides, some business students who were too preoccupied with their noses pressed against a laptop screen.
Leaving me with some peace and fucking quiet.
“Let me know what you want to eat.” I leaned into the table, hands clasped together in front of me. “I’ll go put the order in.”
Cali hummed, eyes squinting as she regarded the board. “I’m a big fan of grilled cheese and tomato soup. Have you ever had it here?”
“I don’t stray too far from my double-stacked burger and waffle fries. ”
Cali sent me another one of her sweet smiles. “I guess that makes sense. Protein and all that.”
“It’s more work than you would think,” I said around a humorless laugh.
“Oh yeah?” She tilted her head.
I leaned back in my seat. “Coach has me on a pretty strict meal plan that mostly consists of beef, rice, egg whites, and spinach. I go out every now and then, but I try to stick to it the best I can.”
Cali scrunched up her nose. “Seems limiting.”
“I don’t mind it.” I shrugged. It wasn’t the most exciting diet, but it kept me feeling good. “Grilled cheese and tomato soup then?”
“Yes, please.”
“And what do you want to drink?”
A new shade of pink blossomed across her cheeks. “This might sound like a weird request, but could I get a black coffee?”
Now it was my turn to raise my brows. “You want a coffee with your tomato soup?”
Cali dropped her eyes to the table, a bashful smile gracing her face. “I practically live off it. Have you ever had the coffee here?”
“I don’t drink coffee.”
“Really?” Cali asked, mimicking my expression. “No coffee? Ever?”
“Ever.”
“Interesting,” Cali drawled. Her eyes darted around my face. “There’s so much I’m learning about you tonight.”
Heat rose to the back of my neck. Her gaze was penetrating… curious.
“I’ll go place the order,” I rushed, sliding out of the seat.
I waited around the register, giving myself some much- needed space.
Considering the place was dead, it didn’t take long until our order was called.
When I returned to our table with the tray, our conversation lulled as I tried not to inhale my burger.
Cali started with her cup of coffee and grilled cheese, waiting for the soup to cool down.
It didn’t take us long to finish our respective meals.
When we emerged from the basement, the campus was empty.
It was as dark as when we had left the boxing facility, but now the wind had picked up.
Cali drew her arms tight around herself.
Not wanting her to have to endure the cold this time, I wiggled off my windbreaker. Without a word, I held it out to her.
Her brown eyes gazed at the coat before traveling to my face. “Oh,” she started. “I can’t take that from you. Don’t you need it?”
With my other hand, I gestured to the gray hoodie I was wearing. “I’m fine, just take it.”
“Are you sure?”
In response, I opened the windbreaker out to her. Tucking some hair behind her ear, she stepped closer, allowing me to help her slip it on. Then she stepped away, turning back towards me. It was like a short dress on her.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she tilted her face up towards me.
Something in my chest shifted as I took her in. It affected me so much that I had to look away. As soon as my gaze met with a hefty figure in the distance, I wished I hadn’t. Claudio stood a distance away, the tip of his cigarette burning in the dark.
When I turned my attention back to Cali, she was curiously peering in his direction. My heart leapt to my throat. I couldn’t have him trying to figure out who she was.
“No problem,” I said, taking her arm and guiding her down the path, away from my sperm donor. “I’ll walk you back to your dorm.”
Cali’s eyes widened a fraction. “Are you sure? You really don’t have to.”
“Well,” I said, starting in the direction of her dorm building. “I did drag you to the other side of campus. I just want to make sure that you get home safely.”
Cali’s lips tugged into a small grin. “Such a gentleman, Mr. Pierce.”
“You sound surprised,” I said, matching my pace to hers.
I checked over my shoulder. No sign of Claudio.
Cali focused straight ahead. “After seeing you with your sister, I know I probably shouldn’t be.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement when she turned to look up at me. “I guess Fenton’s star boxer isn’t so scary after all.”
“That’s because you haven’t gotten on my bad side,” I mused, the tension dissipating from my body.
Cali’s laugh was light and airy. “I thought I was perpetually on your bad side from the moment I met you.”
“Most people are,” I admitted. “But I think you’ve officially grown on me.”
The walk to Wilson Hall, the block of dorms Cali was living in, was quiet after that.
I stuffed my hands deep into the pockets of my joggers.
She seemed more comfortable, my windbreaker doing its job.
When I first met Cali, I’d been counting down the days until I could be rid of her.
Every spare moment I’d schemed, thinking of ways I could get her to give up on tutoring—give up on me.
But now, here I was, taking my time as I escorted her back to her dorm.
We stepped into the quad about fifteen minutes later. Like the rest of campus, the courtyard was quiet. Cali paused under a lamppost that was right off the path we took to get here. I was preparing for us to go our separate ways when she moved to take off my jacket.
“Keep it,” I said, causing her to still. “I’ll get it the next time I see you.”
“Are you sure?” Cali jutted a thumb to the darkened structure behind her. “My building is right there.”
I nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine.”
The warmth in my chest reignited at the sight of her. I liked the idea of other people seeing my clothing on her.
Cali moved to fix the windbreaker back over her shoulders. “How are you getting home?”
“Bus,” I answered. Andrew wasn’t off work for another couple of hours, and I wasn’t about to wait around for him.
“Then aren’t you going to need this?” She tugged on the open zipper, her hands half-tucked into the baggy sleeves.
“I run hot,” I explained. “I’ll be fine.”
Cali’s eyes softened. “Alright. Thanks again… for dinner, and the jacket…” she trailed off for a moment before she added, “for giving me a proper chance tonight.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
We stood there for a moment, my feet anchored to the interlock as she studied my face with her amber eyes. For the first time since I had met Cali the air between us became thick. Electric. My breath got stuck in my throat.
This couldn’t happen.
I stepped back, the tension between us too much to handle. I had to leave before I did something I would regret later.
“Have a good night, California.”
That simple sentence was enough to snap whatever trance she was under. Running her tongue over her bottom lip, she mirrored me and stepped back. “Goodnight, Lincoln. ”
I turned to leave, but not before pausing around the corner to make sure she got inside okay. When the back of my black windbreaker disappeared behind the large doors of the dorm building, I drew in a heavy breath before starting my walk to the bus stop.
I was so screwed.