Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Arden
Of course I wanted her to stay, but I think I scared her away by what I said.
She can pretend all she wants that she didn’t hear it, but I know she did.
I’ll let her pretend if it’s easier for her but now that’s been said, I’m not sure I can take it back.
Or if I even want to. I want her to be mine. Fully and completely. Mine.
After we finished, Danika blamed exhaustion and couldn’t leave the room fast enough. I could hear her bedroom door slam from my bed, and I breathe out a sigh of resignation.
I hope I didn’t just ruin this entire thing. But there’s no going back for me now. I want her. If I’m truly honest with myself, I’ve wanted her for longer than I’d care to admit but now, I’m not going to push the feelings away.
When I wake up in the morning, Danika has already gone to campus. She didn’t leave a note or anything, but her room is empty and there’s a trail of granola from the kitchen cabinet to the doorway.
I quickly get myself ready and head to my shift at Groundbreaking. If I can get through this shift and my classes without being totally burned out, then maybe I can find Dani at her study session and bring her some coffee. I’m sure she’ll need it.
Pulling the black apron over my head, I clock into the register before turning on the machines and putting out the pastries.
“Morning, Arden,” Carla, a tiny sophomore who also works here, greets me as she walks through the double doors from the back.
“Hey, Carla,” I respond.
“Hope it’s not too busy today, I’m hoping to sneak in some studying for my econ midterm.”
I chuckle, putting out the last of the cinnamon buns. I wonder if Danika liked the one I brought her, I never asked. Making a mental note, I close the pastry display.
“I’ll cover you, Carla. Do you want you gotta do.”
She nods in gratitude and props her textbook up in the corner of the coffee bar—the place all of us know is a black out spot on the cameras if the bossman is watching. I can handle a shift with a half-focused partner. Hell, this is the easiest job I’ve ever had.
Four hours later, I’m drenched in sweat and smell like caffeine and cinnamon.
I have no idea why so many people decided this morning was the time to come to Groundbreaking, but it seems like everyone on campus plus their uber drivers came to the register and, of course, it was hardly ever a simple black coffee.
If I never have to make another latte again, it’ll be too soon.
I apologize to Carla, turns out I needed her more than I thought I would, and clock out of the register to get to my class on time.
I’m not running late but I’m not exactly in a position to dally as I make my way across campus. Looking at my phone, I see no text from Danika. Not that I expected one but…it would’ve been nice. Maybe I freaked her out more than I thought.
Grimacing, I go to text her, just to check up but my phone falls out of my hand when I walk right into a body.
“Ah shit, man. Sorry,” I start, until I get a full look at my assailant. Nico and his shit-eating grin greet me. “Actually, nevermind.” I mutter, grabbing my phone and stepping around him.
“What? That’s it?” Nico taunts. “You know, I’m about to go meet up with your girl for our study group. Anything you want me to tell her for you? Or, you know, for her I’d be happy to—”
I stalk back to him and I want to grip the front of his shirt with my fist but I hold myself back with every ounce of strength that I have. “Finish that sentence and it will be your last.”
His eyes widen briefly but then the smirk takes over again. He pushes me away and I let him. I need to take my deep breaths. Think about something else. Don’t see red. See blue, the sky. Green, the grass. Yellow, the sun. I feel myself calming already.
“I’m not afraid of you, prick.”
“You should be.”
I turn to leave again but he stops me in my tracks. “I know Danika hates fighting. She’s not going to be with an aggressive guy like you. It’s only a matter of time before she sees through this nice guy act you have on. You’ll snap. And she’ll run right back into my arms.”
I want to tell him he’s wrong. Actually, I want to punch him in his fucking face. But, he’s not. For once, the dick is spewing the truth. She doesn’t want to be with a guy with anger issues. She’s fought against that her whole life. She’s way too headstrong to let any man treat her like that.
He may be right about that, but there’s one thing he’s dead wrong about. One last time, I turn and walk back to him, considerably calmer than I was a few seconds ago.
“If Danika were ever to run back to you, there’s no doubt in my mind that it would be with a knife in her hand.”
I leave him gaping like a fish and walk to my class. Now I’m definitely late, but it was worth it for the look on his face.