Chapter 9 #2
He must have sensed me because he lifted his head, and our eyes locked.
Warmth, pleasure, and longing inundated me as we both stood there, staring at one another.
I wished my body didn’t react the way it did around him.
My feet moved of their own accord, taking me across the lobby, directly toward him.
Our eyes stayed locked on one another, as if neither of us could look away.
I stopped before him. I had to hold myself back from wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him.
His eyes darkened, and he licked his lips.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to keep my heart rate under control. When I thought I could speak with a steady voice, I opened my eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Watching a movie,” he replied, his voice husky.
“You’re watching a movie?”
He nodded.
“Are you sure you’re not watching me?”
His right eye twitched ever so slightly, hinting that I’d guessed correctly.
“Why?” I demanded. “What’s going on?”
He reached out, placing his large hands on my shoulders, then sliding them down to my wrists.
I shivered. The touch of his skin against mine was delicious. Intoxicating. I took a step closer to him, our bodies almost touching. I wanted to melt into him.
Then I remembered he had a girlfriend, and I barely knew him. We needed to break this bizarre connection between us. I took a step back, and he released me.
I took another step away, wanting to put physical distance between us so I could think straight.
He took a step toward me. “Laney.” His eyes searched mine. For what, I had no idea.
“Are you following me?” I asked, needing to know.
“No.”
I didn’t believe him. “Then why are you here?” My voice came out soft, almost timid. I balled my hands into fists, wanting to stand my ground and be strong. I didn’t want him to think he could push me around.
“Em and I broke up,” he revealed, his words feeling like a boulder being thrown at me, knocking me to the ground.
I didn’t know what to do with that information. I didn’t know if it changed things between us. “Are you sure about that? I saw Emily earlier, and she didn’t mention it. In fact, it seemed as if she thought the two of you are still very much together.”
“We just ended things,” he said. “You’re the first person I’ve told. I doubt Em is running around announcing it to everyone she sees.”
“Why did you break up?”
“You know why.” The intensity of his gaze surprised me.
If he was implying that he’d broken up with Emily so he could be with me, I wanted no part of that. I couldn’t be that girl. And just because Rowan and I had a physical connection didn’t mean we’d be good together. “I need to go.” I was halfway across the lobby when I heard my name.
“Laney, wait.”
I stopped but didn’t turn to face him.
Maybe Emily had been hanging around me so much lately because she’d broken up with Rowan and wanted to talk about it, or be kept busy so she wouldn’t think about him. No wonder she wanted to come out with us tonight. Guilt consumed me.
Rowan slid his hand to my right hip, his fingers burning through my jeans.
“Can we go somewhere and talk?” he asked close to my ear, his voice low, barely above a whisper, making me shiver.
My breathing sped up as an overwhelming desire to lean back into him consumed me. I had to touch him, feel him. I was just about to give in when I remembered he was keeping things from me, including why he was really here.
“Please stop following me.” I forced myself to walk away from him. I could feel him watching me, but I didn’t look back.
I sat in my seat, taking the popcorn from Sarah, my arms shaking.
“Was Em in there?” she asked.
“We’ll talk about it later.”
She watched me for a moment before turning her attention back to the movie screen.
For the rest of the movie, I sat there, replaying my conversation with Rowan over and over again. I kept waiting for him to come back in, but he never did.
I entered the library and headed up to the third floor, which was designated for studying. Toward the back, I found an empty table near one of the windows.
I sat and unzipped my backpack, pulling out my laptop and opening it. I had two exams this week that I needed to study for. My phone vibrated.
Adan
I need help.
Laney
Tell me something I don’t already know.
Adan
Wow.
I thought we were friends.
I rubbed my forehead. I had a lot to get through, and it was almost dinnertime. Mondays were hard because I had school from nine to four with only a few short breaks.
Laney
I’m studying. What do you want?
Adan
You’re rather blunt.
Laney
Because I’m busy. Lots to learn so I can conquer the world.
Adan
I’m studying for the genetics exam and it’s literally killing me.
Laney
So you’re literally dying right now? Should I call an ambulance?
Adan
No use. I’ll be dead by the time it arrives.
Laney
What’s the problem?
Adan
Some of these concepts make no sense.
Laney
Have you been to the study group your BFF runs?
Adan
It’s Monday. The study session is Wednesday. I need help now.
The test was Wednesday, so the study session wouldn’t help him.
Laney
I’m in the library. Come join me. We can study together.
Adan
I just walked in the door from training. My legs can’t make it all the way to the library.
Laney
I thought you were studying…
Adan
I was. Earlier. It didn’t go well. I don’t want to waste any more time. Please help!
Laney
I offered to. You’re too lazy to take me up on it.
Adan
I will love you forever if you come here. PLEASE!
Laney
You want me to walk to your house to help you study?
Adan
Yes. I’ll owe you big time.
Laney
I neither want your undying love nor need a favor from you. I’m fine on my own.
Adan
Did I mention that I have burritos?
Laney
Why didn’t you start with that? I’ll be right there.
Is there even a quiet place to study at your house?
Adan
I’m home alone. We can study in my room.
I really didn’t want to walk all the way over to Adan’s house, but I did need to study for genetics.
Having a partner to study with would be beneficial.
It would allow me to ensure my notes were complete and that I understood the information.
Since the rugby players were gone, I could go over there. And, you know, burritos. Enough said.
Laney
Packing up my stuff now. I’ll be there in ten. Assuming I remember which house is yours.
Adan
I’ll keep an eye out for you.
Laney
Just make sure none of your teammates steal my burrito.
Adan
I’m not an amateur. I’ve already hidden the food. Have a little faith, woman!
Chuckling, I packed up and headed out of the library.
Eating with Adan while studying sounded better than going to the dining hall tonight.
I walked across campus, glad the air was starting to cool.
I crossed over the bridge and headed left, trying to remember which house the rugby players lived in. I spotted Adan sitting on the porch.
“That didn’t take you long,” he said as a way of greeting.
“You have food. That’s all the incentive I need.” Plus I wanted to get in and out before anyone else came home.
He opened the door and ushered me upstairs. His room was tiny with two beds taking up the majority of the space. He motioned to the bed on the right, so I dropped my bag and sat on the edge of it.
Adan grabbed a book from his desk, tossing it onto his bed. Then he opened one of his drawers and pulled out two wrapped burritos.
“Your dresser?” I said, hoping the food was still warm.
“Sock drawer.” He smiled. “No one would dare go in there.” Then he pulled out two paper plates and two bottles of water. “Don’t worry, they haven’t been in there that long.”
“If my burrito tastes like socks, I’m out of here.”
He laughed as he set everything on his bed. I situated myself toward the top of the bed, leaning against the wall, while he sat near the bottom.
“Let’s start studying while we eat,” I said, opening my laptop and pulling up my genetics notes.
Then I unwrapped my burrito and took a bite.
It was piping hot. I moaned. Since being here at school, I hadn’t eaten out much.
The food in the dining hall was good, but nothing they served compared to this.
After Adan and I went through our notes twice, we began quizzing each other until we both had it down cold. Adan closed his laptop and book, placing them on his desk. He grabbed our paper plates, trash, and empty water bottles, throwing everything away.
I packed up my stuff then lay on the bed, looking up. “You put stars on your ceiling?”
Adan jumped on his bed, stretching out next to me. “Nope. Someone before me did that.”
“You didn’t want to take them off?” It seemed like such a silly, childish thing to have.
“I’ve gotten used to it, and I like them. If I’m feeling down, I can wish upon a star.” He chuckled at his own lame-ass joke.
I shoved his shoulder. At least he’d been focused while we were studying. “Thanks for having me over. That was actually a big help.” Now I felt confident I’d do well on the test.
“What are you doing for the rest of the night?” he asked.
“Studying.” Always studying. A nasty result of my mom never letting me do anything when I was younger. Now it seemed like it was all I knew how to do. Study, get good grades, do what I was told.
“What do you do besides study?” Adan asked.
“I like to read, watch movies, and knit.”
“Knit? Like with yarn and shit?”
“No,” I deadpanned. “I use yarn and needles. No shit. That would smell awful.”
Adan laughed.
“What about you?” I asked him.
“Between school and rugby, I don’t have time for much else. But I love to hike. I’m also a big movie buff. Want to watch something?”
“Now?”
“Yes. I need a break from studying. Otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on my other subjects.”
I really needed to go. Plus, the guys would start trickling home, and I didn’t want to deal with a house full of rugby players.