Deking (Walker University #5)

Prologue

Freshman Year

“I’m just saying that if butterflies taste with their feet and they land on a pile of shit, then they would be tasting shit.

That is such a disgrace for such a beautiful animal.

They shouldn’t have to taste whatever they land on.

I mean, what if they land because they had to run from a predator or something?

I don’t know. It seems unfair to them. Don’t you think? ”

I don’t bother answering Brett as he jabbers away about the fun fact he learned about butterflies.

He does this a lot. He goes on a tangent, and it really doesn’t matter if you are listening or not.

He will keep talking away, glad to have someone at his side.

It’s the side effect of not having parents who give a shit.

I relate in a way. My parents aren’t alive and ignoring me.

They are just dead. I was raised by an uncle who did his best, but he never wanted kids.

Now that I’m eighteen, I have access to my full fortune, but it doesn’t fill the gaping hole left inside of me.

Just like all the parties and women Brett sleeps with don’t fill his.

We are both just trying to survive.

Maybe that’s why we get along so well.

When Clayton chose me as the freshman living in the hockey house, I wasn’t sure why he chose me, but getting to know these guys over the summer makes me believe we have more in common than I thought.

“What are we doing in the psych building?” Brett asks suddenly as we walk into the building.

I grunt at him, not answering him. They are getting used to my nonverbal ways. I don’t like to speak much. They have accepted that.

“Okay then. Did I tell you about koalas?” he asks, dropping the subject.

I walk a little down the hall with him telling me all about the animal before I lean against a wall. He does the same, turning to face me. I’m glad I am a little taller than him. I can easily see over his shoulder.

It takes another five minutes of listening to him babble on and on about different animals before I see her.

She steps out of a classroom with a smile on her face.

She says goodbye to the girl she is talking to as she heads our way.

Quickly, I take out my phone and pretend to play on it.

Then, when she is close, I step forward and bump into her.

“Oh my gosh. I am so sorry. I didn’t even see you there,” she says immediately.

I look into her big blue eyes, and I swear my heart stops. I could get lost in those eyes.

I clear my throat. “No problem. I should have been looking instead of glued to this thing.”

I shake my phone at her, making her laugh.

“Yeah, technology is a killer. I didn’t hurt you or anything, did I?” she asks, sounding sincere.

I bite back a smile. “No. I’m fine. I can take a pretty girl running into me. I take pucks to the body all the time.”

Her eyes light up. “Oh, you’re on the hockey team.”

I nod. “The goalie. It’s kind of my job to take a hit.”

She giggles, and I swear it makes me feel lighter. I like that I can make her smile and laugh. I make her happy.

I want to ask her out, but I chicken out at the last minute. Instead, I look down at her books and take note of them.

“You’re in Psychology 101? How is it? I have to take it next semester,” I tell her.

She looks down at her books and then back at me. “Yeah. I want to be a nurse someday. This is one of the core classes I need to take to get into the nursing program in two years.”

“I’m a sports medicine major. They want us to take it so that we can assess an athlete’s mental health while we are treating them.”

“That makes sense. Well, it has only been two weeks, but so far I am enjoying it. Professor Kit is a hoot. He will have you laughing.”

“You will have to let me know if you feel the same way by the end of the semester,” I say, making her cheeks pinken.

“Yeah. I can do that. Maybe I will come check out a game or two. See how you are on the ice.”

That has my own cheeks feeling warm.

I am no stranger to girls wanting to get with me, I just never really indulged.

Not after my high school girlfriend turned out to be a gold digger.

I thought I was in love with the girl. Lost my virginity to her and everything.

Then she dumped me when someone with a bigger wallet than mine came around.

I swore off girls then, but the day I saw this girl, I knew she was something special.

“I’m Wyatt Scott, by the way.”

I hold out my hand, waiting for her to do the same. When she does, I swear I feel sparks fly between us.

“Lyla Wayne. Nice to meet you.”

I swallow hard. “You as well. Hopefully, we will see each other around.”

“Yeah, hopefully we will.” I swear her eyes are reading into my soul as she looks at me.

She drops my hand, walking past me as she heads to her next class. I turn and watch her go, loving when she looks back at me with a shy smile.

“What the fuck was that about? I don’t think I have ever heard you talk that much.” Brett is practically bouncing on his toes next to me.

I honestly forgot he was there, witnessing that whole encounter. I don’t want to tell him, but I know he will pester me about it until I do.

“That girl is going to be my girlfriend,” I grunt. “Leave it at that.”

He is beaming as he takes his place next to me as I begin to walk us to my next class.

“Oh, someone has a crush. She’s hot. Seems nice. Good choice.”

I don’t dignify him with a response.

How could I? My mind is stuck on the pretty blonde who has captured my attention like no other.

I meant it, though. Lyla Wayne will be my girlfriend even if I have to wade through hell to get there with her.