Chapter 38
Evie
After a whole lot of arguing, Zane finally gives up and helps me make a bed on the couch.
I can tell he’s frustrated, but I’m not going to make him sleep on the couch.
He’s way too big. “I’ll be fine,” I tell him, trying to convince him for the hundredth time.
I grab my cosmetic bag and dig a tank top and shorts out of my bag.
“I’m heading to the bathroom. Night, Zane. ”
A few minutes later, I turn off the bathroom light and pad towards the living room. “What are you still doing here?” I ask Zane as I put my clothes from today away.
“Just wanted to say good night.” He steps close. “If you need me, just call out. I’ll hear you; I promise.”
“I’ll be fine.” I step up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Zane, for everything but mostly for being good to me.”
His eyes run over my face. “Get some sleep, Evie.”
I wonder if he’s going to kiss me, but he doesn’t.
I'm not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved.
Who am I kidding? It’s definitely disappointment I’m feeling.
I settle on the couch and try to get comfortable in my new surroundings.
I haven’t slept well since the whole thing in the woods.
I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep here in this new place, but there’s something about knowing Zane is under the same roof, as well as all his friends, that makes me feel safe. I’m asleep in minutes.
I hear an alarm and reach out to grab my phone. I realize a moment later that it’s ringing. I frown when I see Bisch’s name and hurry to answer. “Hello.” My voice is raspy from sleep.
“Evie, I’m so sorry to call you so early. I’ve already had two call outs this morning. I know you’re not on for this morning, but—”
“I can come in,” I interrupt. “But it will take me a little bit because I’m not on campus.”
“I’ll take you whenever you can get here. Thank you, Evie. I owe you.”
He really doesn’t, but I let it go. “I’ll see you soon.
” I hang up and glance at the time. It’s just after five.
I quickly grab my bag and head into the closest bathroom, shutting the door quietly.
I don’t think I really need to worry about it, though because this bathroom is a distance from the bedrooms. I’m ready in less than ten minutes.
I check my phone and see that I have five minutes before the ride I ordered gets here.
I have just enough time to fold the sheets and blankets and leave them neatly on the couch before my ride arrives.
I head towards the front door, checking for anything that looks like an alarm that I could set off.
When I don’t see anything, I slip out quietly.
When I walk into the shop a little while later, Bisch’s face lights up. “You are a lifesaver. Thank you, Evie.”
His words make me feel good that I was able to get here. “You’re welcome.” I drop my bags in the back room, grab my apron, and get to work. The first students are already trickling in, ready to grab a coffee and get a last-minute cram session in.
I’m in the middle of making a drink when the door to the shop flies open, crashing into the outside railing with a clang.
Everybody in the shop looks up and watches as Zane Blackwood steps into the shop.
His eyes shoot to the front of the shop, and I swear he goes unnaturally still when he sees me.
Something keeps me from moving a muscle as he approaches me.
His body is tense, and his eyes are full of.
..something. Students move to get out of his way as he approaches the counter.
“Uh, I’ll just wait over there,” the girl whose order I just took says.
I don’t get a chance to reply before Zane steps up to the counter and leans forward, bracing his arms on the counter.
“You left.” His words are low and gruff, and I take a moment to really take him in.
His hair looks rough, like he just woke up or ran his hands through it repeatedly.
He doesn’t look away. “I woke up, and you were gone.”
My cheeks heat because of how onlookers could interpret what he’s saying. I swallow and keep my voice soft. “I’m sorry. Bisch called early and needed me to come in. I was in such a hurry, I didn’t even think about leaving a note or something. That was inconsiderate of me.”
“How did you get here?”
I continue to hold his gaze. “I called for a ride.”
He blows out a breath, looking like he’s one second away from snapping.
I make a judgement call. I turn to find Bisch staring at the two of us with wide eyes.
“Can I take a quick break?” He nods, not saying a word.
I don’t bother to take my apron off as I round the corner of the counter and put my hand on Zane’s arm, pushing him towards the door.
Thankfully, he lets me direct him outside.
I walk around to the back, where it’s a little more private. “I’m sorry, Zane. I should have—”
His strong arms engulf me suddenly, cutting off my words. I stiffen at first but then relax. “You scared me.” His words are soft, but I hear the edge to them. I pull back, so I can look up at him.
“I didn’t mean to.”
He takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly, like he’s still trying to get control. “Next time,” his eyes hold mine. “Wake me up, and I’ll drive you here.”
“Next time?” I ask.
“Next time,” he repeats. He reaches up to tuck a hair behind my ear. “You don’t have to come into my room; just call my name or text me. I’ll hear you.”
“Like you heard me this morning?” I can’t resist the jab. He looks so intense, and I feel bad for scaring him.
“I didn’t hear you at all. How’d you do that?”
I shrug. “I was just quiet.”
He scowls. “Yeah, no kidding.” He runs a hand over his head. “I’m glad you’re safe. What time do you work until?”
“I have an eight-o’clock class.”
He nods. “I’ll grab something for you to eat when you get done.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You’re not going to start a full day of classes on an empty stomach.”
I wave him off. “I’ll just get a coffee.”
He shakes his head. “Not substantial. I’ll get you something.”
“You really don’t need—”
“I want to,” he says, cutting me off.
I give up trying to convince him otherwise. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll walk you back in.”
He’s quiet as we walk around to the front of the shop.
He opens the door and holds it for me. “Thanks.” Just before I head back up to the front, I turn back to Zane.
“Thanks for being worried about me.” I leave him and get back to work.
I keep him in my vision, even as I start making the drinks we’re backed up on.
When he walks to the door a little bit later, his eyes meet mine for a moment.
I smile at him, and it seems to throw him a bit.
I wonder to myself if Zane isn’t a morning guy. For some reason, that makes me smile.
The time passes quickly, and I realize I need to get going or I’m going to be late. “Bisch, I’ve got to take off, or I’m going to be late.”
He waves me on. “Go. We’re good now. Thank you.”
I grab my bags from the back, not super happy at the prospect of lugging them all over campus. I’ll have to drop off my overnight bag at my dorm room after my first class, because I don’t have time now. I push open the door and nearly run over somebody. “Where’s the fire, Bennett?”
I look up to see Zane smiling down at me. “Sorry. I’m late.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Williams Building.”
He takes my bags from my shoulder and throws them over his own shoulder. “Let’s take my truck, so we can get you there faster.”
“You don’t have a class this hour?” I ask, glancing up at him.
“No. I have this hour free.”
I notice for the first time that he’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and he’s sweating. “Did you come from a practice?”
“No. I was just working out.”
He opens my door for me and throws my bags in the back. After starting the truck, he hands me two wrapped sandwiches. “One’s bacon, and one’s sausage. I didn’t know what kind you would like.”
“Bacon. Always bacon.”
His lips twitch. “Got it.” I unwrap the sandwich and take a small bite of the bagel sandwich. I turn to him in surprise. “Good right?”
I nod and swallow. “Really good.”
“They’re the best.”
I take another bite. “Thanks for this and for driving me.”
“It’s not a problem, Evie.”
“Well, thanks.” I take another bite. “So, when do you normally have practice?”
“It differs on the day, but usually a morning practice and an afternoon one.”
I turn to face him. “And you work out on your own, outside of practice?”
“Yeah.”
“No wonder you look like that.” The words are out of my mouth before I think about it.
Zane, of course, doesn’t miss a beat. “Like what?” He gives me that sexy smirk of his.
I roll my eyes. “You know.”
“Do I though?”
I shake my head and take another bite of my sandwich before wrapping it up. “I can’t finish this. Do you want the rest?”
“You sure you got enough to eat?”
I wrap up the leftover sandwich. “Positive. Thanks for getting it for me; I really enjoyed it.”
“You’re welcome.”
He pulls up in front of the building that hosts my class and climbs out. He opens my door for me and grabs my backpack. “What’s with the other bag?” he asks, nodding at my duffle bag.
“I didn’t have time to run it to my dorm room; I will later.”
He studies my face a moment before closing the passenger door. “You don’t want to stay at our place tonight?”
I finger the strap on my backpack. “We agreed to only one night, remember?”
“You agreed to one night. I agreed to unlimited nights.”
His words make me smile. “I’ve really got to get to class.”
“I’ll hang on to your bag for now, so you don’t have to lug it all over campus. If you need it before you see me next, just let me know.”
“Okay, thanks for everything, Zane.” I start towards the building, and he falls into step next to me. I raise a brow at him, but he doesn’t say anything. When we finally get to my class, I stop outside the door.
“I can’t believe I made it on time. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Before you go,” he digs in his pocket and pulls out his key ring. “Here.”
I eye the keys but don’t take them. “What’s that?”
“The keys to my truck and the house, so you can drive to the house when you’re done. I’ll catch a ride with one of the guys.”
“I’m not going to take your truck, Zane.”
“You have a license, right?”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, and it’s a Florida one. I got it changed over.”
He grins widely. “Have I ever told you I love it when you roll your eyes at me?”
I catch myself before I do it again, but I swear he knows because his smile grows wider. “Drive my truck.” He reaches out and shoves the keys into my side pocket and then leans down and kisses my cheek briefly. “See you later, Baby.”
He’s gone before I can even blink. I want to run after him and return his keys, but I watch as my professor steps into the classroom via the other door. I glance once more in the direction Zane went before stepping into the classroom and finding a seat.