Chapter 43
Evie
I don’t feel as energized as I normally do after my morning run.
I know I owe it to my late night, but I don’t regret it.
I had to get caught up on studying before I started this next week of classes.
A yawn escapes me as I head down the stairs and out the front door.
I watch as Zane pulls his ball cap lower on his forehead, as if that and shades will hide who he really is.
He lifts his head and immediately walks my way.
“Morning,” he says in a voice that sounds like he’s been up for hours.
I’m going to ask him how long he’s been awake when what he’s holding suddenly catches my attention.
He hands me an iced coffee with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
I groan, knowing I don’t need the extra calories; but it looks so good.
“Thanks, Zane.” I put the straw in take a drink, closing my eyes when the sugar and caffeine hit my system.
I groan. “That’s so good.” I open my eyes.
“Want a drink?” He stares down at me with an intensity that’s hard to ignore.
“You enjoy it.” He hands me a bag, and I take it from him. Opening it, I discover what I think is a pumpkin muffin that’s still warm.
“Oh my word.” I take it out and unwrap it before taking a bite. My eyes find his. I tear off a piece and offer it to him. I think at first he’s going to decline my offer, but he eats it. “Isn’t that good?”
He smiles softly at me, and I catch my breath. “Yeah, Baby; it is.” He steps close and rests a hand on my shoulder. “Did you sleep well?” There’s an intensity to him that seems different today.
“It was fast but good. Did you?” He shrugs, and I take another sip of my coffee, eying him. He looks a little more haggard than usual. Nothing takes away from his good looks, but he looks...off. “You doing okay, Zane?” My question is soft, but he hears me just fine. His eyes never leave mine.
“I’m good.”
I take another bite of muffin. “Are you sleeping at night?”
His eyes sharpen. “Why?”
The fact that he asks answers my question. “You know you need sleep to survive, right?”
“I know.”
His gruff answer doesn’t do anything to make me feel better. “Zane?” I lower my coffee. Concern fills me when he runs a hand over his head. I step close and put my hand on his chest. “Are you okay?”
He puts his hand over mine and stares down at me.
The intensity in his gaze rocks me. I glance around at the small crowd of onlookers.
Just as I thought, his hat hasn’t fooled anyone.
I reach out and take his large hand in mine and walk towards the side of the building.
Thankfully, he follows and doesn’t take his hand from mine.
When we round the corner, I put my coffee down and drop my muffin back in the bag before placing it next to my coffee.
I don’t say anything as I step close to him and wrap my arms around him.
He stiffens a moment, as if I’ve surprised him.
Then he wraps those strong arms around me and pulls me tightly to him before burying his face in my hair.
I feel him breathe deeply. “Did you just sniff my hair?” I ask, trying to coax a laugh out of him.
It doesn’t work; he just holds me tightly.
“Are you okay, Zane?” I ask against his hard chest. One of his hands comes up to the back of my head, and he strokes my hair.
My eyes nearly roll back in my head at the feel of his hand in my hair.
“Better now,” he says in that deep voice of his. If a hug makes things better, then I’ll hug this man every single day.
I pull back slightly, so I can look at him. “I have to get to class.”
“I know. Thank you.” He pushes a hair from my face. “You made my morning so much better.” I can’t help but smile up at him, which causes him to smile in return. I release my hold on him and snag my coffee and muffin.
“Thanks for this. You made my day.”
He smiles down at me. “I’m glad.”
I push lightly on his chest. “I’ve got to go.” I take a step back, still facing him. “Have a good day, Blackwood.”
His smile grows. “You too, Bennett.”
I turn around, unable to stop smiling and make my way to my first-hour class.
I know Zane’s first-hour is across campus, which is why we’re going our separate ways.
It doesn’t take me long to get to class and settle in.
I can’t help my smile; I’m so much more awake and ready for today than I was when I first left my dorm.
I know I owe all of it to a certain gorgeous quarterback.
A quick glance shows our professor hasn’t showed up yet.
I snag my phone and shoot off a quick text to Zane.
Me- thanks for the coffee and muffin. It really made my morning.
I bite my lip a moment before sending another text.
Me- seeing you this morning really made my morning
Zane’s text back is quick.
Zane- seeing you is always the best part of any day for me
I grin at my phone before dropping it in my pocket as our professor takes the stage. I can’t believe how happy he makes me. I make a mental note to call my mom later and tell her about Zane.
My morning classes pass in a blur, and I make my way towards the dining hall. My mind swims with everything I need to get done this week. Tessa sees me coming and waves. We split and grab food before meeting back at our regular table. “How was your morning?” she asks.
“Good.”
“How about you?” I ask after taking a bite of my salad. I frown down at it, wondering if I put the wrong dressing on it.
“Eh, I flunked one of my tests.” She shakes her head. “I study so hard for these tests, and then it’s like all the information just escapes before the test.”
“I’m sorry, Tess. I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
The looks she shoots me makes me think maybe it was.
“Next time you have a test, let me know. Maybe I can help you study and—” Her eyes widen, and I stop what I was saying.
Before I can ask her what’s wrong, the chair pulls out next to me and a big body slides into it.
I’m already smiling before I turn to him.
“Hey,” Zane says softly.
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
“Coach gave us today off, so I get to eat lunch with you.” He slides over a white box I didn’t even realize he had in front of him. He keeps his hand on the box when he sees my salad. “Unless you’d rather have your salad.”
I pretend to think about it. “Hmmm. My salad or orange chicken?” He grins and removes his hand.
“That’s what I thought.” He leans forward and kisses me on the cheek.
“Thank you for the food,” I tell him softly because we’re still close. His hand drops to my thigh, and he gives it a soft squeeze.
“You’re welcome.”
“You don’t have to bring me food every time you see me, though,” I feel the need to point out.
He shrugs. “I like to.”
I pull back slightly. “Yeah, well, I’m going to gain a bunch of weight if it keeps happening. I’m going to have to double my running regimen.”
His eyes scan my body a moment. “Your body’s perfection, Bennett. You don’t need to run on my account.”
I feel my face heat up. “You have to say that.” My words are soft.
His eyes widen. “How do you figure?”
“We’re, whatever it is we are,” I say, motioning between us.
His smirk grows. “Can’t say it?” he challenges.
“What’s there to say, Blackwood?” I challenge right back. “Pretty sure we haven’t defined this...whatever it is.”
He leans towards me. “Then let me define it, Bennett. You’re my girl, my girlfriend, my whole world; take your pick.
” He doesn’t lean back. “Does that define it?” I stare into his eyes, and his gaze softens.
That hand on my leg rubs a small circle.
“I didn’t mean to be confusing or unclear.
I am in this for the long haul with you, if that’s what you want. ” I don’t even have to think about it.
“I do.”
His lips turn up on one side. “Good.” His hand comes up and slips under my hair, and he palms the back of my neck. I close the sliver of distance between us, and his lips touch mine. The hand on my leg tightens, and I sigh softly against his lips.
“Um, hey guys,” a voice interrupts us. I try to pull out of the daze Zane has put me in and turn to look at Tessa, who’s staring at us with wide eyes.
“You’re drawing attention.” It’s only then that I see the phones turned toward us.
I drop my head instinctively. Zane drops his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to his chest, effectively blocking me from most of the view.
“Show’s over, People. Move on.”
When I meet Tessa’s gaze, her eyes are dancing.
“Good thing he’s not your man,” she whispers pointedly.
I shake my head, thankful Zane’s still busy glaring at everybody.
When Zane turns back to the table, Tessa crosses her arms on the table.
“Blackwood, we need to talk about Saturday.” He bends over and pulls a white container out and slides it across the table to Tessa, who stares at it. “What is this?”
He looks at her like she’s lost it. “It’s Chinese.”
I take a bite of my chicken, enjoying the show. “Yes, I know it’s Chinese; I wasn’t born yesterday, Blackwood. Why did you give it to me?”
Zane sits back in his seat and drops his arm over the back of my chair.
It puts his body close to mine, and I don’t mind in the least. “Because you’re the best friend.
I know to include you. I wasn’t born yesterday.
” I glance at him and catch his smirk as he throws her words back at her.
I take another bite and watch as she opens the box.
“You have the best boyfriend ever,” she directs towards me.
I smile. “I know.”
Tessa takes a bite and sighs. “I love Chinese.”
I glance at Zane again and smile when his eyes meet mine.
Thank you. I mouth to him. He pulls me closer to him with that arm around my shoulder.
“What did you get to eat?” He pulls out another bowl and opens the lid.
I nod and turn back to my food. His bowl is a mix of all things healthy.
I spot some quinoa in there, sweet potatoes, apples, spinach, and more.
Lunch passes all too quickly, and soon it’s time to get back to class.
We clean up our mess and throw away our trash.
Zane glances at his phone. “I have a little bit of time. I’ll walk you to your next class.”
“Thanks for the lunch, Zane,” Tessa says with a wave. “See you later, Evie.”
“Bye, Tess.”
Zane and I walk out of the dining hall and start towards my class. I feel his hand and turn mine, so they fit together. “Do you want to come to the house tonight?”
“I wish I could,” I tell him. “But I have to work tonight right after my last class.”
He squeezes my hand. “No worries. We’ll have another night.” We get to my building, and he pulls his hand from mine. He bends forward and kisses my cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Zane.”
I’m almost inside the building when he calls out again. “Evie.” I turn to him, and he jogs over to me. “You said you had to double your running regimen. When do you run?”
“In the mornings.”
He frowns. “By yourself?”
I can’t help my smile. “It’s a huge campus; there are lots of other runners.”
“What time do you run?”
I shake my head, knowing what he’s getting at. “I’m fine running by myself, Blackwood.”
He studies my face and takes a step back. “Have a good rest of your day.”
I cock my head to the side. “You’re giving up that easy?”
He grins and winks. “Who says I’m giving up?” he returns.