Elsie
After a long, emotional day, I’d fallen asleep in Wyatt’s arms, and I’d slept better than I had in weeks.
So well, in fact, that I’d overslept and was running late for class.
I had to jump out of bed and rush down the hall to take a shower.
I didn’t even have time to be bothered that I’d woken up in bed alone.
As soon as I was dressed, I headed out to the parking lot. I opened my door and had just thrown my bag into the backseat when I heard Cotton ask, “Where are you running off to so early this morning?”
“I’ve got class,” I answered with a yawn. “I’m going in a little early, so I can catch up on my notes.”
Cotton nodded, then asked, “So, are things going good with school?”
“Yeah, they’re going great.” I wouldn’t have even had the opportunity to go to college if it hadn’t been for Cotton and the brothers.
They’d not only helped pay for my classes, but they had supported me and encouraged me every step of the way.
“I’m hoping to get my information on graduation by next week. ”
“Good deal.” A smile crossed his face as he said, “Proud of you, Else.”
“Thank you, Cotton.” I stepped over and gave him a quick hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I don’t know about that.” He chuckled. “You’re a stubborn one. You’d find a way—with or without us.”
“Maybe, but you gotta know that I’ll always be grateful for you and the brothers.”
“I do.” He motioned his hand towards my car. “Now, go on. Get to class.”
I nodded, then got in my car and headed to campus.
It was cold, murky, and looked like snow, but I didn’t mind.
I was in a great mood, and I wasn’t going to let anything bring me down.
When I got to the communications building, I was pleased to see that there was a parking place right up front.
I quickly nabbed it, then grabbed my bag and started inside.
I hadn’t gotten far when I heard someone call out my name.
“Elsie!” I turned, and my stomach sank when I spotted Ben rushing over to me. “Hey, how’s it going?”
“Hey, Ben. It’s going okay.” He seemed different today, and it wasn’t just the fact that he’d traded his typical dress shirt and khakis for a black hoodie and jeans.
He seemed agitated and off-center. It was unsettling.
Not that it mattered. I had no interest in sharing a lengthy conversation with him, so I said, “I was just about to head into class.”
“I thought that class didn’t start until ten.”
I was a little thrown that he knew when my class started, but I let it go. “It does. I was just going to do a little studying beforehand.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Was there something you needed?”
“Yeah, uh...” He lowered his head and nervously toyed with a rock. “I just um... I just wanted to apologize for the other night.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary.”
“But it is.” He actually sounded sincere as he told me, “I don’t know what was up with me that night, but I shouldn’t have said all that stuff about your friends.”
“No, you shouldn’t have, but I appreciate you apologizing.”
“It’s the least I could do, especially after I made such a mess of our date.”
“It’s fine. Everything worked out.”
“I don’t know if I’d say that.” He grimaced as he said, “You left me high and dry at the restaurant. It wasn’t exactly the way I’d hoped the night would go.”
“Me either, but maybe it was for the best.” I glanced down at my watch, then said, “I’m sorry, but I really should get going.”
“Okay.” When I turned to leave, he quickly asked, “Hey, you wanna grab some coffee after class? Maybe do a quick review for the big Spanish test this afternoon.”
“Spanish test?” My heart sank at the thought. “Oh my God. I can’t believe I forgot about that.”
“It’s supposed to be a real kick in the ass, but we can cram and get you ready.”
After my weekend with Wyatt, it didn’t feel right to make plans to meet up with another man, especially Ben, but I was in a bind. I had to pass that test, so I told him, “That would be great.”
“Awesome. I’ll um...” He appeared to become anxious once again but quickly shook it off and said, “I’ll meet you at the coffee shop when class is over.”
“Okay. Sounds good.”
“I’ll see you then.”
I nodded, then turned and headed inside to class.
As I’d hoped, I got there before class started and had time to go over my notes from the previous week.
Eventually, the teacher came in, and class started.
I tried to pay attention, but my mind kept drifting to Wyatt and the weekend we’d shared.
Wyatt was not only attentive and sweet, but he was funny, and I found it endearing when he opened up to me about Stitch and the brothers.
I couldn’t remember a time when I’d enjoyed myself more.
It was a thought that had me second-guessing my decision to meet up with Ben.
It was just to go over Spanish. Nothing more.
He was smart and attractive, but I had no real interest in him.
I never did—at least, nothing like I had for Wyatt.
I’d known that all along, and now, it was time that he knew it, too.
When class was over, I gathered my things and headed over to the coffee shop.
As promised, Ben was waiting for me there.
He was sitting at one of the back tables with two cups of coffee and a smile.
I felt a cringe creep over me as I made my way over to him and said, “Um, I’m sorry, but I don’t think our cram session is a good idea. ”
“Why not?”
“I’ve got some errands I need to run.”
“I could take you.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
“It’s not a problem,” he pushed. “I’ve got time to kill.”
He wasn’t getting the hint, or he just didn’t care. Either way, I was about to make myself clear. “Thanks, but I’m going to go alone.”
“What about the test?”
“I’ll figure it out.” Before I could say anything more, my phone started to ring. I took it out of my purse, and when I looked down at the screen, I was surprised to see that it was Cassidy calling. “Hello?”
“Hey, Else. It’s Cass.” She sounded concerned as she asked, “Are you still at school?”
“Yeah, I just got out of class.”
“Does that mean you’re planning to head back soon?”
“Not exactly.” I didn’t want Ben to overhear my conversation, so I gave a quick wave goodbye and started for the door. “I have a test at one. Why? Is something wrong?”
“Cotton has called for a lockdown.”
“Oh.”
I’d lived at the clubhouse long enough to know that a lockdown meant the brothers were concerned about the safety of the brothers and their families. They’d bring them all into the clubhouse, and they’d do everything in their power to keep everyone safe.
The guys would try and act like it wasn’t a big deal, but I knew better. I could see the mix of worry and fight in their eyes, and I had my suspicions about what had put it there—which made me wonder if someone had gotten hurt. “Did something happen? Is everyone okay?”
“No, everyone’s fine. Cotton’s just taking precautions.”
“Okay. Understood... Do I need to come back now?”
“No, no. You don’t have to do that. Just send me the address of where you’ll be, and I’ll tell Cotton to have one of the guys come and keep an eye on you.”
“Okay.” I got in my car and closed the door, then quickly sent her the address. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Okay.... Well, I’ll see you in a couple of hours then.”
“Sounds good. You be careful.”
“I will.”
I ended the call, then tossed my phone over to the seat next to me.
I started my car and was about to back out when I spotted Ben standing at the front of my car.
He had a vicious look on his face—one that sent a cold chill down my spine, and I had no idea why.
I’d tried to be considerate of his feelings, but clearly, he wasn’t pleased that I’d decided not to stay and study with him.
I was torn. I didn’t know if I should apologize or just get the hell out of there.
Something in my gut told me to just leave, so that’s exactly what I did.
I whipped out of that parking place and drove over to the student union.
I figured it would be a safe place to grab a bite to eat and study.
I found a parking spot between it and the Keller building where I’d be taking my Spanish test. After I’d parked, I took a quick look around, checking for anything or anyone that might seem suspicious, and once I saw that everything was okay, I headed inside.
It was lunchtime, so the place was brimming with students.
I usually didn’t like it when it was this crowded, but today, it made me feel safer.
I grabbed a slice of pizza and a soda, then found a quiet spot in the back corner by the window.
I opened my Spanish notes and started studying while I ate.
I hadn’t been studying long when I heard Torch say, “Hey, Squirt. How’s it going?”
“Fine. Just getting a little studying in.” I couldn’t help but notice that all eyes were on Torch and Wrath as they sat down across from me.
I couldn’t blame my classmates for staring.
Torch and Wrath looked a little out of place with their tattoos and black leather jackets. “So, um, Cotton sent you?”
“Just as a precaution,” Wrath answered.
“Cass said the same thing.” I found it doubtful that either of them would tell me much, but I hoped they would answer, “Is everyone okay? Is Wyatt okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine. He’d be here if he could, but he’s ah... working on something.”
“I’m just glad everyone’s okay.”
Torch looked around the room, and a mischievous smirk inched across his lips when he spotted a table full of girls. “What is it about college girls that makes them so fucking hot?”
“You do realize that I’m a college girl?”
“Yeah, but you don’t count. You’re Elsie. You’re Bones’ girl.”
“It’s funny how everyone seemed to know that but me.”
“Poor kid has been hung up on you since day one. Got no idea how you didn’t see it.”
“I’m pretty sure I was the one who was hung up on him, but that’s neither here nor there.”