Page 9 of Ivory's Ruin Romance

“Oh, I—um…” She glanced toward the house, where the faint pulse lights blurred into streaks through the trees.

The dorms weren’t that far. Even if Serena had gone home, Avril would’ve seen her message by now. Maybe she hadn’t heard her phone. The music was really loud.

“I might have to go back and find her,” she said at last.

“You’re not going back in there.”

Her brows furrowed. She didn’t really want to, but she challenged him anyway. “Why not, Sir?”

His jaw ticked, and he exhaled, shoving the pack of cigarettes into his jacket with a sigh. “Don’t call me that.”

Something about his irritation lifted her spirits—maybe because he’d done a good job at irritating her, or maybe because this was the most reaction he’d given her all night.

Jace got a handful of bruises, and all she got was an exhale. Hardly seemed fair.

“What, don’t like your nickname, Sir Knight?” she continued. If he didn’t, that was really too bad because the name had already grown on her.

He scowled.

She pouted.

“Fine,” she conceded. The air outside did feel a bit chilly, but she’d already been dealing with it, and to be honest, she didn’t want to go near anyone associated with Jace. “I can walk to the dorms.” Even if it would take her the rest of the night.

“You can hardly stand.” This time, his tone was dry rather than demanding, but the point couldn’t be denied either.

“I’ll be fine.” She arched a brow, satisfied that the words seemed to have the same effect on him as they did on her earlier.

“I don’t believe you,” he replied with a twitch of his lips, repeating her previous response.

He wanted to play this game, did he?

Before she could think of something witty, he offered, “I’ll take you.”

“I promise I’ll be—what?” She must’ve misheard. Winning wasn’t supposed to be easy.

“I’ll give you a ride,” he repeated.

She stared back, questioning whether to believe him or not. “Why?”

He smiled, not a full grin, but enough to make her breath catch. It might as well have been a shot of adrenaline straight to her heart. “Because I want to.” He paused. “And to apologize for being rude earlier. I meant what I said, but maybe I shouldn’t have said it like that.”

She managed to remember how lungs worked in time to reply. “I think I knew how to respond better when you were being rude.” Her eyes met his. “But that doesn’t mean you should go around beating people up.”

He turned away, and the smile vanished. “Probably not. Although Jace is less of a person and more of an asshole.”

She stifled a laugh, looking around. “So…where’s your car?”

“At my apartment, and it’s not a car.”

She frowned. Usually, people weren’t so picky about distinguishing cars from trucks. “Oh. Do you live around here?”

“It’s not that far, but it might take a while to get there in your state.”

She pouted. “You’re being rude again. I’ll have you know my current state is an exception.”

He snorted. “I’m being realistic, not rude—and I know. What made you decide to drink so much tonight?”

Checking her phone in case Avril replied, disappointment crashed over her again at the blank screen. Her shoulders slumped. “I volunteer to be the designated driver most of the time,” she replied. “And I won’t drink if I go somewhere new. Or if I’m behind in my studies.” She sighed. “There’s always something to worry about, but this was my last chance to get out before midterms spank my ass.”

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