Page 28 of Hate to Love You

Two fat, crystal-looking tears trek down her pale cheeks. “You know exactly who you stole, you conniving little bitch!”

More people have trickled into the room and are staring at the spectacle she’s making of herself. I just want to melt into the floor. Is it too late to transfer to a different section this semester? I’m sure Dr. Miller would be sympathetic to my plight.

I keep my voice pitched low. “I really don’t. Why don’t you just tell me.”

“Brody!” she wails. “He’s the love of my life.”

Son of a monkey!

I should have known.

Dr. Miller enters the room and shuffles through a few papers at the lectern. More people fill up the seats until all of the desks surrounding me have been taken.

Thankful that class is about to start, I say, “Look, Kimmie, there’s been a misunderstanding. Can we discuss this after class?” I glance around, meeting a sea of curious stares. “Alone?”

Hope kindles in her tear-filled baby blues and her bottom lip trembles pathetically. “A mistake?” she repeats in a hopeful tone.

“Yes.” I smile in relief as her anger magically melts away. “A huge mistake. I’ll explain everything after class, okay? You have nothing to worry about in regards to Brody, trust me.”

Her lips curve as she nods. “Yeah.”

Turning toward the front of the room, I rub my temples in aggravation. A headache is brewing behind my eyes. It’s only ten in the morning and already I’d like to wrap my hands around Brody’s neck and strangle the life out of him.

Damn it. This is all his fault.

If he’d just kept his big mouth shut on Saturday night, none of this would be happening.

Brody saunters in as Dr. Miller launches into a lesson about nonprofit enterprises. He stops, his eyes scanning the small lecture hall. I slump in my seat, somehow knowing that he’s searching for me. I need time to cool off before I talk with him. I flick my eyes toward him, hoping he’s found a place to sit. He hasn’t. The moment our gazes connect, he makes his way toward me. Unfortunately for him, all of the seats have been taken.

But that, apparently, isn’t going to stop him. My brows draw together as he slips into the row I’m parked in.

What’s he planning to do?

Sit on my lap?

When he gets to the occupied desk next to mine, he doesn’t say a word. Just slants an eyebrow. The guy pales and scrambles to gather up his computer and backpack before hustling away.

For the umpteenth time this morning, my jaw drops. Looking relaxed, Brody slides into the desk next to me. Once he’s taken out his computer, his eyes flick to mine as one side of his mouth hitches.

“Hey, babe,” he says. “Thanks for saving me a seat.”

I do the only thing I can.

I growl in frustration.

Chapter Eleven

Brody

Every few minutes, I glance at Natalie from the corner of my eye. It’s almost as if I can see the smoke pouring from her ears. My guess is that she’s on the verge of busting a nut. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I have a feeling I’ll find out soon enough.

I’ll say this about Natalie—she never leaves me guessing as to what her true feelings are. Particularly when those feelings have to do with me. And that, I find refreshing. I’ve been around enough females to know that they don’t always tell you what’s really going on inside their heads. Which can be tricky. I’d much rather be around someone who—good or bad—just puts it out there.

“Okay, everyone, I’ll see you on Wednesday,” Dr. Miller says. “Remember that the assignment on page two hundred and forty is due at midnight tomorrow. If you have any questions about the material, you can always email or text me. I do not, however, Snapchat.”

A few chuckles erupt as people pack up their belongings and scatter like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

I’m trying to figure out the best way to approach Natalie when Dr. Miller says, “Mr. McKinnon, may I have a few moments of your time?”

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