Page 24 of Obsessed with my Temptation

Why did Travis ignoring me have to bother me?

This is ridiculous.

“Earth to Scott, are you there?” Eliot waved a fork in front of my face. “Or were you mind-kidnapped by hunky aliens with ginormous dongs? I wouldn’t blame you if you were distracted then. I’m still hoping they will come for me.”

“First of all, that’s a lie,” Antony said, putting down his sandwich and reaching for a napkin. “You’re too horny and lovey-dovey for your boyfriend to ever do that if they came, andsecond of all,” he took his soda and pointed at Eliot with a finger. “I’m never taking book recommendations from you again.Ever.”

Eliot gave Antony an unimpressed look. “You saw the cover, and youreadthe title. What did you expect?” Eliot stuffed his fork with mac ’n’ cheese. “I’m not responsible for your questionable decisions.”

Antony rolled his eyes, lips ticking in amusement before focusing back on me. “You’ve been so distracted since you started working with a certain boxer,” he said, watching me with keen green eyes that saw more than they should. “Is he giving you trouble?”

“Do we need to kick his ass?” Eliot said, making an effort to look threatening.

He did, but only a little bit.

“No, it’s fine, I just… have a lot on my mind.” Not a complete lie.

“If he gives you shit, just tell me. I’m not afraid to dress him down.”

He would, too. Eliot was definitely not one to mince words, and even if he regretted it later, he would tell even Travis what he thought about him.

The complete opposite of me.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I mumbled, hoping they would change subjects.

I was only too happy to pretend to listen as they commented on the hot professor walking about, one that had half our college obsessed with him—his mystery, coldness, and magazine-worthy looks.

But really, I was watching Travis again, stealing glances and shouting at him in my head tolook at me.

To not leave me alone in this madness, this infatuation that threatened to pull my insides out.

Suddenly, his words came to mind.

“Fake guys hiding behind a good-boy persona are definitely not my type. I like guys who at least have some personality, who aren’t afraid of being themselves. Much like your good friend Eliot.”

It made me watch Eliot closely.

He was obviously attractive. A good face, keen blue eyes, curly dark hair that fell in front of them. He was paler than Antony beside him—who had a perfect year-round tan. Antony was also a bit bulkier than him, but it didn’t diminish Eliot’s good looks.

And, as Travis had said, Eliot had an actual personality. He was himself always, for the good and the bad.

He wasn’t constantly afraid like me that someone would see what was hiding beneath the surface. Afraid that someone would uncover the Russian doll and realize it was empty on the inside.

Was that why Travis wasn’t looking at me?

Maybe he was pissed that I’d left. Or maybe he’d decided he didn’t have time for Princes that were as uninteresting as beige walls.

I shouldn’t care. It was probably for the best.

It didn’t stop my stomach from knotting with disappointment.

“Scott, hi,” a familiar voice came from behind me.

Mark.

“Hey,” I said, a mostly genuine smile coming to my face. “You remember Eliot and Antony?”

I’d dated Mark’s sister for a while last year, which was why the four of us sort-of-knew each other. Mark was a senior.

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