Page 60 of End Game

Looks like coming to the library was a giant mistake.

Chapter Twenty-One

NICO

Ever is fucking adorable when she’s concentrating. Her fingers were flying over that keyboard just a moment ago, her mouth turned down into the slightest frown as she nodded along with whatever song she was listening to. I’m done with my essay. When she bumped into me earlier, I was close to finishing already, but I wasn’t about to lose my opportunity to talk to her. Just the two of us.

Alone.

Yes, I’ve been avoiding her, but I’ve also been busy. I have a stack of assignments this week. It’s that time of the quarter when everything hits hard and it’s make or break. I’m not about to break. I don’t have much longer to do this school gig, and I’m going out on top.

I study her as covertly as I can, taking in what she’s wearing. The oversize light-gray sweatshirt I assume she got from Sienna, with the light-blueUCSMacross it. The neckline is stretched out, revealing the turquoise strap of her sports bra, and I focus in on that spot. Wondering how soft her skin might be. I bet no one touches her there. Wonder what she’d do if I kissed it—

Probably kick me in the balls and scream at me to never touch her again. That’s what she’d do.

Damn. Just thinking about it makes my balls want to shrivel up and disappear.

Her declaring us as “just friends” didn’t help matters. She’s all I can think about.

It’s worse now. I’m borderline obsessed with the woman. I can hear my mother’s voice now. She’s told me this time and again.

You always want what you can’t have.

Yep, you’re so right, Mom. I do. And right now, I want my roommate.

I stretch out my legs, accidentally brushing against Ever’s foot, and I retract my legs back into position, but she doesn’t even react.

Huh.

This time I do it on purpose, looking for any kind of reaction. Now it’s her turn to pull her foot back, like she’s the one who knocked into me, but otherwise, no outward reaction.

Feeling like a little kid who kicks the girl he likes because he doesn’t know how to tell her his feelings, I do it again, rubbing my foot against hers. Trying to curl my leg around her leg even. The sweats she has on ride up a little bit from my nudge, and I’m touching bare skin. Which is a real fucking disappointment considering I have my Nikes on.

A missed opportunity.

This time she looks up, irritation flaring in her pretty eyes. “Are you trying to distract me?”

I shrug, playing it cool. “You’re super focused.”

“I need to finish my paper.” Yep, there’s irritation in her voice.

“How much longer until you’re done?” Maybe she’ll want to get out of here. Go get a drink.

Yeah. I’m guessing her answer would be no.

“Probably another page and a half,” she answers.

“Cool.” I nod, pushing my glasses back into place when they start to fall.

Her eyes flare with an unrecognizable emotion, and I wonder what that’s all about. Otherwise, she says nothing.

“I’ll leave you alone,” I finally say, returning my focus to the computer screen.

She remains quiet and starts typing again while I add some finishing touches to my essay before I finally turn it in to my professor via email. I grab my notebook and glance over the list I made Monday morning, checking off the assignment, reading over what’s left that still needs to be done.

I have two tests Thursday, which sucks, but I can manage it. As long as I focus on getting one item done at a time, it’ll be easy.

Somewhat.

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