Page 38 of Corrupt Me

We were having an unseasonable cooler temperature, thanks to days of storms. The brisk air kissed my cheeks, and I inhaled deeply. October crept around the corner, and it finally felt like autumn, bringing those rainy, gray days. I wasn’t religious in working out, but I enjoyed the release of endorphins and tried to squeeze in a day or two a week.

Today the sun finally shone in the clear blue sky. I loved everything about fall. October was my favorite month of the year because of the slight reprieve from the heat. And of course, Halloween. Some people loved the magic of Christmas or the romance of Valentine’s Day. I preferred the allure and mystery of All Saints’ Eve. The smoky bonfires. The thinning veil between the living and the dead. The pumpkin-flavored everything. And the coziness of the season.

My feet hit the pavement as I ran through campus, staying on the main pathways. I would love to run through Cascades Park during this time of year, but I hadn’t been able to get up the courage to venture off campus since that night, not alone at least, and Sam wasn’t a runner. She was most likely still fast asleep from her late Friday night, which I’d opted to stay home.

I kept it short, only a few miles, and slowed to a brisk walk, cooling off my muscles. The air in my lungs burned but in a good way. I could taste the elements of autumn, everything cleaner, brightening my senses.

My heart rate began to level out when a shadow appeared to my left, and for a split second, I panicked, afraid I might be attacked again. I whipped my head to the side as a deep voice said, “Hey.”

My gaze landed on Brody, the cute coffee shop guy. He had a playful smile tugging at his lips, the wind ruffling his surfer-esque sandy locks.

He must have noticed the startled expression on my face or the widening of my eyes. “Did I scare you? Shit, sorry.”

I waved him off, catching my breath. “Hey,” I greeted, exhaling, and my lips curved a moment later. “You’re not at the coffee shop. I wondered if they ever let you leave.”

He chuckled. It was a nice sound that warmed my belly, chasing away the tingles of fear. “They do occasionally. Are you starting or ending?” he asked, looking down the path I’d been walking.

I noticed he wasn’t in his usual coffee shop attire, which made sense since he was off the clock. He had on gym shorts and a sweatshirt, the sleeves pushed up his forearms. Perhaps he was out for a run too. “Ending. I’m heading home to shower. My roommate and I are going out tonight.”

“The Kappa party?” he asked as he matched my pace.

I smiled. “I’m guessing everyone is going, huh?”

“Not everyone,” Brody said, and I caught the underlying notes of sarcasm.

“You’re not into frat bashes?” I half joked, half seriously interested.

His lips twitched. “Hard to imagine, I know.”

Something about Brody put me at ease. Our conversations felt effortless like I didn’t have to try to be anyone else or worry about saying the wrong things. I didn’t have to act a part, not like with Preston. Perhaps that was why I liked Brody so much. “Not really. I’m only going for my roommate,” I admitted.

“You were friends with her before college?” he guessed.

I nodded. “She’s my best friend.” I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have fun. I could date. People my age did that, and what better place to meet peoplethan college? And Brody surely wasn’t hard on the eyes. He looked a lot more fit than I’d given him credit for. Not Tristan fit, but more in line with the same body type as Preston. Athletic.

Play it cool, Ever.

He rubbed at the back of his neck, looking a little nervous in an adorable way. I couldn’t imagine making anyone nervous. “I hear so many roommate horror stories.”

“I can only imagine.” My ponytail had shaken loose during my run, and I went to fix it, unbinding the tie and redoing it. Just as I secured the last loop, my hair caught on the slim fitness band on my wrist that monitored my heart rate and counted steps.

I struggled to loosen the damn thing, definitely looking like an idiot in the process and pulling out my hair. It only made the tangle worse. Not a good look. So much for trying to play it cool.

“Here, let me help you,” Brody offered, seeing me fail to break the hairs free from the watch.

My wrist was essentially stuck to my head. “That would be great,” I replied, giving him a coy smile.

His fingers were gentle as he worked to unsnarl the knot I created. He smelled good. Not like coffee as I expected. Nice but not as nice as Tristan.

I hated the intrusive thought.

Here I was trying to have a moment with a nice guy, and my mind had to go to Tristan. It was wrong to compare every guy I met to him.

“There you go,” Brody said after freeing the watch with a smile.

My arm fell to my side, and Brody stayed where he was, his eyes shifting to my lips.Did he want to kiss me? Is he thinking about it? Do I want him to kiss me?

“Ever?”

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