Page 39 of Bonding with the Beta

I pull up, run inside, and pay for the peas and a can of Coke before heading back to the car.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she murmurs.

“Shhhh,” I say as I grab a hoodie from the backseat and wrap the peas in the material before pressing it to her head. “That okay?”

Her blue eyes flick between mine for a long moment before she nods. “Yeah.”

“Oh, and I got you this for your sugar levels.”

“Thanks.” She attempts a smile but ends up wincing instead.

When we finally get back to Stonebridge University, I park close to the entrance of her dorm building. I unbuckle my seatbelt as she does the same. “Well…thanks, Kayden. It was a journey.”

“A journey indeed,” I say as I open the door.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you upstairs to make sure you’re okay.”

She laughs hesitantly. “I’m fine. I promise.”

“Yeah, your word isn’t good enough for me. I need to make sure for myself.”

I expect her to fight me, but instead, she lowers the peas and nods. “Okay.”

She hands me the peas as she fumbles with her keys to get the door open.

Once we’re in her room, which is surprisingly cleaner than the first time I saw it—no rotting cheese toasties today—I guide her to her bed.

“Sit,” I order.

She does, and I raise the ice jumper to her head once more.

Kayleigh smiles up at me gratefully, something I wasn’t expecting. “Thank you,” she whispers, taking it from me. “I’m stupidly clumsy. It’s honestly mortifying. I’m a sad excuse for a woman.”

“Because you’re a little clumsy and scared of insects? Give yourself a little more credit, Kayleigh.”

She exhales a defeated breath.

“Do you need to lay down?”

“No,” she says. “I’m good.”

“Water?”

Her head shakes. “It’s just a bump. Promise, I’m fine.”

I sigh in defeat and perch on the bed beside her. “Sorry, today didn’t really go how I thought it would.”

“Why are you sorry? It’s my fault.” She laughs at herself, but it’s void of humour.

“It was still my idea.” I shrug. “I feel bad.”

This time, when she looks at me, she really smiles. “We can both take the blame then.”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.

“Aww,” she chimes from beside me. “Are they your parents?”

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