Page 52 of Echoes of Us

“I can’t. We have midterms next week, Noah. I can’t miss the last class,” I told him, but kissed him again, trying to soften my words.

“Fine, get to class. See you at home later.” He let go of me and sat back.

I leaned closer to him to kiss him again, and he smiled.

“I’ll see you later. Bye.” I waved to the rest of them and walked away with a funny feeling in my chest.

It was like we had stepped into a dream. Noah called me his boyfriend. He had given me a key to his apartment and told me he’d see me back home. It was like living in a fantasy, being with him.

I sat in class and tried to ignore the nagging voice—the one that told me these things usually took a little more time. Things were intense between us, but that was because he needed me. When he got better, things would be easier too. He wouldn’t need me around constantly, and everything would be okay. He just needed to get better.

Noah talked me into going to a party with him and his friends on Friday night. Colin had mentioned it, so I knew he and Ezra would be there too. When I got to Noah’s apartment after the gym, he told me he had a present for me and gave me a shirt. It was a black one, softer than the ones I usually wore, and when he asked me to try it on, it was also a little tighter. The fabric clung to my skin in a way that made me self-conscious, yet flattered, and Noah’s eyes gleamed with approval. He assured me repeatedly that I looked good in it, and after heavily making out on the kitchen counter, we left for the party.

Me

I’m at the Alpha frat party

are you guys coming?

I wrote to them in our chat. Even though I had seen them at training and Ezra at the gym, it felt like I hadn’t hung out with them in weeks.

Colin Whitmore

what is happening to the world?

are you asking us to a party?

are you, Atticus King, asking us to party?

Me

technically you said you were going first

I smiled at my phone. Noah held my hand, leading me into the party with Holly at his side. The thumping bass of the music hit us as soon as we entered, vibrating through my chest. He kept walking until we reached a couch and pulled me down to sit.

“I’m getting us something to drink. Wait here,” he said with a wink and left with Holly.

Ezra Tate

who are you with?

apart from Noah obviously

Me

his friend Holly

are you coming?

I hoped they would. Noah’s friends were nice to me, but we didn’t necessarily have a lot in common to make for a great conversation—not that conversation was one of my strong points. I missed having Colin and Ezra around. I smiled again.

Me

I miss you.

Colin Whitmore

oh my god

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