Page 61 of Weak Side

“What are you doing?” I asked, keeping my hands down by my sides because I felt drunk and completely impulsive.

Theo zeroed in on my lips, and I got tingly all over. My breasts felt heavy, and the quickest thought zipped through that his mouth would feelreallygood on any part of my body.

“I can’t be held responsible for what I do with you looking at me like that while wearing my jersey.” He was still staring at my lips, and all rational thinking was going out the window the longer he hovered over me. “You lookdamngood in it, Bryant.”

“I bet you say that to all the girls who wear it,” I tried to joke again, but it came out hoarse.

There was a tight crease in between his brows, and he looked almost offended. “You’re the only one who has ever worn my jersey.”

“It’s just for show, though,” I reminded him and maybe even myself. “And no one is watching right now.”

Theo dipped his face low, and if I moved even a fraction, our lips would brush. With each breath that escaped his mouth, one of the tightly tied strings that was holding me together was beginning to unravel. “But what if they were?”

I flicked my eyes to his, and it felt like I was being fueled with passion. My lips parted, and the very second I threw caution to the wind, a knock sounded on the door, and I jumped underneath him, startling him at the same time.

“Claire! Let’s go. We’re gonna be late for class, and I brought you a coffee.” Taytum banged on the door, and the shock of what I was just about to do resonated the moment Theo pulled himself from me.

His arms hung down by his sides in the middle of the room as I jumped off his bed. “I’m coming!” I yelled back, half-limping over to my side of the room because of my stupid sore ankle. I quickly tore his jersey over my head and was left in nothing but my cotton bra and tiny sleep shorts. I refused to look back at Theo, though, because I was afraid to see the look in his eyes. So, instead, I pulled a sweater over my head, quickly shoved my shorts down, and pulled on leggings over my cheeky underwear.

I kept my back to him after I shoved my feet in my boots and headed for the door with my phone, books, and beanie in tow. “I’ll…um…see you later.”

The door was shut a moment later, and although Taytum looked at me with suspicion, I said nothing as I grabbed the hot coffee from her hand and downed it quickly in hopes that I’d burn the desire in my lower belly to ash in the process.

29

Theo

My back restedagainst the wall with my leg hooked over my right ankle, waiting for Claire. I shoved my phone in my pocket and nodded at a few guys who had walked out of the lecture hall, telling me that Claire’s class had ended. A group of chatty girls slipped out next, and each of their steps stuttered when they saw me standing there. Their conversation ceased, but I didn’t dare look at a single one in the face. I was waiting for an adorable brunette who I couldn’t get off my mind.

I kept my gaze settled on the doorway, purposefully above their high ponytails and messy buns, and when I landed on Claire, organizing her papers in her folder, unknowing that most of Bexley U was watching her every move, I stepped beside her, and we began walking in unison.

“Where are you off to?”

Claire’s head popped up so quickly some of her hair fell out of her scrunchie. “Theo!” she gasped, slapping her folder shut. “What are you doing here?”

“Walking with you,” I answered, intentionally keeping my eyes off her mouth. This morning was the center of my thoughts even with several hours and a clear head in between. “Are you done for the day?”

I knew the answer was yes because whether we wanted to admit it or not, we knew each other's schedules.

“Um, yeah—well, with classes.” Claire pulled her bag higher on her shoulder after shoving her book inside, glancing around nervously at everyone watching us walk together. I smirked before putting an arm over her shoulder and pulling her in close.

“And no work tonight.” I turned my head and made it look like I was whispering in her ear. If she were to ask why I was being so touchy-feely with her, I’d chalk it up to putting on a show in front of campus because, after all, weweredating. But the truth was, I just wanted to touch her.

“Right. I’m off tonight…” Claire’s steps slowed just before we made it to the doors, and at the very last second, I turned us both and headed down the opposite hallway. “What are you doing?” she asked, halting her steps.

“You’ll see.”

Surprisingly, Claire continued with me down the hallway without putting up much of a fight. There was a hint of confusion that surrounded the air around us, but I kept my arm around her shoulders as we headed to the rink.

Right before I pushed her through the back door to the arena—thankful it was so close to her lecture hall, considering the way she was keeping the pressure off her right ankle—she peeked over at me. “What are we doing here?”

I sighed heavily as the heat whooshed out of the darkened hallway. When the door slammed behind us, I gave her a look that made her cheeks deepen with the color pink. “How long were you going to hide that injury from me?”

My arms crossed over my chest as I waited for her answer. Claire nervously pulled down the beanie over her head and looked down at her boots. Instead of denying it, like I assumed she would, she slowly raised her chin and locked onto me. There was the smallest crack in her strong-girl façade, and I watched the mask slip just enough to make me feel worthy that she was trusting me. “How did you know?”

“Because I pay attention,” I answered truthfully, but what I didn’t allude to was the fact that I only paid attention to her.

Claire was surprised by my answer, and I smirked, knowing she was satisfied with it. Without giving any warning, I rushed over to her and swooped her up in my arms, cradling her legs under one of them. Our faces were close, so close I could smell the vanilla latte on her breath when she opened her mouth and barked out a loud laugh.

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