Page 18 of Devilry

Just as I’m about to apologize, the door I recently walked out of swings open. Callie’s and Aiden’s eyes look past me, and the look on their faces hints at all the reasons I shouldn’t turn around. But it doesn’t matter, because like the Red Sea, we part as he walks right between the three of us, and I get another glimpse at the man whose attributes I’d just been mentally cataloguing.

His cologne wafts right past me. All man, with a hint of spice, citrus, and wood, it takes me right back to the stolen moments we just shared. Right back to where I was just the guy who ran into him, and he was the guy who caught me. Right back to where I didn’t feel the need to hideanythingabout me.

My eyes follow him as he walks away, enjoying the way the material stretches across his ass with every step. It’s a nice consolation for missing the opportunity to look at his face one last time.

“Is that the reason you got held up?” Callie says. “Because I would stay back with him. Any day.”

A humorless laugh leaves my mouth. I run my fingers through my hair, styling it any which way to distract me from the obvious fact that Professor Huxley is attractive toeveryone.

“Yeah, he’s okay,” I mumble. “Are we going to lunch or what?” I ask a little too enthusiastically.

Aiden narrows his eyebrows at me suspiciously, and I wonder what it is that’s got him curious.

Flanking either side of me, they protectively walk at a slower pace. It’s a nice gesture but completely unnecessary. “I’m not an invalid, guys.”

“You kind of are, though,” he jokes. “And maybe, you’re the only other friend we have.”

A hand brushes over mine, and I falter when I realize it’s Aiden’s. I glance over at him and he’s watching me intently, waiting for my reaction. I offer a tight-lipped smile, because I don’t want him to think I’m shocked because another guy touched me. I don’t want anyone to feel rejected because of their sexuality, but I do want him to know I’m not interested in him, or anyone else for that matter.

A relationship isn’t on my to-do-list. In fact it’s not even on my radar. I don’t have the time or luxury to even think about getting involved in one. And it’s always been this way.

“So, what’s cafeteria food like?” Callie asks, unknowingly disrupting my thoughts. “I’ve been a little too busy to visit.”

“And by busy she means having lots and lots of sex with her boyfriend.”

“Ha,” she laughs. “He’s not my boyfriend. I barely even know him.”

“Oh, sorry, my bad,” Aiden scoffs. “You don’t know him well enough to call him your boyfriend, but enough to let him stick his dick in you.”

“Do you have to be so crass?” She feigns offense. “You’re going to scare Eli away.”

“Nope.” I raise my hand up in protest. “Don’t involve me. I’m happy being a spectator.”

Aiden and Callie bicker constantly, and even though I was almost certain there was some underlying sexual tension between them, Aiden’s actions earlier and news of Callie’s extracurricular activities confuses me a little.

“Please,” Aiden drolls. “If he was scared, he’d be gone by now.”

“In case you didn’t notice, I’m low on friend options,” I joke. “You guys are all I’ve got.”

They both pretend to look offended and simultaneously nudge me in the shoulders. “Whoa, guys. Invalid here.”

“Oh now you’re an invalid.”

The three of us laugh, successfully ending their banter, and settling into comfortable chatter as we make our way to the cafeteria.

When we get there, Aiden holds the door open for us, and I keep my head down while walking in. Crowds make me a little self-conscious.

We find a table for the three of us, and then Callie and Aiden leave to get food, insisting that I sit and wait. Apparently a sore ankle means I can’t carry anything on my own. I guess I’ll just milk it then.

Minutes later, a plastic tray is being slid across the table, stopping in front of me. I take a quick peek at the very gross looking lunch. “Is this edible?”

“It is unless you want to fit a part-time job into your study schedule,” Aiden informs me. “But the fries are there just in case the rest really tastes as bad as it looks.”

“Speaking of jobs, actually, I think I need one,” I admit. “Scholarships only get you so far. And even though I’ve been saving all summer, I don’t have too much spare money to throw around.”

“Can’t you ask your parents?” Callie naively asks.

While spending time with my new friends, I’ve also found out that Callie and Aiden are rich. Trust fund rich. They grew up together in Connecticut and went to the most prestigious high school this country has to offer. This doesn’t necessarily make them insensitive to other people’s financial situations, but it does mean more often than not, they’re clueless to the way the world works for the rest of us.

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