Page 20 of Devilry

Placing my hand across my stomach, I bow slightly. “Thank you, my queen.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

I give her a wink and tip my chin up at Aiden. “I’ll see you guys later.”

* * *

Aidenand I are holed up in a room in the library studying, and after my third week at college, I’ve decided I could easily give up.

Leaning back into the reading chair, I bring my coffee up to my nose and take in a lungful of the enticing smell.Coffee is magical.

“My brain is exhausted,” I say on a sigh. “I know I’m a book nerd, but I’m on information overload.”

“Now imagine what it’s like for the rest of us,” he jokes. “Maybe I should just give in and work for my dad. He might be so happy he’ll allow me to skip the degree all together.”

From the little things he’s mentioned about his family, they own a multi-million dollar computer software business, and like all kids who have options, Aiden doesn’t want the one his parents have chosen for him.

“Oh, I forgot to give you this.” Pulling a scrunched up piece of paper out of his bag, Aiden hands me a flyer. “I found this for you.”

I take it and give it a once over. “Where did you get this?”

“They were just putting it up at King Koffee as I was buying our drinks.”

My eyes take in all the details. Hours. Requirements. Starting date. I think this might actually work.

“I think I might apply for it.”

“That’s the idea, Einstein.” He laughs then looks down at my ankle. “Do you think your foot is up for it?”

With only slight discomfort, I manage to roll my ankle around, in all directions. It feels a million times better than it was.

“It’s perfectly fine,” I say, showing off my improvement. “It’s been three weeks, and it was only a minor sprain, if that.”

“Well, they don’t want anyone to start for another week, so you should be fine, as long as you stay off the running course.”

I groan dramatically. “I fucking miss running.”

“Dude, why do you even do it? It’s not like you play a sport.” He drags his gaze up and down my body. “Or even need to stay in shape.”

Ever since the unassuming hand graze, Aiden has made it his mission to throw simple advances my way. It’s not making me feel uncomfortable, In fact, the small part of me that’s deprived of attention relishes in it. I should be ashamed for not putting a stop to it, but as a small consolation to myself, I don’t do anything to encourage it either.

Aiden isn’t unattractive by any means; he wears preppy like it’s an art form, and when he isn’t apologizing for being a drunken mess, his confidence is in overdrive.

I’m waiting for the moment he blatantly asks if I’m gay, but the more time I spend with him, the more I think he’s a guy that isn’t concerned with labels, but he’s someone who’s emboldened by the chase just as much as the catch.

“Running gave me the space I needed when I was a kid,” I divulge. “Some kids love football or baseball, I just love running.”

“Maybe when you’re all healed up, I’ll join you.”

“Ha,” I scoff. “All your classes are scheduled after ten for a reason, and I haven’t seen you ever get up earlier than twenty minutes before a class.”

He shrugs. “You may have a point, but maybe I just need incentive.”

And there he goes again.

“Right. Are we going to study or not, because I want to go to the café before I head home, and check the noticeboard downstairs again too.”

“You still after extra credits?”

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