Page 41 of I Blame the Rival

Cecelia smirks, “Uh huh. Have you told Skylar you’re a virgin yet?”

“I’m not a virgin.”

Her eyes narrow just as my phone pings with a text. Walking past her to put on my shoes, my hands are shaking as I tie up the purple laces. Memories threaten to bubble up, but I shove them down, refusing to acknowledge the darkness when Skylar is outside waiting for me.

Pasting a smile on my face, I stand up and give her a nod.

“Have a good day, Cecelia.”

Her glare burns a hole in my back all the way through the residence building and I don’t take a breath until I finally make it outside. The faded blue paint of Skylar’s car catches my eye and the lingering tension fades away.

Skylar climbs out of the car and I break into a run, throwing my arms around him before he has a chance to say anything.

“Thanks for picking me up.”

I pull back and give him a smile. His eyes drop to track the movement and my heart starts to beat faster.

“No problem.” He clears his throat and gently pulls away, “Hopefully you can find the book you’re looking for.”

“Oh, I’m not too worried. There’s never been an occasion when I haven’t found a book I want.”

I follow Skylar around the car, watching the way the sun catches the pale strands of his hair.

He catches me staring and I quickly duck my head and climb inside the car. Trying to keep my cheeks from flaming, I stare out the windshield and wring my hands together. Skylar climbs in after me and I wait for the ignition to start.

But nothing happens.

A full minute goes by until I finally turn and look at him. He’s watching me with bright eyes, a playful sparkle reflecting back at me.

“Are you having engine problems?” I ask politely, trying not to notice the way his flannel shirt brings out the flecks of gold in his dark iris.

“Not that I know of.”

I wait for the rest of the sentence but he falls silent, just staring at me.

“Why aren’t we moving then?”

“Because I want to look at you.” A smile lights up his eyes, “And I want you to know that you’re allowed to look at me too.”

A blush hits my cheeks, “I didn’t mean to check you out.”

He goes quiet for a moment, silently searching my face for questions that haven’t been asked yet.

“Do you want to know a secret?”

At my nod, Skylar’s face breaks into a wide smile.

“I like it when you look at me.”

I swallow, squeezing my legs together.

The matter-of-fact way Skylar communicates leaves no room for interpretation and no room for doubts. He’s completely transparent and it’s probably the hottest thing I have ever experienced.

“I like it when you look at me too.”

The confession slips out and I bite my lip, staring at the honest boy sitting next to me. Skylar tilts his head, looking at me as if he can see the damaged layers hiding underneath.

“That’s okay too.”

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