Page 96 of Blitz'd

Me: Did I do something

Me: I really don’t like this Kerian

Me: Just tell me ur okay or I swear to god i’m coming there right now to make sure ur not fuckin dead

Kerian: I’m good. Just need some time.

After three days, this asshole messages me and tells me he needs some time? He could have fucking told me that on Wednesday.

“Fucking asshole,” I mutter as I walk to my next class, staring at the six words Kerian just messaged me after three fucking days.

I thought we were over this. After what happened the night of the party, I thought we had talked about him not treating me like shit anymore. Knowing Kerian, I guess he thinks that treating me like shit means yelling or saying mean things to me.

“Fucking spoiler alert, it’s this,” I say as my thumb flies across the screen.

Me: Kerian i swear to god. Ur frustrating.

Before I can shoot off another message expressing my annoyance, I’m shoulder checked by someone, my phone flying and their book dropping on my foot.

“Son of a bitch,” I say, looking at the culprit who bumped into me. “What the fuck man?”

Words die on my lips as I meet the eyes of Professor Levine. He’s one of the theater professors, which is weird since he’s built like a fucking linebacker—probably because hewasone at Evergreen, like, a million years ago. He’s handsome and has this vibe about him that makes anything he does seem like the most natural thing for him. So him being a theater teacher doesn’t even look out of the ordinary. There’s a bit of darkness that surrounds him too. Not like Kerian’s dark, but like he has a secret he’s never told anyone.

“Mr. Braithe,” he says, his deep voice almost chilling.

“Shit, sorry Professor. You good?”

His lips twitch as he bends to grab his book and my phone, tossing it to me. “Yes, Mr. Braithe. I’m good. Are you? You seem… distracted.”

He doesn’t know much about me, other than my game and that I used to date Megan, who takes a theater class. We’d chat after class sometimes, with him giving me pointers on how to use my O line more. He has a good eye for offense, so I used some of his advice.

I sigh and run my hands through my hair. “Yes, sir. I’m good. I am distracted, but nothing a little sleep won’t cure.”

He nods as he adjusts his glasses. “Then keep your head up and watch where you’re going, kid.” He gives me a slight grin to take the sting from his words.

“Yes sir. Sorry about that. Have a good one, Professor.”

“You too, Mr. Braithe.”

I hurry away before I spill the beans to a virtual stranger. Professor Levine and I might chat, but I can’t go laying my troubles at his feet.

Kerian needs time. Time for what? Away from me? Is he second guessing our time together? Second guessingus?

No. He can’t, right? We’ve been having a great time. From the way he treats me, how he touches me, kisses me, fucks me. He can’t be second guessing. He might not be ready to tell me he loves me, but we’re good.

Right?

For the rest of the day and through the night I can think about nothing but Kerian’s text.

Just need some time.

Yeah, fuck that. Fuck him needing time. Last time something like this happened, we had a terrible fight. I didn’t think we’d come back from it.

I can’t go through that again. If Kerian is done, then he needs to fucking tell me to my face. None of this cryptic text shit.

It’s game day for Kerian, but I couldn’t care less. I need answers and I need them right fucking now.

Well, after practice. Coach would have my ass if I told him I missed practice because my boyfriend was being a dick.

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