Page 17 of Not Fooling Anyone

Ugh. How is he always so positive?

“Fine. We’ll sit with them tomorrow. But if they’re mean at all, I’m out of there.”

He waits till we’re down the stairs and on the sidewalk outside to quietly ask, “Why would they be mean?”

I shrug, not liking the way he’s looking at me. “Some people just are.”

“Have people been mean to you?”

I ignore his question, saying instead, “I have to get to work.” One of the other bartenders happily gave me her shift tonight so she could go out with her boyfriend, and it’s Sarah’s night off so she can’t say anything about it.

“It’s a bar. They don’t open till late.” He’s right. My shift doesn’t start until seven. “Why won’t you answer my question? You criticize me for not being serious, but when I ask you serious questions, you get all prickly and leave.”

I squint at him, crossing my arms. What is he, an armchair psychologist or something?

He’s silent, waiting me out. If anyone were watching us, they’d think we’re having some kind of standoff.

Which we are, I guess.

My stomach tightens uncomfortably, but it seems he’s not breaking first.

“I always sit by myself in classes,” I finally say, not really answering his question. “So I don’t have to deal with people. I don’t like… people.” I stare at the sidewalk, pushing a stray leaf over to the edge with my shoe.

“Could have fooled me,” he says drily.

I glance up, his characteristic grin present, and something about it sets me at ease, the knots in my belly loosening just as quickly as they appeared.

I take a deep breath, adding, “People can be cruel. They—” I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat. “They can let you down. So it’s easier to just…”

“Avoid them?”

I nod.

“I’m not going to let you down, Lexie.”

My heartbeat grows loud in my ears, like my whole body is pulsing with it. This got way too personal. What was I thinking telling him that? “I still have to read that book before my shift. I’ll find you in class tomorrow.”

I turn and head toward the parking lot before he can say anything else. I know what he’s doing trying to knock down my defenses. But they’re there for a reason. A jock like him wouldn’t understand. He might’ve even been one of those guys who…

No, I have to give him more credit than that. He’s proved himself at least a little trustworthy.

We can get through this study as friendly acquaintances if he wants, and afterward, we’ll part ways. Easy.

There’s no need to divulge everything about each other. It’s all fake anyway.

And that’s how it’s going to stay.

CHAPTERFOUR

ETHAN

I keepan eye on the main double doors of the east side of the room, waiting for Lexie to enter the lecture hall. She better sit with me after promising she would.

Then again, there’s the lesser-used south entrance behind me, too. I turn around, but there’s no sign of her there either, my gaze bouncing from head to head, searching for her distinctive auburn hair.

I face back front, finally spotting her as she stands at the edge of the first row, looking out over the sea of students. She has on that same black hoodie, the garment so shapeless and large, it drowns her. Now that I know her a little better, I’d say it’s the perfect thing to help her escape the notice of others. Why does she want so badly for people not to see her?

She pulls out her phone, and a few seconds later, I get a text from her.

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