Page 48 of The Obvious Check

Just thinking about his dog makes me smile. I’ve always loved dogs, and the way he curled into me that night in Cade’s apartment made me feel like I belonged. Like in some alternate universe where my fantasies came to life, I mattered.

For one night, I wasn’t a burden, or someone people were just waiting to see fall apart so they could swoop in and use me. I was just…me,and it felt like enough.

I shift in my chair, forcing myself to stop checking the door.

What if Cade doesn’t show up today?

Or worse, what if he’s sitting somewhere else because I scared him off and I haven’t noticed?

I let out a slow breath, tightening my grip on the pen and staring down at my notebook, pretending to prepare for the lecture. That’s what I should be focusing on. Not on the fact that I haven’t seen him since I practically bolted out of his apartment two days ago.

Two whole days.

I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t. But as much as I hate to admit it, I miss him.

Even though I know next to nothing about hockey, I want him to tell me all about it. To see his smile as he describes the game he loves so much. I tried looking up the score last night, but mysignal was terrible in the parking lot, so I ended up passing the time by imagining what he might look like playing.

Fast. Rough. Intense.

My brain fills in my lack of hockey knowledge with nothing short of filth. Him charging down the ice, his muscles flexing under his jersey, his eyes locked in. That sharp, focused energy is the kind that says he’s not just playing, he’s taking it all.

I picture sweat dripping down his neck, his mouthguard hanging loose, his chest heaving beneath all that gear.

Kinsey shuts the door, signaling that the class is about to start and my stomach drops. Class is starting.

Cade isn’t here.

My chest tightens.

Did he have another game? Did I miss something?

I bite the inside of my cheek, the feeling settling heavy in my gut. I hadn’t prepared myself for him not being here today at all.

As the minutes tick by and the professor starts droning on about something I should care about, I can’t shake the disappointment creeping in.

Click.

My head snaps up just as the door swings open, and Cade strolls in like he has all the time in the world. My heart slows, the anxious thudding in my chest settling into something softer.

“Sorry I’m late,” he mumbles, barely looking at the professor before scanning the room.

His gaze sweeps over the students, passing over each one without interest, until he finds me.

Then he smiles.

That smile.

The one that helped me sleep last night despite the fact that I felt more exposed than ever. I suck in a sharp breath as he makes his way up the stairs, my anxiety riddling in my bones.

What if I’m the only one feeling thisthingbetween us?

It all but calms when the other students at the end of the aisle shift without question, making space as he moves toward me. Without hesitation, he drops into the seat I saved him, pulls out his laptop, and starts taking notes.

“Morning,” he murmurs quietly. Just loud enough for me to hear.

“Morning,” I reply, swallowing hard, gripping my pen a little tighter, hoping my voice sounds natural and he hasn’t just made my day by sitting next to me. I keep my head down and start writing whatever the professor says, not taking any of it in. How can I when Cade’s back?

His foot taps mine, and when I look up, he motions to his laptop. In big bold letters, he’s written.

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