Page 20 of One of Them Girls

“Oh yeah? What are you hoping to learn about me?”

He doesn’t look at me, but I can see the side of his lip tick up. “Everything.”

My heart races.

Why do I want him to know everything?

“There’s not that much to learn.”

“I think there’s more to you than you let on. It’s okay though. I’m patient.”

When he pulls into his parking spot, he gets out.

I don’t move to follow him right away, attempting to fight the sudden blush covering my face.

Friends. We are friends.

He opens the door, reaching his hand in to help me out.

As soon as I slip my hand into his, a spark lights me up. My breath catches as my heart beats faster and I feel flutters in my stomach.

He gives me a smirk like he knows what just happened, but how could he?

How could he know that for the first time in a long time I feel something other than overwhelming grief?

“Come on,” he lets go of my hand, breaking the connection.

I follow him inside, barely containing myself from reaching out to touch him again. To feel that feeling again.

He opens the door to his dorm, ushering me inside before closing it behind him.

I stop, taking in his room. There’s a window along the far wall with the blinds closed. On each side of the room is a bed. To the right, the bedding is messed up like someone had just woken up. To the left, the bed is made and looks immaculate. In the middle of the room, there are two beanbag chairs. Straight ahead, there is a TV on a dresser in front of the window. Jack is sitting in one of the chairs, playing a game.

“That game looks interesting,” I murmur, knowing full well what game he is playing.

“Let me finish this game and X and I will teach you how to play.” Jack says.

I let a smirk fill my face.

They are falling for it. Hook, line, and sinker.

Tonight is going to be interesting.

* * *

Xavier

We walk into my dorm to find Jack already playing a solo game in front of the TV we have set up.

It was a short ride, but it was deeper than I expected. I hadn’t expected to open up to this girl the way I have, but fuck if it doesn’t feel good.

I mean some of the shit I’ve told her, I haven’t even told Tinsley. I was always careful with Tinsley, making sure she was okay. She had her own shit going on and didn’t need mine.

I feel like Cassi has her own shit going on too, but with her, I feel like it’s okay to deal with my shit too. Like we can work through it together.

Fuck if that doesn’t feel refreshing.

Cassi’s eyes take in our dorm. It’s not much to look at, but it still makes me anxious.

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