Page 51 of Trusting Tanner
He headed toward the bench where he was supposed to meet Jules, but before he reached it, his phone vibrated. He dug it out of his pocket.Need some time & space to think. Heading to my room to take a nap. Talk later
His shoulders slumped, and he clutched his phone so he wouldn’t be tempted to hurl it across the quad. What was he supposed to do now? He could go to class and wait for her to text him later. Or he could go to her room and try to talk to her. He texted her back.Sorry.He added a frowny emoji then hit send, although he wasn’t sure what he was apologizing for.I’m worried, Jules. We okay?His thumb hesitated over the send button. Pressuring her would only push her away, but he couldn’t spend the rest of the day wondering, either. Reluctantly, he sent the message.
Juliana:Thanks?
Heart in his throat, he waited for a reply to his second message. And then he waited some more. Finally, six long minutes later, her name popped up on his screen again.We’re okay.He stared at those two words for much longer than necessary. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but he had hoped for something…more.Let’s see how okay we are.If you’re looking for a nap buddy, I happen to know a great one.
Juliana:lol. Don’t you have class now?
Tanner:Don’t you?He glanced at the time. “Shit.” In exactly two minutes, he was going to be late. He headed toward Weston Hall.
Juliana:My class was cancelled.
Tanner:I’m so jealous. and you haven’t bothered to answer my question.He opened the door and walked inside, racing up two flights of stairs. The lecture hall was close to full when he arrived. He found an empty seat in the middle of the room. By the time he was settled, there were three messages from Juliana.
You should be jealous.
My bed is super comfy.
And Lonely.
He slouched in his seat and groaned, which earned him dirty looks from the two guys sitting in front of him.You’re killing me!!!
Juliana:lol.
If her flirty texts were any indication of what she was feeling, then they were okay. He smiled.What’re you wearing?
Juliana:Pervert.
He laughed, earning him a few more dirty scowls. Professor Dawson entered the room, and the doors shut loudly.You’re avoiding my question again.He set his phone screen down and fumbled in his bag for his textbook and notebook. Glancing toward the doors, he wondered if he could make a quick getaway without being noticed. He could be at her door in five minutes flat.
Juliana:Go to class. lol. Text me when it’s over.
Damn.She wasn’t going to tell him. That was probably for the best because if he knew, he’d be even more distracted than he already was.Enjoy your nap. But it’s going to suck without me.
Juliana:I know.
He forced himself to put his phone away; otherwise, he’d spend all class texting with her, and that wouldn’t help his grades. He distracted himself by taking notes and committing things to memory he’d need to know for the upcoming test. As soon as the professor dismissed them, Tanner had his phone back in his hand.Hey, gorgeous. You awake? I’m out of class.
“Hey, Tanner. Got a minute?” Devon pushed off the side of Weston Hall and caught up to him as he walked out of the building.
His smile faded. “Depends. You here to threaten me again?”
“No.” Devon laughed. “Just the opposite, actually.”
“All right. Talk.” Tanner crossed his arms. He’d never figure this guy out. Were they friends or weren’t they? Did Devon like him or hate him? He swore it changed daily.
“I had a chat with Jules earlier. She told me about the shit with Rebecca.”
Tanner stood straighter, his back and shoulders tight with tension. Jules had talked to Devon? He shouldn’t be surprised, but that didn’t stop the spark of jealousy from igniting in his chest. His lips thinned into a scowl. “And?”
“I told her Rebecca was full of shit and to give you a chance.” His face was serious.
Whoa. A few days ago, Devon was threatening him with bodily harm and now he was siding with Tanner? His head spun.
“I shared what I knew about her roommate and how you were more than likely blameless in this whole situation.”
“Thanks.”
