Page 10 of Chasing Xander
Xander cursed under his breath and released Kylie. He dragged a hand through his hair.
Stepping back, she prayed her legs wouldn’t give out, but with the way they were trembling, she had a feeling her prayers wouldn’t be answered. She crossed her arms and tucked her hands under her armpits to hide how badly they were shaking. “Everything’s fine,” Kylie called.
“He seriously has the worst timing,” Xander muttered.
“Well, in his defense, our res hall isn’t much farther. Maybe he’s worried you’ll get lost or something.”
He laughed. “Or maybe you’re hoping I’ll get lost so you can get rid of me.”
“Maybe.”
“Good luck with that.” He began walking again, and she hurried to catch up to him. “I know where you live, remember?”
She scrunched up her face. “Yeah, that’s not creepy at all.”
He stopped and stared at her. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He frowned. “Really, I just meant…well, if I…”
She laughed and put her hand on his arm. His biceps was rock solid. She’d give anything to feel those arms wrapped around her. “I’m only teasing you.”
He visibly relaxed and shook his head. They walked in silence until they reached her building. “So, what’re the chances I can get your number?” he asked before they joined Finn and Celeste on the steps.
Her heart rate quickened. She wanted to blurt out her number and then ask for his, but she didn’t want to appear too eager, either. “Slim to none.” She bit back a smile.
“You’re really not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Nope.” She patted his chest. “I’m not an easy type of girl.” Letting her hand slide down his torso, she stepped back. “Thanks for walking me home.”
“Will I see you again?” he asked as she climbed the steps to her res hall.
“If you’re lucky.” She unlocked the door and walked inside, Celeste on her heels.
Chapter Four
“I can’t believe you’re dragging me to this,” Kylie complained as she and Celeste walked across campus. It was nine a.m. on a Sunday morning. She should still be in bed sleeping.
“How else will we know what’s happening on campus? Besides, I thought you said you wanted to check out a few sororities, too?”
She sighed. “I do, but the activities fair? People will be shouting at us and shoving flyers into our hands. Pressuring us. That doesn’t sound fun.”
“Not everything needs to be fun.” Celeste clutched Kylie’s arm and dragged her forward as if afraid Kylie would change her mind and take off back to the res hall. The thought had crossed her mind. “Can you please try to have a positive outlook about this? For me?”
“Fine, but you’re going to owe me.”
Celeste grinned. “Deal!”
They approached the main quad, and the place was packed. Brightly colored booths dotted the concrete. People shouted and chanted about whatever club or group they represented. Kylie couldn’t deny the atmosphere was electric, and she moved farther into the crowd, eager to see what was on display. There were booths for language clubs, student government, journalism, future leaders, and lawyers.
“Hey, there’s the booth for Sigma house.” Celeste pointed to a table decorated with hot-pink, black, and white balloons and flowers. “C’mon, let’s check them out.”
Kylie grabbed Celeste’s hand before they got separated, and they squeezed their way through the crowd. There were so many people forcing their way toward the Sigma booth that they could barely see the table, let alone get anywhere near it. Someone elbowed Kylie in the back, and she attempted to jump out of the way but ended up knocking into the girl next to her. “Sorry.” She frowned and tugged on Celeste’s hand. “This is crazy. Let’s come back when it’s not so crowded.”
Celeste nodded.
Pledging a sorority was not high on Kylie’s priority list, but she’d do it with Celeste if that’s what she wanted. After all, they had promised each other they’d experience college lifetogether. And Kylie wasn’t going to go back on her word, not when she knew how shitty it was to be on the receiving end of broken promises. A lesson her father had unknowingly taught her.
Kylie looked around and caught sight of Xander a few booths down. He and Finn stood in the middle of the walkway, both dressed in pressed khaki shorts and baby-blue polo shirts, a stack of flyers in their hands. Her heart fluttered at the memory of his touch, of how his chest had felt pressed against her. She really should have given him her number. No better time than now to rectify that.
She tapped Celeste on the shoulder and pointed toward Xander and Finn. That’s when she noticed Xander was engaged in a conversation with not one, but two very attractive girls. They were laughing at something he’d said, touching his arms and leaning into him. Doing the same thing she’d done last night when she’d flirted with him. She might have ignored that, except for the fact Xander wasn’t pushing them away. Granted, he wasn’t hugging them or kissing them. Or touching them back. But he appeared pleased to have their attention.
