"Uh…" I hesitate, not wanting to diss anything he clearly loves.
"It's fine. I know it's boring as fuck to most people."
"As long as you enjoy it, that's all that matters." I smile at him and he quickly returns it. "Who gives you shit? Let me guess, the football players of the group."
He chuckles. "Yeah, but they mean well. They're just jealous because they'll be washed up ex-NFL players by thirty-five and I'll be just getting better and better."
I bark out a laugh as he rubs his hands together in delight.
"I think I landed in the right place with you all."
"Our bark is worse than our bite. Well, actually, I'm not so sure about Violet." He winks at me and I laugh, forgetting all about the uneasy feeling I couldn't shift.
We fall into a comfortable silence and get some work done before his cell starts dancing across the desk.
"It's the guys," he says, looking up from the screen.
I smile at him.
"Has no one added you to the group chat yet?"
"Umm… no."
"Assholes. You'll probably regret it because it's mostly Brax posting totally inappropriate memes every five minutes, but at least you'll know where to find us should you ever…"
I roll my eyes. West and Brax got to him as well then.
"We're just—"
"Looking out for me, I know. I appreciate it."
"Give me your number then."
I rattle it off and only a few seconds later, my cell starts blowing up in my pocket.
By the time I pull it out, there are twenty messages welcoming me to the chat. Mostly from Brax, and as promised more than one meme that makes me snort out a laugh.
"I'm not sure whether to thank you or…"
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
I silence my cell knowing that I'll never get any work done if they continue at this rate and shove it deep into my purse.
9
Kane
Ididn't mean to fall into creepy stalker territory. I was legitimately in the library when she walked in all wide-eyed and excited as she took in all the books.
I stepped into the shadows so she wouldn't notice me as she passed and began walking up and down each of the aisles of books.
The temptation to follow her was strong but I told myself as I stood in the middle of the quad last night that I wasn't going to search her out, instead just make the most of our classes together for now.
I've got plenty of time to up the ante over the coming weeks and months. I want her looking over her shoulder, waiting for me to strike then when she realizes that maybe I'm not, that's exactly when I'm going to make my move. When she least expects it and has lowered her guard.
Then… then she's mine.
My intention was to leave but I walked in here for a reason, so I stepped out of the shadows and discovered where I actually needed to be.