Page 27 of Win You Over
You’ll laugh.
“Try me.”
I always wanted to teach English. Literature specifically. It’s a ridiculous dream, given I could never stand in front of a classroom and actually speak.
“It’s always good to have a dream,” he muses.
Just being able to study here is a dream come true. I don’t think you or your friends realise how privileged you are that coming to this university wasn’t something you had to fight for. I got lucky with my scholarship. And maybe I will never teach.Maybe I will write, or go into journalism or publishing. But I will have accomplished it on my own.
The tirade I went on covers three little squares of paper and Remington reads them as he chews on a curly fry.
“You didn’t get lucky, Holden. It’s no easy feat getting into Warnham. I don’t know your story, but I do know you had to have worked fucking hard to get your scholarship.”
I nod, flushing at the intensity with which he’s looking at me and the awe in his voice.
“You?” I manage to ask, the word tasting like cotton wool on my tongue.
“I’m going into publishing, like my dad. Take over the family business. Maybe write too.” He eats another fry. “I was thinking of going into modelling.” He waves a hand up and down his torso. “Seems a shame to hide all of this from the world.” He smirks, and I don’t resist the urge to roll my eyes this time.
The world will be fine without it, I promise.
“Will it though?” He smiles, dimples popping as his eyes sparkle.
I sink into the red leather seat, taking him in, while making my way through as much of the meal as I can. I wait for the unease to wash over me – the same way it often does around people. But it never comes, and I realise the last time I felt this comfortable around someone was when I first let Theo behind my reinforced walls. It’s becoming impossible to keep Remington from behind them, too. Much like my best friend, he’s genuine in his treatment of people. He’s loyal and radiates empathy and warmth in a way I haven’t felt from many others before.
Of all the people in the world to make me feel like I could trust someone again, it had to go and be the smuggest asshole of them all. Remington Fucking Langford.
Double checking I’ve attached the file, I read through the body of the email and then give Remington a look. He comes closer and leans over my shoulder, chewing on Sour Patch Kids as he reads the text. We’ve been working for the past two hours and have finally finished our assignment. Sources cited, proofreading completed, presentation clean and professional.
“Looks good,” he says. “Send it.”
I hit send, then lean back in the chair, relieved that our assignment is finished and submitted. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I had expected. Everything about Remington is not as bad as I had expected, and if I were to be the bigger person, I could admit that I may have judged him too harshly.
Despite admitting to myself in the diner that I enjoy being around him, I still think that calling Remington a friend comes with far too many complications. The biggest being how I would fit in with the rest of his group. I don’t think any of them would welcome me with smiles on their faces, especially not Finn.
I told myself I would never put myself in that position again. I’m okay being a loner. I’m okay with only having Theo in my life. Theo is safe. I trust him not to hurt me. The same cannot be said for the people Remington hangs around with.
I’m closing my laptop and sliding it into my bag when Remington touches my arm.
“Come on.” He tips his head towards the door. “Work is over. Now let’s have some fun.”
When I don’t immediately stand, he leans forward and rests a hand on each arm of the chair, bringing his face within inches of mine. This close, I can see the dark blue ring around hisirises and the tiny scattering of nearly invisible freckles over the bridge of his nose. His breath smells like grapes and I find myself wondering what his lips taste like. Would they be sweet? Maybe a little sour from the candy? It’s not a thought I’ve had about a guy before and it takes root, snowballing into an urge to lean forward and find out. Heat blooms up my neck and into my cheeks and his eyes snap downward, his lips curving into a devilish grin.
“I’m very persistent sometimes and right now, I really want you to play pool and drink beer with me. I am not above kidnapping if the situation calls for it.” His eyes meet mine and the sparkle in them has my heart thumping rapidly in my chest.
Resting my hand on the pocket of my jeans, where my knife is safely hidden, my own lips tip into a smirk to match his.
“I’m...” I start, my voice a soft, hesitant whisper between us. “I’m not above stabbing my kidnapper if the situation calls for it,” I joke, hating that my voice comes out so quiet, but loving the way his face lights up and he throws his head back and laughs.
“Fucking hell, Kitty Cat, you have no fucking idea what you do to me.”
The heat in my cheeks spreads to my ears as he steps back, still laughing. He has no idea what he does to me, either. I don’t even fucking understand it. Before Remington, I never found myself studying a guy's body so intently. I never once had the thought about how someone’s lips would taste. Now? Now I’m starting to question things about myself that have never been questioned before.
Trust Remington to tip my entire world upside down.
Giving in, I stand and follow him down the stairs and into the kitchen where we find his mom, her back to us, The Killers,Humanplaying through hidden speakers. She’s stirring something that smells delicious while sipping a glass of white wine.
When Remington opens the fridge, pulling out two drinks, she turns her attention away from the stove and a smile matching the one her son so frequently wears appears on her face.
