Page 99 of Steeling Her
I don’t even know what to say to that. I’m so flustered. Every time he comes anywhere near me, I can’t speak. I’m so wrapped up in this, I forgot where we were. Onlookers pass by us, and I clear my throat. The curious looks we’re getting makes me a little embarrassed.
“Me too.” That’s all I can come up with.
“You’re very interested in yourself?” he teases me, and I laugh back, all while he wraps both his hands around my waist. I can feel his laptop on my back. “I wouldn’t blame you. If I were you, I would be too,” he chortles, making me laugh again. Just like that, it went from me feeling nervous to me feeling slightly at ease with him.
“No, I’m very interested in you too,” I finally manage to force out my mouth but it comes as a weak whisper.
“Good.” He leans in, catching me off guard, to kiss me. In front of everyone. A crowd. An audience. I’m in such a big shock that he’s actually doing that right here. It takes me a moment to calm down.
Finally closing my eyes to lean more into him, I rest my palm around the side of his neck and stroke it lightly. It’s not a heated kiss, I think he knows that it’ll be a bit much to do right now, and I couldn’t agree more. Pulling back an inch, he compliments me, “You look pretty also, I should’ve started with that.” We both chuckle and continue to walk out of the building.
We decide to go back to my dorm to do the work. There’s less noise and nobody’s home. I haven’t seen Danielle in a while, and she’s oblivious to the awkward tension between me and Haley right now. She doesn’t know what happened yet.
I walk beside Nick and talk about the next game, which is in a few days. It’ll be at home, so I’ll be able to attend once he’s alright with it. It will be awkward with Haley, but I’m there to support both guys on the field.
“You’ll come watch, right?” he asks as we step onto the grass, moving towards our study time together. I nod back, excited to watch the next game. I’ve always loved going to football games. The atmosphere is what I love most; The dedication from some fans is amazing to see. “You want to wear my jersey? It’ll look good on you.” he asks with a smirk. I freeze, he just asked me if I want to wear his jersey.
Holy shit.
“I mean, you don’t have to if—it was just a thought . . . you don’t have to—” he stutters out, stopping in front of me. His cheeks are pink, and I bite my cheek stopping myself from smiling. He looks so adorable like that. The rosy tint to his cheeks make him look so young.
“Are you sure? I know some guys will think it’s a big deal and all. I mean, like . . . do you want me to wear it?” I shift between my feet nervously. “I would wear it, I just don’t know if that’s what you want? I know you asked and all, but—” He cuts my rambling off with his lips. I smile once again and kiss him back. I can never get enough of his kisses. They’re so soft and always leave me wanting more. It’s just something about him that I can’t describe. He sends my heart racing every time I’m around him and I can’t control it. Half of the time I think I’m going to pass out.
He leans back an inch and lightly rests his lips on mine, still feeling that heat. “Of course I want you to wear my number, Carter. I’d like to see you in the stands with my name and number on you. So, how about it?” I chuckle and nod once more, looking down at my feet because I’m embarrassed at my own reaction. I feel like such a schoolgirl with a huge astronomical crush on him. Kissing my forehead as a sign of sealing the deal, I feel so at home with him—comforted by him. This feels so good.
As we approach the dorm building, we could see a crowd hustle and bustle in the car park beside my dorm room. I’m wondering what’s going on there. There’re crowds around taking pictures of what looks like a car. I stop for a second as we march up the steps and try to get a better look. Once I do, I see it’s my car they’re taking pictures of.
I feel a slight panic in my bones. I have a bad feeling about this. I turn to Nick with my eyes rimming with worry and he notices this, darting his eyes back to where my car is. We both go down the steps and over to the crowd. Nick moves people aside, trying to get in and have a look at what’s is wrong with my car.
Coming to it, I gasp and freeze when I look at the side of my car. It’s been vandalized. My front window has been smashed and along with the others too. Scrapes can be seen across the doors. A dent is prominently shown on the driver’s door. Bright pink paint scrawls across the side of it, saying, “Slut,” “Man Steeler,” and “Bitch.” I swallow down the lump in my throat and feel a sob coming up. I look down at the ground, embarrassed by all of this. The tears fall freely. Nick is just as frozen staring at my car. I just run away from it towards the door and bump into somebody. I’m rub my teared-up eyes to make out who it is.
It’s Haley, and her disgusted expression mixed with pity and worry. Darting her eyes behind me, I continue to run away and up the steps towards my room, where I want to go.
I can hear Nick chasing after me, calling my name and telling me to wait up. We both make a break towards my dorm door and I slip my key in the hole, slamming it open. Once I’m in I sob into my own hands, and Nick’s strong build cradles me while I cry hard on him.
Soothing me by rubbing my back, I can’t stop drenching his shirt. He’s whispering into my hair, trying to calm me down as time ticks on.
“Not now, Haley,” he says in a defeated tone.
“I saw it, Nick. It wasn’t me, I swear.” Haley’s voice is shaky. She’s scared that I think it’s her. I know it wasn’t her. It was that psychotic girl pining after Nick.Why does she keep targeting me? What have I done to her? She’s such a bitch, she’s been nothing but one to me since I’ve met her.
“I know it wasn’t you, H-Haley.” I hiccup, bawling my eyes out on his shirt. I hear a sigh of relief leave her mouth.
“You need to take this to the cops, Nick. It’s not right to do that to her.” TJ is here too. Nick sighs heavily, but TJ is right. I need to report this. My car has been destroyed, and I know who did it.
She’s going down.
That bitch is going down for this.
I clear my throat and loosened my shoulders, taking my phone in my hand and readying myself with a video.
I’ve reached my point of pure rage.
I rush past Haley and TJ, power walking down to my car for evidence. As I do, I ring the bell at the reception area where our student adviser is. I ring it again impatiently, and she finally comes out.
“How can I help you?” she asks me in a bored tone, like she’s said it routinely too many times for her liking, as she seats herself on the other side of the desk.
“Get me the security tapes from today,” I request them as Nick, Haley, and TJ jog over to me from behind.
