Page 123 of Counter Bet

My dad laughs before pressing a soft kiss to my forehead and lifting his chin toward my car. “Get going, kiddo. Before I change my mind.”

I kiss his cheek, then turn to my little sister and tug one of her pigtails. “Be good for mommy and daddy while I’m gone, okay?” I press her cute little button nose and make a beep sound, delighting in the sound of her giggles filling the morning air.

* * *

I settled in well at college. The first couple of weeks were a lot to take in. It’s strange to attend such a large college compared to my small high school back home. The anonymity is a welcome change. No one knows who I am or has any preconceived notions about me. I can be anyone I want which is a breath of fresh air.

I share a room with Scarlett, a lovely flamboyant girl who took me under her wing right from the start. She has long brown hair that falls past her shoulders, and she likes to dress edgy, reminding me of a bohemian girl with flowers in her hair one day and of a singer in a rock band the next.

She studies political science, is obsessed with Battlestar Galactica, and owns a record player. We’re each other’s opposites which is partly why I’m drawn to her and appreciate our friendship so much.

I feared running into Benat first, but I didn’t need to worry. This college has more students than the entire population of my small town back home. The likelihood of us running into each other is slim. I find myself wondering at times how he settled in and if he is enjoying himself.

“You look deep in thought,” Landon says, placing his laptop down on the table and taking a seat next to me.

I smile at him, tapping my pencil against my bottom lip in thought.

Landon and I met here in the library one afternoon after class. The other tables were occupied, so he asked if the chair next to me was free, and this has been our regular meet-up spot since.

I sometimes feel his eyes on me when he thinks I’m not looking and would lie if I said I don’t like the attention. Landon is good-looking with his green eyes and chestnut hair which he keeps styled in a fade.

Landon smirks, raising an eyebrow, still waiting for a reply.

I tear my eyes away from the white t-shirt hugging his chest, and blush fiercely, embarrassed to have been caught staring.

He smiles knowingly, eyes falling to the open notepad in front of me. “What are you studying today?”

My cheeks heat. I avert my gaze, mumbling, “One of my friends back home challenged me to sketch more. I’ve been trying to improve.”

Do I look as awkward as I feel?

Landon leans in close and peruses the drawing, tracing his fingers over the sketch of me sitting on a cliff, staring out over a blanket of trees below.

I catch a whiff of his cologne.

“That’s you.”

I swallow thickly, eyes locked on his profile. His soft lips and straight nose.

“Who’s that?” he asks, moving his fingers over the paper to the other figure sitting next to me.

My eyes drop to the sketch of Ben. I captured him perfectly. The way he looked at me that day and his windswept hair. My fingers itch to get hold of color pencils so I can color in his hair the perfect shade of green. I clear my throat, fidgeting with the rubber tip in my lap. “It’s an old friend of mine.”

Landon glances at me before leaning back in his seat and starting up his laptop. “Boyfriend?”

I bristle. It’s been six months, but the wound is still fresh. I shake my head. “No.”

Landon watches me for a moment, flicking his eyes between mine.

I fight the urge to tuck tail and run.

“He hurt you.”

“He’s not the only one,” I reply before I can stop myself. Landon doesn’t need to know about my unusual relationship dynamic with Ben and Dallas. I wave him off. “Ignore me. What are you studying today?”

He turns his laptop toward me.

I laugh when I see his screen. “Better you than me.”

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