Page 23 of Devil's Bargain

I subconsciously run a hand through my pink locks. I was bored the previous night. “That obvious, huh?”

He chuckles, and the deep sound makes my heart skip a beat. “It’s different.” The way he looks at me. It’s as if I’m fascinating to him, and he doesn’t want to miss a thing.

“I have a class upstairs,” I say, nudging my head to the staircase behind me as I stop beside it.

For a moment, he looks confused, like he’s surprised that we’re in the main lobby downstairs. He puts his hands inside his jeans pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Okay.”

I nod slowly, unsure what to say. I get the distinct feeling he doesn’t want to walk away. “Why don’t you check your bag to make sure everything is in there?”

His hazel eyes hold mine for a minute longer, burning me with an intensity that makes me hold my breath. “It’s okay.”

I look behind me at the shoes thundering up the stairs. I don’t ask myself why I’m lingering. “You trust me?”

He looks over his shoulder before focusing back on me. He’s closer now. “Should I not trust you?”

My mouth is dry. I lean back against the staircase behind me and hug my books to my chest like a shield. “I need to get to class. The bell will ring soon.”

He puts a hand on one of the balusters by my head. “I have a game on Friday.”

I swallow thickly. “Good for you.”

He looks surprised, as though he’s not used to that response from girls. But then he laughs.

I watch his shoulders shake, and his head drop back. I bet his tanned neck smells nice. Of course, it does! His intoxicating scent is everywhere. He even has a laugh dimple which I never noticed before.

He looks back at me. “That’s a response I haven’t heard before.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint.”

His smile widens. “You didn’t.”

The lobby is emptying out. I snap out of whatever trance he’s got me in and straighten up, then sneak out from beneath his arm. “I have to go.”

He lets go of the baluster as I start ascending the steps. “Come to my game.”

“Go to class!” I laugh, shooing him away with my hand over the rail.

His smile… God!

“Is that a yes?”

Amused, I start walking. “Bye, Rick.”

His laughter follows me up the stairs. My own cheeks hurt from smiling.

It’s a feeling I could get used to.

* * *

It’s the end of the school day. Nina has already unlocked her car, but I’m still digging through my bag for my keys.

She tosses her backpack on the passenger seat, then turns. “Are you sure you don’t want to come over? We’re going to Ben’s later.”

I would love nothing more. Unfortunately, I need to make money to pay for the electricity bill.

We got cut off this morning. My mom muttered to herself in the kitchen when she realized the fridge was warm, but that was it. She swigged her vodka straight from the bottle after that.

“I can’t. I have plans.”

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