Page 68 of Wanted You More

Ben looks to Dad, who doesn’t argue or suggest it’s a bad idea. I feel bad for the spontaneous ambush, but maybe this isn’t a bad thing. We could all use a social life.

Noah takes the seat beside mine, but I’m quick to notice the hesitation before he scoots it under the table. He leans toward me and says, “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

Since when was I full of those anyway?

I smile innocently. “The best ideas never are, Noah. You should know that by now.”

His blue eyes fill with skepticism, but he’s smart enough not to argue.

***

I don’t knowwhat Noah says to my dad to get him to agree to take me back to campus, but he’s helping me into my jacket and guiding us to his truck after we say goodbye to our parents.

As soon as I climb into the passenger side, I make a face at the strong lemon scent. The dashboard is free of dust, the windshield without a speck of bird poop, and the floors free from even one pine needle.

It’s not unlike him to be a clean freak, but this seems a little over the top. “Did your truck get robbed by someone with OCD or was somebody murdered, and you tried covering it up by detailing it?”

He snorts, standing beside me by the open door and studying the interior. “It wasn’t my idea to get it detailed. It was a surprise.”

I take one guess as to who surprised him with it, sitting back and putting my feet on the dashboard. “Bailey’s work?”

His eyes go to my legs, making his lips tug up at the corners for a second before he moves my feet to the floor. “Do you know how many people get seriously injured that way when they get into accidents?”

One of my brows pops up. “Are you planning on getting into an accident?”

Noah’s hand is still on my leg, and the warmth makes heat prickle up the back of my neck. I don’t know if he realizes he’s still touching me when he says, “You know me better than that.”

Subtly, I shift my weight away from him and cross my legs under me. “Yeah, I do. Which is why I think it’s weird you let your girlfriend do whatever she wants, even if you don’t like it.”

When I asked where she was tonight, Noah said she had other plans. She wasn’t mentioned for the rest of the night. Not by him or his parents.

I notice that the picture of his grandfather and him from when he was a kid that used to be taped to his glove compartment is gone. My fingertips rub against the empty space. There isn’t any sticky residue left behind. “Where is the picture of Grandpa Terry?”

His jaw tics. “The detailers accidentally ripped it when they were cleaning.”

My eyes widen, and without thinking, I reach for his forearm. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Does your mom have any copies?”

His mother is big on photographing everything and keeping albums, but I know his grandparents only had a few pictures they passed down, including the one that’s had residence in all his vehicles since he could drive.

All Noah does is shake his head. “It is what it is.” His eyes go to my hand before he steps back and twirls his keys. “Let me take you back. I’m sure you have other plans tonight.”

Is he trying to get rid of me?

It isn’t until he’s behind the wheel with the truck started that I turn to him. “Actually, I don’t. Want a tour of the campus?”

Amusement lifts his lips. “I’ve been to Chamberlin before, Austen.”

“But you haven’t been there withmeas a tour guide. Plus, you haven’t seen my room. I’ve managed to make my bed at least twice this week, and I’ve already done a load of laundry.”

He chuckles as he pulls onto the street, waving at whoever let him out. “Thatisimpressive. How else is it going? You said you were making friends but haven’t said who.”

Toying with my seat belt, I think about my conversation with Kennedy. It’s been a good night, and I don’t want to risk saying the wrong thing with Noah. “My roommate and I hang out,” I reply, choosing not to bring up Lincoln. The three of us have lunch together sometimes, but he doesn’t need to know that. “You’d like her. She’s a rule follower, so maybe she’ll be a good influence.”

His eyes light up as he glances at me for a second. “Let’s hope you don’t corrupt her then.”

Before I can stop myself, I say, “I think anyone would love to be corrupted by me.”

If he’s thinking of anything, he doesn’t say what it is. Instead, he scratches his neck and keeps focused out the windshield.

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