Just a Little Crush(17)

Oh God.

My face heated and I tucked my chin down. Just kissing the guy had me practically screaming his name.

Noah had to be avoided from now on, but I wasn’t sure how to manage that since we had Art History together three days a week. No way could we ever hang out again. What if Ryder had told him something? Would Ryder share that with Noah? What if they’d had a good laugh about it this morning? My stomach knotted.

When class let out, I took a shortcut to my dorm to avoid the crowds. The trees shaded the walkway and I tugged my hoodie closed. The days still teetered between the bite of winter winds and the warmth of spring sunshine.

“Hey.” Fallon appeared in front of me, her blond hair pulled into a messy bun. She looked like she’d just stumbled out of bed, not class.

“Hey.” I glanced around. “Where did you come from?”

“Main exit is closed. Maintenance, so we had to use side exits.” She pointed over her shoulder to a stairwell that sunk into the ground. “Have you talked to Mason for me yet?”

I hadn’t. It wasn’t intentional—although I didn’t especially want to talk to him about her—I really had forgotten. “I’ll tell him when he gets out of class.”

Fallon crossed her arms.

“Really, I will.” The door behind her opened with a flood of people.

“Fine.” She pulled her hair loose, retwisted the bun and clipped it. “Just remember, I came through on my end and I expect you to do the same.”

“I know.”

She turned to leave as the door swung open again and a few more people emerged, but only one mattered.

Ryder.

Before I could flee, he made eye contact.

I latched onto Fallon’s arm. “I’ll walk with you.”

She stared at my fingers. “Why?”

“Please. I’ll explain later. Just act like we’re busy talking and walk with me.”

She glanced around. “What has you so worked up?” Her gaze locked onto the spot where Ryder climbed the stairs. “No way.” She laughed.

“Please,” I whispered as he turned in my direction.

“He’s coming this way.” Her face scrunched. “Oh, this is too good.” She turned to completely face him. “Hi.”

Ryder’s gaze flicked in her direction as he nodded a hello. Then he asked me, “Can I talk to you?”

My throat dried as I choked a response, “Uh, I’m, um, can’t be late.”

“I thought you were done with classes,” Fallon asked with a wide-eyed blink. “Oh, unless you were on your way to talk to Mason and can’t be late for that.” She smiled.

I glared, glanced at Ryder, then said, “Yeah. That’s what I meant.”

“It won’t take long,” he said.

“Did you still want me to walk with you to see Mason?” Fallon asked.

“Yeah,” I muttered, hating the way Ryder’s gaze did me in.

“Give us a second.” Ryder grabbed my hand and pulled me away from Fallon. Once we were out of earshot he said, “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I pushed things too far and I know I said I wouldn’t. I didn’t mean to break my promise, it’s just…” His gaze dipped over me. He shook his head. “It won’t happen again.”

It wouldn’t? That was the right thing, for both of us, but also the most depressing thing I’d ever heard.

He studied me, staring deep into my eyes, then his gaze dropped to my lips and flicked back to my eyes. “Unless…”

My body weakened and tingled with anticipation.

“You…” He shook his head. “I won’t fuck up.”

I nodded slightly as if agreeing with his statement while internally protesting.

He started walking away but paused. “Do me a favor?”

I nodded like he could ask for anything and I’d say yes.

“Stay away from Noah.”

I had imagined a million sexy things he could have said right then but that definitely wasn’t one of them. He sounded defensive or overprotective and it ticked me off. I wasn’t chasing Noah; he was the one pursuing me. “We’re just friends. I’m not going to hurt the guy.”

He scrunched his eyebrows. “No, but if he touches you, I will.”

Speechless, I stared at Ryder as he left me standing on the sidewalk.

“Holy shit. What was that about?” Fallon asked.

I’d forgotten she was even there. “Nothing.”

“That guy looked like he wanted to eat you up.” She glanced back at where he’d gone.

I rolled my eyes and started walking in the opposite direction. “No he didn’t.”

“Hey, I’m as surprised as you. That’s the guy who came to our room the other morning, right?”