Last I checked she had a boyfriend or twelve. I'm sure Kaya would fall into insta-love with someone like Tristan. It would be easy to do. He's more or less handsome, generally speaking, and he's nice in every capacity.
The lecture gets underway, and my mind starts to wander. Kaya is going to meet Blake. I can hardly contain myself at the thought. She is going to flip when she sees that glossy dark hair, those marbled sage-colored eyes. And when he smiles it's as if the whole world has shifted its attention to you. I'm sure Kaya will have no problem declaring her love for both Tristan and Blake. It's easy to fall in love with Blake. I did.
A breath hitches in my throat. Wait a minute. I glance around the room a moment stunned at my own revelation. Oh. My. God. I love Blake. I'm in love with him.
The uncontrollable urge to giggle comes over me, and I struggle to swallow it down. This is happening. It's already happened. I fell in love so seamlessly I didn't even notice. I need to tell him. And, as soon as class is over, I'm going to do just that.
The hour speeds by without me paying any attention to the notes Tristan dutifully shoots to my laptop. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to review them for next week's midterm.
Thanks for everything. I scoop up my things and scoot past his seat. I'm sort of in a hurry.
Let me know if you want to join that study group in trig, he signs quickly. I'll probably be going.
Will do. I traverse my way down the narrow aisle, hoisting my book bag over my shoulder. A leg pops out straight in front of me at the last minute and sends me flying down the stairs that lead to the exit. My books and notes scatter everywhere. My laptop rolls to a thud, landing next to me. I glance up in time to see Courtney with a horrified look on her face. But Johanna manufactures a look of surprise as she mouths, I'm so sorry!
Yeah, right. I bet she's real sorry. Before I know it both the professor and Tristan help me to my feet. A few other students are kind enough to gather my things and stuff them into my bag. I go to pick it up, and my shoulder pinches enough for me to cry out in pain.
We'd better get you checked out. Tristan takes my things for me.
So much for declaring my love to anyone.
I glare at Johanna for a moment. Right about now I'd much rather declare my hatred. She did that on purpose. And as much as I do want to hate her for being so ridiculously cruel, the only real emotion I can muster for her is pity. She's used to getting everything she wants, and I have a feeling what she wants is what I already have, Blake Daniels.
* * *
After a brief, yet effective, visit to the campus clinic, I convince Tristan to drive me to the body shop where Blake works. He pointed it out once as we drove by with its oversized sign out front that reads Joe's Automotive. It's about twenty minutes from campus, so in exchange for hauling me out here, I promised Tristan I'd talk Kaya into going on a double date with us when she comes to visit. Kaya is a bit boy crazy, so already I know she'll be the last to mind.
I glance down at my arm wrapped in a sling because, no thanks to Johanna's violent jealous streak, I seem to have sprained my shoulder. But I swear it feels fine, just a little pinch here and there.
Tristan pulls into the lot, and I spot Blake under the wheel-well of a bright red sedan.
Thank you, I see him.
Tristan leans over the dashboard to get a better look at the garage. Why don't you find out when he's off? If he has a few more hours, I'll buy you a burger, and we can get a head start on that paper for Lit.
That's nice of you.
I hop out and head over. An older man with a sour face and double chin asks if he can help me.
I pull out my phone and flash him my standard Hello, my name is Annie, and I'm deaf note.
"Deaf?" He must have shouted it because Blake rolls from under the car he's working on, and his face breaks out in an affectionate grin just for me. He's wearing a blue jumper covered in greasy patches, and it makes him that much more attractive.
Sorry to interrupt. I flash my phone.
His eyes dart straight to my sling. "What happened?" His face fills with concern as he ushers me away from his boss.
I'm fine. I'm a klutz, that's all. I just thought I'd stop by and see when you get off. I should have called. I don't know what I was thinking.
Blake nods to the older man. "When can I take off, Joe?"
"Go home." He waves us away as he heads back into the garage.
We head to Tristan's truck together, and I collect my things. Tristan eyes Blake with a weary look. I'm not sure why, but he's not a fan of Blake's. It seems to be a theme with the men in my life.
Tristan signs to me. He's asking what really happened to your arm.
I turn to Blake and sigh before texting. I was in a hurry, and one of the girls thought it would be fun to watch me fly. I would have had it down if it weren't for that whole gravity thing.
Blake's mouth opens then closes. The distinct look of hurt crosses his features.
"What kind of a person-girl-would do that?"
The kind that can't have you, I want to say but don't.
We wave Tristan off, and Blake gives me a quick tour of the shop.
"I'm working on this puppy." He kicks the bumper of the red Toyota I found him tucked under. His eyes weigh heavy on a motorcycle to his right.
Is it hard for you to be around the bike?
He swallows hard, answering the question with a bob of his Adam's apple. "Damn hard."
Do you ride?
"Used to. Loved it, too."
Maybe when my arm is better you can take me. I've always wanted to try. Of course my mother will kill me. :)
He pulls his cheeks back. "I don't know." Blake presses out a smile all for me. His arms find my waist as he tucks a kiss high on my cheek. "I would never in a million years do anything to put you in harm's way." He says it slow, deliberate.
You think it's too dangerous?
"No-it's just"-he shakes his head-"I haven't been on one since Ben died."
Then we'll do it together.
"You sure?" His beautiful eyes squint into mine, and, for the first time, I see a thread of fear in them.
Are you afraid?
His lips twist to the side before he gives a sheepish grin. Blake gently takes the phone from me and types into it. I'm a guy. I'll be the last person to admit to my girlfriend that I'm afraid of anything.
A fire rips from my feet to my temples. "Girlfriend," I mouth looking up into his beaming beautiful face. Hell, I wanted to say it.
Blake spins me around and lands a feathery kiss over my lips. "Is that okay?"
"Yes," I whisper, afraid my vocal cords might have gotten a little too involved.
"You want to grab a bite across the street?" His thick brows furrow, tenting those glassy jade eyes, and I want to take a bite all right.
I would rather go to your place.
* * *
The Golden Oaks Horse Ranch is acre after acre of sprawling green lawns. Multiple corrals dot the vicinity as schoolgirls take the horses out for a walk. In the distance I see a black beautiful beast traversing hurdles, training for what I think is dressage. Kaya rides. Horses have always been her thing, so I've been exposed by proxy. I'm more of a feed them an apple and pet their velvet noses type of girl.
"You realize when your brothers discover I brought you here, I'll be a dead man." Blake raises his brows as he steps out of his bedroom with his hair still beaded with water from the shower. We hit a drive-through and picked up a few burgers that we ate on the way over. Blake said he needed a quick shower because he was grimy. I tried to tell him that I didn't mind, and, God did I ever not mind. Blake is gorgeous with or without a hard day's work staining his body. He strides into the living room nice and slow. His T-shirt clings to his body annunciating each hard line of his perfect pecs, those well-defined abs.
You have nothing to fear. I flash the phone at him then take it back. I was serious about the motorcycle. I don't want you to deny yourself something you enjoyed for so long. I don't think your brother would either.
His chest expands with his next breath. "You're right." He holds his hand out and nods at my phone. I let it slip into his hand as he types something out. I like it like this with Blake, sharing my phone, sharing our kisses. But I can't help but wonder if everything about me moves too slowly for him. Benji would probably give me an ass kicking for being such a wimp. But then he doesn't have to deal with the fallout of his death. I do.
"Fallout?" I mouth.
He shakes his head as he takes me by the hand. "Trust me, its more drama than it's worth."
I get that it's hard for him. But I do appreciate it when he opens up to me.