A couple of places offered me a position, but they don’t pay very much. Still, I might be able to get away with accepting two if I have to.
Everette offers me an understanding smile. “It’s okay. I’m not very good at texting while walking, either.”
“Still, I should know better after crashing into people multiple times.” I smile back, nervousness bubbling in my stomach that he knows my secret.
“I’m sure everyone does it.” He glances around the hallway then leans in, clutching the book he’s holding. “I’m actually glad I ran into you. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I mutter quietly, anxiety pumping through my veins.
“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, and I promise I won’t ever bring it up again,” he says in a hushed tone. “But you ran off so quickly … It had me nervous that maybe that guy hurt you or something.”
“That’s not why I ran off.” I adjust the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder and peer around the mostly vacant hallway. “I was just surprised to see someone I knew there.”
He nods in understanding. “I won’t say anything to anyone. We all have stuff we don’t want other people to know, right?”
I nod, surprised by his sincerity. “Thanks. I really appreciate that.”
Smiling, he opens his mouth to say something, but Beck strolls up.
“Hey.” He stops beside me, standing so close our shoulders touch. His gaze bounces between Everette and me before finally landing on Everette. “What’s up, man?”
“Not much.” Everette stuffs the paperback into the back pocket of his faded jeans. “You playing soccer again this weekend?”
“I was thinking about it, but I need to check on a few things first.” Beck grows quiet, rubbing the back of his neck.
Everette raises his brow like okay? “I guess I might see you there, then.” He looks at me. “See you in class next week?”
I nod, and then he heads down the hallway, digging his phone out of his pocket.
I nervously turn to Beck. I haven’t seen him since I gave him the list. I honestly didn’t know how I was going to feel being near him again, if I’d lose it. But his nearness seems to calm some of the clusterfuck of shittiness currently crammed in my chest.
I discreetly eye him over, chewing on my lip. He’s wearing a long-sleeved grey shirt, jeans, and a beanie with a few strands of hair sticking out from underneath. My eyes travel to his lips, and I find myself touching my own, remembering our kisses, how soft his lips are, how wonderful it felt to bite them, how life felt perfect for a moment. Completely and utterly and wonderfully, smile all the time, flutters in my heart, tingles on my skin perfect. But that was only a delusion, something I was reminded of yesterday.
I quickly try to force the mental images of the kiss away, and my senses go haywire from the scent of his delicious cologne, his overpowering warmth, and my desire to touch him again.
I stab my fingernails into my palms. Don’t you dare. You already have too much to worry about.
Beck shifts his gaze to me, question marks and uncertainty flooding his eyes. I wonder if he’ll bring up the list or if we’re going to just act like nothing happened, like we did after the last kiss.
“You know him?” Beck asks, nodding in the direction Everette wandered off in.
“Um, yeah. He’s in my Chemistry class.” So not what I was expecting him to say. “He seems nice.”
He nods, studying me intently. “He is.”
The strange, hurt look on his face has me feeling lost. “How do you know him? From soccer?”
“Yeah, he plays on one of the other city leagues, and we’ve chatted a few times after games.” He shoves up the sleeves of his shirt, glancing up the hallway then back at me. “What were you guys talking about before I walked up?”
I shrug, loathing myself that I’m about to lie to him once again. “Nothing. Just an assignment.”
A pucker forms at his brows as he studies me again, as if trying to unravel my thoughts. “It looked like you two were kind of having a pretty intense conversation.”
“The assignment was for a final, and you know how I get about finals.” Guilt smashes my chest, making it difficult to get air into my lungs. I can’t tell Beck the truth. Not about this. What I can do is talk to him about my father. Not until we’re alone, though, in case I lose control.
He glances down the hallway again then fixes his gaze on me again. “You’re not … Is there something going on between you two?”
“What!” I cry out, drawing attention from people passing by. I inch closer to him and lower my voice. “Why would you think that?”