Me: Omg, obviously. You literally texted yourself my name
Me: I could really use your help if you’re not busy.
Ten minutes pass, and Keith is still in the same cubicle. Maybe he’s chosen not to be an ass today. Regret rolls through me. Bryce must be busy. I shouldn’t have bothered him for no reason.
Me: I’m sorry! Ignore me. Erase the last messages from your mind. You’re definitely busy.
I send the final text, then resolutely stash my phone in my pocket. There. No more of that. Decisively, I give Tanesha my full attention. The session goes very well, and I don’t expect she’ll need me longer than a few weeks maximum.
Our session comes to an end, and we begin packing our things. I need to grab some lunch on my way back to my dorm. As movement catches my attention, my eyes flick up and land right on Keith’s.
Oh no. I drop my eyes back to the task at hand. Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll leave me alone.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, startling me. I pull it out and see Bryce’s name on the screen. Shit. Should I answer? Surely not.
The call rings out, but another call immediately comes through.
Bryce again.
Clicking the accept button, I put my phone up to my ear. “Hello?”
Bryce’s deep voice rumbles through the phone, “Hey, Javi, where are you?”
“Hi.” I cringe.Smooth, Javi, you said that already.“Um, I’m in the library. But you don’t have to–”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond.
“I’ll be there in a sec.”
“But–”
The call disconnects. Movement draws my eyes again. Keith is heading our way, a smirk twisting his lips. My shoulders cave and my breathing speeds up.
Tanesha’s hand on my arm makes me jump. She’s frowning at me, a crease between her eyebrows. “Are you okay, Javi?”
I nod at her. She needs to go. The last thing I need is for someone else to witness Keith’s attempts to humiliate me. “Yeah, I’m good. I’ll see you next week, okay?” I force a smile, and it must be convincing, because she smiles back, then heads off.
Just in time, too, because Keith stops in front of me, bracing his hands on the table. “Following me again, huh? You just can’t help yourself, can you?” His voice is loud, too loud for the library. It carries, and I notice a few heads turn our way. How the fuck did I ever find him attractive?
Anger rises inside me, and I draw myself to my full height, ready to defend myself and put this asshole in his place. I may be shy and timid, but I’m not a fucking doormat. He must seethe intent burning in my eyes, as his hand shoots across the table and tightly grasps my wrist. “Think very carefully about what comes out of that mouth.”
Before I can respond, warmth blankets my back, and a large hand cups my shoulder. “How about you get your motherfucking hand off my boyfriend or I’ll do it for you, Miller?” The deep rumble of Bryce’s voice is already recognizable. Keith recoils and drops my wrist so fast, I’d laugh if I wasn’t just as blindsided by Bryce’s statement.Boyfriend?
Keith scoffs a laugh. “Boyfriend?” he asks, disbelief dripping from the word. “Yeah right. You’re way out of his league, Kennedy.”
“First of all, correction:he’sout of my league, and I’m lucky he agreed to date me. Second: fuck off.” With that, Bryce’s large, gentle hands turn me to face him. His hand cups my face, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze, thumb gently caressing my cheek, making my breath hitch. “You okay, Angel?”
Excuse me?!Angel?Swoon. My insides melt into a puddle.
My pulse races as his eyes hold me captive. I don’t know what the fuck is happening, but I play along, pressing my body closer to Bryce.
Sweet mother of all that is holy. He’s solid, and warm, and so damn hot I might spontaneously combust.
It’s an act, Javi. Don’t forget.
“Y-yeah, I’m good, babe,” I answer breathily. Who stole all the air in the room?
4
