“How about some fresh air, then?” Carly suggests. “Just go out for five minutes or whatever. The weather’s kind of nice for January.”
I frown. “What a waste of time.”
Addie places her hand on mine. “It’s not healthy to be cooped up in here for days. Other than us, you haven’t seen a soul. We’re worried you might isolate yourself.”
“Don’t let that jerk ruin your life,” Raven adds.
I glance from one to the other again. “He’s not ruining my life. I’m done thinking about him. I have these guys.” I tap the book.
Addie takes it from my hand. “And your guys will be waiting for you when you get back. Just go for a walk around campus. Clear your head a little.”
I suppose they have a point. Ihavebeen in my room for over twenty-four hours. I’m still in pajamas for heaven’s sake. And I didn’t even brush my hair today. It’s just been books from morning to night.
“I guess a short walk around campus wouldn’t hurt,” I tell them. “But is it okay if I go alone? I just need to think.”
They nod in understanding. “Of course,” Addie says, squishing me to her. “Whatever you need.”
The others hug me as well before leaving my room. I roll out of bed, throw on sweats, and brush my hair. After donning my jacket, I head to the door. Before I open it, I turn around. Should I take a book with me? Maybe I’ll end up on a bench and want to read?
No. It’s probably best I take a break from reading.
The courtyard is bustling with several students. Due to the nice weather, couples are strolling about, friends chatting and laughing. I don’t feel like a loser from the lack of a guy in my life. It’s the opposite—I’m glad I don’t have a guy. I don’t need the drama and pain that go along with having one. If I don’t like a book or a character, I can DNF and move on to the next one. But you can’t just DNF in real life. Relationships take work, though it seems the ending of my relationship was a done deal. There was no way to fix it. But Axel did me a favor. I can’t imagine falling so madly in love with him and then having my heart broken. I’m not sure I would have recovered, even with my books. They would just remind me of what I lost. Now that I know real romance is not in the stars for me, I can move on with my life.
I slam into something hard and fall backward, nearly toppling to the ground. Hands reach out and wrap around my waist. The next second, I’m pressed to a chest. A warm chest. That and this person’s strong arms make me feel protected.
My nose inhales the familiar scent and I go still. Slowly, my eyes lift to stare into concerned hazel ones.
Damian raises a brow. “Sorry. You okay?” Dropping his arms, he backs away from me.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m the one who should apologize.” I laugh lamely. “I guess I have a lot on my mind. Maybe going for a walk wasn’t such a good idea.”
His eyebrows furrow as he looks at me like he has no idea what I’m talking about.
I notice the motorcycle helmet in his hands. “Are you going for a drive?”
“No, just came back.”
“Oh. I was in my room all day reading.”
His head bobs as his furrow deepens. “You didn’t hang out with Axel?”
“Nope. Looks like I won the challenge.”
“What do you mean?”
“Prince Charming broke up with me yesterday.”
His eyes widen. “He did? Why?”
I throw my hands up. “It seems he was only interested in me because he thought I was rich. The second he found out I go to HBA on scholarship, he dumped me.”
Damian steps forward. He makes a move like he wants to do something—like maybe hug me or pat my arm. But he curls his fist to his side and mutters some not-so-nice things about the guy under his breath.
“I’m really sorry,” he says. “You okay?”
I shrug. “It was stupid of me to think the real thing could ever be better than books. The real thing doesn’t exist for me and it never will.”
“Don’t say that. Just because one guy ended up being a jerk, it doesn’t mean others will be, too. You can’t give up.”
