Page 200 of Forever Relentless

But I knew who it was. Even without hearing her voice.

Dante knocked like a cop serving a warrant. Dustin knocked once and then opened the door like he owned the place.

This knock was careful. Because the person on the other side wasn’t sure they were welcome.

“Noah?” Briar’s voice came through the wood. Soft but firm. “Can we talk?”

I stared at the door from where I sat at my desk, and watched it open.

I hadn’t seen her in a week. I’d tried to convince myself that it was a good thing. I knew she was there last night, but I hadn’t really seen her.

I rose from my seat as she came in, her eyes finding mine, wide and green, shining with uncertainty. Neither of us spoke as she let herself into my room.

Briar stood just inside the doorway like she wasn’t sure how far she was allowed to come in. Her hands were clasped together in front of her, the camera she usually carried nowhere in sight. Wearing jeans, a shirt, and a simple jacket, her hair fell in soft waves around her face.

I leaned back against the desk, folding my arms. A week ago, I’d have pushed harder for her to speak. Now it felt like we were strangers negotiating territory.

“You look . . . different,” she said, her eyes searching mine.

“Do I?” I ran my hand through my hair. “Probably need a haircut.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

I didn’t ask what she meant. Her eyes moved around the room, seeing it for the first time. I watched her take it all in.

Was it juvenile?

Did it matter? I thought she’d already gotten past the fact I was still a student. I was less sure after the last week.

“You haven’t texted,” she said. Her eyes did not meet mine. “Or called.”

“I know.” I didn’t move. “Neither have you.”

Her gaze flicked to mine and then away again. “I wasn’t sure you’d open the door.”

“So you thought walking in uninvited was the answer?”

She winced at that and moved a little further into the room. Unsettled at my bluntness, but in my mind, at least we were being honest.

I simply leaned and watched her.

The silence settled again, thick and uncomfortable, and I wasn’t sure why she was here if she actually had nothing to say.

Briar shifted her weight slightly, then finally looked straight at me. “Why the transfer?”

My jaw tightened. “It was something I’ve been toying with for a while. You said it yourself the first time you spoke to me — if I can get out, go.”

“Mason wasn’t sure you’d remember you told him.”

I didn’t, but I didn’t bother addressing it. “Does it really matter?” I asked.

Her gaze held mine. “Yes.”

The silence settled around us again. Then she took one small step closer to the bed, glanced at me as if I was going to stop her, and sat down.

“You’re really leaving?” she said.

It wasn’t a question. “Haven’t decided yet.”