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“I told you,” Gem said, rolling her eyes, “It’s on my way.” We walked to her car, which was a beat up old Holden that I was surprised actually ran. Gem caught my expression and laughed.
“You’d be surprised how reliable this old thing is,” She said with a smirk, jiggling her key in the door lock which appeared to be jammed.
“If you say so,” I replied dubiously as the lock finally caved and opened. She revved up the car, and we took off. Minutes later we arrived at the campus. That was one of the joys of living so close to everything.
“You sure you’re okay to get back?” Gem asked uncertainly.
I nodded, “Kella finishes soon,” I explained, “Go,” I giggled, waving her off.
I didn’t actually have any classes today, but I needed to get books for some assignments. I walked out of the library with enough books to finish several of my assignments. Turning the corner. I headed to the parking lot to meet Kella. My walking on the cast had improved somewhat, though I was still unstable.
“Hello again.”
The color drained from my face.
That voice. I knew that voice. I’d played that sexy drawl over and over in my head for the past two weeks. I turned around. Dane stood against the railing of the stairs, one leg perched up against it, his hands in his pockets. He had his usual jeans and jacket on.
God he looked good. What I wouldn’t give just to run my hand under that shirt…
“Hi,” I managed, my voice coming out high pitched. I’d done so much to avoid him around classes, the thought of running into him outside the library hadn’t even been on my realm of possibilities.
“How’s your…” His eyes travelled downwards, widening as he caught sight of my cast, “Foot,” He finished. His eyes met mine, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and shock. “Seriously? It’s broken?” He asked, incredulous.
I nodded meekly, wishing the ground would swallow me up. “Yep. Broke the joint of the big toe,” I confirmed, “Snap!” I laughed loudly.
Oh god Lily. Enough with the humor.
“And you didn’t tell me, why exactly?” he prompted, his face dark. It took me a moment to realize he was angry at me. Hey hold on, he breaks my toe and he’s angry at me?
“Because I didn’t see the point?” I mumbled. Damn. Why did that come out like a question?
“You didn’t see the point? Lily, I broke your foot! You should’ve told me,” His voice was raised, which made me jump. If he yelled at me for much longer, there was a good chance I’d cry.
“My toe. You broke my toe,” I corrected. I shut my mouth when he shot me a look.
“That’s not the point! You’ve been hobbling around for the last two weeks in a cast. You should have told me! I could have driven you to classes or something.”
His voice had softened somewhat, as had his expression. He ran his hand through his hair, glancing around. The place was pretty deserted, thankfully. The last thing I wanted was an audience to see this.
“I didn’t tell you for that very reason,” I argued, “I didn’t want your pity. And I don’t want it now, either,” I added. I started making my way down the stairs. It was harder than I’d thought, with a handful of books. I cursed myself for not taking the ramp.
“For fuck’s sake, let me help you,” He grumbled, trying to take the books from my hands.
“I’m fine,” I said stiffly, pulling the books out of his grip. He pulled at precisely the same time, sending my seven library books flying down the stairs. “Now look what you’ve done,” I groaned, dripping my hands behind my head. This was fast becoming a really bad day.
“Me?” He laughed, “You’d have to be the most stubborn person I’ve ever met.” He said. I waited as he collected the books, including the one that had made it a good ten feet away.
“Let me take you home,” He said, the books tucked under his arm. “Please,” He added, as if he could sense I was backing down.
“My friend is waiting for me,” I said. Not that Kella would really care either way. That is, until she heard who I caught a lift home from. Then she’d kill me.
“Then tell her to go without you. I feel so bad about all this,” He still looked shocked, and I got the feeling he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“Okay,” I sighed, reaching for
my phone. I texted Kella not to wait as we walked together to his car.
“So,” He began, trying to fill the awkward silence, “Apart from me breaking your toe, how are you settling in?”
