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Bexley
“Hey, freshman!” I heard across the commons. My gaze stayed down the path in front of me. It was bleak outside and threatening to rain with each passing second. Temperatures droppedagain. The ground was wet, the leaves were dead, and there was a dryness in the air.Hello, autumn.
The guy yelling came to a stop in front of me, panting and creating little white clouds each time. I pulled my scarf tighter as I looked him up and down. He was blonde, average build, moderately attractive for basic standards. I saw the letters embroidered on the breast of his jacket. It was for the Sigma fraternity.Not Ghost, just a prick.
“Do I know you?” I squinted my eyes and sent the biggestgo-the-fuck-awayvibes I could.
“You definitely should,” he insinuated as he ran his hand through his hair to tousle it a bit. “But I guess on the chance that you don’t, I’m Benson. Benson Jacobs.”The machismo on this one.
“Oh, BJ like blowjob?” My tone was dull and my face annoyed and unimpressed. His smile faltered, and he scanned above my head as he regained his confidence.
“Not exactly, no,” he contended. His smile was back fully as he continued to block my fucking way. “So, I was wondering if you were busy this weekend. Any plans?” His hands were pushed into his pockets, and he pushed his chest out, waiting for my answer.
“No, actually. I don't, and I don’t care to have them,” I deadpanned. There was no response on his part, so I moved around him. He reached forward and stopped me with a strong grip. I looked from his hand to his face. “Can I help you,Bently?”
“Benson,” he corrected and laughed it off. “And a hot piece like you isn’t out on a Saturday night? I doubt it, babe.” He wasn’t holding me as tight, but he still hadn’t removed his hand. Heavy steps approached from behind me.
“I’m not your babe. Take your hand off of me now.” I wasn’t above a physical altercation on campus grounds.
“It’s not like you belong to anyone else.” His cocky attitude faded when those steps stopped and a large, warm hand rested atop my head.
Jai scrunched his long fingers through my hair. Bennett jerked his hand away like he touched fire. I craned my neck, and Jai had the best shit-eating grin I’d ever seen. He bent down and pecked a small kiss in my hair.
“Message received,” Benson conceded as he backed out of our way with his hands up in apologetic defeat. We made it several feet down the path before I snickered.
“You realize he thinks we’re dating now?” His hand lingered at the base of my neck. In a swift movement, he swept me off the ground and curled me into his chest.God, he smells good today.
“I think there’s worse things he could assume,babe,” he murmured as his face was washed in light and happiness. His chuckle was light and carefree.
There was a strong tug deep in my chest.
“Can I ask you something?” I inquired. He moved through the open door, careful to avoid bumping me.
“Anything,” he said, glancing toward the library entrance.
“What would you do if you found yourself with two…,” I trailed off, looking at the students staring. “Apples?” It felt like I was giving him a third-grade word problem.Idiot.
“Two apples?” he clarified, but he still looked confused as he stepped through the first set of doors.
“Well, apples are the dilemma. You know when you find yourself with two—”
“Mr. Wells!” Mrs. Whitcomb’s shrill scolding came from behind the counter. Without letting me go, he faced the old woman with her wrinkled hands on her hips. “Is there somethingwrongwith Ms. Laughtery?”
He shook his head, but I offered an explanation. “Mrs. Whitcomb, he was—”
“Library voices! Put her down immediately and don’t let that group of yours get rowdy today.” She turned back to the cart she was arranging. Ever the rebel, Jai walked several more feet before placing me on the ground with care.
“Thank you, your impromptu emergency boyfriend services were very effective.” I kept my voice low for fear of another Whitcomb special.
Jai brought his fingers to the crest of my cheek and trailed down until they captured my chin. “For you, anything.”
Every bit of me that had been joking seemed to evaporate with that.
I was developing a very serious problem.
Jai
Everything around me was nonexistent: the scent of old books, the sound of rough fingers skimming ancient paper, the sight of the ugly wooden shelves. It was replaced by Bex, who stood in front of me like I’d hung the damn moon. Her fruity, coconut perfume permeated my soul. Her quick breaths slipped through her parted lips, and her pupils dilated. It was a drug.
