AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is that a threat?” Again, I marveled at the fact this man did not scare me. He should. He really should.
“My turf. My rules.”
“Yes, because you followed rules so well on my turf,” I snapped.
He laughed, and the sound made everything inside me loosen.How I’ve missed that sound.
“Snarky as ever, angel.”
“Don’t call me that.”
Judging by the way a mask dropped over his gaze, I would be willing to bet he hadn’t even realized the nickname slid out.
Putting my hands on his chest, I shoved, forcing him back so I could straighten off the lockers. He bent down to pick up the coat, and when he straightened, his eyes met mine once more.
“I’m asking you not to tell anyone about us.”
“Us,” I echoed.
He made a noise. “About our arrangement in Sweden.”
My chest stung. Almost in the same way that your fingers sting when they get too cold. Is that what was happening here? Was my heart getting frostbite?
I hope so.
I’d rather be cold and unfeeling than continuously hurt. It was becoming blatantly obvious I was shit at protecting myself.
Yeah, and look at who you ran to in order to feel safe. Moron.
“I’m not going to tell anyone,” I said, my voice steady. “Outing someone is a dick move. A choice no one should ever have taken from them.”
Win nodded, a little relief in his eyes but, oddly, not as much as I would expect. “Thanks.”
“As far as everyone else is concerned, we were roommates in Sweden and nothing more,” I said, decisive.
He averted his gaze and nodded.
I started away, but his voice stopped me.
“Why Westbrook?”
God, he just wouldn’t give it up, would he? It was like he wanted me to say I came for him. I couldn’t understand why when he was equally insistent there was nothing between us.
Without turning around, I said, “You talked about it a lot. So it was… familiar? Seemed like it might make a semester abroad easier.” Then without thinking, I added, “You know I don’t like change.”
He laughed beneath his breath, and my stomach muscles contracted. “You definitely don’t. So why come at all, then?”
For someone who didn’t want to claim me, he sure was filled with questions.
Looking over my shoulder, I speared him with my stare. “None of your business.”
I left him there, striding out of the locker room past a few curious stares. Then I dove into the pool, gliding down toward the bottom. It was muted and quiet down here.
I realized my mistake too late. The usual reprieve the quiet brought only made my disillusionment louder than before.
I guess I could stop wondering how he’d described me to anyone. Annoying roommate. Friend. Lover. Hook-up.
Because as it turns out…
