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Someonepoundsatmydoor, ignoring the shouts coming from the girls in my hall telling them to fuck off. It’s still only 8:00 a.m., which means classes haven’t started yet, so most people will just be waking up.
“Baby Bea. Open up,” Nash shouts through the wood, his knuckles rapping once more. “Please.”
I swipe away the stray tears on my cheeks, grabbing the letters and tossing them back into the drawer along with the pictures before closing it and making my way over to the door. Steeling my shoulders, I twist the lock, pushing the handle down and pulling it open.
Nash stares at me, a small frown on his face as he waves my phone in one hand and a paper bag in the other. “I come bearing your cell and goodies, so move aside and let me in.”
He barrels past me, not giving me the chance to fight him on it as he starts toward my bedroom, bounding around in there for a long minute before coming back into the lounge with my comforter and a couple pillows under one arm, and a pair of Christmas pajamas Maisie bought me the other day.
“Suit up. We’re playing truant today and gorging on all the popcorn and chocolate while we make our way through all the chewy Hallmark movies I just know you have lined up on your laptop.”
“Nash,” I start, grabbing the remote from his hand and dropping it onto the arm of the couch. “You don’t have to do this, really, I’m fine.”
The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, and I know he doesn’t believe me, but he gives me a little grace anyway.
“Yeah, well, I’m not. My best friend is a fucking asshole, and I don’t want to see him today. So I’m hiding out here, and I’m asking that you please hide out with me, because it’s boring if I have to be alone.” He bats his eyelashes at me, pushing his lip out into a pout as he tries the greatest titty lip he’s ever done.
Truthfully, I’m grateful for his presence, my intrusive thoughts are too much to live with right now. One more morning. I’m going to give myself one more morning of normal before life smacks me in the face.
“Fine, truant it is,” I echo, dropping down on the couch beside him. I toss the pajamas to the corner of the room, dismissing them as he covers us with the comforter, laying the pillows in between us.
“I may be disappointed in him,” he explains when I ask him why. “But even I am not willing to go against the wrath of Mav if I accidentally touch his girl. That man scares me.”
“You’re so dramatic. You touch me all the time, you buffoon.” Rolling my eyes, I settle into the cushion, letting Nash pick out a film to watch. I don’t bother correcting him on the Mav’s girl comment, even knowing everything changed today.
No matter what Maverick says next, I won’t be here to hear it. The only thing I can hope is I have enough of my heart left by the time I close that door that it can still beat without him.
“Don’t hog the popcorn, Bea,” Nash whines a little while later, reaching over to grab the bowl from my hand. He shovels a handful into his mouth, chomping as he rocks side to side to the musical number playing out on the TV.
“Hey, Nashville,” I say, pulling his attention to me. Pushing off the couch, I stand, tidying up the coffee table. “Not that I’m ungrateful for the company, but when are you heading out? You’ve been taking up real estate on my couch for a couple hours now.”
“You kicking me out?” He pouts, giving me his best kicked-puppy look, which only makes me laugh.
“Yes.” I snatch the bowl from his hand, dropping it on the coffee table. The duvet comes with me next, and I toss it back on my bed, grabbing my bag and keys before heading back out to the lounge. “I’ve got some stuff to do, so move it.”
“What stuff, Bea?” He raises a brow. Keeping my face blank, I grab his hand, helping him off the couch. I don’t answer his question, there’s little point. He’d only try and talk me out of it, and I don’t want to hear his words of wisdom.
“Come on.” I haul him from the room, locking the door behind me. We reach the parking lot, where we’ll split up for him to go back to his apartment and me to head over to the main campus.
“Bea,” Nash calls my name when I start away from him. I turn to him, my gaze landing on his nose. “Don’t do anything stupid, yeah?”
“When have I ever done anything stupid?” My throat dries at my question, and I struggle to swallow over the lump in my throat. “Actually, don’t answer that. The list is probably way too long at this point.”
“Talk to him before you make any rash decisions. Promise me? I know he fucked up today, but you can’t always expect him to get it right. This is a learning curve for both of you.”
I nod, not able to voice a promise I know I’ll break.
My mind is already made up, and when Nash runs over, giving me a tight hug, I think he knows that too. His hold lingers a beat longer than normal, his breath a shudder when he pulls away. He drops a kiss to my hair, whispering “I love you” in my ear and squeezing me once more before he turns and stalks away, his shoulders deflated.
Gripping the strap of my bag, I wade through the early afternoon traffic in the commons, coming to a stop outside the administration office. The pit in my stomach hollows out when the door opens, and the clerk stares at me, waiting for me to introduce myself, tell her why I’m here . . . anything but stare awkwardly at the door.
“Can I help you?” she asks, her perfectly groomed brow raised.
I cough, brushing the stray hair that’s fallen from my ponytail behind my ears. “Yes . . .” She continues to watch me, her expression growing more impatient the longer I stand there, saying nothing.This is the right decision, Beatrice. It’s time to walk away.“I need to drop out.”
Maverick
“You’re a real piece of shit at times, Maverick Brady.” Nash barrels through the apartment, stopping in front of me. His hands are curled into fists at his sides, a scowl prominent on his usually smiling face.
