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He stared at me hard before nodding. Lark went up first, and I stayed behind in case he tripped or got overheated because the stairwell could get muggy. When we got to the top, I heard him breathe out as he took in the view—the whole world laid out before us. Really just the campus, but still.
We stood inside one of the carved gables that resembled windows without the glass and sucked in the cool air crossing through the openings on four sides.
With a look of awe, he angled his head to glance at the gigantic bell hanging there.
“That part of the tower is called the belfry. It houses that ancient monstrosity.”
Lark pointed to the dangling cable. “And they use that rope to ring it?”
“Uh-huh. Apparently, it takes a lot of strength to get it going.”
The groundskeeper was a big, muscled guy, though, so maybe he didn’t struggle as much as someone else would.
“I can only imagine,” Lark said, turning to look out at the rolling hills again. “So cool.”
“This is where I come if I can’t sleep or if I need to think.”
“Really?” His eyes sprang to mine. “Does anybody else know?”
“Only you.”
He dipped his head in this shy way that made my stomach feel funny.
After another silent beat, I asked, “Do you feel better?”
“Yeah, thank you.”
I stepped backward until my shoulder blades met the solid column of the belfry.
When I slid down the wall to sit on the concrete floor, Lark did the same. From that vantage point, the only thing visible was the midnight-blue sky and twinkling stars.
We were quiet for a beat, and then, “I can see why you like this.”
“Yeah, it’s calming.” I always felt secluded here, like no one would find me while I gazed at the ceiling of constellations. Normally, I brought a towel or blanket to cushion the harsh ground, but tonight all I felt was pinpricks all over my skin from his company.
“Good game, by the way.”
“Glad you made it.”
“I didn’t come for you. I came for Emil,” he said teasingly.
“Oh, I have no doubt.” I chanced a look at him, and Lark smiled.
“I didn’t have a clue what was happening, but I do know you looked impressive.”
“Yeah?” I asked, and he nodded. “Thanks.”
“If I had huge guys trying to crush me, I would run the other way and hide in the locker room.”
I burst out laughing. When I felt him staring at me, I met his gaze. “What?”
“Nothing, I just…forgot about your laugh…and how much I enjoyed it back then.”
Fuck, my chest clenched. Why did I suddenly feel like I couldn’t breathe?
Maybe it was time to set some things straight.
“For the record, I’m not interested in girls. Never have been. Sometimes I pretend to flirt so no one questions me. Though they still do because I never hook up.”
