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He sneers. “So it was his idea? You said you were out with a friend from work. Not him.”
Why is he being like this? He sounds like a petulant child. “I was. Austin is friends with her boyfriend, so he was there, too.”
“But you rode together.”
“Yeah, when we realized we were going to the same group event we decided to carpool. Do you have any more questions? Interrogations? This is getting ridiculous.”
He has the grace to at least look ashamed. “Sorry. I’m a little shaken, too. Not thinking right. I was so worried when I found your door like that.”
He pulls me into a hug, my annoyance melting some. I get that he’s stressed. I am, too.
“You shouldn’t stay here with the door unsecured. Let’s pack you a bag and I’ll take you to my place.”
I pull away, awkwardness settling over me. “Actually, I’m going to stay with Austin.”
“What?”
“He offered. And it makes more sense to be right across the hall. That way, I’m here if I need anything from my apartment.”
“Is he expecting you to sleep with him?”
All right, I’m done. “I don’t have time for any more of your weird questions. I’m tired of defending myself over something that isn’t anything. And even if it was, it doesn’t concern you at all.”
His brows narrow. “You said you wouldn’t compromise the study.”
I throw my hands up. “I’m not. My friendship with him has literally nothing to do with the study. It doesn’t affect it at all. Besides, in less than two weeks, it’ll be over.”
“Tessa.” His mouth is a white slash across his face, jaw set. “You barely know this guy. You shouldn’t be staying over at his house.”
“Right now, I’d say I know him a hell of a lot better than I know you. You’re acting crazy.”
“I’m actingconcerned. Like a friend is supposed to.I’mthe one who told you about your apartment.” He jabs a finger at his chest. “You’re supposed to come home withme.”
I step back, my scalp prickling at the vehemence in his voice.
Austin’s door opens, the sudden tension in my body releasing as I go to his side. Not that Joel was going to do anything, but I just feel… safer next to Austin.
“Everything okay out here?”
“We’re fine,” Joel says, then turns to me. “Are you coming with me or not?”
I shake my head.
He scoffs, lips twisting. “Fine. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
He stalks off toward his car, door slamming after he gets in.
I cross my arms, the cold getting to me despite my coat. “I’m guessing you heard all that?”
“I was feeding the cat, so I don’t know if I caught everything.” He rubs at the back of his neck, looking down at his feet. “Listen, if you want to stay with someone else, I understand. I was only offering—”
“No, I want to stay with you.” I reach for his arm, curling my hand around his bicep. “You make me feel… safe.”
Relief crosses his face as he glances down at me. “I thought I was intimidating and dangerous.”
I let out a weak chuckle. “No. Not anymore. Not to me.” I take a shuddering breath, then another, the reality of the night catching up with me. “I don’t know what I would have done without you tonight.”
I lean against him, finally losing it as his hand slips over my back to rub soothing circles. No one’s done that for me since my mom.
