Page 39

“Using a kiss to distract an ex? That’s straight out of the Reese Cain playbook.” She points across the room and gets a dreamy look on her face. “Happened right over there.”

“Oh,” I nod, playing along, “right. That’s probably exactly what it was.”

She checks her phone. “Shit, I need to get across campus.”

“Same. I’ve got a project meet up.”

We stand, gathering our bags and coffees.

“Listen,” she says as we approach the door, “if you need to use Axel as a buffer between you and Brent right now, I think you should.”

“Wait, what?” I look at my friend to see if she’s joking. Nope. She looks completely sincere. “Youthink Axel and I should hang out together?”

“He’s a good guy,” she shrugs, “and he’s dealing with a lot, being on probation and everything. You both probably need a friend right now.”

A safe space.

“Maybe.” I reach for my scarf and remember I never got it back after class. “Although, I’m not sure he’d be into you offering him up to be my protector like that.”

“Oh, he’s into it.” She zips up the front of her jacket and smiles. “It was actually his idea.”

Nadia:Just had an interesting conversation with Twyler?

GoalieGod: Was it about teaching you deep tissue massage? Because I volunteer if you want to practice.

Nadia: It was about you offering to ‘protect’ me from Brent.

GoalieGod: Safe space, darlin’.

Nadia: That was a one time thing.

GoalieGod: Not if I have anything to say about it.

The shiver that runs down my spine has nothing to do with the cold, November air, and it doesn’t fade when I step into the business building.

Eric and I finally agreed to meet up to discuss our project at one of the study rooms provided in the communications department. He’d been cool about meeting here, and I felt better about not going somewhere private. Boundaries. It’s something I’ve been working on… well, apparently other than when it involves Axel Rakestraw.

When I get to the room, Eric’s already there, sitting at the table with his laptop open. He looks up and smiles.

“Hey,” I say, stepping into the room. “Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not late.” He pushes out the chair next to his. “I was early, so I figured I’d start some of the research.”

“Well, that’s different,” I say, peeling off the layers and taking my own things out of my bag.

“What do you mean?”

“The last time I did a group project in this class it was with Austin and Rocky and neither of them even opened their laptops once.”

“Oh yeah, I had to work with Darius, who don’t get me wrong, is a great guy but…”

“Dumb as a bag of hammers?”

“Let’s just say…” he taps his chin, “unmotivated for academic pursuits.”

“Oh you’re good.” I laugh. “Let me guess. Planning a career in sports related PR?”

He winks. “Nailed it.”