Page 108 of Let You Love Me

“Come on. I’ll walk you out.” She motions toward the hall and guides us outside into the cooling autumn air.

“I’ll see you at the field later?” I ask.

She nods, though we both know just because we’ll see each other, it doesn’t mean we’ll get to spend time together.

We pause outside the door behind the cover of a small maple as a breeze rustles its branches. Most of the leaves have fallen, covering the sidewalk in a living watercolor beneath our feet. Above, the sky is gray and threatening rain, and a cursory glance around us reveals no one is watching. Students pass with their heads down, rushing to class to avoid the inclement weather, and I wonder what we look like to them. If we look like a couple.

My gaze falls to her mouth, but I quickly tear it away again because staring at her lips won’t do me any favors when I promised I’d behave.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Lane reaches out and cups the side of my face with her hand, her thumb brushing over my jaw.

I lean into her touch, pathetic and lovesick, like a stray dog begging for pets.

She worries her lower lip with her teeth, then steps closer, and maybe I’m crazy, but when her blue eyes shift to my mouth, I think maybe she wants to kiss me, too. Instead, she leans into me with a sigh.

Pressing her forehead against mine, she whispers, “Thank you.”

“For what?” I choke out.

“Everything.”

Chapter 27

LANE

Ipush back fromTeagan, blushing as I nudge him in a muscled bicep when what I really want to do is kiss him.

“Later?” he asks and I nod, regret turning my stomach as he walks away.

I stare after him, biting my lip as he goes, knowing I probably look as smitten as I feel. Part of me wishes I could just give in—for once, be reckless—but the other part of me, the one with an iron will, is too scared of what will happen when I do.

God, do you hear yourself, Lane?

When, not if.

It’s like I’m already preparing for the inevitability of us.

Teagan’s made a lot of promises, but I know how easily promises can be broken. His intentions are pure, of that, I’m sure. But intentions don’t matter when the end result is still the same.

With a sigh, I shift and start down the walkway when I jolt to a sudden stop.

Chance steps directly into my path. I have no idea where he came from or how long he’s been standing there when his impenetrable gaze locks on mine.

A rock sinks into my stomach, and I say a quick prayer he didn’t see me talking to Teagan. I can’t imagine how we looked—me cupping his face, my forehead pressed to his.

Swallowing, I clear the bile rising to the back of my throat.

I expect him to say something. To call me out. Anything.

But a moment passes before he breaks eye contact and pivots, walking in the opposite direction like his feet are on fire.

With my heart pounding in my throat, I stare after him as the cold blade of fear slices through me.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

He wouldn’t say anything to my father, would he?

Even if he did, I can handle it. My father already knows Teagan and I are friends, which is the truth.