Page 25 of Don’t Leave (Stay #2)

From this distance, it’s impossible to tell if it’s his ex.

“I don’t know,” I whisper.

“She’s probably no one,” Brooklyn says. “They’re just walking to class together.”

“It’s not my business who he spends time with,” I force myself to say. Maybe if I repeat it enough times, I’ll be able to move on as easily as he has. “We’re not together anymore.”

My fingers rise to gently rub at the spot over my heart because releasing those words into the atmosphere hurts. It’s a physical pain that constricts my heart.

Brooklyn wraps her arm around me before squeezing tight as if she’s trying to force all the air from my body.

Or maybe all the heartache. “It’ll be okay.

” She pauses before adding with a groan, “I’ve got to hustle otherwise I’m going to be late.

You know how much I’d seriously hate to miss a single word of Professor Ling’s Calc II lecture. ”

I force my lips into a slight smile. “Okay. Catch you later for dinner?”

“Definitely.” She tosses the response over her shoulder as she jogs toward the mathematics building, which is at least a block away.

I straighten my shoulders and gather my courage before trudging my way to Dorin Hall.

Once inside, I head to the first-floor lecture hall where psych 201 takes place.

Cole has thrown me off today. Normally, I’m already seated in the front when he slinks in right before class begins.

Most of the time, I don’t catch a glimpse of him, and I try not to turn around and seek him out.

I don’t need to look any more tragic than I already do by staring at him like some pathetic stalker-type-chick who can’t move on.

For the second time, my footsteps stall as I pause outside the lecture hall doors, not wanting to pull them open.

I don’t want to see him, and I certainly don’t want to see him with the girl he walked to class with.

I don’t need any further confirmation that he’s moved on with his life while I’m stuck feeling depressed over the sudden demise of our relationship.

As my hand rises to the handle, I remind myself to keep my gaze trained straight ahead of me.

There’s no straying to the left or right.

No searching for Cole like a heat seeking missile.

Just as I’m about to yank open the door, a large male hand reaches around and does it for me.

I feel the heat of his body behind me. My head whips around as my gaze collides with his golden, whiskey-colored eyes.

“Cole.” Every muscle goes on high alert as electricity zips across my skin.

“Hi, Cassidy,” he murmurs.

His gaze holds mine captive for a heartbeat. Before I’m able to think of a way to extend the conversation, the moment ends and I realize other students are piling up behind us, waiting to enter the lecture hall.

He holds open the door as I continue staring up at him like a lovesick puppy. My fingers itch to plow their way through his tousled strands. Instead, I tighten my hand so I won’t be tempted to reach out and touch him the way I want to.

I’ve missed him so much more than I realized.

It’s almost painful to be this close to him. To have his masculine scent slyly wrapping its way around me.

It takes effort to shake myself out of the trance that has fallen over me as I force myself to break eye contact and step over the threshold.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

As I walk down the thinly carpeted steps, I feel him shadow my movements. A tiny spark of hope flares to life within me. Is it possible that he’ll sit next to me today? Have we managed to turn a corner in our practically nonexistent relationship?

I wish I had the courage to ask these questions.

“Cassidy?”

I spin around at the sound of my name and find him standing on the step above me. It’s the same row his cousin, Sammy, is parked in. I have to crane my neck more than usual to hold his gaze.

“If you’re not busy, do you want to grab some lunch this afternoon?”

Even though it feels like we’re moving in the right direction, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting back together.

Although, reining in the smile that curves my lips is impossible. “I’d like that.”

A matching expression flashes across his face but it’s by no means a full-blown smile, one that has his dimples peeking out and I miss them.

“Great. Do you want to meet at the Union around one?”

My heart pumps a painful staccato against my ribcage at the idea of us sitting down and talking. “That sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

He nods before slipping into the row with his cousin.

Hesitantly, I meet Sammy’s gaze. She smiles, but much like Cole’s, it isn’t full blown by any means.

I hate that my breakup with Cole has inadvertently affected my friendship with Sammy.

But that’s not surprising since they’re close and she did warn me in the beginning not to hurt him.

Even though Sammy and I are teammates, and we skate together three or four times a week on the intramural hockey team, we were just beginning to get to know each other.

With the way she’s watching me, I can only assume Cole filled her in on what happened between us.

Sammy is a formidable chick. She’s not someone I want to have an issue with.

Plus, I genuinely do like her.

It doesn’t escape me that I’ve lost the people I’d just started to think of as my support system. Cole. Dr. Thompson. And now Sammy.

Instead of concentrating on what professor Mullens is lecturing on, all I can focus on is meeting up with Cole for lunch. Should I even get my hopes up that we’ll get back together? Or is he going to tell me that he’s ready to move on and I should do the same?

My belly clenches at the thought of those words spilling from his lips.

When our professor finally dismisses the class, I can’t help but glance at the half page of notes I’ve taken. Usually, I type out a solid four pages.

Even worse than that, I have no idea what her lecture was about.

Ugh.

What I need to do is pull my head out of my ass before I fail out of school for a second time. And this time, there’s no doubt in my mind that my parents will disown me.

Frustrated with myself, I gather up my belongings before making my way out of the lecture hall. When I look at the spot Cole and Sammy were sitting, their seats are empty. Just like I knew they would be.

As expected, the next three hours drag by as I glance at my phone every five minutes. Unable to focus on homework, I decide to head over to the Union and grab a coffee while I wait.

“Cassidy!”

I swing around on the walking path as my name is called and find Luke pushing through the heard of slow-moving students to reach me.

“Hi.” Over the course of the past week and a half, we’ve become even closer friends.

But that’s all we are.

As he falls into step with me, he asks, “Are you on your way to the Union?”

“Yup.” I don’t mention that I’m grabbing lunch with Cole. For the time being, I want to keep that information to myself.

Since I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Luke lately, I’ve learned a lot about him. Like how easy he is to talk to and what a great sense of humor he has. The more we’re together, the more attractive I find him. And he’s a really nice guy on top of all that.

There aren’t many people I trust or feel completely at ease with.

He’s one of the few.

It’s hard not to cling to that.

Or him.

Does that necessarily mean I’m ready to explore the depth of my feelings for him?

No. I’m not ready to give up on Cole. And Luke hasn’t pushed the issue. He’s been nothing but the friend I’ve so desperately needed to lean on during this breakup.

“Have you eaten lunch yet?” he asks, breaking into the chaotic whirl of my thoughts.

“No, I was going to grab something now.”

“That works out perfectly. We can have lunch together.” With a smile, he nudges me in the shoulder. “Maybe you’ll even take pity on me and help with some calc homework.”

Even though I’d wanted to keep the lunch date to myself, I realize I’m going to have to come clean.

I clear my throat and blurt, “I’m meeting Cole for lunch.”

One brow hitches at that bit of information. He’s aware that Cole and I haven’t spoken in ten days. He also knows how upset I’ve been about it. “That’s a new development.”

Since he doesn’t sound pissed off, it only reinforces that we really are just friends.

“Yes.”

His gaze shifts away from me. “Do you want to get back together with him?”

When I glance at him, his attention locks on me before searching my eyes.

My teeth scrape against my bottom lip as I admit, “Yeah, I do.” The last thing I want to do is lead Luke on.

His brow furrows slightly as he nods. “Then I hope everything works out between you two.”

Relief rushes through me at his easy acceptance of the situation. Impulsively, I reach out, grabbing hold of his hand and squeezing it as we continue walking.

“Thank you. Me, too.”

As we arrive at the Union, Luke pulls open one of the doors for me. With a smile aimed in his direction, I thank him before walking inside the brick building.

Even though I’ve arrived early for our lunch, I couldn’t be more aware of Luke’s presence beside me. It doesn’t escape me that his friendship is the reason Cole pulled away in the first place. The last thing I want to do is exacerbate the situation by being seen with him.

From beneath my lashes, I glance around the open space but don’t see Cole anywhere.

As much as it makes me feel like a crappy friend, I want this lunch to go smoothly.

I pause.

When he does the same, I say, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to wait for Cole alone.”

“Sure.” His lips curve into a smile as he leans over and presses a kiss against my cheek. “Text me later and let me know how it goes.”

Grateful for his understanding, I beam. This is the first time since Cole walked out of my dorm room that I’ve allowed myself to be hopeful that we could hash out our issues.

“I will.”