Page 50 of I Don't Need Your Love

“I’m sure he is,” Sophie says with a giggle as she pokes Raven’s ribs. Raven giggles, too.

My phone beeps again, drawing my attention back to my texts.

Ryder: Actually, I stopped by your room like five minutes before curfew. Felt like I had to jump through hoops with that security guard. I don’t think he likes me very much.

Carly: That’s because you’re super annoying.

Ryder: This girl is chipping away at my heart piece by piece…

Carly: Why did you come to my room?

Ryder: I wanted to ask your help with a dance move I was struggling with. I was practicing today and realized I wasn’t getting it right.

Carly: Oh. Well, you can stop by my room later tomorrow. I’ll probably be back around dinnertime.

Ryder: Be back from where?

Carly: None of your business.

Ryder: Another piece chipped away…

Carly: Goodbye, Ryder.

Ryder. Oh all right. ‘Night, Captain.

When I lower my phone, I find my friends still watching me with intrigue.

“What? He just needs some help with the routine,” I say. “He’ll stop by my room tomorrow.”

“So you guys are going to have alone time?” Addie says, waggling her brows.

“No, because my roommate will be present.”

“Your roommate will be hanging out with her boyfriend.”

“No she won’t.”

“Yes she will.”

“Ugh! What about you, guys?” I ask Sophie and Raven.

“We have a project due on Monday. We need to spend all evening in the library.”

“Convenient,” I grumble.

“Enemies-to-lovers romance trope, here we go!” Sophie cheers.

I grab another chocolate bar and throw it at her. But it misses and smacks into the wall.

Chapter Eighteen

Carly

I don’t know why I’ve been staring at myself in the mirror for the past ten minutes. I’ve changed my outfit twice already, thinking the other two made me look…well, I don’t know. Not cute enough? But ugh, why should it matter what I wear? It’s just Ryder. And he’s coming over soon to practice the dance routine, not to take me out on a date or anything.

A shiver of disgust passes through me at the thought of Ryder and me going out on a date. Volunteering to be around him just for the sake of being around him? Getting to know him better? Hearing his innermost thoughts and secrets? No thank you. I’d rather jump into a lion’s den.

A little voice in my head tries to convince me that’s not true, but I shove it aside. I can once again admit that my loathing of him is on a much lower scale than it was only a few weeks ago, but I’m certainly not jumping at the opportunity to hang out with him when I don’t have to. I’m only doing this because he’s a member of the dance team and I’m the captain and choreographer. I won’t let anything ruin our chances of placing at the dance competition.