Page 65 of I Don't Need Your Protection

My friends hug me, wish me luck, and tell me to have a good time. Considering I don’t know much about football, I hope I’ll enjoy Warner’s company more than the game.

My friends and I leave my room. They turn toward their rooms while I make my way to the exit of the dorm.

Glancing around, I take in the kids strolling around, everyone going to whatever plans they made for tonight. Idon’t see Warner anywhere. I guess he hasn’t arrived yet.

I sit down on a bench outside the girls’ dorm and wait.

Caleb sits on a bench a few feet away from me, scouting the area for any strange activity. So far, everyone is just chatting and laughing. No one looks suspicious. He doesn’t relax, though. He’s on alert.

I understand why he’s acting this way. Many people will be coming to the football game tonight. I haven’t had a good look at the stadium yet. Truthfully, it never really interested me. I’m only going to the game because Warner invited me.

Caleb’s eyes meet mine and he watches me for a bit. We haven’t spoken much since he complimented me the other day. I give him a small wave and a smile. He continues to watch me, his eyes a bit squinted. I have no idea what he’s thinking about. Does he maybe feel left out because he’s all alone? Does he want to participate in school activities?

Studying him for a few minutes, I don’t get the sense that he feels left out. More like he’s a man on a mission. Maybe the only thing on his mind is keeping me safe.

“Addie?”

I glance up and find Warner standing there. He looks like he called my name more than once. My cheeks redden because I didn’t notice he was even here. I was too busy thinking about my bodyguard.

I leap to my feet. “Warner! Hi.”

He grins. “Sorry I’m late. Were you waiting long?”

“No, not much.”

“Cool. Ready to go?”

We walk toward the football field on the other side of campus. No wonder I’ve never been here. It’s a long walk.

I sense Caleb following a few feet behind us. Can feel his eyes on me. On Warner. I try not to roll my eyes. He’s actually been pretty okay with the whole Warner thing lately. He didn’t make faces when I talked to him or hung out. Or maybe he was just keeping his frustration to himself. But whatever. I’m here to have a good time with Warner.

“What are you thinking about?” Warner breaks my thoughts.

I blink. “What? Um…just that I feel kind of lame because I don’t know anything about football. Sorry.”

He chuckles. “Many girls here don’t. That’s okay. I’d rather talk about other things than football. We’re just going to support my buddies and because I want to spend time with you.”

I smile, waiting for the butterflies to come, but they don’t. No stomach tingling or chills.Nothing.

Maybe some relationships aren’t like the movies. Maybe most people just get along and don’t feel those sorts of things.

Yet…my mind travels to Caleb and how it feels different when I’m around him. Even though we bicker and he annoys the crap out of me, I still feel like I want to be close to him. To talk to him. Look at him. Think about him.

I quickly shake those thoughts away.

“What are you arguing with yourself about this time?” Warner asks, humor attached to every syllable.

“Oh…nothing.” I force a laugh. “It’s not important.”

Warner points to the mass of people making their way to the football stadium. Dang. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a huge crowd before.

“They’re all here for the game?” I wonder.

“Harrington Bay’s got a killer football team. Didn’t you notice all the trophies in the office building?”

I haven’t been in the office since my first day. With everything that was happening, I didn’t have a chance to get a good look at the place. “No, not really.”

“It’s cool. The guys are under so much pressure. Harrington Bay barely loses. It’s like death if we don’t win.”