Page 14 of Rear View

Ryah

The lecture hall was cold, not a surprise seeing as the winter air blew in from the poorly insulated windows on the far-left wall.

The whole place could’ve used a revamp. The seats that filled the gallery were yellow-stained wood with countless pen marks and nicks.

It was part of the charm, and stood in complete opposition to U of E’s outward appearance.

It’d been three days since the car show, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Xavier. It’d felt so good to see the world again and be with people. To be with him . Yeah, Christian had been moody, but we’d known each other a long time. He was just…hypervigilant.

Sheila’s words echoed through my mind. “So, you’re the one he’s been talking about.” What’d it mean exactly? The one who’d gotten hit? The one who’d needed Xavier’s help? Did it mean something more? I knew I wanted it to, but, God! I didn’t know.

I took a chair at the head of Barlowe’s empty class, pulled out my laptop, flipped it open, then peered over my shoulder to make sure no one looked before I entered my password.

It connected to the building’s Wi-Fi, and several notifications for new emails dinged across the screen. My heart squeezed tight.

Chewing the end of my pen, I clicked the browser and scanned my inbox.

Unknown Sender: Where did you go, Ryah Jane?

My adrenaline spiked, my heart drumming in my chest. Why couldn’t he just leave me be ? Closing my eyes, I tried to control my breathing. I was in class. I wasn’t alone.

Safe, Ryah. You’re safe.

The chair beside me pulled back with a loud scrape. I jumped as my eyes flew open.

“Hey,” Christian said. “You alright?”

A week ago, I might’ve answered. Cried on his shoulder and hoped for more, but while I still cared for him, that desperation for his attention just…didn’t come. Closing my email, I inclined my head.

His brow dropped. “Something up?”

“Nope,” I said, hands trembling as I organized the stack of tests, splitting them in two before I slid his half over.

He took his seat and set a coffee down in front of me.

“Thanks.” I fought back the faint ringing in my ears, trying to focus on something else. Anything else. The sharp scent of the roasted beans hit me and my nose crinkled. I hated the stuff. Always had, but it was the thought that counted.

He’d been around a lot more since the car show, and there was a weird, almost territorial edge to him that I wasn’t sure how I felt about.

Chloe sauntered in, her shock of white-blonde hair cascading to the middle of her back. Her pretty, light, olive-colored eyes landed on Christian as she breathed, “Hi.”

His shoulders fell, his head angling down as if he was trying to hide.

“Did you get my coffee?”

He cursed, then rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry. I, uh, totally forgot.”

Her gaze dropped to the one in front of me, going almost feral as she folded her arms over her ample chest.

Great. The last thing I needed was to be sandwiched between whatever drama was going down with them. Sighing, I softened my expression, plastered on the best smile I could manage and nudged mine toward her. “You can have this one, if you’d like?”

She scoffed, her glare searing me to the spot before she turned her high-pitched ire on Christian. “I need to get to class. I’ll talk to you later!” Pivoting on her heel, she stomped away, exiting the way she’d come.

My frown was deep when I turned it on him. “Thanks for that.”

He flushed a bright shade of crimson.

“So, things with you two are going well,” I said, side-eyeing him as I flipped through the test before me.

His expression fell flat. “Something like that.”

He’d been cagey for days, staying tight-lipped about her, which was telling on its own. He either didn’t want me to know what was up or he was still deciding himself.

My phone buzzed and I snatched it off the table. My wild emotions ebbed, tiny butterflies flitting in to replace them. A strange calm settled over me when I eyed the name on the screen. Xavier.

Xavier: You ever been snowmobiling?

Interesting. A small smile tested my lips.

Me: I…have not.

Xavier: Weather’s supposed to be good Saturday. I’m headed out at noon with Alec, Sheila and a few others, including your bro. Wanna join?

Xavier. He was the distraction I needed. The one I wanted.

Me: Gasp! You asked my brother before me?

Xavier: I know you like me, darlin, but it’s just too soon for us to go unchaperoned.

I hiccupped a laugh, my face burning from the blush that seared my cheeks. I bit my lip because his effort to make sure I was comfortable hadn’t escaped me. It was thoughtful. The sweet kind.

Still, group thing or not, my going could send a message. Was I ready for that? I trailed my thumb along the hard edge of my phone. Up, down. Up, down.

“Who’s that?” Christian asked, his tone sharp.

My mouth ran dry. I didn’t want to answer, but nor was I about to lie. “Xavier.”

He grabbed his stack of tests and started marking, his pen scraping over the pages harder than necessary. “You sure that’s a good idea?”

I drew my head back.

“What?” He scribbled a note at the top of his paper. “That other guy already came for you once. I don’t wanna see anything happen again.”

Lips pursing, I said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

His nostrils flared as he cracked his knuckles and returned to his work. “I’m just watching out for you, R.J.”

Barlowe approached, stopping before the desk while he gave me a clinical once-over. “How’re you feeling today, Ryah?”

I swallowed around the tightness in my throat. “Back to normal.”

He inclined his head and tugged the lapel of his knit button-up sweater. “I’m glad to hear it. We’ll need to make up for your lost time. I’ll send you an email later to tell you when,” he said, then turned and strode toward the lectern.

I fought not to roll my eyes, but he’d just done me a favor, and he wasn’t wrong. I did need to catch up.

My phone buzzed again and Christian dropped his cheek onto his hand like a sullen teenager.

Xavier: What do ya say? You interested?

My face split into a full smile.

Me: I’m in!

Xavier: Atta girl.

Something in my lower belly warmed and I pressed my thighs together.

Me: Wait…my brother doesn’t have a snowmobile.

Xavier: I’m loaning him one of mine.

One of? Exactly how many did the man have?

Xavier: Need a lift?

For most girls, that’d be an easy yes. It’s what I wanted to say. But sharing where I lived… I’d programmed myself to be guarded. To say less. Always less.

Me: I’ll catch a ride with Miles.

Xavier: Sounds good. Dress warm, darlin.

My heart fluttered again and suddenly, the lecture hall didn’t feel so cold.