Page 30

NYLAH

The party is going off, and I only arrived fifteen minutes ago. I thought I was right on time, but the place was already packed.

I squeeze my way between partygoers, looking for familiar faces.

I spot a few football guys but don’t know them by name.

Oh wait, is that… Grady Newman?

He’s a running back. A damn good one. And I’m pretty sure he lives at Football Frat with Carson.

He’s in the kitchen, talking to a sorority girl with strawberry-blonde curls—that dress, those shoes, she’s gotta be a Sig Be sis. Actually, they’re not really talking. They look like they’re arguing.

She throws up her hands in obvious frustration, and he rolls his eyes, shaking his head and looking away from her.

I should probably stop gawking at them, but I can’t help myself, studying their body language and figuring that this is more than just some minor tiff. She spits out something else, which annoys him, and then he bites back with some sharp words that obviously hurt her feelings.

Her shoulders slump as she crosses her arms.

He softens. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but I can tell by the way he’s reaching for her that he’s obviously apologizing and?—

Nope, she’s not having it.

Flicking his hand off her arm, she glares at him, her lips moving fast before she spins on her heel and struts away. Rather than chasing her, he stays put, watching her walk off with a sad frown.

Hmmm. I wonder if they’re boyfriend and girlfriend. I got that vibe, but maybe it’s just a date gone wrong. If that’s the case, I guess he’s saving himself a lot of angst by not going after her.

Speaking of date…

I turn away from the forlorn running back and scan the room for a wide receiver I am desperate to see. He didn’t reply to my latest string of texts, and I’ve been worried that he’s gonna bail on me.

If he does, I will track that boy down. I need to see him, touch him, be with him again. He probably has zero idea how addictive he is. Maybe I can spell it out for him when he finally gets here. Or I might just show him.

A sharp zing zips through me. It’s all heat and desire. A heady rush that makes me instantly smile.

Turning the other way, I keep an eye on the front door, watching a tall guy walk in with his petite girlfriend. “You can do this, lil’ mouse.” He kisses the top of her head as they walk past us, followed by a good-looking Latino guy and his willowy girlfriend.

“It’s okay that I’m here, right?” Her green eyes are all big and worried. “I’m not even a student, but I didn’t want Mick to have to do this on her own. I can tell she’s been nervous because she’s been annoying everyone in the house.” She winces while her boyfriend laughs.

“She has been a pain in the ass today, but Ray, it’s fine.

You’re a good friend, and it’s totally okay that you’re here.

” He stops her, gently guiding her to face him so he can look her up and down with an appreciative smile.

“You look beautiful, carino.” His voice is all husky and soft.

I can’t see her face anymore, but I bet she’s smiling.

She leans forward to kiss him and I step back against the wall, hoping they don’t notice me watching.

It’s so weird. I used to be the one in the middle of a party, only vaguely aware of people’s eyes on me. Nick and I would always be the center of any dancing circle. We’d be the loud and proud couple hyping everyone up.

Now I’m standing in the corner, watching the world pass me by while I wait for a guy who doesn’t even want to come in the first place.

Oh, how my life has changed.

As my gaze darts toward the loud laughter coming from the circle of girls at the bottom of the staircase, I do wonder if I’m missing out. I should go over there and join in. The girl who invited me is leaning against the railing. I’m sure she’d make space for me.

But I don’t know.

I’m out of practice. A year in invalid isolation has changed me. And I can’t decide if that’s a good or a bad thing.

Creeping along the wall, I move closer to the entrance, my chest squeezing when I spot Carson stomping up the front steps.

Yes! He came!

He hasn’t seen me yet, and I bite my bottom lip, smiling as he glances—more like glares—around the porch before stepping into the house.

Whoa.

Something’s off.

His face.

He looks?—

My chest gets tight and I rush toward him, not even caring that we’re not supposed to be seen together.

“Carson.” I reach out to take his hand, but he tucks it into his jacket pocket before I can touch him.

There’s something dangerous in his gaze, and my stomach jitters. I need to get him out of here.

Tipping my head, I indicate for him to follow me outside. He doesn’t move but watches the path I take around the house. He won’t be able to see me anymore, but he’s not stupid. He’ll figure out that I’m waiting for him in the shadow of the trees lining the path to the backyard.

There’s a dampness in the air, and I can practically sniff out the rain.

I shiver, wrapping my arms around my waist as I wait for him.

We’ll have to make this quick. I don’t want my hair getting wet. Or any part of me. My body tenses, waiting for that first drop.

Dammit, I should have found somewhere quiet inside.

Dumb move, Nylah. Just check that he’s okay, then get your butt inside.

I ping straight as soon as I hear his footsteps. They’re kind of heavy, and I step away from the trees, appearing in the glow from the house windows.

“Hey.” I smile, wrapping my arms around his neck as soon as he’s close enough.

He’s stiff as a board and refuses to hug me back.

“It’s okay,” I whisper against his ear. “No one can see us out here.”

After a soft sigh, he starts to relax, his arm curling around my waist.

“I’ve missed you this week.”

He grunts, and I smile against his cheek.

“I know you’ve missed me, too, so don’t even bother denying it.” Leaning away from him, I gaze up at his tortured expression, my heart crumpling. “What it is?”

“Nothing.” He shakes his head, and I can’t help laughing.

“It’s obviously something. You can talk to me. I’m here for you. Whatever it is, I?—”

“It’s nothing!” he snaps.

I go quiet, biting my lips together and nodding.

“Fuck,” he mutters, leaning forward and pressing his cheek against mine.

His arm circles back around my waist, and he holds me against him like he’s trying to draw strength from my body. All I can do is hold him back as we start to sway.

It’s like a back-and-forth slow dance, and I can’t help a soft smile as I run my fingers through the back of his hair and try to comfort him.

I’m desperate to know what’s wrong, but he’s obviously not gonna tell me. He must have had a really shitty day. He wouldn’t tell me why he was too busy to hang out. He just told me he had some stuff to do, and I wanted to respect his privacy.

But what was he doing to make him this tortured?

Do I push?

Do I?—

A raindrop hits my nose, and I flinch.

Shit. I need to get inside.

I’m about to pull away and tell Carson we have to take this hug someplace else when an annoying voice cuts through our moment like a chainsaw.

“Busted! I knew you were fucking her! Oh man, you are so dead!”

Carson pulls away from me, jerking around to snarl at the guy. “Fuck off, Fleischer!”

Oh shit. It’s the guy from a few nights ago. The one who denied me the chance to kiss Carson good night.

I move to stand beside Carson, crossing my arms and glaring at the guy while trying to ignore the spray of raindrops that are now starting to fall in a steady beat.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

I want to go inside, but I can’t leave Carson out here alone with this asshole.

“I’m gonna have to report you, McAvoy. Coach made it explicitly clear, and you’re breaking the rules.”

“Don’t be a dick,” Carson warns him. “You keep your mouth shut.”

“Oh, so it’s true. You’re fucking the girl no one’s allowed to have. That is so typical of you.”

“I’m not fucking her,” Carson growls. “Now back off!”

Fleischer ignores him, moving a little closer and eyeing me up like I’m a tasty treat. “You know, if you can have a taste, I think it’s only fair that I should too. Maybe then I’ll keep your dirty little secret.”

I’m about to tell him he’s a disgusting, repulsive excuse for a human being, but I don’t get the chance because Carson lets out this feral roar and lunges at Fleischer.

It’s kind of terrifying, actually. Carson’s face has taken on this beast-like quality that I assumed would be sexy. When he stood up for me in the bar that time, I kind of wanted him to punch that guy. But this is something else.

Fleischer lets out this weird grunt as they both go flying back, their bodies hitting the wet grass, limbs flailing as they curl their fists and start punching each other. Fighting it out like feral dogs.

“No, stop!” I yell, blinking rain out of my eyes, then wincing when Carson gets the upper hand and punches his opponent with a fury I didn’t know he was capable of.

Shit. I don’t even recognize him right now.

“Carson, stop!” Moving as close as I dare, I try to shout the words in his face, but he doesn’t even acknowledge me. “Carson!”

Fleischer struggles beneath him, bucking and rolling him off before landing a right hook in Carson’s face.

“No!” I wince, then hiss when Carson falls backward onto the dirt, barely missing the tree behind him.

Fleischer takes advantage, jumping on him and attacking him with flying punches.

“Stop! Stop it!” I reach for his arm, trying to slow him down, just as Carson swings out with his fist.

Fleischer gets clipped in the chin, and the momentum throws him sideways. I jump out of the way, skidding on the rocks lining the garden. My knee twists, but I manage to keep my balance. It really hurts, though. I hiss and hobble a few steps away from them.

I seriously should run and get help. Carson looks about ready to kill the guy. I’ve never seen his face like this before. It’s not just kind of terrifying anymore, it’s just plain terrifying!

“Carson.” I try one more time, limping toward him to get his attention just as Fleischer lunges forward, tackling Carson to the ground.

They both go flying backward again, but this time I am totally in the way.

“Ah!” I yelp, trying and failing to brace my fall while not getting squished by these two morons.

“Shit!” I hear someone cry just as my body hits the concrete path leading around the house.