Page 95 of Vicious Little Snakes

My hand hits the counter—“Yes”—catching myself as I do, looking around.

Fuck me. I did it—or at least got an interview. A relieved sigh leaves my body as I smile, tilting my face to the ceiling, and wipe a hand over my jaw. Babe’s words sit heavy on my chest, keeping my feet on the ground, even though I feel like I’m flying. I’m going to prove him wrong, but more importantly, if I do, I’ll prove to myself that I deserve Caroline.

* * *

Books close, and the sound of papers shuffling snap me out of my daydream. People begin to stand, grabbing their bags, and I feel like I’m on a delay.

All I can think about is my interview today. It’s making focus damn near impossible, but on the upside, it’s offered an out with my friends. Being back this week after avoiding everyone is exactly as awkward as I thought it would be.

Thank God it’s Friday because the only person that’s not giving me shitty looks is Grey—because he’s Grey. Donovan’s mad, only because she’s trying to hide her sadness over being ignored, and Kai—well, we’re still not speaking, so practices are awesome.

I lean down to grab my backpack, catching a glimpse of Caroline doing the same. She half-smiles before I look away, feeling stupid that I did.Idiot.

Our eyes met Monday morning as I walked up the front steps, but neither of us gave anything away. Since then, it’s been sweet glances, distance, and me thinking about her every night.

I’m standing behind a line of people, all shuffling to leave. It’s slow-moving, and without thinking, I look over at Caroline again because I’m greedy for even a glimpse. But she’s not where I expected. My eyes dart ahead, seeing she hasn’t got anybody in front of her, so she’s making it to the door faster.

Before I know what I’m doing, I tug the kid’s backpack in front of me, jerking him out of the way, and walk around him, doing the same to the next guy so that Caroline and I will be at the door at the same time. But I just miss her, watching her walk out.

Damn. I don’t know what I thought I was going to say anyway. I run a hand over my head, walking through the door, heading to the left toward my next class.

“Brooks.”

I swing around to see Caroline’s petite frame standing across from me.Fuck me, she waited.

“Hey,” I answer, brows pulling together because those violet-blue eyes are grabbing me by the fucking throat.

We’re standing on opposite sides of the door as she gives another small smile that I tilt my head to see as someone passes between us. I scowl, irritated that I’m blocked, and close the distance.

Caroline’s name is called from the other side of the hallway, but she ignores it, poking a finger to my stomach as I come to stand in front of her.

“I heard you’re going in for an interview with the Columbia art department today.”

I’d just barely made the cutoff date. The only person I told was Grey, even though I’m still holding a grudge that he fucking told on me like we’re twelve. But he’s also the only person that understands my head right now. It’s like when we were kids, and he’d freak out—I’d sit with him and just be quiet; now he’s doing that for me in his own way—the pushy, irritating way.

“Only one other person knows that information. Were you eavesdropping again, Caroline?”

She rolls her eyes. “The level of self-importance—it’s an ugly trait for such a pretty face.”

“Mm-hmm.”

She bites her bottom lip, and my eyes drop to them, wishing I could replace her teeth with mine. Some kids pass by too close, rowdy and laughing. Instinctually, I move her aside with a hand on her waist, closer to the wall.

Her eyes dart down to my hand, and I swallow because—fuck. It’s the first time I’ve touched her since… Her body’s so warm, and I swear to God my fingers don’t want to let go. She’s looking up at me through those impossibly long lashes, making me wish I could bend down and run my fucking tongue between her lips—both sets.

Every. Single. Goddamn. Moment—from that night ticks through my mind. Caroline naked. Legs spread. The perfect shape of her breast and how one is slightly bigger than the other. The way she whimpered the closer she got, like she was begging for it.

Guess I know what that sounds like after all.

Holy shit. I just sunk into Caroline, like she’s quicksand. It’s like each time I fight this feeling, she swallows me faster into my death. My mind is scrambled, ruined as we stand there staring at each other, connected at this moment. I clear my throat, dragging my eyes away, and let her go, taking a step back.

“Yeah. Um. I do have an interview. Today, right after practice, actually.”

She’s nodding as she brings her hand up to fidget with the bottom of her hair and lets out an audible exhale.

“I wanted to say congratulations.”

The first bell rings, and we both look up at the speakers, two minutes until the final one. She’s already starting to step backward, so I follow, not wanting this moment to end.