I used the lull in conversation to take some deep breaths, quelling the urge to cry. For now, anyway.
“On another note—”
My sibling senses tingled. Alert, alert. Attack incoming.
“Don’t start.” I was already keyed up emotionally, and I’d probably explode if he started in on the Chase issue.
“I’m not trying to,” he said softly. “I wanted to know how you were doing.”
I deflated, lowering my shields halfway, willing to give him a chance but still ready for a fight.
“I’m good. Things are good.”
“Classes?”
“Going well. Straight As.” Not like I had a choice if I wanted to keep my scholarships.
He studied me, brow furrowed. “Carter’s good?”
“He’s great.” I felt a goofy smile emerge across my face. Couldn’t help it; always happened when I talked about him.
“I’m glad,” Derek said. “I mean, I still don’t get it. But if he’s good to you, I’ll try.”
It wasn’t exactly a glowing endorsement, but it was progress. If they could start off by co-existing peacefully, I’d consider it a win.
“That’s all I ask. If you guys kept an open mind and put all that other stuff aside, I’m sure you’d get along. At least off the ice.”
He shot me a look that said he didn’t believe me even a little, but he said nothing.
“What about…you?” I asked.
I was afraid to know the answer.
“I ended things with Jill.”
“Oh, thank god.” At least there was some good news coming from this. And Jill had been extra bitchy lately. Maybe that was why. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He drained his coffee and set down the empty cup. “Honestly, I don’t know how I got sucked into something that messed up. It was like this weird slippery slope.”
In a way, I got it. Not the whole affair part. But the slippery slope thing, for sure. It was like I woke up one day in a really terrible, controlling relationship with Luke, and I couldn’t believe I’d let it get to that point. And I didn’t fully grasp how bad it was until I was out of it.
“Good. You deserve better than that.”
Now if Mendez would dump her, the karmic retribution would be complete.
“I’m going out with a chick from my finance class this weekend, so we’ll see where that leads.”
“Even being alone is better than being with someone toxic,” I said. “I wish I had known that a long time ago.”
He shifted his weight, looking uncomfortable. “Is Luke still contacting you?”
“Sometimes.” I shrugged. It was hit or miss.
Chase wanted me to block him, but that kind of thing only made Luke escalate more. If Luke thought he was getting to me—he wasn’t—it kept him on more of a leash.
Derek shook his head, his face clouding over. “I told him to stop.”
Good to know he had tried for once, I guess. I wasn’t sure if he knew about the untrue things Luke had texted to the team, but I wouldn’t get into that right now.
“So did Chase. Repeatedly.”
“That’s what the hit was about, huh?”
“Little bit. Luke is a cheap shit anyway,” I said. “He probably deserved it either way.”
Derek laughed. “Probably.”
My phone lit up with a reminder. I had an appointment with my academic advisor across campus in half an hour.
“Oh shoot. I should go.” I stood up, pushing the chair back.
“I’m glad we got to talk,” he said.
“Me too.” We had more to work through, but it was a step in the right direction.
OceanofPDF.com
CHAPTER 40
OceanofPDF.com
TOLD YOU
Bailey
A one-day break to sober up from intoxication via Chase probably wasn’t the worst thing. After flying high all day yesterday, I needed to come back down to earth.
Just not today, apparently.
Best laid plans and all that.
Rain pelted against the glass rooftop of the atrium as Chase and I perched at a black metal table tucked away in the corner of the Callingwood campus food court, finishing the last of our burrito bowls. We hadn’t planned to see each other today, and I’d planned to work on a few assignments during my break while Chase performed his usual pre-game routine after his last afternoon class. Later tonight, we would be at two different arenas for two different games.
But when one of Chase’s profs called in sick at the last minute, he’d texted me to meet for lunch, and all the other stuff went right out the window. Finalizing the feature on the Callingwood Symphonic Chorus for the paper’s weekend edition would have to wait because the lure of spending time with him was way too appealing.
So much for the self-discipline I prided myself on having.
I turned to face Chase, taking in the adorably awkward way he was trying to fit his oversized frame into the chair attached to the small table. His legs were far too long, forcing him to bend his knees out at an unwieldy angle.
“The world’s not made for people your size, huh?”
Chase glanced down at his blue jean-clad legs, lips tugging up. “Nope.” He nodded at me. “That’s why I like that you’re tall too. You know what it’s like to tower over everyone else.”
“I feel bad that you came all this way to see me when you have to turn around and go right back.”
He threw his arm along the back of my chair, fingers grazing my upper back. “What else would I do with my free Friday afternoon? Study? Alone?”
“Well, yeah.” I laughed, taking the last bite of my cilantro lime rice. “That would probably be a good idea. And what about your whole pre-game nap routine?”
“Why would I want to sleep when I could hang out with you here?”
I pointed at him with my fork. “You don’t even go here.”
“So?” Chase shrugged. “I’m still a student.”
Fair enough. And at least he was wearing a black zip-up hoodie instead of his usual scarlet Falcons gear. The crimson bird was verboten around these parts.
“Okay, but as soon as we’re done eating, we have to actually study.” I tried—and failed—to keep a straight face, my tone stern. “And by we, I mean you. Study. Not flirt with me from across the table.”
“How about both?” He flashed me a playful smile. “You know, compromise.”
Impossibly charming and impossible to refuse.
“Whatever keeps you studying and off probation.”
“I’ll have you know I’m pulling straight Bs this semester.” He took a sip of his bottled water, giving me an innocent look that I almost bought. “I’ve been a perfect angel.”
“You mean replaced by an impostor?” I asked, gathering up my empty bowl, napkin, and cutlery, while Chase did the same.
“More like rehabilitated by your good influence.”
We stood and took our garbage and recycling over to the bins by the pillar, then I steered him to the stairwell that led to my favorite study room on the second floor. It was cozy, with comfortable chairs and functioning heat, which was more than I could say for some of Callingwood’s other study areas.
“Hmm.” I hummed, pausing with my hand on the stainless-steel door handle. “If I’m your good influence, does that make you my bad influence?”
“Definitely.” Chase brushed my hair off my shoulder. A shiver ran down my spine at his touch. He tucked my hair out of the way and moved in close, nuzzling my ear. “Speaking of that,” he murmured. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you tomorrow night.”
My breath caught. I was expecting a kiss on the cheek, not dirty talk in the middle of the student commons. But this was Chase I was dealing with.
“Why’s that?” I asked, voice breathy.
“Because I’m going to make you come so hard you wake up your new neighbors.”
A jolt ran through me, and I whipped my head around to face him, eyes wide. “Oh my god. Chase. There are people everywhere.”
“I know.” He gave me a wolffish grin. “That’s why I said it quietly.”
“But now I feel…”