Page 81
He nods. “You know it.”
Nicole’s gaze settles on my outfit as she tows me away. “Is that my corset? And my new skirt!”
I shrug, wholly unapologetic. She wants me to keep the charade going, it’s only fair for her to have a little skin in the game.
She barks out a laugh. “At least you have good taste.”
As I step out of Spangler Hall, Elijah jogs toward me, out of breath and skin glistening with a light sheen of sweat.
“Hey, Kennedy!” He smiles and pulls me into a warm hug. “I heard about Saturday night and wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“Oh, um. I’m fine.” I dance out of his embrace, taking the sweet scent of watermelon Jolly Ranchers with me as I flee toward my next class.
It’s not that I’m avoiding him. Okay, that’s a lie. I am avoiding him, especially when Jordan could be lurking around the next corner.
“Wait up!” Elijah catches me easily. “Jeremy said you and Nicole went to the bowling alley across the railroad tracks. That side of town is dangerous. Especially at night.”
“It was a little scary, but as you can see, I survived.” I force a smile, keeping the harrowing details to myself.
“Thank God for that!” Elijah throws an arm over my shoulder, tucking me to his side.
A few weeks ago, I would’ve gone willingly. Now, I can’t wait to escape.
I shrug off Elijah’s arm just as Jordan steps around the side of the next building. My pulse quickens as his head swings in my direction and our eyes meet. He picks up his pace, his face lighting up. Then his gaze lands on Elijah, and his steps falter. Undeterred, he continues in my direction—all tense muscles and grim determination.
My heart skips. Our paths are destined to cross in less than twenty yards.
I catch my bottom lip in my teeth, anticipation making me dizzy.
Ten yards.
His gaze locks on mine, and I drift away from Elijah and into Jordan’s path.
Five yards.
My fingers itch, desperate for Jordan’s touch, and I let my arms fall to my sides.
A few feet.
Jordan’s fingers brush my hand, and warm tingles shoot up my arm. Maybe we can make this work after all.
Instead of continuing forward, he stops dead in his tracks, turning to me with some unspoken question floating in his gaze, as if he’s been eavesdropping on my thoughts.
“What do you want, Keller?” Elijah tenses beside me.
Jordan’s dark eyes flash, and tension thrums like helicopter blades cutting through the atmosphere as he and Elijah stare each other down. Then Jordan shakes his head, shooting me one last agonized glance before walking away.
Elijah lets out a breath. “What’s his problem?”
A stiff smile is the only response I can manage with Jordan’s gaze burning a hole through my back.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I use it as an excuse to put a little more distance between Elijah and me, directing my attention to the message flashing up at me from the screen.
Jordan: I wanna kiss you so bad it hurts.
My breath hitches. I could never have guessed a bunch of letters arranged in a certain order could knock the wind out of me, but damn it, as I stand here breathlessly recovering from Jordan’s message, I’m in real danger of spontaneously combusting.
“Sorry, Elijah! Gotta run.” The need to flee overwhelms me, and I bolt toward my next class.
