Not that I’ve been close to any girls. I’ve fucked a lot of girls and women, but they all knew the score. None of them wanted to keep me long term, and I’m more than happy about that.
Leaving Holden glaring after me, I make my way toward my next class. At the door, I mutter a curse when I see that it has been cancelled.
Slamming my hand against the door, I head back outside, and decide to go to the library.
Entering the large building, I go toward the English literature section, but pause when I see Skylar sitting on the floor with books open around her. She is hidden in the long rows of books.
“Are you hiding?” I ask, leaning against one of the shelves.
She looks up with wide eyes.
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s the library, babe. Anyone can come here. Why are you here, and why are you hiding?”
“You need to ask me that? Did you see Holden?”
“I saw, I heard, I vomited. He always that protective of you?” I ask, crouching down to see she has a couple of science books open. “This your major?”
“I don’t have a major, and no, Holden has never been this protective, and it’s … annoying.” She frowns. “How can it be so annoying?”
“You’re not used to it.”
“I don’t know. I remember when I was younger, he was there, but not like this. Maybe I’m just ungrateful or something.” She shrugs again, and looks over at her books.
“What is it?” I ask, sensing she wants to say something more.
“It’s nothing.”
“I won’t tell them. In case you didn’t see, I don’t exactly have the best rep when it comes to your boys.”
“My boys, ha!” She laughs. “Fine. College is supposed to be about exploring, right? Finding yourself, and working with your independence.”
“I guess.”
“I don’t feel like I’m ever going to have that. Alex and Holden are breathing down my neck, and it’s hard to even want to hang around them.”
“It sucks.” I wonder if she realizes how pretty she is when she’s frustrated.
“I think what is shocking is I used to have this big crush on Holden. I think I still do, I’m not sure, but he’s looking less attractive right now.”
Okay, I don’t like the thought of her liking Holden, or even having a secret crush on him. She deserves better than him.
“What do you think about fighting?” I ask.
“It’s painful, and a waste of time? I don’t know. I’ve not really given it much thought. Why?”
“I fight, and I enjoy it, and I was wondering if you’d like to come and see what it’s all about tonight.”
“You’re busy.”
“I can cancel at any time. You want to get out, have some fun and excitement, I’m your guy.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Yeah, but I’ll be there and make sure you don’t get hurt. What do you say? You want to take that chance?”
She nibbles her lip, and I wait, wondering if I have read her right. After years of fighting, I’ve become quite good at reading people.