Five minutes pass and there’s still no sign of Crew. I send him a text, asking where he’s at, but he doesn’t respond.
He’s driving me out of my mind with worry.
Finally, I spot him, walking with his friends toward the building, Crew standing in the middle. I walk outside, barely able to repress the smile that wants to appear when I note the way his gaze lights up when he first sees me.
How he tamps it down so his friends won’t notice.
Well. That’s disappointing. Though it’s originally what I wanted, so I can’t complain.
Chewing on my lower lip, I wait until he’s closer to say something.
“Hi, Crew.” I glance over at his friends. “Ezra. Malcolm.”
They both nod and murmur their greetings, Crew watching me with the slightest frown.
“Can I talk to you?” I ask him.
“Sure.”
“Privately?” I send a pointed look in Ezra and Malcolm’s direction.
“Yeah, definitely.”
Crew lets me take his arm and we walk down the hall, hiding away in the abandoned classroom he dragged me into that one time, when he kissed me so ferociously. Like a jealous lover.
Once the door is shut, Crew is on me, his hands cradling my cheeks, his mouth landing on mine. He devours me like a starving man, consuming me completely.
I eventually push him away, needing a clear head, hating how he frowns, worry crossing his face.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
I stand up straighter, my tone somber. “I lost something this weekend.”
His smirk surprises me. “You sure did.”
My cheeks burn. “Stop.”
“What did you lose?”
“My ring. The one my father gave me. He’s going to be so mad if it’s gone. It belonged to my grandmother. It was her engagement ring, and it’s really special to him. That’s why he gave it to me,” I explain, my head starting to hurt.
I will never forgive myself if I lost it for good.
“I know where it is,” Crew says, calm as ever.
Relief floods me, though not enough to ease the fresh headache. “Oh my God, really? Where is it? Can you give it to me?”
He slowly shakes his head. “I can’t.”
I blink at him. “Why not?”
“Because.” He unzips his jacket and reaches for the knotted tie at his neck, loosening it so he can then unbutton his shirt.
I’m so confused. “What are you do—”
The rest of the word sticks in my throat when he pulls out a chain that’s hanging around his neck, my ring dangling from it.
My gaze meets his, surprise coursing through me. “Why are you wearing it?”