“Connor’s an idiot,” was the terse reply. I saw him take a drink of his coffee out of the corner of my eye. Even side on, he was breathtaking. I frowned; it wasn’t like him to be dismissive of Connor.
“What do you want Colton?” I asked softly. I was toying with my own coffee cup which unfortunately had long since been emptied. His finger caressed my chin as he prompted my head to look up, to look at him.
“What? The others get pancakes and sleepovers and I don’t even get anice to see you?Or eye contact?”A smile played around his lips.
“It’s complicated.” I muttered, jerking my head away. His face twisted into a sardonic smile.
“Is it?” He looked at me, saying nothing. He stood, gathered his coffee, looking down at me. I didn’t look up. “Good to see you Ari, try not to run too far this time.” And with that he walked away.
I was shaking. I packed up my stuff quickly, this shop was a dangerous place, all I needed was Robbie and I had a hat trick of disastrous run-ins.
I headed out to the quad and then did exactly as Cole predicted. I gave up halfway across and headed back to my apartment. I needed to regroup. I needed to hide. I needed to leave this city. I got into the apartment and dumped all my stuff in the corner, then started pacing.
No. I was panicking.Of courseI was panicking. The guy was like a freaking hunter, but was I really his prey? No, he was playing with me. He knew I would panic. God damn him, heknewexactly what I would do. I wasn’t having it. I was going to go find the egotistical jerk. I was going to have it out with him. This wasmycollege, he could go change somewhere else.Asshat.
I flung my coat back on and threw the front door open. I stopped dead. He was leaning against the wall, one leg cocked resting against it. His arms folded. Smirking. That bloody smirk.
“Going somewhere Lil Bit, or were you planning on looking for me?” The eyebrow raised. Bloody stupid eyebrow.
I did the only thing a girl can do when faced with overwhelming odds. I turned around and slammed the door in his face.
His low laughter settled somewhere in my core and spread outwards. I pressed a hand to my mouth. There was a slight tap on the woodwork. I stiffened.
“When you’re ready, come around the house, the boys need you there.” I heard his hand knock the door gently, softly. “You look good Ari.” I heard him descend the stairs.
I slumped against the wall and then slowly slid down, gathering my knees to my chest. Oh man, I was in trouble. I was in so much trouble.
Seeing Colton for that brief amount of time was not enough. It shamed me to admit it, I knew I was a terrible person for thinking it, but it’s like I craved him. I started thinking about him, how he had looked. Which was mighty fine in my humble opinion. His hair had been a tad longer than last I saw him, but he didn’t look bad. I don’t think he had the capacity to look bad, those ridiculous green eyes, that tan, that jaw…those lips.
Ok enough was enough. I needed a hobby. His shirt had been the perfect fit, tight across the shoulders but not like he had been poured into it. It still hung loose round his waist. Maybe knitting? I heard it was relaxing and stress relieving. Also…it wouldn’t hurt to have a sharp object to stab myself in the eye whenever my thoughts wandered inappropriately.
I jumped out of my chair and decided to do some cleaning. Cleaning is good for the soul as my Gran says. It took me about an hour and it would have been less if I hadn’t started daydreaming about strong hands running down my back at the most unsuitable times. I heard my phone beep from the kitchen where I had left it. I gave up trying to rearrange my wardrobe and walked through. It was Matt, he wanted to see if I wanted to go to the house to hang out.
Did I?
No?
Yes!
No!
I stood looking at my text then the phone started ringing.
“Hello,” I answered. I leaned against the kitchen counter. I needed some form of support I supposed.
“Theo will be there in five Ari, stop overthinking it and move.” Matt’s voice was gentle, but I could hear the humour in it.
I let out a sigh. “I don’t know Matt...” I trailed off, unsure.
I turned to look out my kitchen window. It was a lovely day, maybe I should go out, but not to their house. It wouldn’t be comfortable really would it? I mean, it could only be awkward.
I heard a sound of the phone being muffled and then a yell of surprise and then Connor was on the phone.
“Ari get in the car, come over. Corey will be here too, she is dying to spend more time with you, says she met you the other day but didn’t really get a chance to talk to you properly. No arguments Arielle. It’s a Friday. It’s not even six o’clock. We’ll just come drag you if you resist.” He hung up.
I growled at the phone. Then the door was knocked and I contemplated ignoring it. Theo wasn’t to be deterred though, he simply knocked louder. He tried the handle – because yes – that’s exactly what I would do, leave the door unlocked.
Sighing I opened the door. Theo’s grin grew wider and he outright laughed at me. He brushed me aside as he entered the apartment.