Beautiful Brute (Court University 3)

“Well, can I get some of that ability to solve problems efficiently instead of screaming?” I shook my head. “I could use some of that.”

“Tell you what? Once I bottle it, I’ll give you a cut for the idea. I’d make a fucking fortune.”

I’d laughed, seriously laughing hard and not just at myself this time. It felt good, and finally, I realized I wasn’t panicking.

Lawson smiled. “You okay now? I was jogging, happened to see you. I just moved into an apartment about a block over.”

Hence, why I’d seen him. I nodded since I actually did feel okay. “Thanks for stopping. Checking on me.”

“Thanks for not actually dying. I was about two seconds away from calling the cops until I saw it was you. Figured I’d check first.”

“Well, thank you for that.” Because that would have been more embarrassing than it already was. I shook my head. “But yeah, I’m okay. Sorry I scared you.”

“No problem.” A chuckle before he popped the earbud back in his ear. His arm flexed and everything, his smile wide. “Maybe next time scream inside your car. Works for me.”

A nudge and he had me laughing again and burning where his elbow touched me. Seriously, I was a mess and so shouldn’t be thinking about boys. My judgment was obviously off.

He looked at me. “Or you know sometimes coffee helps. Conversation?” He winked. “I could offer that if you’re interested and need an ear.”

Wait. Was he asking me out?

Elicit small freak-out inside.

I twisted my braid. “Might be good. And way healthier than just me screaming by myself.”

“For sure.” Another deep laugh as he tugged out his phone. “Can I get your number or…”

“Yeah.” He ended up giving me his and I called him. He got it, smiling before ending the call.

“Cleo Erikson-Fairchild,” he said as he typed, flashing his dimples. He pocketed his phone. “I’ll see you around then. And again, maybe keep the screams in your ride next time.”

Another grin before he was jogging away and leaving me, smiling like a complete loon. Immediately, I took out my phone, texting Kit. She tended to not arrive until later in the day, but she’d definitely want to hear about this.

Me: Girl, you will not believe what just happened! My childhood crush just like asked me out. It was so random.

I hadn’t told her anything about Jaxen or anything else since I expected to see her today. Needless to say, I had a lot to dish, and I expected a text right back after what I sent. She was always up in my social life since I barely had one.

Silence on her end and since I was almost to our dorm, I figured I better finish the drive. I’d see her today anyway.

I was still reeling from everything by the time I got to Tempest Hall. Kit and I had lived here since freshman year, but it was a great setup and I found I liked the efficiency of a coed dorm more than living on my own in an apartment. Shared living was better for the environment, and it also saved my parents money. They didn’t mind the cost, of course, but I never liked to overspend with them if I could help it. It was just being considerate, considering the money was theirs and not technically mine.

Kit stayed with me over the years because it was cheaper for her too and, of course, because she was my bestie. We only had one more year and we wanted to enjoy it together before our lives started. We may have lived close to one another, but who knew where life would take us once we got separate jobs. We were just going to relish what we had now. Seize the day.

Still no text from her as I made my way upstairs. I only tugged one of my bags, figuring I’d get the rest on several trips. Honestly, I just wanted to lie on my bed for a second and come down from my freaking out. I hadn’t heard from Jaxen either after my sole text to him and figured I’d have to block him actually. I fully expected a freak-out of explicit text messages on my phone.

“Hello? Kit?” I dropped my keys on the end table we had by the door once inside. This was a shared living space for three so we’d have a new roommate coming in too. We had a new one every year and things always turned out pretty well with whoever they ended up being.

No sounds in the place, but I noticed Kit’s pink duffel by the door. I left my rolling bag there too, then wandered through the common area down to the bedrooms. Kit usually took one of the ones down there and I took the third connected to the kitchen. “Kit?”

Muffled sounds from down the hall, and I figured she just hadn’t heard me. I started to knock on the door, but it was partially open, so I pushed.

“Kit…”

Grunts and moans… pants, as my best friend slammed her hand against a headboard. Naked from the waist down, she had a guy behind her, the dude drilling her pussy to the point the bed beneath them skidded across the floor. He fucked her so wildly neither heard my gasp.

I backed up. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry! I’m mean…” I handled the door, completely flustered. “Jesus, close the door or something.”

Face flushed and giggling like a little girl, I attempted to back up but all I did was hit the door so loud the two jumped off each other. Immediately, Kit grabbed a blanket to cover herself, a wash of her blond curls all over the place, but this guy didn’t move. He stared at me.