“Thanks.” I inhale his woodsy scent and he smells even better up close.
“No problem.” He winks and the gesture shoots butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I smile and step around him. When I look back, he’s occupying the chair I just vacated, and some girl drops down in his lap. Annoyance flickers through me, and I don’t know why. I try to shake the feeling off and enter the house the same we came out earlier. There’s a beer pong table set up in the back room.
Woodrow spots me and waves. “There you are. Was beginning to think you left.”
“Oh. I was out back. I just came in to find the bathroom actually.”
“I’ll show you the way. These parties get pretty crazy.” He grins, and I accept his offered hand.
There’s a line for the upstairs bathroom. Four people are in front of me, and I tell Woodrow he doesn’t have to wait with me. I am sure he has other stuff he would rather be doing like returning to his game of beer pong, but he declines.
“You like Crestwood so far?”
“I guess. I’ve not really seen much of the campus yet. I only got here today.”
“We’ll have to change that. I’ll give you the grand tour tomorrow if you don’t have any plans.”
“That’s really nice, thank you.”
He shrugs. “I’m a nice guy.”
“You are, aren’t you? Thanks for taking pity on the new girl and hanging out with me tonight.”
The line moves forward, and it is finally my turn. I get inside the bathroom and lock the door behind me. This bathroom is disgusting. I hurry to do what I came for and wash my hands as quickly as possible.
Chapter 3
Liri
Woodrow is waiting outside the bathroom for me.
“Thanks. You didn’t have to wait for me.”
“It’s no biggie. I wanted to.” He runs a hand over his wavy, sandy brown hair. “Do you want a drink or something?”
“No.” I shake my head. “One was plenty. I should go find Hayley.”
“Cool. I’ll help you find her though knowing her and Liam they are off in a room somewhere.” He laughs and I smile.
He grabs my hand, but I pull away. His face falls and I feel bad, but I don’t want this guy getting the wrong idea. “Sorry, I didn’t want you getting lost in the crowd,” he offers as explanation.
“Of course.” I tuck my hand in the back pocket of my jeans and follow him out the back door.
&n
bsp; We get to the firepit and Hayley and Liam are no longer sitting where I last left them. Killian is still in the same spot, but the girl who was in his lap is long gone, and he is drinking a bottled water. He looks up at me as I approach him with Woodrow. His gaze filters between the two of us, and his eyes seem to grow darker if that is even possible.
“Hey, have you um seen Hayley?” I squeak.
“Yup. She’s gone off with Liam for the night. Don’t worry though I promised to drive you back to the dorms unless you have other plans.” His tone is icy and directed at Woodrow.
“No plans. I’m ready to go when you are.”
“I could take her,” Woodrow speaks up.
“You’ve been drinking,” Killian states. His jaw ticks and he gets up from his seat. I didn’t realize how tall he is before but now he is practically towering over Woodrow.
“Only a few beers. I’m cool to drive.”