Ain't No Sunshine

Chapter One

Cory

Myheadslipsfrom the hand it’s resting on, snapping me from yet another daze. Ugh! What was the professor saying? I blink a few times, just as chairs scrape along the floor; papers rustle and people rise in their seats around me, confirming I’ve missed most of the class. A class normally meant for juniors and I’m a freshman. Shit! And, I’m pretty sure today was important. Every day is important, Cory.

I need to get it together. Fast. Before, one, I fail this class, or two, he catches me staring. Nate Edwards. The guy I can’t seem to get out of my head. We’ve shared a class all semester, and it’s safe to say I’ve struggled to focus. I don’t know what it is about him, but from the moment I saw him, I haven’t been able to get him off my mind. It could be his tall, lean body, his boyish good looks, or the way he throws his head back when he laughs. It could be the warm smiles he doles out or the dimple he gets when he seems genuinely happy. Really, it could be all of those things, or none. But something has me drawn to him.

My best friend, Summer, tells me I’m crazy. She doesn’t understand why I wouldn’t just ask him out. Like it’s that easy. She’s extremely confident when it comes to men. Actually, even that’s putting it mildly. She takes what she wants, when she wants it. I’d be jealous of her confidence if it didn’t scare the hell out of me. I’m more of a wait-for-him-to-notice-me kind of gal, and despite that not doing me any favors, I have no plans to change.

I sneak another glance Nate’s way before standing and following the crowd like a sheep. I’m shoving my notebook into my bag, lost in thought, when I accidentally bump into the person in front of me and stumble backwards. Strong arms grip me from behind as the person ahead of me spins around.

“Sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I apologize as heat rises up my chest.

“No sweat; I barely noticed it. You’re too small to even move me,” he responds, and I recognize him as one of the football players.I should be grateful for my small structure, but his mention of it makes me redden even more.

I smile and try to shake off my embarrassment just as a warmth spreads over me, and I suddenly realize that the hands that caught me are still gently holding my waist. “Are you okay?” a deep voice whispers into my ear. A voice that I would know anywhere. Nate.

Of all the people in this massive class…

I try to school my features and turn to look over my shoulder, but he’s a lot closer than I thought, and my nose almost brushes his cheek. Quickly, I inhale and then feel myself flushing red again. “Thank you for catching me. I’m good now.”

“You sure?” he says with a devastating smile as his stunning hazel eyes lock with mine.The tips of his fingers brush the skin under my top and I have to work hard to stop myself from reacting to the fire it lights inside me. I realize I still haven’t answered, as his hands grip me tighter for a second before letting go, leaving me instantly missing his touch, but snapping me out of my daze.

“Positive. Thank you,”I say, grateful that I’m finally able to use my words.

“Anytime.” He winks and then moves past me to exit the room. I brush a loose hair behind my ear as I try to control my erratic heartbeat and bite my lip to stop a giddy smile from forming. Because did that really just happen? Slowly, I shake my head at the shock, and when I look up to walk out the door,I find Nate’s pained gaze staring back at me. My breath catches, and I can’t help but wonder if maybe I could have caused that look, until he notices me staring and smiles, causing me to redden all over again. He doesn’t even know you, Cory.

He sends me another wink before walking away to meet his friends, and, embarrassment aside, I can’t stop the smile that graces my face.

When I arrive home, Summer’s studying in her room. It’s our last week of classes before finals begin. Hence the reason I should have been paying attention. I walk in and flop back onto her bed with a sigh. “Oh, Summer, life is good.”

She looks up at me with laughing green eyes and shakes her head, accustomed to my optimistic love of life.

We’ve been best friends since middle school and have lived together since we were sixteen. It’s safe to say we know each other almost better than we know ourselves.

She looks back down at her books and I roll my eyes. She’s not even going to ask me why I’m so happy. Typical. I huff out a laugh and shake my head.

“I’m having a moment here. Pay attention,”I say, picking up a pillow and hitting her over the head with it.

She pauses and smirks at me with a raised eyebrow as she laughs. “My apologies. Why is life so good?”

“Nate.”

Summer’s head flings back with laughter. And yep, I know where this is going. “It’s always Nate,” she says. “Did something actually happen, or was he just particularly gorgeous today?” She tries to mock my voice when she says “particularly gorgeous” and she’s almost spot on.

“Both.” I bite my lip and bounce my eyebrows for extra effect as I sit up.

Summer drops her pen and her face lights up with a warm smile. She’s very cynical when it comes to love, but she’s always one hundred percent invested in my love life, or lack of. “Tell me everything,” she says excitedly, and I do. Every. Minute. Detail.

When I’ve finished my play-by-play of what I’m calling ‘the moment’, I flop back on the bed, looking over in time to see Summer’s eyes widen and a smirk appear on her face. Inwardly, I cringe because I know she’s about to suggest something outside my comfort zone. “It’s time to talk to him, maybe even ask him out.” Told you.

I shake my head before she’s even finished speaking. “Summer, I—”

“Wait,” she says, raising her hand in front of me. “How about this? We’re about to go on summer break.” Okay. “Let’s make a deal.”

“Ah… what kind of deal?” I say as butterflies swarm my belly just thinking about what she might say.

“If you see Nate anytime over the break, you’ll ask him out.”

“Umm…”

Summer slides over and lays down beside me, linking our hands. “When was the last time you saw Nate during any of our breaks?”

I sigh, because she’s got me there. I never see him. I don’t even know if he’s from around here or another state. Maybe he goes home? “Never. Not once.”

“Exactly.” She smiles. “So, deal?”

“Deal,” I say and then cover my face in my hands. What are the chances I’ll see him this time?