Torn Apart (Torn and Bound Duet 1)

“Nope.” Brayden plucks the paper from my hands and tosses it to the side. “Every correct answer equals a kiss.” He frames my cheeks and presses his mouth to mine, his tongue wasting no time delving past my parted lips. My fingers go to his nape, and I’m about to deepen the kiss, when there’s a throat clearing that has me remembering where we are: at the tutoring center.

Breathlessly, I push Brayden away and adjust my glasses. He smirks, no doubt loving that he got me all hot and bothered.

“The last I checked, Brayden was failing English and History, not Sex Ed,” Drew says, glancing from Brayden to me.

“Nope, definitely not failing Sex Ed.” Brayden winks at me, making me roll my eyes. “I’m passing that class with flying colors, especially when the teacher is Mia.”

“Funny,” I say. “I wasn’t aware you were even enrolled in that class.”

Brayden grins. “Oh, I’m enrolled. We’re just covering the basics right now. We’ll get deeper into the course soon, though.”

When Drew snort-laughs, I remember he’s here and just heard everything Brayden said.

“And on that note,” I say, my face and neck heating up in mortification. “You better get to class before you’re late.”

Brayden checks the time on his phone and stands. “I’ll call you when I get out.” Then to Drew he says, “You don’t need to check up on me. I told you I would handle it and I am.”

I don’t miss the way Drew flinches at his words, and I wonder, not for the first time, what their story is. “If I don’t answer, I’m on the plane,” I remind Brayden. I’m flying out tonight to California for three days.

Brayden turns his attention back to me. “All right. Text me before you fly out.” He dips his head and kisses me softly before he takes off. I don’t know when kissing each other goodbye became such a normal occurrence between us, but I must admit, I kind of like it.

“See ya later at practice,” Drew calls after him. Brayden doesn’t turn around, but he throws a hand up to indicate he heard him.

“How’s he doing?” Drew asks once Brayden is gone.

“Who’s asking? His friend or his coach?”

Drew flinches again. “We’re not friends, so his coach.”

“He’s doing well. He just needed someone to help organize his thoughts.” I pack my books and laptop into my backpack and zip it up.

“You heading home?” Drew asks. The question has my heart bottoming out into my stomach. Texting and talking with Brayden these last few days has been the perfect distraction from my life. Between having to psych myself up to go home and deal with my mom for seventy-two hours, and the way Ashton’s been acting toward me since we agreed to just be friends, it feels like I’ve developed five ulcers.

But when I’m talking to Brayden, he keeps my mind occupied with his flirting, and for a little while, I feel like I’m able to breathe again. Until he leaves and I’m left worrying about everything that’s going on.

“Yeah,” I tell him, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

“I’m heading home too. Wanna walk together?”

“Sure.”

We step outside and the ground is free from all the snow from the last few days. It’s warmer today and the sun is out. We walk in silence. I should probably try to make conversation, but I can’t stop thinking about everything that’s going on. I’m leaving in a few hours and Ashton is acting weird. I need my best friend right now more than ever and he’s been MIA all week, and even when he is around, it’s like he’s somewhere else.

When we step into our apartment building, I realize neither of us said a single word to each other. “Sorry, I wasn’t the best walking partner,” I joke.

“It’s okay.” Drew steps in front of his and Ashton’s apartment. “I have a lot going on too.” He unlocks the door and opens it. “Are you coming in to see Ashton?”

“Yeah, I’ll see if he’s around before I go home to pack.”

I check Ashton’s room and he’s not here. I should probably just go home, but I’m afraid if I don’t stay here and wait for him, I won’t see him before I go, and I hate the thought of leaving while we’re in this weird place.

“Would you mind if I waited?”

“No.” Drew opens the fridge and tosses me a bottle of water. “So, based on the way you let Brayden kiss you without kicking his ass, I’m assuming things are going well,” he says, sitting next to me on the couch.

I glance over at him, unsure if he’s the right person to be talking about whatever’s happening between Brayden and me.

“What?” he asks.

“Nothing… It’s just…” I nervously laugh. “Isn’t it weird talking about Brayden and me?”

Drew falters and his eyes dart over to mine. “Why would you say that?” His tone is slightly defensive.