Roughing
“Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Old habits, I guess.”
She shakes m
e off. “Don’t let it happen again.”
By the time I pay for our meals, Harper has vanished. Another minute of her gawking at me would lead to more problems. And I need to make things right with Tori.
Crammed between hundreds of people, Clay raises his hand in the air to flag me down. He has on a navy blue Strickland Senators T-shirt that fits tight against his chest and shoulders, revealing the definition in his arms, and a pair of jeans. Clay is a big dude, built like an ox, but I have a few inches on him.
“Tori,” Jessica calls out, waving. “About time you made it. I was getting ready to call you.”
“We’re here. You can call off the search team.” Tori deadpans, feigning a smile.
“You look like death. What happened to you?” Jessica’s eyes travel from Tori to me. She gives me a look of disgust as if I am the reason Tori is so disheveled.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I say to Jessica, annoyed. “I’m taking care of her until she gets better.”
I make room between some of my teammates and set my tray across from Clay and Jessica.
Tori sits next to me with a flustered sigh.
A few of the guys nod or say hello as we make ourselves comfortable. The look surprised to see me. After all the rumors that have gone around campus about Tori and me, eating lunch together will start more. I will have to shield her from as many as I can. She couldn’t handle the rumors last time. I don’t blame her. The shit they were saying about her would’ve made anyone go a little…nuts.
“Why are you taking care of her?” Jessica seems confused.
“Because I have a minor concussion, and Dr. Holland wants someone to stay with me.”
“And I volunteered,” I add.
Offended, Jessica says, “Why didn’t you call me? That’s why I’m here.”
Tori lifts a chicken tender from the tray and holds it up to her mouth. “Don’t be ridiculous. You guys have plans, and I am capable of taking care of myself.” She bites into the chicken, speaking between bites. “Have fun. I will be okay on my own.”
“You’re not on your own,” I clarify.
“Whatever. You’ll be there. Same difference.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I counter. She’s working my last nerve.
“Like I can count on you for anything, Bash. Please. Be serious.”
If only she knew about the things I have done for her, continue to do for her. But I can’t…
“You can,” I say, lowering my voice to a whisper. “Just let me show you.”
Tori studies my face for a few seconds before her features soften. “I guess I’ll find out.” Then, she shoves the rest of the chicken into her mouth, ending the conversation as she stuffs her face.
Seated next to Finch, a girl with caramel hair, cut in layers over her shoulders, flashes a broad grin at me. She raises her hand and gives me a quick wave. Even with Tori next to me, women still try to get my attention. The girls who didn’t give a fuck who they had to step on to get to me ruined my relationship with Tori the first time. Not me. And I won’t let them do it again.
Ignoring the girl who is now pretending to poke at her salad, my attention shifts back to Tori, who by the scowl on her face must’ve watched the quick exchange between the girl next to Finch and me. Just fucking great.
Neither of us exchanges a word, holding each other’s gaze before Jessica interrupts our staring contest.
“Are you going to be okay with him?” Jessica asks Tori, her finger pointed at me as if even she thinks I am not up to her standards.
Tori shrugs against her chair. “Who knows. I doubt he’ll make it through the night without attending to one of his booty calls.”
“I’m right here,” I say, not meaning to raise my voice. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not. And I’m staying with you until Monday, so you had better get used to me.”