TWELVE
Before leaving the apartment today, I leave Kayden a note.
I’ve got another full day of classes and coming back before going over to my dad’s isn’t really an option, so I’m probably not going to see him until tomorrow evening. It’s weird that I feel sad about it, since it was only yesterday that I was doing everything I could to avoid him. I wonder how I’m going to feel about him next week.
Kayden has already gone out for his morning jog, so I scribble my message across a torn piece of paper, dropping it on the counter and dragging the paperweight over it.
See you Saturday. Don’t get yourself ‘killed’ while I’m gone.
—Sienna
I think I’ve been spending way too much time with Brent. Having this kind of humor does not bode well.
When I’m done with my last lecture of the day, I head straight to the bus stop, tugging along a small duffel bag filled with all the necessities for my one-night stay at home. It’s particularly cold out today, with the snow billowing down and catching on my hair and eyelashes, so I shrink into my turtleneck to save myself from the assault.
On my way out, I spot a familiar-looking man with an unusually large bump on the top of his head. He has his back to me as he presses a brunet girl against a tree, his lips molding greedily against hers. A knee wedges between her legs and his hands glide down her body shamelessly, exposing her skin. It looks like I’ve just stepped into what appears to be the beginning of a sloppily executed porno scene.
“Real classy, Evans.” I clear my throat.
Evans whips his head back and smiles when he notices me, red lipstick smeared all over his mouth, looking all Joker-like. It’s oddly unsettling and humorous. He’s surprisingly well dressed for a college student: a double-breasted tan overcoat on top of a grey sweater with a collared shirt peeking out at the top. And to tie the whole look together, a matching grey, wool scarf hangs loosely around his neck.
I admire his commitment to style, since most of us here are too lazy to put in that much effort.
“Didn’t have time for a dinner date and roses. I’ve got an assignment to cram out in the library today,” he replies smoothly as he adjusts himself.
I narrow my eyes at his hookup. Her shy eyes lift toward me and she gives me an awkward wave.
“Looks like that’s not the only thing you’re trying to cram,” I say flatly.
Evans scratches his head sheepishly in reply. He turns to the girl and leans in to plant a swift kiss on the square of her lips. “You can go now, honey.”
She pouts at him. Her fingers tug on the hem of her top and her other hand smooths over her incredibly tussled hair.
“But we were just—”
“See you around.” He dismisses her absentmindedly, already turning his back on her and walking toward me.
I watch silently as the brunet frowns and kneels down to grab her stuff. I hope she’s okay. She doesn’t seem to have taken the rejection lightly. My gaze flickers back to Evans and he points a warning finger at me, like he somehow has the ability to hear all my thoughts.“Don’t judge me.”
“Too late. Already judging.”
Evans loops his arm over me and pulls me closer to him as we start walking. I’m surprised by his affection because the last time we met, I wasn’t exactly the friendliest.
“Do you do that a lot?” The question slips out of me as I notice the girl scuttling in the opposite direction from the corner of my eye.
“When I’m stressed, yeah,” he says, then gives me a knowing look. “You want in, huh? Schedule’s pretty full right now, but maybe I can try to squeeze you in on Thursdays after my lunch break.”
“How generous,” I deadpan. “Thanks but I’m good. I’m too busy and you’re not my type.”
“Just because I’m not an underground fighter with issues stemming from long-lasting trauma doesn’t mean I can’t rock your world, Sienna.” He grins at me sillily.
“Although I might be tied with Kayden. He doesn’t fuck around a lot but rumor has it he’s a beast in bed—”
I push his arm away and pick up my pace. “I really don’t want to hear it.”
“Of course you do. You like the dude.” Evans breaks into a light jog as he tries to keep up with my long strides. He does a surprisingly good job at it, though his breath starts to come out in short, tight spurts after a while. “Also, I figured I owed you that teeny piece of information since you caught me balls deep in my favorite pastime. Look, can you do me a favor and not tell Brent about this?”
I stop in my tracks abruptly. My head swivels toward him, curiosity getting the better of me. “Why does he care?”