Page 8 of Sin

I shrug. “He’s a quarterback with a noodle arm who can’t read a defense, so he wasn’t helping me out much even before he started acting like a dick.”

Noah grins, patting me on the back. “God, you’re the best. I feel so much better about the fact that he slept with my sister.” He winces. “God, I wish I hadn’t said that. I don’t even want to think about it.”

I grit my teeth as my gut twists. I don’t want to think about it either.

“Anyways,” Noah says, “I’m not letting this Lily thing go. In fact, I’m planning an intervention.”

I frown. “What do you mean an intervention?”

His jaw hardens. “I mean, she has to turn things around if she doesn’t want to get kicked out of college. I was thinking of finding her an accountability partner. Kind of like a coach. Someone who can motivate her, help her set goals, and make sure she meets her deadlines.”

My bafflement expands like a balloon. “You think Lily would agree to that?”

“Nope.” His smile doesn’t meet his eyes. “But I ran my plan by my parents, and they both agree with me that something drastic needs to happen. They said they won’t pay her sorority dues next quarter if she doesn’t turn her grades around. Tough love, you know? And they’re putting me in charge.”

I run my fingers through my hair, which is still damp from the shower. “Lily’s not going to like that.”

He scoffs. “Of course she won’t, but it’s for her own good.”

“So you’re going to become her accountability partner? I don’t think?—”

“No,” he says, his gaze falling to the concrete. He shuffles his feet before lifting his head and meeting my eyes. Something about the look on his face makes the hairs on my arm stand up. “I think it needs to be you.”

Anxiety grips my chest. “No.”

His face falls. “Look, I know you’re super busy, but I can’t be the one to do this. She won’t listen to me.”

“She won’t listen to me, either.”

“She will. Once she gets over the fact that this is happening, she’ll start listening. It can’t be me. I’m too involved. Too frustrated with her to be objective. Besides, you’re a way better student than me. She could really learn from you.”

Why is my pulse hammering against my throat? I’m not going to do this.

I can’t be around Lily more than I already am. Simply moving into my new room with a window facing hers has wreaked havoc on my equilibrium. Her presence draws my eyes like a magnet. Sometimes, I’ll sense her nearby without hearing her voice or catching sight of that fiery red hair. My gaze drifts to the window, and there she is.

Besides, Noah wouldn’t be asking me to do this if he knew I kissed her last night.

I should tell him. He wouldn’t press me to become her accountability partner if he knew, and I can explain that the kiss was only a strange impulse, something I don’t fully understand. As long as I keep my distance from her, it’ll never happen again.

I open my mouth, but the words don’t come.

I can’t tell him.

He wouldn’t even recognize me. I’m his steady, principled friend who plans to save himself for his future wife, a woman he hasn’t even met yet. Noah knows I’ve only kissed two women in my whole life.

Noah takes a step closer, his expression growing grave. “This is a huge favor, and I’m not asking for it lightly. I’m…” He shuts his eyes. “I’m really worried about her.”

My gut sinks like a stone. If I’m not going to tell him what happened, how can I say no? He doesn’t ask favors of me very often, especially when they involve an extended time commitment. He knows how rigid I am about my routines.

He needs me.

And if I’m being honest with myself about my vow never to kiss Lily again, what is the danger in saying yes?

“I’ll think about it,” I say.

The smile that spreads over his face makes me want to wince. I haven’t even agreed to it yet, but he knows me well. I’m not the type of person who raises the expectations of friends who need me, only to dash their hopes later. I’m as good as committed.

I’ll have to be creative if I want to get out of this.

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