Page 55 of Keep Me

Alex shivered at the mention of them. Then he looked at me with the utmost seriousness. “Stay far, far away from those things. I think they’re haunted and that’s the reason Erik can’t keep a girl for longer than one night.”

Brooks pushed out an obnoxious laugh. “Yeah, sure. That’s the reason Erik’s slept with the entire campus,” he mumbled, and Erik kicked him in the shin.

“Tamper it down, B,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m going to meet them, anyway.” I laughed it off, then shut my mouth, realizing how short that sounded. We were having a good time, and if I wasn’t so hung up on Matty, then maybe I’d be more interested in Erik. But distracting myself with other men wasn’t going to cut it. Frankly, I’d played that game sophomore year with Adam, and I still ended up the loser in that situation.

Ultimately, my brain and heart needed time to get over Matty, and that wouldn’t happen when there were other guys around.

Not one to miss my reaction, Erik leaned back on the pool table. “Damn. Was it my terrible ball skills that struck me off the list of your potential suiters? Would it help to know that I’m much better at handling my stick.”

Silence fell between us, and when I didn’t answer immediately, Brooks and Alex took in simultaneous sharp breaths, slowly stepping back to give us a little privacy.

I didn’t want to be rude, but I also couldn’t tell him the truth. Once Brooks and Alex were far enough away, I decided it was better to be as honest with him. “Look, Erik, it’s not you.”

He let out a sarcastic laugh. “Is this where you’re going to come out and tell me that you have a secret husband or something?” He grinned, completely unfazed by my rejection, and something about that was refreshing. Maybe it was because when I’d tried to have a similar conversation with Matty, it felt like I was stomping on a puppy.

“Not that I know of. Why?”

He clutched his heart. “Because there’s something holding you back, and it’s most certainly not me.” I squinted at him. “My mom told me I’m irresistible and perfect.” I rolled my eyes, holding myself back from groaning. “So, since it’s not me, it must be something or someoneelse.”

“What?”

“It’s obvious. You’re the kind of hot that’s always taken, but what did you expect me to do when you sat in the seat next to me in class? I figured it was time for me to shoot my shot. It’s not like you’re going to stay single for long.”

“Um, I don’t want to break this to you, but I was always single.”

Erik snorted. “Yeah, right. You might not want to admit he was your boyfriend, but everyone knew it.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“The kicker. Mathieson.”

My blood ran cold. “Matty?”

“Yeah.” He waved in front of my face. “That’s why I never bothered with you before. I always knew you guys were in some kind of situationship.”

I was speechless. I’d never heard us described like that before, especially from someone who didn’t even know us.

“Uh, situationship? That’s not really how it’s going.”

Erik narrowed his eyes on me. “You sure? Because the way you were hiding from him in class would make me think differently.”

“How did you know I was hiding?”

“Come on, Britt. It’s obvious. First, you’ve sat next to the guy for three years. Always giggling and passing notes like some lovesick idiots. Then all of a sudden, you’re sitting across the hall from him.” He snorted out a laugh. “When you sat next to me wearing a Covey Crushers hat, I thought it was fate. Of course that was until you spoke, and I realized you knew absolutely nothing about the polar bears.”

“There’s nothing going on between me and Matty. Never has been.”

“You sure about that?”

I closed my eyes, almost annoyed that I was not only having to defend myself against my friends, but now, I was having to do it with people I’d only just met.

“Yes. I’m sure.” And a one-night stand after a wedding in Vegas didn’t count.

Erik eased out a laugh. “I’m not so sure Matty would agree with you on that.”

“What makes you believe that?”

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