Page 27 of Until We Meet Again

"Do you blame me? Look at you now, needing a break from your girlfriend."

"Dude, really?"

"Just let me know when you're coming."

"I need to let my boss know I'll be taking some time off. I'll call you back with a date."

"That's fine. I need to get back, so I'll talk to you soon. Say hi to everyone for me."

"Sure, talk later." I hang up the call, and as I lower my phone, I run my finger over Tessa's name on the screen. I consider deleting her contact for a moment, but I can't bring myself to do it.

No matter how complicated things have gotten between us, I want her. For the first time in a long time, I feel something other than sadness and pain. I feel a fire inside that's so intense that it's almost consuming me. Even if it only lasts a beat, I'm grateful for it. I'm grateful that I met someone who helped to make me feel something good again, even if it's just for a fleeting moment.

Chapter 12

Tessa

I refuse to be caught up in a situation like that with Zane again. If it hadn't been Jen who walked in on us just now, if it had been anyone else, our lives would've been destroyed instantly.

When I leave the classroom, I find Jen resting on the wooden windowsill, peering at me with eyes that are understanding but also a little disapproving.

"Don't say anything. I know what you're thinking, and I get it, so that'll never happen again." I intervene before she can lecture me.

"Okay, if you say so." She shrugs.

I hear the doubt in her voice, and I don't blame her for not believing me. This is the second time Zane and I have been unable to ignore the attraction that draws us together whenever we're alone, and I'm not doing anything to stop it. A part of me craves it, craves him and his attention, and I find myself searching for it in every possible way.

It needs to stop. I have to stop.

After a slightly uncomfortable walk home, I shower before heading to Harry's place with Jen to watch the game. I say "the game" like I know what it is and who's playing, but I have no idea. Sports aren't my thing and never will be, but at least I can get outside and away from the fucktastic disaster that is my life for a little while.

Tobias greets us at the door with a smile on his face. "I didn't expect to see you tonight, Blondie." He calls me by the pet name he gave me the first time we met, and that name has somehow stuck.

"I'm surprised to see you, too. You're usually out somewheretrying to get into someone's pants."

"What do you expect when you always shut me down? I'm just trying to get over you." I laugh and shake my head, ignoring the gravel in his voice that makes everything he says sound hotter than it should.

"Oh, I see. You're heartbroken to the point where you needto screw as many people as possible."

"Precisely." I give him a gentle nudge and walk past him.

Tobias is exceptionally hot. He exudes that bad-boy energy that makes most girls drop to their knees, and I get it. If his whole Damon Salvatore look weren't enough, his tattoos and piercings would do it.

I can't say I've never been tempted because I have. But knowing how many girls he's with at any given time turns me off. I want someone to be obsessed with me—someone who connects with me to such an extent that I'm enough for them. Tobias only wants me because he can't have me, and that's not good enough.

Jen tosses me a beer while I stand outside the kitchen, and when I look at her like she's crazy, she switches it for a Diet Coke.

We approach Harry and Erik, who are glued tothe enormous television screen mounted to the wall in front of them.

Football—got it.

"I don't see our food wench." Jen swats Harry's hand away from her as she climbs into his lap.

"You want to go another six months without having sex?"

"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean it."

"Pizzas are in the kitchen, and you can make it up to me later," she says, gently kissing his head and snuggling into his chest to get comfortable.

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