Page 8 of The Masks We Break

I flop down into the cart, sitting close to the outside, and grasp on to the safety bar. Ricky grins, one side of his lips curling higher than the other. And my mouth lifts at the ends of its own will.

He’d be so dang handsome if he wasn’t such a jerk. Even though I haven’t experienced seeing his ‘temper’ firsthand, there’s no way all those reports didn’t have at leastsometruth to them. But maybe that comes with being a fraternity president—shaking down new guys.

I clear my throat, regaining a little composure, and point north, drawing the canvas bag closer. “Lit building, please.”

He nods and takes off right as the sky splits open. The rain falls in long streams, bouncing off the pavement and into the cart. Ricky slows slightly, leaning over and extending a hand close to my face.

I suck in a sharp breath, my eyes connecting with his bright blues. “Wha-at are you-u do—”

Before I finish the stuttered statement, Ricky chuckles, reaches above my head, and tugs a ribbon holding a rolled plastic sheet. He pulls it slow, and the strangest tingle flutters in my stomach as I watch it tumble down, covering my side and protecting me from the rain.

“Thanks-s.”

We ride in silence as he whips around the campus with ease despite the rain falling faster. I glance down at my watch.

Eight minutes.

Double crap.

Dr. Humphrey’s class is all the way to the back, second floor. No way I’ll make it in time, even if I run.

Ricky pulls up in front of the double-pane doors and stops with surprising grace. “Be careful.”

Again, a faint smile tugs my mouth up. “Thanks, Ricky.”

He flashes his teeth, and my core clenches. “Anytime.”

I turn on my heels before allowing the weird feeling stirring in my chest to linger and jog inside. The halls are completely silent, void of any students, and I’m sure those in class are too tired to be chatty anyway. My boots thud on the linoleum, echoing in the hallway as I round the corner and fly up a flight of steps.

My pulse thrums in my ears, my poor heart beating faster than it has in years. No breath I take is enough, and soon, my head starts to swim.

I have got to make time for the gym.

As I emerge from the stairs, the classroom door comes into view along with the large white clock above, showing me I have sixty seconds.

Picking back up the pace, I charge toward the door like a bull. And as such, I hit my mark, slamming headfirst into a rigid body wearing a red hoodie, sending me backward. My butt bounces off the cold floor, and for once, I’m thankful I have a little extra cushion to protect my fall.

“In a hurry there, puppet?”

Every muscle in my body freezes.

No.

Freaking.

Way.

At this point, I think my heart is going to break free of the jail holding it in my chest and take off, but I cannotlet Blaze flipping Bardot know that.

I avoid his hand that he’s holding out and fumble to my feet. Steadying my expression the best I can and tilting my face up far past what’s comfortable, I let my eyes meet his. Instant mistake. They bore into me with a gentle ferocity that holds me in place. The only reason I could break the spell and leave at the gala was because of the distance. Now, with him literally inches away… I’m not quite sure I’ll manage it as easily.

Blaze tilts his head, the heat from his body coasting between us before wrapping around me like a blanket. It soothes the chill from the cold winds outside, and I find myself not wanting to move even though I should.

Even though I need to.

He grabs the handle to one of Dr. Humphrey’s doors and turns the handle. “Headed this way?”

My throat closes, not allowing any speech to pass my lips. It’s the worst feeling, being stuck between what you want and can’t have and sure as heck don’t need. Yet, here I am, still gazing at the boy I know is so much deeper than the mask he chooses to show to the world. But a girl can only try for so long until they count their losses and move on.

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