Page 84 of Sweet Temptation

Wes was still grinning when I focused back on him. “We’re really not getting much of our economics homework done, are we?” he said.

“Not really.”

“Want to take a walk outside instead? Perhaps we’ll focus better if we clear our heads.”

I wasn’t sure if he was talking in code or not. We’d been so close to kissing before that my mind immediately conjured up thoughts of finding somewhere far more secluded and finishing what we nearly started. He looked genuine enough though, and I was pretty sure I was just wishful thinking. I began to pack my books away. “A walk sounds great.”

We went to leave our table, but as I looked up, I found Luther and Kaden seated not far from us. They were watching me closely. Given the matching looks of accusation in their eyes, they must have seen me nearly kiss Wes.

My throat constricted with a feeling of guilt, but I knew I had no reason to feel guilty. I was single and allowed to kiss whomever I wanted. Admittedly, I probably needed to avoid nearly kissing them in the library and with an audience, but I’d done nothing wrong.

“I just need to borrow these books,” Wes said, holding up several texts he’d gathered before I met him in the library. “It won’t take me more than a few minutes. Can I meet you outside?”

I gave him a tight smile. “Sure.”

As he headed over to the librarian, I turned toward Luther and Kaden once more. Their eyes were still on me, and I stormed over to their table. Luther leaned back in his chair as I approached, a disapproving look on his face. Kaden didn’t appear nearly so judgmental, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes.

“What’s with you and Wes?” Luther demanded.

“That’s none of your business.”

“Except, I think it is. I told you not to give up on Noah.”

“And I told you that was unfair. I never agreed with you.”

“So? What? You’re with Wesley Montfort now?”

“Like I said, that’s not your concern.”

He shrugged. “It will be when Noah finds out. And he’s going to find out. Every kid in the library has been trying not to throw up from watching the two of you canoodle in here all night.”

I glanced around the room, and several people quickly looked away, avoiding my gaze. No matter what I did in this school, it seemed I always had an audience. I didn’t want Luther’s words to affect me, but they did. My chest tightened, and my heart struggled to remember the way it had been so happily beating only moments ago. I didn’t want Noah to hear anything that might upset him, but I also couldn’t spend the rest of my life walking on eggshells because I was worried about how he might feel. We were over, and despite Luther’s concerns, Wes and I weren’t in a relationship. We were just two hurt souls trying to help stitch each other back together.

“We weren’t canoodling. Wes and I are just friends,” I finally said.

“It didn’t look that way to me or anyone else here,” Luther replied.

“Noah’s going to be really hurt,” Kaden added. It was the first thing he’d said in the conversation, and somehow his quiet condemnation hurt just as much as Luther’s hard words.

“How is this my fault?” My voice was raised, and several students looked up from their books. I made sure to talk much quieter as I continued. “I know you’re both Noah’s friends, but he’s the one who chose to end our relationship. You can’t get pissed at me for accepting that and moving on.”

“So, you admit it, you’re moving on.”

I scowled at Luther. “Of course, I want to move on. Nobody wants to stay miserable.”

“I think Noah does.” Once again, Kaden’s words were calm and thoughtful, and they cut deeper because of it.

“Well, that’s his problem. Not mine.” I shook my head. “Look, I’m not going to let you two make me feel guilty about anything I do or don’t do. Noah and I are over, and I’m going to keep doing my best to put our relationship behind me. So, stop with your judgmental stares and cryptic advice. It’s not helping anyone.”

I turned and walked away before either of the boys could respond. I wasn’t quite sure what I’d hoped to achieve by talking to Kaden and Luther, but it had only served to make me more annoyed. They were acting like I’d betrayed Noah, but we weren’t together anymore, and all I was doing was trying to survive the aftermath of our breakup. Was I really the bad guy for spending time with the one person who helped me forget the pain?

I was still sparking with irritation as I made my way from the library. I was sick of being told how to feel and what to think. And I hated how invested people had become in my love life. It was no one else’s business but my own, and yet I constantly seemed to hear other students gossiping about it. I was so sick of it, and I just wanted to take control of the narrative for once. More than anything, I just needed my whirring mind to stop.

Wes was already waiting for me in the corridor. There were other students milling around, but I barely noticed them as he started smiling at me. His expression dimmed when he saw my stormy demeanor.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

I took a breath to try to calm myself. “It’s nothing.”

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