Page 29 of Ink & Ambition

“Yeah, just going to take a shower first.”

Nathan sighs in apparent relief. “Oh, thank god.” We both laugh as we enter the campus media building and head up the stairs to the recording studio.

In record time, Alex finds us in the studio, showered and smelling minty fresh, which I greatly appreciate. The minute he finds us, he pulls up a chair right next to mine and listens to Nathan explain how the sound board works. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was genuinely interested in this project and not just here to do me a favor.

The more Nathan talks, the more worried I get that it’s going to scare Alex away. He shows no indication of wanting to bolt, but this is already turning out to be way more work than he’s asking me to do for him. The guilt is eating me alive but I’m pulled back from my negative thoughts when Nathan calls my name.

“Huh?” I ask, blushing from being caught not paying attention.

“I was just asking if you’re going to need camera space for two people or just one,” Nathan asks, his eyes glancing toward Alex.

When I turn to look at him, his eyes are open and pointed directly at me. The conversation we had in his bedroom moves to the front of my mind.You need to be there, too. On camera.Talking with me.His words echo in my head. He should know from my speech in public speaking class how poorly I do in front of people. But, joining in front of the camera, giving him what he wants could help lessen some of the guilt I’ve been having about asking him to do this.

I glance through the glass wall over to the recording room that’s already set up for two people. It could be kind of fun and since there won’t be a real audience—besides Nathan—there’ll be less pressure on me to perform in front of a live group of people. I might even be able to forget that we’re recording and just enjoy talking to Alex. There have already been a few times where I’ve caught myself genuinely enjoying his company.

When I look back at Alex, his eyes are gleaming with challenge.

“Two.”

“What’s that, sunshine?” Alex asks, his hand behind his ear in a mocking way.

I shove his arm. “You heard me, jackass.” His chair swivels around as he laughs.

Nathan glances at us both. “Two it is.”

We spend another hour in the studio with Nathan who shows us the booth and how to sit close enough to the microphone to be heard but not too close that our voices get muffled. Alex makes more than a few inappropriate jokes throughout the morning but all in all, it’s a productive work session. When Nathan gets a call from his roommate, he excuses himself with a quick goodbye and a promise to meet again next Saturday to record the first episode.

After Nathan leaves, Alex continues to swivel around in the chair as I put my notebook and papers back inside my backpack. I check my phone to see a text from Sydney telling me she left campus more than an hour ago.Bus it is,I sigh.

“You headed home now?” Alex asks, bringing the revolving chair to a stop.

“Yeah,” I reply, putting my phone back into my pocket and hoisting my bag onto my shoulder. Alex stands from the chair and grabs his gym bag from the floor.

“Let’s go, then,” he says, casually walking out of the room. I follow him out of the building and give him a wave as I start to walk in the opposite direction but a pull on my wrist brings me back to face him.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home,” I reply, confused.

Alex looks toward the parking lot behind us. “Is Sydney still here?” When I shake my head, Alex uses the grip he has on my wrist to pull me toward the parking lot where his jeep is parked. “Let’s go, sunshine. There’s no reason for you to take the bus when I live five minutes from you.”

While my instinct is to politely decline his offer, taking the ridewouldsave me about twenty minutes and be infinitely more comfortable, seating wise. With a sigh, I pull out of his grasp but continue walking with him toward the black car.

“How did you know that Sydney was driving me?” I ask as we both slide into our respective seats.

“I saw her at the gym. Figured you guys came together when I saw you outside with Nathan.” Alex pulls out of the parking lot and onto the side street. At first, the ride is silent and I peer out the window at the scenery I’ve seen hundreds of times.

As we pull onto my street, Alex finally breaks the silence. “You know, I have to say I’m excited to start this project with you.” The sincerity of the comment throws me off guard and I whip my head around to meet his eyes. He’s looking at the road but a ghost of a smile dances across his features.

And, in that moment, I realize I am genuinely too. I’m excited to start this project and it wasn’t because of theNew York Timesor because I wanted so much to win that internship. It was because of Alex. Because of the way he has put me at ease in situations that should’ve been stressful, the way he’s made me laugh even when something shouldn’t be funny, even the way he stares at me sometimes that makes me wonder what he’s really seeing. Plus, that nickname. I couldn’t help but smile when I think of it now.

He pulls up in front of my building, putting the car in park and finally meeting my eyes. “Me too, frat boy.” Alex rolls his eyes but matches my grin with one of his own.

I thank him for the ride and we say our goodbyes. As I walk toward the door, I actually find myself feeling excited for public speaking class.What is the world coming to?

Chapter Fourteen

Margot

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