Page 313 of Small Town Firsts

“Thanks. For today. And last night. And yeah, just thanks.”

“I know it sounds like a line, but anything for you. I meant it when I said I was going to make up for all the shit I put you through. Feeding you is the least I can do.”

Our hands knock together as we walk back to his car. Each brush of his fingers sends a rush through me, until finally he interlocks our fingers together, holding my hand in his for the rest of our walk.

The drive back to campus passes in a blur, and before I know it, Sterling’s pulling to a stop in front of my dorm.

“Text me later?”

The thought of reaching out first sends a spike of anxiety through me. But friendship is a two-way street, and I guess it’s only fair for me to put in some effort as well. “If you want me to, sure.”

“I absolutely want you to.” He leans over the console and presses his lips to mine in a chaste kiss. “Wouldn’t have said it otherwise.”

I offer him a small smile. “Okay then.”

“Bye, baby.”

“Bye,” I murmur, slipping out of his car with my head spinning. At this point, I don’t even know up from down, much less how to process the way Sterling makes me feel.

I’m so busy trying to dissect all of the revelations and bombs from the last twenty-four hours that I don’t notice Melanie lurking.

“You’re only a distraction, you know that, right?” she sneers, glaring at me as I pass. “There’s nothing special about you. He’ll grow bored.”

“Whatever you say, Melanie.”

“Listen, you bitch!”

I whirl around. “No, you listen. There’s no need for this bullshit animosity between us. I know you think I’m stepping on your toes, but I’m not. I’ve known Sterling since I was eight. That’s right, a whole decade. Please stop harassing me because you have a crush. It’s not cool and, frankly, makes you look desperate. I don’t want problems between us. So, let it go, okay? Just let it go.”

Holy shit!I don’t know where all of that came from, but I turn and rush into the building before she can reply. I either just cleared the air between us or royally messed things up; my bet is on the latter.

“Oh my God!” Stella shouts the second I step into our suite. “We have so much to discuss!”

“That, we do.” A spike of nerves zips through me.

“Starting with why your cheeks are so flushed.” She looks me over. “And why you’re wearing a man’s shirt.”

“Um.” I collapse down onto the couch. “Well.”

“Don’t youum, wellme, babe. I need deets. I spent half the night worried sick about you, you know?”

“Only half?” I ask, trying for humor.

“We’ll get to that.”

“Okay, fine. I might have just told Melanie off on my way up.”

“What?” Stella squeals, flinging herself down onto the cushion next to me. She winces as she makes contact.

“Are you okay?”

Her cheeks burn crimson. “Mmhmm. Totally fine.”

“You sure?”

She lets out a dreamy sigh. “Totally fine. Just a little sore.”

“Why?”

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