Page 45 of Facing the Line

Hadley shrugs. “He and Natalie are so deeply in love and committed, they can’t imagine wanting anything casual. But I don’t want to be tied down. It’s great for them, but that’s not where I’m at right now.” She clears her throat. “And how do you feel about it?”

If I think I’m busy this summer, it’s nothing compared to what my schedule will be like in the fall. Classes and hockey, the upcoming HESI exam… I’ll have to buckle down with no time for anything extra like a girlfriend. There’s no doubt that I want whatever Hadley is offering, but I have questions.

“Are we exclusive?”

“Yes. For the summer. And let’s not tell anyone, not make a big deal out of it.”

I open my mouth, then close it. I don’t love the idea of sneaking around, but it sort of makes sense. I don’t want things to be awkward with our other roommates. If we’re going to end things anyway, I’d rather not have people asking a bunch of questions or creating drama. And if that means it doesn’t get back to Hunter, that’s one less worry.

“Fine.” I hold out my hand for a shake, and she puts her palm in mine, smiling. Shivers race up my spine at the contact. I can’t believe this is finally happening.

Shifting closer to her, I pull out her laptop and open it up. “Whatcha watching?”

Snatching it from my grasp, Hadley shuts her laptop with a snap, eyes darting around. “Nothing.”

I raise a brow. “If you’re gonna watch porn, you should probably do that in your bedroom.”

“It’s not porn!” Her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink, and my stomach flips at the sight.

“Prove it.”

She heaves a deep sigh. “Okay, but… Jonas, you have to promise not to judge me.”

“Are you sure it’s not porn?”

She punches my bicep, and I wince, rubbing it. “Ow.”

“You big baby.” Muttering under her breath, she opens her computer and turns it to face me. “I know it’s dumb. ButLove Islandis my guilty pleasure show.”

“Love Island?”

She won’t meet my gaze. “Yes, okay? A bunch of single twenty-somethings live in a giant house in paradise and hook up. And I’m addicted to it.”

Hearing her talk about hookups makes my blood race. “I’m not gonna judge you for that.”

Finally meeting my eyes, she sighs and looks relieved. “Really? You seem like you’d be above reality TV.”

I shrug, my shoulder bumping hers. She smells delicious. “I watchAmerican Idolwith my sister.”

“This is nothing like that.”

“My point is, I’m not above anything.”

“I usually watch it with Kendall, and we make fun of everyone.” Her cursor hovers over the play icon. “But we watch the British version. Somehow their accents make it cultured?”

“Go ahead, start it. How bad can it be?”

Really, really bad is the answer to that question. But that’s part of the appeal for Hadley.

As the male contestants make vaguely sexist comments and blatant lewd remarks, she boos them. While simultaneously rooting for the female contestants to hook up with them and have fun. I’m not sure I understand the alliances and couples that form and reform, but I sneak glances at Hadley out of the corner of my vision as we watch.

Her eyes sparkle, she bounces in place, and gestures with her hands as she talks to the screen. Catching me staring, she giggles. “Come on, Jonas, get into the spirit. Give ‘em some advice!”

“Uh, don’t sleep with him,” I tell the lady in a bikini as she gushes about her partner. “He’s probably a selfish lover.”

Hadley smiles, so apparently my commentary meets her standards. “That’s better. Is it rotting your brain yet?”

“Maybe a little?”

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