“Seems like it.”
“Why would a business major want to be in Instructional Design class?”
“I’m going to ignore that because there is no way you’re actually asking that question.”
I glare at my best friend, who hides her smile by sucking on her straw.
The professor starts his lecture, and I do my best not to die of boredom.
It’s easier said than done.
Just like ignoring the existence of Alister freaking Howl.
Why is he being so…I don’t even know what to call it.
I mean, the guy pretended to be into me, followed me around like a little lover boy for weeks. I laughed him off at first, assuming him to be like Brady—a massive flirt by nature—but then, I don’t know. At some point and without my own knowledge, I realized I looked forward to those random pop-ups across campus. It wasn’t long after that we started hanging out. Hanging out led to hooking up, and hooking up led to a boatload of self-pity.
Considering my obsession withDateline, I should have caught on sooner. I mean what are the chances the superhot football player just so happened to be in the quad, café, and gym at the same time as me nearly every day?
I squish my lips to the side.
Okay, well, it’s not exactly uncommon. I see a lot of the same people every day because anyone who has classes related to mine is on a relatively similar schedule. But still.
He was outside the damn child development building when I was headed in and near whatever building I was headed to on my way out, but now that I think about it, it was only when I was alone.
Never in front of my friends.
Because he was using you.
I sigh, propping my chin on my palm.
Like I said, I should have known, but at the end of the day, I enjoyed his attention. I needed it, having been in a funk since the first guy who made me feel more than attraction left me for something bigger, as he should have.
My heart aches a little at the thought of the boy—no, themanI met the summer before my first year of college. Little did I know he’d be in the same school come that fall. Had I known,I probably wouldn’t have gone full summer fling with him but rather taken things slow out of fear of what might happen once we had to see each other around campus. A small smile graces my lips as I think of Trey Donovan.
Maybe one day I’ll find my way down south, catch one of his prime-time games. Last I heard, he was already breaking records as a rookie in the NFL.
I couldn’t be prouder of him. He had a dream, and he made it come true.
He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.
We can’t all live the Hallmark movie plot. Sometimes people really do have to go their own ways in the end.
This time, I hold back the sigh desperate to escape.
I’m over this pity-party shit and ready to move back into boss-babe mode.
Which is why the second class ends and we’re clear of the building, I spin and walk backward in front of my bestie, my hips rolling from side to side in my best attempt to be Shakira.
“Uh-oh.” Ari teases with a small smile.
“Uh-oh is right.”
The words register just before heavy arms come around my shoulders, and I reach up, locking my hands on Brady’s forearms. Tipping my head to the side, I look up at him.
I’m not short, standing a whole-ass heel higher than Ari at an easy five ten, but Brady is beastly, so I still have to lift my chin a bit to meet his eye fully.
“I take it we’re going out tonight?” He lifts a brow.