Page 24 of Barker

“Really? So, you’re like a couple?” Gunner asks.

I shrug. A part of me wants to laugh because labeling something can be very high school. Every guy wants to call a girl ‘his’ at Gunner’s age. As you get older, it becomes less about that and more about the connection, but I also wouldn’t mind calling Annistyn, ‘my girl’.“I wouldn’t say that yet, but I will say we aren’t fighting our feelings anymore and it seems like we could be heading in that direction.”

Gunner reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. “Well, good for you. I’m happy for you.”

Twenty-Two

Annistyn

This morning was hectic. I woke up super late and had to rush around to make it to my study group on time. Vienna got off lucky since her study group for this class didn’t meet until the afternoon. I came rushing into the room with just a few minutes to spare. Once we finished up the study group, my body was sore and achy from sitting in the uncomfortable chairs with my head in a book for so long. I stood up and stretched. I had been so busy with my school work, I didn’t even think to text Barker. Then again, he hadn’t texted me either. Maybe he was already regretting everything that happened last night. At that one simple thought, my heart plummeted into my stomach. I really hoped that wasn’t the case. Taking a deep breath, I remind myself not to go down an Alice in Wonderland spiral. It wasn’t necessary.

As I pack up my things, I grab my cell phone from my back pocket and see a few notifications on my phone. ‘That’s odd’ I think to myself, I never heard anything come in. One quick check and I saw I had somehow managed to silence my phone completely. I ran through the notifications and sure enough, there was Barker’s name.

Barker: Good morning, darlin’

I can’t help but smile at those words. It’s ridiculous how three simple words can make you so happy and create a wave of butterflies in your stomach. I may have received that text three hours ago, but I’m still going to text him back now.

Annistyn: Hey there handsome

Barker: Man, you sure know how to make a guy feel worried.

Annistyn: I’m sorry.

Annistyn: Wait!

Annistyn: Was the great Barker Tobin worried???

Barker: Watch it.

Barker: But I will have you know that he was in fact worried.

Annistyn: Haha! I’m sorry though. I guess I silenced my phone by accident and I didn’t even realize until now.

Barker: No problem. We’ve all been there.

Annistyn: So what’s your plan for today?

Barker: Well, I was thinking of grabbing this beautiful girl and then some food and maybe go out to a certain spot. Maybe take a dip in the water.

Annistyn: Beautiful girl? Well, lucky her.

Barker: I meant you.

Annistyn: Yeah, nope. I only go grab food at a certain spot and take dips in a pond for guys that call me smoking hot!

Barker: Is that so?

Annistyn: Yes sir. But you have fun now!

I send the last text before heading out the door and back across campus. I’m almost to my car when I hear a whistle. Turning around, I see Barker standing beside his bike. He closes the distance between us, pulling me into him, and just before he claims my mouth he says, “You’re smoking hot.” He winks. Before I can even laugh, his mouth is on mine and once again, I’m lost in the haze of Barker Tobin.

When Barker and I break away from one another, I take a deep breath, but I’m just met with the smell of leather and his cologne and it drives me a little crazy. I almost want to pull him back into me and kiss him until I just can’t anymore. Instead, I try to calm my raging hormones. “I’d love to, but I always go see my dad today.”

Barker smiles and it’s not forced, which shocks me. I expected him to come at me with a smart-ass comment or just force a smile on his face so I wouldn’t feel bad, but he honestly looks okay with this news. “That’s okay. I understand.” I’m still stunned by his reaction and words. I immediately pull my bottom lip between my teeth. Barker chuckles causing chills to race up and down my spine. He reaches out and caresses my cheek.

“What is it?” he asks.

I shake my head slightly, not wanting to break our connection and the skin-to-skin contact I have with him right now. There’s something incredibly soothing in his presence and touch. “I’m just shocked,” I admit to him.

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