Page 77 of A Brush with Love
Something about their stupid grins allowed Harper to finally find her voice.
“Ohmygod, Thu, get out!”
“Get out? I feel like I should get a camera! I want to remember this for the rest of my life,” Thu said.
“Thu! Get the fuck out!”
“Calm down, it’s not like you were in full coitus… yet.” She gave a snort of laughter.
Alex looked between Harper and Thu with a mix of fear and amusement before giving a small chuckle. Harper found her feet and moved toward her friend.
“Okay, okay! We’ll give you a few minutes to—um—finish…” Thu grinned again, and Harper snarled at her. “Composing yourselves!” she added rapidly. “Finishcomposingyourselves. And then, Harper, you and I will teach these boys about bones.” Thu said with a wink, turning to leave the room.
But before she was out the door, she said, over her shoulder, “Although, it seems like you were giving Harper quite the lesson there yourself, Dan.”
Harper slammed the door shut and thumped her forehead against it.
Silence hovered in the room and Harper couldn’t bring herself to turn and look at Dan. She felt mortified and ridiculous. But most of all, she felt mad at the interruption—the exact opposite of how she needed to feel.
“I should… go,” she finally whispered to the wall.
“Can I come with you?” Dan’s voice was hoarse and lost.
Harper squeezed her eyes shut until she saw little stars. She tried to count them as she swallowed past the lump in her throat. Harper steeled her nerve and turned to face him.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Nothing’s changed. I’m still—”
“Leaving. In May. I know,” he said, raking his hands through his hair.
“Yes. Leaving.” Maybe if she said it enough times she could finally,finally,get that concept to sink into her own head.
He opened his mouth, looking like he was about to argue, but he slammed it shut.
She moved to the table and shoved her things into her bag, then walked back to the door. She opened it and paused, knowing what stepping out of the room would mean. She looked at him over her shoulder, meeting the hurt and confusion in his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I really am.”
Then left.
CHAPTER 25
DAN
Dan stared at the door, frustration bubbling under his skin and threatening to explode from every pore.
Staying on brand for the world’s most unwanted visitor, Alex tapped lightly at the door before poking his head in.
“All clear?” he asked, shooting Dan a wink.
“It’s Friday night at a fucking school. Is there really no other room you could occupy right now?”
Alex stared at him blankly. “You okay, man?”
“Alex, get out.”
“Oh, sorry.” Alex whipped his head out of the door and slammed it shut.
Dan fisted his hands in his hair, pacing the small space and trying to adjust his aching cock to a more comfortable position. The walls felt close and suffocating, and he wanted to punch a hole through every inch of them.
