Page 50 of The Change Up
But then cringe at my admission that I wasn’t a virgin anymore. Why I felt the need to blurt that out, I have no idea. Maybe a small part of me wanted him to know I didn’t sit around waiting for him. That while he was hooking up with half the campus, I wasn’t still pining for him to take my virginity.
As a teenager and even a young adult, I never viewed my virginity as something super special. For me, it felt like I was walking around screaming about how inexperienced and unlikable I was in high school. I wasn’t the girl who got the boy. I was the outcast no one wanted.
The summer Cody and I spent together, we spent a lot of time exploring each other’s bodies, but it never escalated to more. I thought we had more time.
There’s still a lot we need to work through. I can tell he’s hiding parts away from me, and if we are going to really give things a go, we need to lay it all out there. But Saturday night, we both wanted to soak in each other’s company.
Chuckling, I still can’t believe he laid beside me and watched me quoteA Cinderella Story. I thought for sure he’d immediately reject the super cheesy, early 2000s teen movie. But he didn’t. He let me snuggle into his side and watch the movie while rubbing tiny circles on my back.
Through my AirPods, the sound of my phone alerts me that I have a new email. I internally debate whether I should ignore it, but within a second I do the responsible thing and step off the sidewalk. Resting my hands on my head, I take a few deep breaths before pulling out my phone.
Clicking on the new email I skim the message from my professor who leads the university’s newspaper. She’srequesting I stop by her office as soon as possible. Assessing my running apparel of light gray running shorts with the mini bike shorts underneath and a coral sports bra, I decide I’ll reroute my run so that I’m finishing up on campus. I can quickly pop into her office and run home when we’re finished.
Shrugging, I pop my music back on and continue my run through campus to the Union.
“Chloe!”
Stopping in my tracks, I search the sea of people for who called my name. A large smile breaks across my face when I spot dark brown hair hidden beneath a CTU Baseball cap and hazel eyes coming straight for me. Only he isn’t returning my smile. His face is dark and furrowed. I can feel the anger seeping from him the closer he gets.
Not in the mood to deal with him, I turn and head inside the Union. He can come and find me. Weaving through students, I get in line at the little coffee shop that is right inside the door. Eyes track my movement from people around me. Normally I’d shy away from the stares and curl in on myself, but I somehow woke with a boost of confidence that I hadn’t had before.
Cody comes up behind me, and I can feel his breath on my neck. Reaching inside my belt bag, I pull out my student ID which is loaded with money as I approach the counter.
The tall male barista eyes my attire causing a growl from behind me. “Uh-uh, what can I get you?”
“Hi, can I get one of your chocolate protein smoothies?” Looking over my shoulder, I find Cody glaring daggers at the barista who won’t take his eyes off me. If I were Mr. Barista Man,I’d be avoiding pissing Cody off. His molars grind as I ask him, “Want anything?”
Cody’s eyes find mine, and I give him a warm smile. “No thanks.”
I swipe my Student ID as the Barista starts making my smoothie.
Stepping aside, Cody follows me, and the two of us debate back and forth on what is acceptable behavior in a crowd. I look around the space and notice every eye in this section of the Union is on us.
“Why do you look like you just got done working out?”
“It’s because I did. I was on a run when I got an email that I needed to meet Professor Weaver as soon as possible.”
“And you didn’t think about changing?”
“No, Cody. I didn’t think about changing. I was almost here anyway so I headed over as is.”
He grits his teeth, and I chuckle. “Your alpha is showing, Cody Jacobs.”
“I don’t like the idea of you walking around like that.”
Quirking a brow, I eye him down as he starts rummaging through his bag. “I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself. It’s not like I wear this all the time.”
He steps even closer than I thought was possible as he reaches up to my face. Running a finger down my cheek, I lean into our embrace. “People are staring at you.”
“No, Wildflower, they’re staring at you.”
I roll my eyes because no one is staring at me. They’re watching the hot baseball pitcher interact with a nobody and wondering why he’s talking to me.
Leaning down, he ever so slowly brushes his lips against mine. Gasps come from around us as I reach up and wrap my hand around his nape. He deepens the kiss, and I know I should pull away, but I can’t bring myself to do so.
The barista calls out my name and with much reluctance, Cody pulls away. But he doesn’t give me space like I assumed he would. Instead, he wraps his arm over my shoulder, and I wrinkle my nose at the thought that he’s touching my sweaty body which is now dry.
“Cody, I stink.”
