Page 51 of The Change Up
He guides me over to the counter where I grab my smoothie, nodding at the guy behind the counter as thanks. “Nah, you always smell like flowers to me.”
“And roses really smell like poo-poo-ooh.” I sing the lyrics to “Roses” by Outkast causing Cody to shake his head.
The two of us make our way over to the steps where we descend to the basement which is where the newsroom is located.
“How was practice?” The words come out quietly in the empty hallway.
“It wasn’t too bad. We had a few running drills to do, but I loved the yoga afterward. Who would’ve known?”
I scoff. “I’ve seen your yoga instructor. I’m sure you all are enjoying the yoga.”
“I only have eyes for you, Wildflower. I always have. Those other girls were just a distraction.”
My cheeks turn pink as we approach the newsroom door. “This is me.”
Cody removes his arm, and I instantly feel the loss of his body heat. The basement is chillier than normal, and I’m going to be showing everyone how cold I am. He’s rummaging through his bag and pulls out a white shirt before handing it to me.
“Here. It’s clean, don’t worry. But this way you’re warm.”
“I’m not cold.” But my body takes that moment to betray me as I shiver, exposing a major case of hard nips. Shit.
His eyes find the tight buds immediately. Clearing his throat, he brings his attention back to my face. “Uh-huh.”
“Fine.” I take the white long-sleeved shirt and slip it over my head. Cody’s intoxicating scent floods my senses, and I smile. The shirt lands at the hem of my shorts and to look like I have pants on, I take the front hem and tuck it under my sports bra to give it a faux-cropped look.
His eyes rake over my form as he assesses how it fits on my body. The long-sleeve is long on my body. But I love that I’m wearing a shirt with his last name and number on my back. It might feel like his way of marking his territory, letting everyone know I’m his, but surprisingly, I don’t mind the gesture.
“Fuck,” he rasps. “My shirt looks damn good on you, Wildflower.”
Leaning in closer, I reach up and find his ear. “I bet it looks even better on your bedroom floor.”
I swear I hear him audibly gasp as his jaw drops to the floor. “Shit, Chlo. You need to get into your meeting, or I’m throwing you over my shoulder and testing your theory.”
“Bye, Cody.” I start to walk away before I feel his hand tug at my fingers. He pulls me toward him where his lips find mine in a searing kiss. A moan fills the space, and I couldn’t tell you whose voice it came from. I feel the kiss melt into my center leaving me with damp panties.
Ending the kiss, he steps away as his feet carry him backward. His eyes never leave mine. “When can I see you again?”
Deciding to be coy, I give him a one-shoulder shrug as I enter the newsroom. My skin is hot, and I have a moment where I debate on turning on my heels and running out the door after him. I want to know if he’ll make good on his promise to throw me over his shoulder.
Or if he’ll come to his senses that I’m not good enough for him.
I don’t have much time to think about that issue, even though the thought has been rattling around in my head all weekend. At some point, Cody is going to wake up and realize that there are better girls out there for him. I’m no one’s first choice.
“Hey, Chloe!” Abby shouts from where she is sitting at one of the circular tables in the center of the room. Heads pop up from computer screens as everyone watches me enter the room.
With a quick wave to Abby, I head into Professor Weaver’s office. Technically, this isn’t her office, as she has her own office like the rest of the professors in a separate hallway. This is just the adviser’s office for the university paper. The walls are decorated with framed special editions of The Eagle Gazette. Other than that, it’s very generic.
Professor Weaver sits behind a monitor, her long brown hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. She’s in her late thirties, and while she is the picture of professionalism, there are days where she looks a bit like a hot mess. Today is one of those hot mess days. With minimal makeup, her outfit is very casual with a loose pair of boyfriend jeans and a basic black tee.
“Knock knock,” I announce my entrance while knocking on the door frame. She glances up and sighs in relief.
“Oh thank god it’s you.”
I continue into her office before sitting down on the chair opposite her. I don’t miss how she takes in my appearance.
“I was on a run when I got your email.”
She chuckles. “You could have gone home. It wasn’t anything serious.”
