Page 32 of The Change Up
Me: Noise-canceling headphones + a spicy book.
Me: Oh, and I forgot to lock the connecting door. Apparently, Cody thought I needed help.
Brynn: Needed help getting that O.
Brynn: I’m sorry. It must’ve been mortifying. Q is staring at me like I’ve grown two heads because I’m laughing so hard.
Me: DON’T YOU DARE TELL HIM!
Brynn: …too late.
Me: FML
Mortification still courses through my body as last night keeps replaying in my head. I still can’t believe I was loud enough for Cody to burst through the door.
On one hand, it was really sweet of him to want to protect me. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve found some kind of common ground with our friendship. Actually, I’m not even sure friend is the right word for him—maybe peer. Or acquaintance? Either way, we are acting civilly toward one another. I mean we are going to be stuck together for the foreseeable future, so it’s in both of our interests to get along, especially for those around us.
But on the other hand, he caught me wrist cramped, back arched, and mid-orgasm as my vibrator hit the right spot when the male narrator whispered those filthy words in my ear.
Yep, definitely mortifying.
Thank God he made sure Hudson didn’t walk through the door too. I can’t imagine the two of them standing there watching me come. Well, I guess I could imagine that. I am a romance reader after all.
Not the point, Chloe.
The bus back to campus is going to leave in ten minutes, and I’ve been sitting in this dark corner of the lobby waiting for the hotel to fall into a sinkhole and take me with it. But life doesn’t work that way, and I really don’t want to draw more attention to myself by being late and pissing Coach Weber off.
Slipping my round, tortoiseshell sunglasses down from the top of my head. In my mind, I imagine that no one can see me because the frames take up most of my face. Reaching for my suitcase, I adjust my cross-body over my chest as I make my way to the bus.
Please don’t let me run into anyone. Please don’t let me run into anyone.
Turning the corner, I glance up and, of course, make eye contact with none other than Hudson Larsen.
Hello, death. It’s me, Chloe.
My cheeks heat at the contact, and immediately I duck my head, trying to appear invisible and waiting for the earth to swallow me whole. Hudson quickly averts his eyes as I dart toward the door. The quicker I get out of the hotel and onto the bus, the quicker I can get my headphones on and stare out the window.
What if Cody told the guys what he saw? I mean, isn’t that the kind of stuff guys talk about in the locker room?
The bus is mostly empty when I step on it. I head to the same seat in the same section as I normally sit. Only this time, I put my bag in the seat next to me giving the universal sign that this whole row is taken.
Only a few minutes pass before the hair on the back of my neck rises and a warm feeling runs through my body. I know that if I look up right now, Cody Jacobs will be making his way down the aisle.
After a couple of seconds pass, I take a risk and glance up. Ty Billings is heading toward me with his signature wide-mouth grin. He doesn’t appear to know what happened last night, and for that, I’m thankful Cody didn’t open his mouth…at least not yet.
“Good morning, Chloe,” Ty greets warmly.
“Hey, Ty.” I return his smile with a wary one. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Ty better this semester. I knew that we had similar majors, and we’ve had a few classes together over the years, but this is the first time we’ve had the chance to actually get to know each other. The two of us have bonded and typically sit together, but today I just want to be alone.
It’s like he can read me like a book. Instead of trying to sit next to me, he reaches forward with a paper cup in his hand. “Here you go.”
Sighing, my shoulders fall, and a tight-lipped smile slides across my lips. Guilt swarms my belly. He’s been supplying my honey lavender latte addiction regularly, and here I am giving him the cold shoulder.
“Thanks, Ty. You know you don’t have to keep doing this.”
His smile falters, barely, but it’s enough for me to notice. “Noted,” he responds, and I watch his expression go from happy-go-lucky to a little distant. “I’m gonna sit in the back today.”
“Ty—”
