Page 86 of Waiting to Lose
Jake smirked. “Didn’t you wonder how he’s always here? We had to get university permission for him to be around you constantly without question. They know who he is and why he’s here.”
“They do?” Madi asked as she wrapped her arms around her waist.
“They do,” he replied with a smile as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“So you’re staying with Rob?” she asked shyly.
“Um, no. I’m going to stay until midnight at which time, when I’m caught, I believe I will be escorted from the premises. There’s a hotel not too far. I’ll just get a room.”
Madi took a deep, uncomfortable breath.
“What is it?” he asked as he lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to his.
“I’m not ready for you to go.”
“I’m not going just yet,” he smiled. “I want you to get some rest. I’ll be back before you wake up.”
“That’s the thing,” she said. “I don’t know if I can sleep.”
“Why?” he questioned as he furrowed his brows.
“I’ll be worrying about you. You look terrible,” she stated, her face etched with concern.
“That bad, huh?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I’ve been a little out of my mind.”
“A little?”
He smiled.
A girl thudded through the hall, eating a banana, and almost choked when she saw Jake.
“Can you come in for a minute?” Madi asked.
He smiled. “I think I can spare a minute for you.”
Madi reached into her purse, found her keys, and unlocked her door as eyes from behind her bore into her back.
Jake smiled at the girl walking by and said, “That’s a healthy choice,” as he motioned to her banana.
Madi giggled and pulled him through the door.
“You don’t blend well,” she laughed.
“I don’t?”
“No,” she replied as she flipped on the light and dropped her purse on the desk. “You’re too pretty.”
“I’m pretty?” he asked with a smirk.
She sighed and rolled her eyes.
He shifted, sliding his hands into his pockets, glancing around the room. “So this is it, huh?”
Madi turned her head in response, following his eyes with hers, taking in her room as he might see it.
