Page 36 of Off The Rush
“Aw, come on,” JD protests from the other side of the room. “You know you love me.”
“True,” Alec concedes with a smirk. “But still, I’m feeling a little neglected here.”
“Fine,” I sigh dramatically. “Let me see those hands of yours.”
Alec extends his scraped-up hands for me to examine, and I cluck my tongue disapprovingly. “You really should be more careful, you know.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” he shoots back, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.
“Okay, okay,” I concede, grabbing a bottle of antiseptic spray and some band-aids from their first aid kit that Alec pulled out. “Just hold still while I clean these up for you.”
As I tend to Alec’s hands, the guys turn on the TV and start flipping through channels, searching for something to watch. Their playful banter fills the room, and I can’t help but smile as I listen to them argue over which movie to choose.
“Guys,” I interrupt their bickering, “I don’t care what we watch, just pick something and let me finish patching you all up.”
“Fine,” Luka grumbles, tossing the remote to Alec. “You choose.”
Alec smirks in triumph and settles on a cheesy action flick, cranking up the volume as the opening scene explodes onto the screen. I roll my eyes but say nothing, focusing instead on making sure they’re all taken care of.
“Alright,” I say once I’ve finished with Alec’s hands, “everyone good now?”
“Thanks to you,” Luka replies, his voice soft and genuine. He reaches out and gives my hand a gentle squeeze, making my heart flutter.
“Seriously, Emma,” JD adds, smiling warmly at me. “We appreciate it.”
“Anytime, guys,” I assure them, feeling a warm sense of camaraderie wash over me. “Just try not to get into too many fights, okay?”
“I can’t promise anything,” Luka says.
“Deal,” JD adds, grinning broadly as we settle in to watch the movie together.
Alec puts his arm around me and tugs me into his side possessively.
I don’t know how to feel about these feelings but I’m determined to enjoy this moment with the three of them.
Chapter 16
I push open the door to the coffee shop for a study session, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee instantly enveloping me. My eyes wander over the crowd, and I spot Emma sitting alone at a table near the window. Her long, wavy brown hair cascades down her back as she taps away on her laptop, her green eyes focused and determined.
I wonder if I should talk to her, feeling an unexpected twist in my stomach. There’s something about Emma that has me falling for her despite focusing on friendship, but I know it’s an impossible situation. She’s with Alec.
I have to drill that into my head.
As I stand there debating, some guy comes up to her table and starts chatting with her. At first, Emma is friendly, offering him a warm smile. But soon, I see her shift uncomfortably in her seat as she tries to turn her attention back to her computer. The guy doesn’t seem to get the hint, though, leaning in closer and continuing to talk.
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, unable to stop myself from going over there. My feet carry me across the room until I’m standing right next to them.
“Hey, Emma. Sorry I’m late,” I say, greeting them with a pleasant smile as I slide into the seat across from Emma. The guy narrows his eyes at me but doesn’t say anything.
Emma raises her eyebrows in surprise but doesn’t contradict me. She gives me a small, grateful smile that makes my heart race.
“See you around, Emma.” The guy finally takes the hint and moves to the closest open table, far enough away that he can’t eavesdrop on our conversation but can still see us.
“Who was that?” I ask, trying to sound casual as my gray eyes search her face for any lingering discomfort.
Emma shrugs. “We have a partner project together. He’s just being a little pushy, no big deal.”
I don’t like how she downplays it when I saw her looking so uncomfortable earlier. I glance over at the guy, who’s now glaring at us, clearly waiting for me to leave. I feel a surge of protectiveness and make a decision.
