Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
It was a side that made her want to show the bitch exactly what she had to offer Reese.
8
The day was going by faster than Keira imagined, given the rumors about her. But strangely enough, there weren’t that many people who gave a shit about the fight. They’d moved on to the next juicy piece of gossip.
The bell rang, dismissing the class. The teacher was shouting about an assignment due tomorrow, but everyone was already filing out of the room. She was shoving a book in her bag as she stepped into the hall, but the air left her violently when she slammed into something—someone—hard. Her bag fell from her hand, her books and of course papers scattering.
The day just kept getting better.
Keira muttered an apology to whoever she ran into but didn’t bother looking at them. The bell to the next class would ring soon, and she dropped to her knees to grab her shit and shove it in her bag before she was late.
And then a very male, very muscular arm came into her line of sight and picked up her physics book. The olive-toned skin had her body tightening. She didn’t even have to look at his face to know whose arm it belonged to.
Reese.
Keira slowly dragged her gaze up the muscular forearm, over the ripped bicep, and finally to his face. She stared in his dark eyes for longer than was comfortable and then quickly glanced away. “I’m sorry,” she murmured and stood.
“I’m the one who should apologize.” She lifted her gaze to stare into his face once more. “I should have watched where I was going.” He handed over her book, a small smile on his face.
Keira was frozen, and she stood there motionless, silent, for so long that she got embarrassed by her awkwardness.
She thought about all the shit Lindy said to her. She shouldn’t let that bitch get under her skin, and normally she wouldn’t. But this time it seemed really personal.
His brows furrowed, and he asked, “You okay?”
She nodded and said, “Yeah. Fine.” But not really, because people think I must have slept with you to help me, so the rumors floating around are making me seem like someone I’m not. Not to mention, I really like you. In fact, like doesn't even seem to be the right word. It seems childish for how I feel, but I’m too afraid to say anything. Then there’s the Lindy situation, and how I know she could probably get you in bed just by breathing your way. So yeah… no, I’m not okay, but I'm going to lie anyway.
He didn’t respond, but she could see by his expression he didn’t believe her. “Thanks again… for everything.” She had a free period now and had planned on sitting outside to clear her head. She gave him what felt like a tight-lipped smile and turned to leave. She was pushing the front doors open, when her name being called had her stopping and looking over her shoulder.
He stopped a foot from her, the scent of his cologne, or maybe it was just him, filled her head and made her feel dizzy in the best of ways.
“Want some company?” The smile he gave her was lopsided and had her heart doing funny things.
“Company?” It’s not that she didn’t want his company, but she was surprised he wanted to… she didn’t know… hang out with her?
Maybe her expression looked less than pleased by his offer, because a second later, he said, “I’m harmless, I swear.” He held his hands up in surrender and grinned.
“Okay,” she said softly and found herself smiling.
They made their way to the picnic tables and sat down. They didn't say anything for long seconds, but he kept his focus on her.
“You doing okay, after all that shit that happened at Alistor’s?” She didn't miss how his jaw tightened after he spoke those words.
On instinct, she looked at his knuckles. On one hand, they were busted up and scabbed over, bruised and battered. God, he’d beat the hell out of Josh.
She looked back at his face. “Does it hurt?” She gestured toward his knuckles. He glanced down, but his face remained emotionless.
“Bet his face hurts worse.”
She laughed softly, and he smiled.
“You’re good though?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.” And she was, strangely enough. Alex was away at college, so that had been a bullet she dodged, and her parents were too focused on other shit to pay attention to her being shaken up when she’d gotten home. Which was also for the best. Telling them what happened would only have them sheltering her even more.
He nodded slowly. “Good. I’m glad that prick didn’t fuck with your head.” His jaw tightened again. “I should have really beat his ass.”
Really beat his ass? Josh had looked like ground meat when Nate pulled Reese off him. Reese could have done worse?