Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

MADISON

What gods did I anger so badly that warrants getting stuck with Ryan Sorenson? I’ve followed the rules. I don’t treat people bad.Ask anyone, and they’ll say I was a good person. I did one selfish thing, and the higher beings decided to punish me for life.

“May I sit here?”

My lips form a tight smile as I acknowledge my partner with a nod. “It’s not as if there’s much choice.”

His gaze holds mine as he slides into the seat but then dips. A hint of desire flashes in those eyes as they linger on my body. I bite my lower lip to contain the urge to squirm. Why does that gesture knock me off balance? I should be appalled, not turned on.

Get it together, Madds.

I turn forward and create a curtain with my hair. If I can’t see him, I should be okay, right?

Wrong.

As Professor Whitman goes over the syllabus and introduces the teacher’s assistant, I sit there and try to concentrate. Butmy mind keeps getting drawn back to Ryan. His presence is like a bad knee injury that won’t quit throbbing and demanding attention.

He’s not trying to get my attention purposely. But his manspreading knee comes dangerously close to mine.

And did he scoot his chair closer?

I don’t need this stress.

An elbow nudges my side. My cheeks blaze hot as I turn to face my distractor.

“You okay there, Grimes?” His all-too-amused grin makes me think he’s annoying me on purpose.

“Just peachy.” I grit my teeth and force my attention to the professor. This is going to be a long-ass class.

“You’ll need to form a study group to help get through the quizzes and tests. This isn’t a suggestion,” the professor says.

Great.

My gaze meets Ryan’s. His jaw muscles flex as he clenches and unclenches them. I’m hit with an image of him on the ice, fierce and determined. He’s a fierce competitor, and despite not catching a game since high school, I recognize that look.

And that thought makes butterflies explode inside for some reason that I can’t yet comprehend.

The second the professor dismisses us, I’m on my feet faster than my parent’s dismissal of my artwork. The strap on my backpack catches on the edge of the desk, and I stumble forward. Smooth move, Grimes. Real graceful.

“Don’t be in such a hurry over my account.” Amusement laces Ryan’s voice. That, coupled with my embarrassment, strikes a chord.

“You are the most arrogant person on the planet.”

His eyebrow quirks up. “You seriously believe that? Have you forgotten who I room with?”

Touché! Blake Morton, captain of the hockey team, has more confidence than anyone I’ve met. But I won’t let him know that. “I stand by my words.”

He shrugs. “I would’ve thought I earned some of that arrogance after this summer.”

I bite down hard on my lip while the traitorous part of me basks in the memory. “Don’t bring that night up. Ever .”

“Why? Too much excitement for you? Afraid you’ll get hot and bothered?” Mirth dances in his eyes as he hikes his bag on his shoulder. I try not to react when the sleeves of his T-shirt push up to reveal those strong biceps.

“You are the worst.” I push through the door, but Ryan’s chuckle follows me down the hallway.

“I’m only joking.”

“Whatever.” I barely make it two steps before a strong hand gently grabs my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. My pulse quickens.

“Hold up, Grimes,” he says. “You’re not getting away that easy.”

I swallow hard, hyper-aware of his touch on my skin. “Ryan, we have nothing to say to each other. Besides, we probably shouldn’t be seen together.”

His smile falters, but he doesn’t remove his fingers. “It seems like I pissed the professor off already.”

“Yeah, well, show up on time, and you won’t have any problems.”

“I tried. Had a conditioning workout, and the facility’s clear across campus.”

It is a trek, but I won’t let him off that easy. I pull my arm out from his touch, but there’s still a charge between us. “You’re fast on the ice. Apply that to the grounds, and maybe you’ll make it on time.”

“Hardy, har, har.” He shakes his head. Running his hand through his hair, he looks back toward the direction of the classroom. “I was thinking, but you’ll probably think it’s a bad idea.”

“Stick with that thought. I’m sure you’re right.”

He stares at me for a moment, and I wonder if I pushed too far. But I need to protect myself. I already fell into bed with him, possibly betrayed my best friend, and feel like the biggest loser ever, especially since I don’t have any regrets. But dissecting that feeling is for a different day.

“What if we compare notes. Whitman already said we need to partner up, and I really need to get a good grade. I don’t want my GPA to suffer because Professor Dickhead has it out for hockey players.”

“Absolutely not.” But his question causes me to pause. In high school, he only wanted to play professional hockey. He’d mimic holding the Stanley Cup whenever he talked about the future. Now, he’s all about becoming a physical therapist, which I attribute to his dad’s accident, but I don’t fully understand the reasoning. I get wanting to make a difference, but at the expense of letting go of your dreams?

Hypocrite much?

I’m doing the same thing—sacrificing what I want for the sake of my parents. Guilt does that.

But Ryan doesn’t have anything to feel guilty about. It’s not his fault his dad ended up almost paralyzed. It was an unfortunate accident.

“Oh, come on, Melon Girl. Two heads are better than one.”

“Good God, don’t call me that. Where did you get that nickname from, anyway?”

“You named yourself that by smelling so sweet. But fine, Maddy . It’s not like I’m going to eat you.”

“I … What?” I frown in confusion, my mind trying to process his words.

Ryan bursts into laughter, the sound light and free. “I’m kidding, but I like where your mind goes. After the summer incident…”

“Stop! And don’t bring it up again!” My face heats.

“Alright, alright.” He raises his hands in surrender, still chuckling. “Seriously though, we need to study together. It’ll be easier for the both of us.”

I roll my eyes but sigh inwardly. Ryan makes sense, of course, but that doesn’t make it less infuriating. But I can’t.

“Why should I help you? I’m perfectly capable of passing this class on my own.” I cross my arms over my chest, ignoring the way my chest tightens at his proximity.

“Because—”

Before he answers, a familiar voice cuts through the air like nails on a chalkboard. “Well, well, well! If it isn’t Little Miss Virgin Mary and the campus Casanova!”

I freeze as Becky saunters toward us, her cherry-red lips curved in a malicious smirk. That girl will never change.

Ryan’s face screws up as he takes in Becky’s approach. I want to melt into the concrete.

“Interesting name. Not sure it applies,” he mumbles. He’d be the one to know that I’m definitely not a virgin, but he doesn’t know about my lack in other areas.

“Ooh, you know something I don’t?” She winks as if she does, in fact, know something. My stomach sinks. Did she find out about our hook up? Surely not. She would’ve said or asked about it by now. I don’t think anyone knows.

But I recognize this for what it is, a fishing expedition.

She continues when Ryan doesn’t speak. “Fine, she may not be so innocent in the virginal sense, but everything else?” She shrugs.

Betrayed by my so-called friend.

Ryan’s eyebrows lift as I stand slack jawed.

“Will you stop! I’ve done … stuff.” Oh my God, I’m making it worse. I need to shut up.

Ryan’s shoulders shake. “As enlightening as this conversation is, I need to get going.” He turns to me. “Think about what I said.”

“There’s nothing to think about.”

His stare lingers, and the air becomes charged again, Becky, the betrayer, forgotten.

“But I think you’re wrong about that, Grimes,” Ryan murmurs, his voice low. The words hover between us like a challenge, an invitation woven in his steely gray eyes, which hold mine captive. He continues, “And for the record, I’d be more than willing to assist with your … educational deficiencies.”

Heat flushes my face, matching the lighter strands of my hair. Damn him. Damn his playfulness that somehow always manages to throw me off guard. Damn his charm that makes it difficult for me to maintain the walls I’ve built around me.

He waits for a moment before chuckling. “I really need to go. I have to meet Amanda.”

And just like that, any warm fuzzies I felt deflated like a popped balloon. Amanda. My best friend. Ryan’s … what exactly? There’s no denying their friendship, but guilt and something else niggles at me. Dare I say jealousy?

“Sure,” I huff out. “Tell her I said hi.”

“You could meet us there if you want.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure you two have tons to catch up on.”

“Another time, then.” He smiles that lopsided grin that makes that sexy dimple pop before turning away.

As he leaves, I find myself staring at his retreating back. What am I doing? This isn’t going to end well, yet I’m drawn in all the same.

Ryan’s a smart guy. He surely figured out what Becky alluded to.

He just gained the upper edge, and I need to find a way to regain it back.