Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

Ellis

I woke alone in my dorm room, but something felt different.

The sheets were nice and silky, just the way I liked. My favorite pillow was in my arms, so I could hug it while I slept, a habit since childhood. The noises of a dorm building seeped under the door: students calling greetings, laughter, a few shrieks.

I sighed and sat up, gaze catching on my firefighter costume on the floor. That's when it hit me, the change I'd felt in my bones even before I remembered the details from last night.

My heart skipped as the night played out in my mind in sexy, X-rated detail.

Holy cow! I slept with Jordan.

Or rather, I hadn't slept with Jordan. I frowned, remembering the hasty exit he'd made.

It had all happened so quickly. Too quickly, maybe? It was late, and we did have early mornings, just like Jordan had said.

And it wasn't as if I'd asked him to stay.

If I'd asked, he would have. Somewhere deep inside, I knew that to be true. Jordan always gave me anything I needed.

What did I need, though? That was the real question. I'd liked last night with Jordan. A lot. But I'd dated Clayton a long time. Wanted to marry him, even. I'd gone to a lot of trouble to win him back. Was I just going to give up on that? And if I didn't give up, would I lose Jordan instead?

I'd really fucked up last night. I should have gotten all these questions sorted out before I dragged Jordan into my bed.

But damn. I bit my bottom lip, remembering how intensely he'd kissed me, the flare of heat between us that had combusted instantly.

We probably should have stopped to think, but then we'd have stopped , and I might have died if Jordan left me hard and wanting.

Last night had been seriously hot . Hotter than any night with Clayton. That had to mean something, right?

My alarm went off, and there was no more time to replay the events of last night or twist myself up over my decisions. I had to get to the gym to meet my first client.

I threw on a tank and shorts, picked out an outfit to change into later for class, and headed to work.

The morning was a blur. I worked with Maggie, listening with only half an ear as she chattered happily about her new boyfriend, Mike of the bloody nose. I went through the motions, wishing this could be one of the mornings Jordan had agreed to return. I needed to see him, talk to him.

What if he wasn't okay with what happened? What if he regretted it?

There was no time before class, and once again, it was the class Jordan didn't TA. It felt as if every minute was an hour. I pulled out my phone and tapped out a text.

Ellis:

See you for coffee soon! =)

Jordan:

Can't make it today. Raincheck?

My heart sank. Dang it. I needed to see him, to reassure myself we were good, and the world just kept conspiring against me.

Ellis:

Okay, so we'll meet at the Flex Gym this afternoon, then?

Jordan:

Actually, my schedule worked better to go by this morning. I've interviewed staff. You can check out the equipment and let me know anything useful.

I sucked in a breath. Damn. He wasn't avoiding me, was he?

Ellis:

Are we okay?

Jordan:

Of course we are! Just busy. Talk later?

Ellis:

Okay, sure =)

"Mr. Woods, do you have something more important to do right now?" Professor Green snapped out.

I dropped my phone back into my bag. "No, Ma'am. Sorry. I was just…"

"Yes? Tell us all since you've distracted us from class."

I winced while Vic gloated and Clay watched, his forehead creased with concern. A few days ago, his concern for me would have felt like a victory. But now? I was too worried about Jordan to feel much of anything about anyone else.

"I, uh, was just confirming an appointment for my internship with Callahan," I said weakly. "Sorry."

It wasn't a total lie. I had asked Jordan about that appointment.

And he blew me off. Shit.

"Well, I'm sure Professor Callahan appreciates your dedication, but let's focus on class while we're here, hm? You might learn something useful for that case you're working on."

I nodded. "Of course. Sorry."

I pushed my personal thoughts away and focused on taking notes. When class ended, relief swept through me. Finally, I could put an end to this torture.

Jordan might have blown off seeing me, but that didn't mean I couldn't track him down and make sure he was okay. That we were okay.

I headed out the door, striding down the hallway, and burst through the front door. I pulled out my phone to ask Jordan where he was right then. Probably Callahan's office?—

"Ellis!" Clayton called.

I half turned, eyebrows raised. I didn't see Victor. "Why aren't you with your worse half?"

He snorted a laugh. "Wow, that was downright mean. You've changed, Ellis."

I winced. "Sorry."

He shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. "Don't be. It's a good change. You were too sweet before. Too soft." His gaze swept over my chest and arms. "Well, emotionally, anyway. Your body has always been rock-hard."

I shifted, uncomfortable under his blatant once-over. Last night, he'd drank in my appearance and it had felt like a victory in the midst of Victor's scheme. But now? With Jordan so fresh in my mind? I wasn't sure I liked his attention.

He'd walked out on me. Told me I wasn't good enough.

"So, listen, Ellis," he said. "I thought maybe we should talk."

"About what?"

"Us."

I blinked. "What about us?"

"We were good together," Clay said, taking a step closer. "I miss the fun we had."

"The fun," I echoed, remembering he'd used similar words to dump me.

"Yeah." He stroked his hand down my arm, toward my wrist, then loosely tangled our fingers. "There's no reason we shouldn't enjoy each other. We're both young and hot, and?—"

"What about Vic?"

Clayton shrugged. "We're engaged, but we're not married yet, Ellis. I don't owe him anything."

I tugged my hand away. "I disagree."

"I know you still want me," Clay said. "That slutty costume was for me, right? That kiss with Jordan?" He scoffed. "I gotta give you credit. You wanted to make me jealous, and it worked. But now it's time to take your reward."

He snaked his arm around my waist, tugging me forward. Clayton's eyelids lowered, his mouth nearing mine, and I reacted on instinct.

I thrust out my hands and shoved him so hard he stumbled back two feet and would have landed on his ass if not for Victor, who'd just walked up behind him.

"Seriously?" Vic spit out, eyes alight with fury.

I opened my mouth to explain, to apologize, something , but Vic ripped off his engagement ring and threw it at Clay's head before I could find the words.

"You think you can cheat on me with your ex? We go to school on the same campus. It took two seconds for one of my friends to text me and tell me you were putting the moves on Ellis."

"I wasn't—" Clay started.

"You were," I said.

"You're such an idiot!" Victor flung out. Then he sent a glare toward me. "And you, you've been after him since you got here. Why are you pushing him away now?"

"I finally realized he's not worth it." I paused. "And you deserve better, Vic. We both do."

Clayton huffed. "You got this all wrong. Ellis was the one hitting on me. I shouldn't have let him get to me, but?—"

"Just stop lying," Vic said. "I'm over it."

He spun away, and Clayton turned toward me.

I shook my head. "You're on your own, Clay. I need a partner who can be my equal, and that'll never be you."

I left him sputtering in shock and jogged to catch up with Victor.

"Hey, are you okay?"

He glared at me. "Look, you didn't sleep with my fiancé. Good for you for being a decent human. But that doesn't make us best friends."

"I know. I just remember how I felt the night it ended with us, and?—"

"I'm not you," Vic said sharply. "I don't get hurt. I get even."

I raised my eyebrows. "Okay…" I hesitated. "How are you going to do that?"

"I'm going to find someone ten times better than Clayton. That's how."

I grinned, new certainty lighting me up. "You know, that's what I did too."

Victor nodded as if he wasn't surprised. "You and Jordan?"

"I hope so," I said. "We hooked up last night, but then?—"

"Again, we're not best friends," Vic said.

I clamped down on my words. "Right. Sorry. It's just that everything's a bit weird right now and I'm not sure what to do."

"I've seen how he looks at you. That man is gone over you."

"You think so?"

"Ugh." Vic shoved my arm. "Just go before you make me sick. I'm trying not to punch you."

"Right, got it." I spun away, intent on tracking Jordan down. "Thanks, Vic! And just so you know, I think we could be friends."

"Get the fuck out of here," he yelled, sounding pissed. "Fucking hell."

I darted down the sidewalk. Victor was still a prickly, sharp-edged bastard, but I realized now he was a bit like a cornered animal, scared I'd take Clay from him. He was still an asshole, and we probably wouldn't ever be good friends, but that didn't mean I wouldn't try.

Because I knew what it was like to be crushed by Clayton's disregard and disrespect.

I also knew that was something Jordan would never do.

I pulled out my phone and called Austin. "Hey, I need a favor."

"What's up?"

"I need you to find out where Jordan is right now."

"Well, that's easy. He just left here." Austin hesitated. "He seemed a little distracted."

At least I wasn't the only one.

"Do you know where he went?"

"He said he was headed home to catch up on some homework."

"Thanks, Austin."

"Are you going to fix him?"

"Fix him?"

"You know what I mean. Tell me you're going to go over there to give him some good news."

"I sure hope it's good news," I said. "I think… No, I know that I'm over Clayton. I am so beyond over him."

"What brought on this epiphany?"

"Jordan's a great kisser."

"Fucking finally," he said.

"He's great at everything, really. Last night?—"

"TMI, Ellis. Just go get your man."

I blinked. "Right. Yeah. Good idea. You think he'll really be mine if I ask?"

"I think he's been yours all along. He was just waiting for you to see it."