Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet #1)(44)

I thought I was going to be sick. My jaw and fists clenched.

“So that’s why I’m here.” Connor gestured at the Creative Arts Building. “If I take this class and you help me out a little—”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Forget it.”

I turned to go and his hand gripped my shoulder again.

“What the hell is your problem?” Connor demanded, spinning me around. “Why are you being such a dick about this? Because she slept with me? I told you, your stupid poem wasn’t the only reason—”

“Isn’t it? Let’s examine the chain of events, shall we? You thought she was going to break up with you. She read the poem. She let you fuck her. Have I got that right?”

I started walking again and Connor followed.

“Hey. Asshole. I’m not completely helpless, you know. She likes me.”

“Good for you,” I said. “But don’t steal my shit again.”

“Why are you so pissed? I didn’t steal your damn poem. Autumn found it under an econ paper and thought it was mine.”

“And you let her keep thinking that.”

“Yeah? So? What’s the big deal? Damn poem told the truth, anyway. You think I haven’t jerked off a hundred times this month, waiting for her?” He stopped, his brows coming together. “Hold on…Why are you writing about jerking off to her?”

“I’m not. It’s not her,” I said quickly, shifting my backpack to my other shoulder, my heart pounding now with guilt instead of anger. “It’s…thoughts. Words. Shit I dream up.”

“Really?” Connor crossed his arms. “It’s not about Autumn?”

“No,” I said, and the flat lie tasted like acid in my mouth. “Ever hear of write-what-you-know? She’s around a lot. I haven’t been with a girl in months so it came out in the poem, but it’s not about her.”

“Well, Autumn sure as shit thought it was about her.”

“Yeah, and look how well that turned out for you.”

My hands were still balled into fists. Against Connor. We’d never been this at odds with each other. It felt like the solid foundation between us had sprouted its first cracks and I hated it.

Connor must’ve felt the same. He backed off and held up his hands.

“I’m sorry I stole your poem. It just sort of happened. The way she was looking at me…no girl has ever looked at me that way. Not over a feeling. Or thoughts. It felt fucking good so I went with it, okay?”

I shook my head. “If she finds out…”

“So let’s not tell her,” Connor said. “If it comes up again, help me out a little, like you did with the texts.”

I ran my hand through my hair then jabbed a finger at the Creative Arts Building. “If you’re serious about auditing that class, then do it and pay attention. But I’m not writing a damn thing for you. Not one word.”

He held up his hands. “What the hell is the big deal? It’s like an econ paper—”

“It’s nothing like an econ paper. It’s about her. Her feelings. She’s serious about you now, right?”

Connor shrugged. “Yeah, she is. We are.”

I closed my eyes for a second. “You have to be careful. Don’t…”

Don’t break her heart.

“…fuck around with her.”

“I won’t,” Connor said. “It may shock you, but I actually care about her.”

“Good.” I shouldered my bag. “I gotta go.”

I took a few steps and then Connor called my name. His voice sounded like it did when he spoke on the phone with his dad. Unsettled and full of worry.

It made me turn around.

“Yeah, man.”

His uncertain smile nearly cracked my damn heart. “See you at home?”

He needs me.

“See you at home.”





Autumn



“Someone didn’t come home last night,” Ruby called in a sing-song voice.

I sank down on the grass at our usual lunchtime spot in front of the Admin building. “Will you hush? Half the campus heard you.”

“Oh, who cares?” Ruby said. “You did the deed with Connor Drake. You should be singing it from the rooftops.” She made a face. “Unless it was bad.” Her eyes widened. “Was it bad? Oh my God, it was bad.”

“Not at all,” I said. “He’s very…skilled.”

She sighed in relief. “And here you were, ready to dump his cute ass. Must’ve been a pretty good reason to get you to jump in the sack instead.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You told me you needed a better reason to fuck him, other than he’s hot.”

“Oh, right.”

“So?”

The cool October breeze swept over us. I wrapped my cardigan around me more tightly and tucked my legs underneath me. I wore black pants and flats, but soon enough it would be time for jackets and scarves. The leaves from the trees were already carpeting the ground in sprays of color.



gold, green, and brown—

your namesake captured

in your eyes.