Co-Ed(31)

“How’d you sleep?” Knox’s eyes were still closed as he asked the question.

I sighed against him, not ready to wake up and face the music of last night. “I dreamed that a unicorn was chasing me, and I remember puking out ten pounds of food last night.”

“More like twenty,” he said in a dry tone.

I smacked him on the chest.

He grabbed my hand and held it tight. This time his eyes were open when he whispered, “Never again.”

Shame hit me hard and fast as I ducked my head and licked my lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t normally drink, and after the whole social media shitstorm…”

“You think I’m pissed because you drank?” He frowned.

I nodded, feeling worse.

“Drink, party, explore whatever weird sexual fantasies you have with unicorns.” His lips twitched, his perfect pout was almost irritating. “Just make sure you have a sober buddy with you, all right? And for the record, I’m more than happy to volunteer for the job.”

I scrunched up my nose. “That sounds like the worst job ever for my new friend.”

His eyes narrowed. “Why not me?”

“Well, let’s see… have my TA follow me around while I explore my sexuality with some random stranger…”

His fists clenched.

“…or do it on my own?”

“Not on your own.” He glared. “And I changed my mind. You aren’t exploring anything with anyone, ever.”

“Oh?” I smirked. “Gonna lock me in my room or just order a chastity belt from Amazon? Get it Primed right on over?”

His expression clouded. “You think they have one on Amazon Prime?”

I hit him with one of the pillows, which sent me reeling backward onto the ground in a huff.

He grinned down at me. “I think I’d like to see you all suited up… Think of it as an adventure. The day you find the key you can unlock the treasure.”

I gave him the finger while he howled with laughter.

“You’re impossible,” I grumbled. “And I’ll find another buddy, maybe Leo or Finn wouldn’t mind.”

His expression contorted, and he went ape-shit. “The hell you are! If anyone is going with you, it’s me!”

“But—” Heat rushed into my cheeks. “—it would be weird.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re friends,” I said in a hollow voice.

Or maybe just because he still intimidates me, and I still taste him on my tongue. Yeah, those reasons too.

Knox sighed. “It doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not like you’re hell-bent on exploring your sexuality. You just had a bad day. Won’t happen again.”

“Are you asking or telling?”

“It was a one-time thing, right?” His eyes locked onto mine, as if he needed me to agree with every fiber of his body, and I wouldn’t have put it past him to log onto his Amazon account and make real on his threat just to prove he meant business.

Bastard.

“You know?” I got up and stretched. “I think I will.”

He stood, towering over me. “You got drugged last night.”

“I’ll be more careful next time.”

“Next… time.” He said the words slowly as if he was tasting, waiting for the bitterness around them to fill his mouth. “You’re impossible!”

He gave me his back.

“Thank you, though, for last night,” I said in a small voice. “I’m equal parts embarrassed and ashamed that I was so stupid to take a drink from someone I barely knew. I must have turned around or something. I guess it only takes a few seconds, huh?”

His shoulders relaxed as he slowly turned around. “Seconds, and a life could end. Yes.” His eyes were wild. “I want it to be me. I need it to be me, but if you can’t get ahold of me, take Leo, Finn — hell, I don’t even care if you take Slater. Just make sure you have someone with you. Anything can happen. You’re too pretty for your own good.”

He thinks I’m pretty! I tried not to smile too wide.

And failed.

He just shook his head and smiled. “I’m impressed with your restraint.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He smirked. “Lies.” Knox opened the door and called over his shoulder. “The last girl I called pretty passed out into her birthday cake — so yeah, the restraint is admirable, also pretty tempting.”

“That’s my goal. Tempt you until you can’t handle it anymore.” I laughed.

He didn’t. Instead, he walked tensely across the room, and I could have sworn he said, “It’s working.”





Chapter Twenty-Two


Knox

I ran my hands through my long hair and stood in the middle of the room. A feeling of nostalgia hit me so hard and fast that I had to lean against the wall before I could catch my breath.

Leo and Finn were sleeping with their mouths open.

And Slater?

Slater was spooning the damn unicorn.

Maybe if I was still enough, the universe would right itself again? Maybe she wouldn’t be dead. We would all still be friends? Maybe it would be different.