Ceaseless (Existence Trilogy #3)(30)

“He won’t hurt you. Trust me. Just avoid him. He’ll disappear soon enough.”

Must be paparazzi like I’d assumed. Cold Soul’s lead singer couldn’t hold their interest long. Not when they had movie stars behaving badly to chase down.

When we turned the corner and the front of our dorm came into view, I saw Dank leaning against his motorcycle with his arms crossed over hic chest talking to a couple of girls. He looked very uninterested and his eyes immediately found mine. He didn’t say anything to them as he straightened up and walked away from them toward me. That was the way I wanted a guy I was considering dating to act when he was being flirted with by other girls. I couldn’t keep the silly smile off my face.

“Looks like Romeo was waiting for your return.”

Dank

If my time was limited before Pagan’s soul began connect to Jay’s then I was going to make damn sure that she couldn’t get me out of her head. I’d spent all morning planning our evening. Now, I just had to get her to agree.

Gee muttered, “Pagan got some Bourbon street coffee this morning,” as she walked past me on her way to the dorm.

I didn’t need an explanation. I had warned Leif but I was ready to put some action behind my warning. She didn’t remember him. His time with her was over. His staying around was only going to confuse her.

“Hey,” Pagan said in way of greeting. She had stopped in front of me. She didn’t look upset or scared. Whatever Leif said to her hadn’t made an impact. Ghede really needed to get his kid a hobby. Pagan was no longer available for his entertainment.

“Good morning. How was class?”

She shrugged then an amused smile broke out on her face, “Gee had the professor a blubbering nervous wreck with her flirting.”

Leave it to Gee to cause a stir wherever she went. “Is that so? I take it you enjoyed the show.”

Pagan let out a small laugh, “Yes, I did. I probably shouldn’t but it was too funny to ignore. But it was so much easier taking notes on the laptop you sent me. Thank you so much. I promise to take good care of it.”

“Dank Walker! Oh wow, I saw you last week at Club Butter. You were amazing,” a girl stepped in front of Pagan and laid her hand on my chest as she began to prattle off some more. I reached for her wrist and removed her hand from my body then reached around her and grabbed Pagan’s hand and pulled her toward me.

“Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the show. If you’ll excuse us we were having a private conversation,” I informed her. She shifted her eyes from me to Pagan and an unimpressed smirk distorted her face. I slipped my hand around Pagan’s waist and pulled her closer to my side. She came willingly.

“Oh, well, when you want a little more excitement I can be found right back here,” she pointed at the dorm. Pagan had to live in the same building with her. I needed to make Gee aware that this one could be vindictive.

“I’m sure that will never be the case,” I replied.

The girl spun around and stalked off angrily. She wasn’t used to being turned down.

“What is it with her? Every guy I date she goes after.”

Pagan’s response caused me to tense up. What other guys had she been dating? I wasn’t aware she’d been out with anyone other than Jay. Had Gee been keeping something from me?

“Really?” I managed to ask in a normal voice. The anger and jealousy rolling through me was tamped down. Pagan couldn’t see that.

“Yeah, really. But at least you didn’t set up a date with her right in front of me. Jay made plans with her while on a date with me. I didn’t care exactly but it was a little embarrassing. Did nothing for my ego.”

He was an ass. How could he be her soul’s mate? They didn’t match up. He was far from worthy. “The guy is an idiot. There is no comparison between the two of you. She can’t compete.”

Pagan inhaled sharply then turned her face up to look at me, “Okay, yeah, you’re real good at this, Dank Walker. Real good.”

“I’m glad you like your laptop. Feel free to use the bag it’s in to carry your other books. Does this mean you’ll ride with me to our next class?” I asked pulling out her helmet.

The corner of her mouth turned up and she reached for the helmet. “Thank you. I’ll do that and, yeah, I think I will take that lift.”

Chapter Fifteen

Pagan

I had a date with Dank. A real date, not an impromptu breakfast—a real date. Just us. I was as excited as I was nervous. However, I wasn’t sure what to wear. This must have been the way Miranda felt when she was getting ready to go out with Nathan.

“You can pull off the boy shorts and bra well, but I’m thinking clothing may be required for where you’re going tonight,” Gee said as she walked into the room through our adjoining bathroom without knocking.

“Funny,” I replied frowning at her. “I can’t decide what to wear. He said I could dress however I wanted to dress but that isn’t very helpful.”

“I’m thinking he didn’t mean clothing optional,” Gee drawled as she plopped down on my bed.

“You think? Thanks for clueing me in. I was thinking I might just parade around in my undies all night.”

Gee laughed, “On second thought, he’d probably like that. I still vote for the clothes though.”