A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime (Lancaster Prep )(83)

And she really doesn’t care.

I look away from her first, hating that I gave in, but I don’t want to have a confrontation in the hall with her that everyone would witness. That’ll make everything even worse.

Gosh, I really, really don’t like her.

Heading outside, I tuck my coat around me, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one’s paying attention to where I’m going. But it’s so cold, everyone is pretty much in the dining hall, where I wish I was too.

Or maybe not.

Honestly, I wish I could run away from this place and never look back. Preferably with Crew by my side.

I walk behind the building where I found Crew and his friends doing drugs, and that moment seems like such a long time ago. So much has happened in such a short amount of time, it’s overwhelming.

I come to a stop when I see Crew standing there, his back to me, his face tilted toward the sky. He turns, as if he can sense I’m behind him, and then as if I have no control, I’m running toward him, his arms going wide as I practically throw myself at him. He holds me close, his mouth at my forehead, his hard, hot body warming the chill I haven’t been able to shake since I woke up this morning to Maggie knocking on my door.

“Birdy, you’re shaking,” he murmurs against my temple, just before he kisses it.

I melt against him, closing my eyes, savoring how tight he’s holding me. “Everything is a mess.”

“I know. But we have options.” He slips his fingers beneath my chin, lifting my face up. “We either ignore it and wait for another scandal to replace this one or…”

I frown, hating that option. “Or what?”

A sigh leaves him. “Or I expose Figueroa publicly and tell everyone he was with Natalie last night."

Oh, that’s right. We haven’t even discussed that yet.

“You really saw him with Natalie last night?”

“After you went inside, I saw a car pull into the parking lot. I ducked behind a bush when I realized it was Figueroa’s and waited to see who would get out of his car. I thought it would be Maggie.”

“He was supposed to meet her last night,” I whisper. “He texted her, said something else came up. She told me this morning.”

“Yeah, because he was with Natalie.” Crew’s expression is thunderous. “I told Matthews what I saw. He’ll have to report it to the authorities. She’s a minor.”

“This will devastate Maggie. She’s in love with him.” I don’t tell him about her being pregnant.

“In the end, she’ll know it was the right thing to do. He’s a creep. He’s playing two girls this semester, and he’s been doing it for years.” He scowls. “He was going to try and get with you next. I know he was.”

A shiver moves through me at the thought. Would I have fallen for it? Before Crew came along and disrupted my world, I might’ve. I don’t know. We’ll never know. “He probably hates me now. I told him to stay out of my business at the end of class, after you left.”

Crew’s brows shoot up. “You did?”

I nod, feeling bad over what I said to him, even though he deserved it. I don’t mention he was warning me off Crew. “And I never talk back to a teacher.”

He smiles. “My little birdy is getting her wings.”

“Stop.” I roll my eyes.

“It’s true.” He slowly runs his fingers through my hair. “I hate the rumors that are out there right now. Natalie’s not stopping them. She told Matthews we were meeting up last night before we got caught.”

My stomach cramps. “Seriously?”

He nods. “She doesn’t want Figueroa to get caught. I know it. Why the hell do they all protect him so much? He doesn’t deserve it.”

I grab hold of the front of his coat, clutching the heavy wool. “Be real with me right now, Crew.”

His expression turns somber. “About what? I’ve told you the truth.”

“So you really didn’t—hook up with Natalie last night?” My voice is a whisper, barely heard. Carried away on the wind.

“No,” he says vehemently. “I was with you. All I could think about was you. And how good you tasted.”

My cheeks go hot, despite the cold air. “Crew.”

“I’m serious.” He ducks his head, nuzzling my face with his, his breath hot against my ear. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“I can’t stop thinking about you either,” I whisper.

“Natalie is fucking everything up. I should’ve minded my own business and kept walking when I saw the car lights pull in, but I had to know.” He presses his mouth to my cheek, seeming to breathe me in.

I close my eyes, pressing my forehead to his chest. “I don’t like her. But you’re doing the right thing, Crew.”

“You really think so?”

I nod, then look up at him. “Yes.”

He kisses me, so gently I almost want to cry. Who knew this boy could be so sweet?

“You coming over tonight to finish watching the movie?”

I’m sure that’s code for messing around.

“I shouldn’t,” I answer. “Everyone’s probably watching you.”

I can sense the disappointment radiating off of him, but we can’t risk it—and he knows it. “Maybe tomorrow? It’s a Friday. Curfew isn’t as strict. Or are you going home?”