Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(29)

“It has nothing to do with you.” I can’t resist the urge to reach out and brush a strand of hair away from her face. “I guess I can’t really give you an explanation.” I shrug, not really sure what to say to her. “Other than I’m an *.”

“I don’t buy that.” She holds my gaze, her expression challenging. “I think there’s a lot more to you than you let people see.” She turns, pulling open the front door of the bar and stepping inside before I have time to even process her statement, let alone respond.

I follow Kimber as she weaves through the crowd of people towards the bar, spotting Gavin lounging on a stool with a few other people just moments before Kimber stops in front of him.

“Guess you found him.” Gavin gives Kimber a wide smile before turning hesitant eyes in my direction.

I give him a tight nod, not sure if I want to thank him or punch him for telling Kimber where she could find me. On one hand, tonight has been exactly what I needed. On the other, I fear that it has only made this situation more complicated, and I don’t do complicated.

“Give me your keys.” I hold out my hand, not bothering to actually ask.

“What the f*ck for?” he slurs, clearly having spent a good portion of his night on the receiving end of the bar.

“I’m gonna drive Kimber home.” I keep my hand extended.

I make no attempt to move until he finally rolls his eyes, reaches into his pocket, and drops the keys into my palm.

“Crash upstairs tonight. I don’t want your ass sleeping on the floor again.” I give him a stern look before turning back to Kimber who seems to be watching our interaction curiously.

“Come on.” I grab her hand, immediately leading her through the bar and out of the back exit.

The moment we step outside I pull a cigarette out of my jacket and press it between my lips. I catch Kimber’s gaze just as I light it, turning my face towards her as I take a deep drag.

I half expect her expression to be one of judgment but am surprised to see it’s more so a look of curiosity.

“What?” I ask, turning my face to let the smoke billow from my lungs.

“Nothing.” She shakes her head, dropping my hand when I stop directly next to Gavin’s black pickup truck. “Just trying to figure something out.”

“What’s that?” I ask, taking another deep inhale.

“You,” she answers simply.

“Well, good luck with that.” I let out a gruff laugh as I blow upwards, trying not to get smoke in her face. I may be an *, but I’m not that inconsiderate. “Come on.” I peel open the driver’s side door and gesture for her to climb across.

I take two more deep drags off my cigarette before stomping it out with the heel of my boot. Climbing into the cab of the truck, I turn my face towards Kimber whose eyes are still firmly focused on me.

“Keep looking at me like that and we won’t make it out of this parking lot,” I warn, her mouth dropping open slightly at my statement as she takes a sharp inhale.

“Maybe that’s the point.” She teases, snapping her seatbelt, her gaze remaining focused directly on me.





Chapter Eleven


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Kimber

The ride back to campus is a silent one. There is this mounting need to say something, yet neither of us seems to be in any rush to break the silence or say what needs to be said. The further we drive, the more I feel Decklan withdraw.

It’s clear he has walls put up. He’s so hesitant to just be, which tells me he’s not used to giving up any amount of the control or restraints he places on himself. I wish I could figure it out but he’s extremely hard to read.

I can’t help the disappointment that settles over me when he finally pulls into a spot outside of my dorm building, throwing the truck into park.

“Thank you for the ride.” I unsnap my seatbelt before turning my gaze on Decklan.

He’s gripping the steering wheel tightly, his eyes focused directly in front of him. Not really sure what to do, I sit for several long seconds before finally deciding I should just go. Reaching for the door handle I push it open, the cool night air flooding into the cab of the truck as I slide out.

“Night, Decklan,” I say as casually as possible, giving him a small smile when he finally turns his dark eyes in my direction.

“Goodnight, Kimber.” He gives me a stiff nod before turning his attention forward again.

Frustrated by how quickly things seem to shift between us, I slam the door the shut with a little more force than I intend before setting off in the direction of my building. I can feel the tears welling behind my eyes before I even reach the sidewalk just a few short feet away.

I know it’s foolish. I know crying over a man like Decklan is useless and will get me nowhere, but I can’t lose the disappointment I feel. Shaking my head, I manage to push the tears away before a single one has the chance to fall. If there’s one thing I have mastered, it’s keeping my real feelings hidden. Taking a deep inhale, I climb the small stone stairwell that leads to the front door of my dorm building.

Pulling my key from my pocket, I no more than slide it into the lock when Decklan’s voice washes over me from behind, halting my movements.

“Kimber, wait.”