Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(42)

“Maybe it’s not what you think” I interject.

“Bullshit.” She spins towards me. “What did Decklan say? Where is he?” she asks, seeming to already know.

“He didn’t say specifically,” I answer truthfully.

“But he’s not there right?”

“No,” I confirm.

“See, I just don’t get it. If he doesn’t want to hang out with me why not just say that? Why lie to me about having to cover the bar?”

“I don’t know.” I hate that I can’t find something else to say.

“Fuck it.” She throws her hands up. “He wants to play that way, fine. Two can play that game.” She crosses towards the closet, ripping the door open the moment she reaches it.

“What are you doing?” I watch as she shuffles through her clothes, finally pulling out a pair of jeans and a skimpy black top, throwing them across her bed.

“I’m going out,” she answers like it should be obvious. “His actions have made it very clear what he wanted from me. I’m not about to sit around and mope over a man who clearly just used me for a piece of ass.” She slides off her long sleeve t-shirt and tosses it onto the floor.

“Where are you going?”

“Angel and Jess are hitting up Metros tonight. I think I’ll join them.” She slides off her jeans, having absolutely no shame about stripping in front of me. “You should come with us,” she tacks on.

“No thanks. I’ve got to work on my project tonight. At this rate I’m never going to complete it on time,” I say, referring to the self-portrait that I’ve been working on for nearly a week and have started from scratch on three times now.

“Suit yourself.” She flips her long blonde hair over her shoulder as she turns, disappearing into the bathroom.

Shaking my head, I push off of the bed and slide on my shoes before crossing the short distance of the room. Slipping on my jacket, I grab my bag from the floor before pushing open the door and stepping into the hallway, closing it quietly behind me.

There are so many things I would rather be doing tonight, but time is not on my side right now. With my school and work schedule, I’ll be lucky if I can manage to turn in something even remotely acceptable.

At least, the labs are open twenty-four hours a day, and I can spend as much time as I need trying to finish it. I have flown through all my other assignments with next to no issue, creating some of my best work in the three short months I’ve been here, but for whatever reason I can’t seem to pound this one out. Every time I try I just end creating some generic piece that looks like I just slapped a sloppy picture of my face on the canvas, and that’s not the point.

It’s not about painting my face or my physical appearance at all for that matter. It’s about painting myself as I see me, from the inside out. Problem is, I’m not sure that I know what that me looks like anymore.





Chapter Sixteen


––––––––

Kimber

“What are you doing here?” The surprise in my voice is clear.

I can’t help the wide smile that stretches across my face at the sight of Decklan. His incredible body dressed in his usual fitted t-shirt, dark jeans and black leather jacket, his messy hair falling haphazardly in front of his impossibly handsome face.

Oh dear Lord, please help me. I swear he gets better looking each time I see him as if that were even possible. Just the sight of him makes my legs tremble slightly beneath my weight.

I had no idea he was coming out this way today, let alone that I would find him standing outside waiting for me to get off work.

“I missed you.” His statement causes my chest to constrict tightly as I cross the sidewalk to where he’s leaning casually against his bike just outside of Lovett’s.

“Well, here I am,” I tease.

Grabbing the front of his shirt, I pull his face down to mine. The moment our lips meet the same familiar tingle surges through my body. It starts at the point of contact and slowly spreads until I can feel the effects of him everywhere.

He slows my advances, smiling against my mouth just seconds before he pulls back and stares down at me with those incredible gray eyes of his.

“Do you have a couple hours free? I want to show you something.” He runs the pad of his thumb along my chin causing me to take a sharp inhale.

“Of course,” I agree instantly. “But should I change?” I gesture to my long black top and skinny jeans, partnered with a pair of black flats.

“You’re perfect.” He drops another brief kiss to my lips. “Besides, it’s only going to be us.” His eyes twinkle mischievously.

“What are you up to?” I hit him with a curious look, not able to contain my smile.

“You’ll see,” he promises, turning to retrieve his motorcycle helmet before depositing it onto my head.

****

“Where are we?” I look up at Decklan who only gives me a wide smile and winks before tangling his fingers with mine and pulling me towards the back of the old brick building in front of us.

“Just come on.” He laughs lightly, quickening his pace.

I have no idea where exactly we are, but considering we drove for only a few short minutes to get here I’d say we aren’t that far from campus. We are surrounded by at least a handful of other buildings that seem to be set up similarly; all the same, dingy two story brick. There are intersecting sidewalks that connect to form almost a circle around the buildings.