Fighting Fate (Fighting #7)(20)

“But it’s a year overseas.” I hook my backpack straps with my thumbs and weave through the crowds of co-eds lingering between classes. “I’ve got school and…” I slam my lips shut. “I’ll get where I want to be another way. It’s not like this’ll make or break my career.”

Ryder stops and his sudden freeze makes me do the same.

“What?”

His eyes narrow. “You’re passing this up for her, aren’t you?”

Fuck yes. “No, I’m passing it up because I have a plan. Finish college, get my first fight, and once I graduate I’ll be able to do—”

“You’re a f*ckin’ liar.” He chuckles and continues to walk. “Can’t believe you’re gonna pass this up for a chick. I’d say you deserve to lose your balls for that, but my guess is you handed those over to her a long time ago.”

I have no defense or desire to continue this conversation. I focus on the quad, which is bustling with people who’re grabbing food between classes.

We spot Theo at a table and head over to say hi. My eyes scan the area for Axelle. She’s usually here by now, but I don’t see her.

“What’s up?” Ryder drops down to sit next to one of the two girls Theo’s entertaining.

“Oh, hey.” One of the girls leans around Theo to study me. “I know you.”

I peer down at her. She’s good-looking and has bright red hair that falls over her shoulders in waves and a few perfectly placed freckles across her pale cheeks. “Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah, we had Econ together last year.” She lifts her strawberry blond brow. “Dr. Farlow, remember?”

“That’s right.” She looks vaguely familiar, but we never spoke. “How’d you do in that class?”

“B plus. You?”

“A.”

She smiles sweetly. “Nice.”

“Killian’s never gotten a B in his life,” Theo pipes up from across the table. “He’s got a 158 IQ.”

Her eyebrows pop up to her hairline. “Is that true?”

A flash of warmth hits my cheeks.

“Fuck yeah, it’s true,” Ryder answers. “Too bad his decision-making is less than genius.”

I glare at the guy, grateful no one at the table asks questions about his verbal jab.

“So, are we going out for Valentine’s Day or what?” Theo asks the brunette who’s been staring at him adoringly.

“Depends.” She flips her hair in that way girls do. “Are you going to actually take me out, or is this like the last date you took me on where we hung out on your couch?”

Whatever good mood I’d managed to find fizzles at the mention of Valentine’s Day. It’s been a bummer holiday since the night Axelle’s dad reappeared in her life only to crush her to pieces.

After that, we’ve always spent the holiday together. It’s never romantic. We pass the time by going to the movies, grabbing something to eat, or these last two years we’ve spent watching Jack so Blake could take Layla out. It’s not their favorite holiday either, and between the four of us, we’re like the Cupid Killing Squad, all trying desperately to normalize a day that has left us with memories that are far from pleasant.

“…come with us, Killian.”

I shake my thoughts at the sound of the redhead saying my name. “Yeah?”

“Oh yay! It’s settled then.” She motions to Ry and Theo. “The three of us, so it’ll be, what, a triple date!”

Oh shit. “Wait, for Valentine’s Day? I can’t—”

Ryder slaps me on the shoulder. “Of course he can.”

I glare at him and he manages to smile wickedly. Fuckface.

“Great!” The redhead scribbles something on a piece of paper and rips it off, handing it to me. “Here’s my phone number.”

Ryder snags the paper from her since I make zero attempt to take it. I am not taking this girl out for Valentine’s Day.

She stands up and her friend follows her lead. “We have to go, but keep in touch and we’ll work out the details.” She flashes another sweet smile and then walks off with a confident sway in her hips.

Theo jumps up too. “Hillary, wait up.” He chases after the brunette.

I swivel around to glare at Ry. “What the f*ck do you think you’re doing?”

“Helping you to move on.” He chuckles and takes a swig of Red Bull. “It’s one night, bro.” He tosses me the scrap of paper.

I take it and look at the girly swirl numbers of her phone number. “I don’t even know her name.”

“Really? You guys had a class together.” He shakes his head. “Her name is Brynn. For a genius, you’re really f*cking stupid.”

“Look. I’m not going.” I toss the scrap of paper back at him.

Ryder’s eyebrows pop above his sunglasses. “You got something better to do?”

He knows Axelle and I spend Valentine’s Day together every year, so I don’t answer.

He leans in. “Don’t worry, Kill. Something tells me her plans are already made anyway, and…” He nods to a spot just over my shoulder. “My guess is they don’t include you.”

I spin around, and all the air is sucked from my lungs. Axelle’s across the way and sandwiched between a tree trunk and Clifford. His head is tilted and his tongue’s down her throat. I cringe but can’t look away.