The Billionaire Boys Club (Billionaire Romance Series Book 1(37)

“What makes you think that?” she challenged him.

“I’ve known Ryan Perkins since he was in diapers. He’s not interested in you, except as a trophy.”



“Excuse me?”



“Don’t let yourself get hurt, Kelsey,” Tyler said, turning away. “You sleep with him, it’s over.”



Kelsey looked at his back. Then she shouted,

“You’re just jealous!”



Tyler turned and looked at her.

“What?”



Kelsey, stood, stunned at her own comment. Tyler hadn’t shown the slightest interest in Kelsey since she had arrived at Darrow, and she knew that. But she decided to plow on to the end.

“You’re jealous because he asked me out and I said yes,” she stammered.

Tyler surveyed her with interest. Then he sighed.

“Don’t get hurt, Kelsey,” Tyler repeated. Then he picked up his towel and walked out of the gym.

Kelsey stood motionless on the treadmill, sweat dripping down her forehead, trying to understand what had just happened. Was Tyler telling the truth about Ryan? Why was he telling her even if it was true? And why, oh why had she said that Tyler was jealous? Kelsey didn’t believe for a second that he was, but yet….

Kelsey shook her head angrily, and her ponytail brushed her damp neck. Then she restarted the machine and started to run.



At lunch, Kelsey related what had happened at the gym to Jessica.

“So do you think Tyler’s right?” Jessica asked her.

“I have no idea. And why would he tell me? We aren’t friends. He’s friends with Ryan.”



“Yeah, but you said that he helps you in the gym sometimes.”



“He just doesn’t want me to get injured.”



Jessica shrugged and took a bite of sandwich. “Maybe he doesn’t want your heart to get injured either. You might have a claim against their company.”



Kelsey smiled at the legal joke. “I don’t know what to do, if anything. I mean, what if he’s lying?”



“Why would he lie? You said that you don’t think he’s interested in you.”



“Maybe he wants to get back at Ryan for something.”



“I think he could find an easier way,” Jessica said, wiping her lips with a napkin. “Look, how about this. Tell Ryan that you won’t sleep with him.”



“What?”



“Just tell him you’re saving yourself for marriage.”



“Oh, come on. He’s not going to believe that.”



“Why not? Lots of girls do. Anyway, see how he responds. If he dumps you, you know that Tyler’s right.”



“And if he doesn’t, I’ve unnecessarily gotten in the way of what could be a nice relationship for me.”



“Kels, if Ryan actually cares about you, I don’t think it would matter that much right now. A few months down the road, you could change your mind. I know he seems nice, and he’s adorable, but Tyler has known him for a lot longer than you have.”



Kelsey sighed.

“I’ll think about it,” she said.



The next day, Tyler arrived at the gym 15 minutes after Kelsey had started running. She had run a good distance on the machine, due to her need to work out her irritation with Tyler’s meddling. Today though, Tyler was absolutely silent. He used the elliptical machine and did his usual series of weights. Then he left without a word.



That afternoon, Kelsey had lunch with Ryan. He had asked her to go with him before class, and they had headed to the small coffee shop in the student center instead of eating in the dining hall. Ryan was his normal, friendly self and Kelsey enjoyed every minute with him. After they finished a long lunch and Kelsey was heading back to her room, she wondered why she had ever listened to Tyler and Jessica. Obviously Ryan wasn’t just after her body. She decided to put aside Jessica’s test and just let things progress on their own.

When she arrived in Property class a half hour later, Ryan waved as Kelsey took her seat. She smiled at him. Tyler walked in and sat next to Zach a few moments later.

“Miss North,” Professor Weber said as class began. Kelsey looked up. “I’m confident that you did the reading over the weekend.”



“I did, Professor Weber,” Kelsey replied. And she had. Despite all the drama over the weekend over her date, she had studied the cases diligently, knowing that he was going to call on her.

“Excellent,” Professor Weber said. “Since I don’t need to quiz you on your knowledge of the cases, I’d like us to have a different discussion.” Kelsey nodded hesitantly. “So, Miss North, let’s discuss John Locke.”



John who? Kelsey knew that John Locke was a philosopher, and that he had some justifications about property and what made one entitled to it, but she had skimmed over the half-page about him and focused on the case law.

“Locke and his beliefs are critically important to your understanding about property,” Professor Weber continued. “Without understanding Locke, it’s difficult to get a grasp on why courts rule the way that they do in property cases.”