“No, actually that isn’t how it ends,” I laugh. Hardin makes me insane most of the time, but it’s the rare occasions like this when he makes me forget how terrible he can be. I forget that I am supposed to hate him and instead find myself tossing one of Steph’s pillows at him. He lets it hit him, even though he could easily block it, and then yelps as if he is actually wounded, so we both laugh again.
“Let me stay and watch it with you,” he half-asks, half-demands.
“I don’t think that is a good idea,” I tell him and he shrugs.
“The worst ideas are often the best ideas. Besides, you wouldn’t want me to drive back drunk, would you?” He smiles, and I can’t resist even though I know I should.
“Fine, but you are sitting on the floor or Steph’s bed.”
He pouts but I hold my ground. God knows what will happen if we are both on my small bed. I flush at the possibilities and then scold myself for thinking that way when I just promised Noah I would stay away from Hardin. It sounds like such a simple promise to make, but somehow I always find my way to Hardin. Or, like tonight, he finds his way to me.
Hardin slides down to the floor and I take a moment to admire how hot he looks in a plain white T-shirt. The contrast of his black ink and white shirt is perfect and I love the way the ivy branches along the bottom of his neck peak out from under the collar and the black ink can be seen under the material.
I press play and immediately he asks, “Got any popcorn?”
“No, you should have brought your own,” I tease and turn the screen so he can see it better from the floor.
“I could always go for another type of snack,” he says and I smack his head lightheartedly.
“Watch the movie, and no more talking, or I’ll kick you out.”
Hardin pretends to zip his lips and hand me a key, which makes me giggle as I pretend to toss it behind me. As Hardin lays his head back against the bed, I feel more calm and at peace than I have all week.
Hardin watches me more than the movie, but I don’t care. I notice the way he smiles when I laugh at a funny line, the way he frowns when I sob over Paige losing her memory, and the way he too sighs with relief when Paige and Leo end up together again in the end.
“So what did you think?” I ask him as I scroll through to find another movie.
“Utter rubbish.” But he smiles, and I ruffle my hand through his hair before I realize what I’m doing. I sit myself up and he turns toward the wall.
Way to make it awkward, Tessa.
“Let me choose the next movie,” he says and reaches for my laptop.
“Who said you could stay for another?” I ask and he rolls his eyes.
“Can’t drive. Still drunk,” he says with a mischievous grin.
I know he is lying. He’s mostly sobered up, but he’s right. He should stay. I will deal with whatever Hardin decides to do to me tomorrow, just to be able to spend time with him. I really am pathetic, just like he said. And at the moment, I don’t care.
I want to ask him why he came here and why he isn’t at his own frat party, but I decide to wait until the movie is over because I know he will turn sour once I begin to question him. Hardin chooses some Batman film that I haven’t seen and swears it is the best movie of all time. I laugh at his enthusiasm as he tries to explain the previous movies in the trilogy, but I have no idea what he is talking about. Noah and I always watch movies together, but I have never enjoyed it as much as I do with Hardin. Noah stares at the screen in silence, whereas Hardin banters along, adding hilarious sarcastic entertainment.
“My ass is numb from your hard floor,” Hardin complains as soon as the movie begins.
“Steph’s bed is nice and soft,” I say, and he frowns.
“I won’t be able to see the screen from over there. Come on, Tessa, I will keep my hands to myself.”
“Fine,” I groan and scoot over.
He smiles and lies next to me on his stomach mimicking me, bending his