my middle and pulls me in tight.
I feel safe and loved … and happy. Sleep comes quickly.
Amos hands me the big Taco Bell bag and a package of gummy worms.
“Tacos and gummy worms! You’re the best,” I wrap my arms around his body, and hug him tight. Amos understands my love for all gummy candy. But there’s something about the sugary worms that I’m obsessed over. He thinks I’m silly but I swear they taste better than the bears. “Are you sure you can’t stay and hang today?”
“I wish I could, but I do have that paper to write,” he says with a sigh.
“I know. I’ve kept you long enough. Maybe we can hang out next weekend?” I offer.
“I hope so.” He grabs my pinkie in his, and we kiss our fists in our good-bye ritual. “Bye, Quinn,” he says.
“Bye! Thank you!” She waves from her bed before he closes the door behind him.
I turn to face Quinn and hold up the bag. “Hangover food at your service.”
She grins and claps her hands. “At least I feel better than last week. I think the water helped.”
I hand her a burrito, and she opens it before applying several packets of Mild sauce.
Rolling her burrito up, she takes a big bite. Her eyes roll back. “I could live off of this stuff,” she moans.
“Same,” I agree as I take a bite of my bean burrito.
“Amos is a keeper, I tell ya. Why aren’t you two together?” she asks.
Her question startles me.
“What do you mean?”
“Like, have you thought about dating him before? And if not, why? He’s the perfect man.”
I think on it. “Honestly, no. I’ve never looked at him like that. I know he’s beautiful, smart, and kind. I mean, he’s clearly a catch. Maybe I’ve felt attracted to him a few times in my life, but he’s too important to me. Relationships mess things up. Amos is the only constant in my life. He’s all I have. I could never risk doing anything that would jeopardize our friendship. Love is a gamble, and Amos is the one thing I’d never bet on losing.” Just talking about it makes my heart ache. “Plus, he’s like my brother. I don’t see him like that. He doesn’t see me like that either.”
“I get it.” Quinn nods. “So, you wouldn’t be jealous if he had a girlfriend?”
“No, I’d be happy for him.”
“What if his girlfriend were me?” She raises an eyebrow, and I almost choke on my mouthful of burrito.
I swallow. “Is there something I should know?”
She shrugs. “No, not yet. I figured you were secretly pining for him, but if you’re serious that you’re not, I might go after him.”
I grin. “I’m serious. There’s nothing going on between us. If you want to put the moves on him, go for it. Just promise me it won’t be awkward between us if he doesn’t reciprocate.” I don’t see him falling for Quinn, but I can’t tell her that and hurt her feelings.
“Oh, of course not. If he’s not into me, that’s cool, but I don’t see that happening,” she says with confidence.
“Someone’s a little cocky,” I tease.
“I know what I have to offer.”
“He’d be lucky to have you. Anyone would.”
We each hold our water bottles up in an air cheers.
“So,” Quinn says with a wag of her eyebrows, “let’s talk rush week.”
I throw my head back and laugh. “Oh gosh … let’s not.”
TWELVE
Leo
She comes to me in my dreams, and it makes me feel like a giant pussy, but I secretly love it. It’s been a month since I last saw her. An entire thirty days has passed since my mouth was on her.
Her lips. Her moans. Her tits.
My cock stands at attention.
Damn it.
I promised myself I’d start going to classes again today. Grabbing my phone, I check the clock, fist my hand around my dick, and close my eyes. In the darkness, she’s there—her small frame, curvy hips, and juicy ass. She looks to me with those round russet eyes of hers, framed by long lashes and so full of emotion. Her full lips make an appearance too. I could kiss, lick, and suck them all day.
I jump into the shower and then throw on some clothes. I haven’t gone to classes in four weeks. My brother, Stephen, sent me over a “doctor’s note” for my professors, letting them know I had a severe case of mono and needed to stay in bed for a month.
I’ve “come down with mono” at least twice a