Bared Souls - Ellie Wade Page 0,4

It helps.” His voice is clipped.

I shake my head and step around him before speed-walking to the restroom.

“What a jerk,” I grumble as the restroom door swings behind me. A hot-as-hell one, but a prick nonetheless.

Why are all the beautiful ones such assholes? No, that’s not true. Amos is beautiful.

I only saw him for a second, but his appearance had such an effect on me that the mental picture in my mind is crystal clear. Disheveled chestnut-brown hair, striking blue eyes, a strong jaw, and full lips, and so tall. Though, with my height at five feet two inches, most men are tall next to me.

Pulling in a breath, I clear the thoughts of the guy next to the hostess stand.

I mean, I said I was sorry.

After washing my hands, I head back toward our table.

The dude is gone, and Amos and Quinn are standing in the lobby area, chatting.

“What about the check?” I inquire.

“Amos paid for the bill before I knew it. I tried to give him money for my meal, but he wouldn’t take it,” Quinn says.

I squint my eyes and smirk in Amos’s direction. “Yeah, he has a way of doing that.”

“It was my treat. It’s not a big deal. You ready?” he asks me.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Amos has been taking care of me my whole life. Someday, I hope to repay him for all he’s done. As we walk back to the dorm, a shadow of loneliness invades my heart. I’m not ready for him to leave. Twenty minutes away is nothing, but it’s farther than he’s ever been. I don’t know if I’m ready to be without him.

THREE

Alma

Amos sticks around and helps me put the rest of my clothes away. Then, the two of us walk around campus with my class schedule in hand. I have all day tomorrow to explore before classes start on Monday, but I like Amos here with me.

The temperature has dropped, and the wind has picked up, making it a pleasant evening for a walk.

“You know, Quinn has a thing for you,” I tell him.

“She’s not very stealthy, that one. I kind of figured.” He chuckles.

“Why haven’t you dated anyone—ever?” The question leaves my mouth as I suddenly realize that fact.

Amos is such a catch. I know he’s had interest.

“Why haven’t you?” he answers me in question.

I pucker my lips and throw him a mock glare. “You know why. I needed to focus to get away from there. I needed scholarships, not relationships. I couldn’t let anything jeopardize my future. Not some high school boy who wouldn’t matter in the long run, you know? No one stays with their high school sweetheart, so risking my grades over a boyfriend wasn’t an option.”

“Same reasons for me,” he replies.

“You didn’t need scholarships,” I state since his parents have money.

“I needed good grades to get into Michigan though,” he retorts, and years of memories and his obsession with getting into his dream school surface.

“True. So, are you going to date now?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Maybe. If I find someone I want to date. I still have to get good grades to get accepted into the business school.”

“Yeah, but you can do both.”

“Perhaps. I guess we’ll see. Why the sudden dating talk?” he questions as we turn the corner toward my dorm.

“I don’t know. I just don’t want you to be alone.” My voice trembles with the last word as I realize the fear of loneliness for both of us weighs heavily on my heart.

Amos stops. “Alma, look at me.”

I look up into his deep brown eyes.

“I’m only twenty minutes or a phone call away. You’re not alone.” He reaches down and hooks his pinkie with mine.

“I know. It’s just going to be different.” My bottom lip quivers as my eyes fill with unshed tears.

I can’t believe I’m feeling this way. I’ve wanted to be at college for as long as I can remember, and now that I’m here, I’m afraid. I never realized how dependent I was on Amos’s support. He’s my person. He’s had my back for so long. I always thought I was incredibly strong and determined, but standing here now, I’m wondering if it was all a facade. Perhaps it was Amos that kept me strong.

“I’m going to miss you not being next door,” I admit.

He brings the hand not holding mine up to my face and swipes the pad of his thumb across my cheek, collecting a rogue tear. “You don’t have to miss me because I’m not leaving you.