you think you’ll run late.”
A few more students shuffled in, and Harrison pulled himself up into a seated position. I busied myself with getting my notebook, textbook, and pens in order. The door slammed open, hitting the mahogany wall behind it, and I jumped. Tate stood in the doorway a moment and then slowly made his way into the room like he owned the place. Though sunglasses still rested on his nose (despite being indoors), I felt his stare as he wove through the desks.
A few girls giggled and jumped to their feet, throwing their arms around his neck. “Where you been all summer, Tater?” One atrociously high-pitched voice squealed, and I cast a sideways glance at the bleached blonde girl in teeny low-cut jean shorts and a skimpy tank top. A bit of ass cleavage showed at the waistband of her jeans, and I rolled my eyes. How is that a cute trend?
Tate pulled his glasses down, and his eyes wandered over the girl’s shoulder, landing directly on me. I jerked my gaze away, becoming suddenly interested in my blank notebook. Guilt burned in me—it was my fault he’d been arrested last night. Well, his fault for being an ass to the cops, but still. I was somewhat responsible for them showing up in the first place.
I inwardly rolled my eyes. No. Harrison was right. That was not my fault, and I wouldn’t take the blame. He had several chances to turn the music down, and he didn’t. He had the choice to not try and “make them laugh,” but he fucked with them anyway. Tate got arrested because he was an arrogant ass who thought his bank account elevated him above the law.
Tate stood next to me. His presence was demanding, and I wanted to look up at him, despite my better judgment. The flutters were like no other I’d experienced. I was far from a blushing virgin, but still, no man had been able to cause chill bumps to surface with just a look. Until now, apparently.
His fresh scent caught in my throat. It was simple, like soap with hints of cool spice, and something else, too. Something that was entirely unique to Tate. I hated myself a little bit for already being so affected by that smell. For even knowing it already.
I finally twisted in my seat, locking eyes with him. He held my stare, dropping into the chair next to me. Harrison’s glare lowered, and he snorted. “Well, if it isn’t the rebel without a cause,” Harrison murmured, dipping his nose into his book.
“Hey, golden boy,” Tate said with a jerk of his chin. Pulling out his wallet, he pinched a crisp one hundred-dollar bill between his fingers, holding it out to Harrison. “Here you go. You won fair and square.”
“I didn’t take the bet,” Harrison said, scowl deepening.
“Sure you did,” Tate responded, still holding the money out.
“Dude, seriously. I don’t want your fucking money.”
Tate sat there an extra moment, then shrugged, tucking the money back into his wallet. Then he matched my stare once more, eyes burning into mine.
I raised a brow. “So, Joker. How’d you get out?”
His lips curved at the corners and he took a sip of coffee. “Joker? Please, if I’m anyone, it’s Bruce Wayne. I charmed my way out of that drunk tank.”
“By ‘charmed’ do you mean ‘called daddy’?” I gave him a sideways glance just in time to see his grin widen.
“Didn’t need to. Turned out, the officer on duty was a fellow dog lover. Showed him a few pics of Buddy on my phone, and he let me out in less than an hour.” He pulled his sunglasses down on his nose and sent me a wink.
I rolled my eyes and cracked open the French book. “If you’re fluent in French, why are you in this class?”
He sank into his seat. “It’s an easy A.”
Of course. Guys like Tate went for the easy things in life. The easy A. The easy laugh. The easy girl.
Then why is he going for you?
I pushed the thought away. “What’s your major?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know yet. Liberal arts for now.”
My forehead crinkled. “For now? What year are you?”
“I’m a senior.”
I shook my head, bringing my attention back to the books in front of me. I needed better radar on people. When we first met, I thought this guy was a hard-working student with a job—and yet, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
“That bothers you,” his voice hitched a few