them. “That’s the version I know.”
My hand releases her jacket, slipping inside to splay against her firm waist, the heat from it bleeding through her shirt. I lean in, pulling her even closer, and let my lips brush her ear as I speak.
“Then, when I lick you…that makes you mine, Cherry.”
Her small inhale is all I hear as I lift my eyes to the hallway, feeling as if I’m drunk. I am. I’m swimming in her, and she might be the most intoxicating fucking concoction I’ve ever encountered. My palm drops from Donovan as I brush past leaving her standing in the hall, and walk outside to join the guys.
It takes her almost three minutes to make it outside, but when she does, her face sours as soon as she sees Caroline.
“Whitmore.”
“Kennedy.”
Caroline immediately looks away to her other friends, and Donovan glances down at her phone, before searching the cars lining up to pick up.
This truce is uneasy between them, that much is obvious. But as much as I’d like to tell Caroline to disappear, I’m responsible for her, despite the fact she hasn’t spoken a word to me since the cafeteria on Monday. Not that I mind. She’s pissed because I chose a “side.” What I can’t tell her is that there was never a choice. I’ve always been on whatever side Donovan is standing.
Liam bends his knees to put his head on Donovan’s shoulder. “Come watch us practice.”
He wants more time with her too.
She pats the side of his cheek. “No. I have to go home. I have a ton of homework. I slacked today in class, trying to figure out the phone numbers of these two idiots I know.”
“If you come, I’ll tell you which one I am.” He grins, nudging his head into the crook of her neck, making her giggle louder before she steps back.
“No, seriously. I have too much to do. Next time. Plus, I like the mystery.”
“Bullshit,” I accuse, smirking at her returned scowl. “I’ll give you a ride. Send your car home. And you know that Liam and I can’t be trusted. You’ll never know which of us is which.”
She doesn’t answer, choosing to give me her best Mona Lisa smile as we stare at each other, making her unreadable. And tempting. I step in toward her, forgetting everyone around us when I’m stopped by Kai tapping my shoulder. “We have to go.”
She blinks rapidly, and looks to the side, revealing a light dusting of blush that’s crept up her neck to her cheek.
Liam joins me and faces Kai. “We’ll cover for you. She likes you best. Make her come.”
Donovan smiles as Kai starts walking toward her, spouting whatever nonsense he needs to say to convince her.
My feet carry me backward, and I tip my chin up, adding loudly, “Drag her kicking and screaming if you have to,” before I turn and make my way to practice.
Donovan
I POCKET MY PHONE, HAVING left a text message for my driver to let him know I’d be late, and ignore two back-to-back calls from my mom as I make my way through the crowded commons. My feet bounce down the concrete steps onto the expansive grass. It wasn’t hard to convince me to watch their practice. Kai isn’t much of a bully, more like a savvy negotiator. He promised me froyo every lunch and to keep Caroline on a leash if I came today. The froyo was the only part of the sentence I found remotely plausible.
A quiet laugh stays in my chest as I walk, knowing I would have come with only a request from him. He’s growing on me. Our shared love for YouTube makeup tutorials and hot guys is carving out a forever friendship between us.
Enveloped by the bright sun, I step out from the shade tree I’ve been walking under, making my eyes squint. It’s so bright for this time of year. But I won’t complain about this Indian summer, even if it makes me miss Spain a bit. My shoulder dips as I rummage through my black satchel searching for my sunnies.
“Where are you hiding,” I mumble, diving down again, just as my fingers come into possession. “Aha.”
The grass under my boots is soft, and I sink a bit with each step as I head toward the part of the river that Kai said the crew met at for their practice. He said they try and practice outside as much as possible until the weather turns, and I’m happy they