I Just Need You - J. Nathan Page 0,13
of the hallway at two o’clock in the fucking morning, that’s when it hit me. Me and the rich princess had more in common than I realized.
Dammit.
CHAPTER SIX
Kresley
Marco standing outside my room the next morning was a welcome sight. Despite my lack of sleep the previous night and the exhaustion I currently felt, I smiled as I took in his jeans and blue Henley. “Morning.”
Marco nodded, and I was beginning to realize he only spoke when absolutely necessary. Tristan was the opposite, offering his opinion freely. It must’ve been his age or inexperience. Because I’d been around enough bodyguards to know, they took their jobs very seriously. And pissing off the client wasn’t ever their top priority.
“I like your outfit,” I complimented Marco.
His lips quirked as I walked to the showers.
“You can smile, Marco,” I called over my shoulder. “I won’t tell my parents.”
He didn’t say anything, just waited outside the bathroom while I showered and then my room while I got ready for class. He walked alongside me out of the building, growling when a couple of guys pushed between us as they rushed into the dorm from what looked like their morning run.
Marco stayed a few feet behind me on the path, giving me space while still assessing the area around us. We arrived at the building where I had my Ethics class. It was more modern than the other buildings I’d been in and was located behind the library, not on the quad like my other classes. Inside, Tristan—in black on black—leaned against the hallway wall outside my classroom. I didn’t meet his gaze, just said goodbye to Marco and disappeared inside.
I took a seat in the middle of the small classroom. Students filled in the seats around me and before long the professor entered and began his hour-long lecture on unethical behavior in the workplace. If ever there were a lecture Tristan needed to sit in on, this was the lecture. Luckily, it was Marco who waited for me after class. He stalled to follow me, but I slowed my pace so I could walk beside him.
We crossed campus on our way to event planning, my final class for the day.
“Watch out!” someone yelled.
Marco jumped in front of me, shielding me from impending danger. He reached out and snatched the Frisbee that flew at our heads, glaring at the guy who threw it. He tossed it back to him.
“Sorry!” the guy called.
“No problem!” I called back, trying to ease Marco’s agitation while calming my own nerves. I glanced over at Marco as we continued to walk. “It would’ve done me some good to get knocked in the head with the Frisbee.”
His forehead scrunched as he searched my face.
“A black eye would’ve made me look tough.”
He cocked his head. “Or, like the other guy got in a good shot.”
“You saying I can’t protect myself?” I teased.
His eyes assessed my biceps—make that lack thereof. “You got a weapon?”
“Yeah. You.”
He cracked a smile.
“There it is,” I said, as much needed warmth spread to my chest. “I knew you had it in you.”
***
“You have to tell us,” Elodie whispered over dinner.
I leaned forward, inching closer to her seated across from me in the noisy dining hall. “What do you mean?”
“Who’s the other guy?” Alice asked from beside me. “The one in the room across from yours.”
I rolled my eyes on a groan. “Tristan.”
“Tristan,” Alice cooed.
“Don’t let his good looks fool you. He’s a jerk.”
“I wondered about him,” Elodie said. “I introduced myself as his RA and he slammed the door in my face.”
“Sounds about right,” I said before taking a sip of my water.
“You don’t have to like him to hook up with him,” Alice said, popping a French fry into her mouth. “Just tell him to keep his mouth shut.”
Elodie burst out laughing.
I peeked over at Marco standing across the room and out of earshot—thank God. “There’s no chance of that happening.”
“Does that mean he’s fair game?” Alice asked.
“If you’re into cold jerky types,” I said.
“I’m into his type. He’s got to be the hottest guy on campus,” she said.
I wouldn’t argue with that. Those eyes were hypnotizing, but… “Just be warned,” I said. “The second he opens his mouth, he’ll ruin it for you.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Tristan
I lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, my nightly routine as I waited for Kresley’s two a.m. bathroom run. Sleep felt heavy in my eyes, but I fought it. It was just a matter of time before I got her text anyway.
I