Riley got roped into working as a member of the waitstaff for one of Lauren’s Christmas parties on Thursday evening. She and Linus will make the drive Friday. My parents, ever the optimistic sorts, are flying in next Friday for the finals.
Brandon tugs me toward the door. Apparently, our conversation wasn’t finished with the shirt.
Once we’re outside the dining room, Brandon shoves his hands in his pockets and keeps walking.
“I don’t think you should get involved with Mason,” he says, looking straight ahead, toward the lobby and the wall of windows. It’s snowing again; huge, lazy flakes drift from the sky, in no hurry to meet their final destination.
“Excuse me?”
He looks over, his dark blue eyes locking on mine. “Sadie told me you went to his room last night, that you were there for hours.”
I let out a frustrated growl. “I fail to see how any of this is your business.”
“He’s going to hurt you, Harper. Guys like him…they live in a different world.” He narrows his eyes. “The kind with too many options.”
Stopping, I cross my arms, keeping my tone light. “I’m not good enough for him then? Is that what you think?”
Most guys would sputter, say something stupid to amend their words. But I should know better. It’s harder to throw Brandon.
He turns to me, stepping into my space. “Nice try.”
My crossed arms brush his chest, and I gulp. We shouldn’t be this close. It’s wrong, and I know it. Sadie might not be my most favorite person, but I don’t want to hurt her. And if she found us like this, it would definitely hurt.
I take a purposeful step back, and Brandon shoves a hand through his thick, perfectly trimmed chocolate hair. He looks like he wants to say something, something he’s struggling to put into words. “We need to talk about us.”
“There is nous,” I say, but my heart has found its way to my throat.
“Fine,” he snaps. “We need to talk about Sadie.”
I point a finger at his chest, giving him a little jab. “We’ve done more than enough of that already. She’s your girlfriend. What else is there to say?”
Before Brandon can answer, Mason turns the corner, coming our way from the dining hall. He grins when he sees me, though that smile dims when he notices Brandon. I’m sure it’s evident from the looks on our faces that he’s interrupting something.
Mason stops by my side in a silent, I’m-here-to-provide-backup sort of way.
Irritation is written all over Brandon’s face, but he shrugs it off and dons his ever-friendly expression.
“Mason, this is Brandon.” I falter for just a moment as my eyes flicker between them. “Brandon, Mason.”
“I’m Harper’sgoodfriend,” Brandon says as he extends his hand to Mason.
“And Sadie’s boyfriend,” I add.
Mason narrows his eyes as he smiles, but he accepts Brandon’s hand. I watch the two men’s faces, looking for signs of strain. From the look of it, the handshake is slightly firmer than necessary.
“I need to talk to you about the competition,” I say to Mason, using him to escape.
Mason gives Brandon a satisfied smile, and then he turns to me.
“I’m all yours,” he says, and then he shoots Brandon a smug smile. “If you’ll excuse us.”
He then sets a hand on the small of my back, making a muscle in Brandon’s jaw twitch.
Mason escorts me down the hall, leaving Brandon behind. Unable to help myself, I glance over my shoulder.
Brandon leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching us leave. His eyes are stormy, and I have no doubt he’s going to find a way to finish our conversation later.
CHAPTER NINE
