“I’m not...” I start, then realize I am, in fact, touching it. I tuck the necklace back under my sweater.
“Interesting,” he murmurs.
My phone buzzes on the table, and all three of us look down at it. I see a message on Insta from Knox.
Knox: Hey, are we still on for our study session at my place? 4pm?
My eyes go wide as I realize what time it is. “Oh shit, I completely forgot!”
“Forgot what?” Abigail asks, but I’m already grabbing my bag and coffee.
“That I have a study session with Knox for our sports nutrition project. I’m already late.” I stand up quickly, nearly knocking over my chair.
“Knox?” Jagger raises an eyebrow, looking amused.
“Yeah, we’re partners for a class project,” I explain as I type back frantically. “Why?”
“Just curious.” He smiles as he also gets up from his seat. “See you both later.”
We watch as he walks away, and then I turn my attention back to Abby. “I’m so sorry—I forgot I had a thing with Knox.”
“Leila...” Abigail starts, but I’m already walking away.
“I’ll text you later,” I call over my shoulder.
The drive to Knox’s house takes fifteen minutes, and I spend the entire time cursing myself for losing track of time. The last thing I need is to screw up this project because I was too distracted.
Knox lives off campus in a house he apparently shares with some other hockey players. The place is nicer than I expected; it’s a two-story colonial with a well-maintained yard and expensive cars in the driveway.
I press the doorbell and wait. When the door opens, I nearly choke on my own tongue.
Riven stands in the doorway, wearing nothing but gray sweatpants that hang dangerously low on his hips. His dark-blonde hair is messy, like he just woke up from a nap, and his green eyes meet mine as he speaks. “Hi.”
“I... um... I’m here to see Knox?” I manage to get out, trying very hard to keep my eyes on his face and not let them slide down to the defined lines of his abs.
“He’s expecting you.” Riven steps aside to let me in, and as I pass him in the doorway, I catch a whiff of his cologne.
No, Leila, do not picture him naked just because he smells nice.
The house is even nicer inside, with hardwood floors and furniture that definitely wasn’t bought at a college furniture store. As Riven closes the door behind me, I hear footsteps on the stairs.
“Hello again,” a voice says from above. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
I look up to see Jagger coming down the stairs. “I didn’t know you lived here too,” I say, trying to sound casual.
He must have sped all the way here to beat me.
“We’re one big happy family,” he replies, as his eyes go to my throat. “Still wearing that pretty necklace, I see.”
My hand instinctively goes to the necklace.
“Piss off, both of you,” Knox’s voice interrupts as he appears from where I assume is the kitchen. He’s wearing basketball shorts and a tank top, and his dark hair is tucked behind his ears. “She’s here to study, not deal with your bullshit.”
“I’m just being friendly,” Jagger says innocently.
“Your version of friendly usually involves someone getting punched,” Knox snaps, then turns to me with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about them. Come on, I set up everything in the kitchen.”
“Wow,” I say, following him through the living room. “This place is nice. Way better than my dorm.”
