“Arthur.”
Derek laughed, and I couldn't help but join him. I did try my best to glare at him for a second, but it was just way too funny.
“That's the worst non-moanable name ever.”
“Non-moanable?” I asked, staring at him as we walked outside and started towards the hiking trail.
“Yeah, like one syllable, names are easy to moan. Like Jack, Max, Dex...” he wiggled his brows suggestively.
“So that's why you're Dex and not Derek?”
“Yeah, like who wants to moan, Derek?” he rolled his eyes.
I would, but I didn't offer that up. I liked Derek more. I felt like Dex was this persona he created as the fun playboy guy, while Derek was the one I got to meet. He was kind and a little broken, but I liked him that way.
“You tell me, you slept with half of the campus.”
“It's always Dex,” he shrugged, and the autumn breeze ruffled his messy hair. It looked darker now that summer was over and the sun no longer made it lighter.
I hummed, deep in my thoughts as we walked silently. “Thanks for coming by the way.”
“Oh, anything is better than struggling through a lesson with you,” he flashed me a lopsided grin, and I once again bumped against him.
Derek wrapped an arm around my shoulder and kept me to his side as we reached the beginning of the trail.
“You know I love Pilates classes with you, but you're a bit sadistic.”
I laughed, throwing my head back and letting myself enjoy the way his fingers touched my skin. Goosebumps broke out on my skin, and I told myself it was from the weather.
“A little bit of pain is good.”
“A little burn is good too,” he mocked me, reminding me that I asked way too many times if he could feel the burn in his muscle.
“Look at you, you're actually paying attention to me,” I gasped.
Dex squeezed me harder for a second. “I always do. Unless you play some very good music.”
I grinned proudly. It was rare to find people who enjoyed my taste in music. Usually, I was always the weird one listening to classical music, musicals, or acoustic covers instead of trending pop songs. I still liked them, but slower. “Thank you, thank you.”
Leaves crunched under our shoes as we started on the trail, but Dex didn't let go. He kept me close to himself, wrapping me in his soap and leather smell.
“So, Daisy is dating?” he asked casually, steering the conversation.
“Yes, the guy is very sweet, but still, who brings the girl on a first date for a hike?” I grimaced.
“Having a first kiss under the sunset really adds character.”
“You did that?” I asked, not even sure why I was shocked, of course, he did that.
Dex laughed. “Actually, I haven't. I never dated.”
“Are you telling me... You never had a girlfriend?” I stopped walking and stared.
Derek stopped, and his arm fell from my shoulder. He pushed his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Yeah. I never wanted to spend time with anyone.”
“I knew you were a hookup guy, but I thought maybe someone broke your heart and that's why you were going around breaking hearts as revenge.”
He shook his head, and I saw his jaw flex. “No. I just don't really believe in this whole love thing.”
