Anyway, I’m just texting so you have my number if you need me.
This questionnaire is surprisingly deep. I don’t know any of these things about you.
Do you have middle names?
When is your birthday?
When did you first fall in love with me? Probably when I jumped out of your car because I thought you were an ax murderer, right?
I laugh at the last one. What a story that would make.Kids, the moment I knew your mother was the one was when she jumped out of my still-moving car because she thought I was a killer.
Kind of sad that I’ve heard worse.
For a moment I debate calling her with the answers, get it over with. But then again someone might overhear and blow our cover, and really, why would I pass up any excuse to see her?
Stay put, Sunshine. I’m on my way.
Chapter 5
Alexis
I check my phone again.Blake still hasn’t answered.
A few feet away from me, two girls I recognize from being on the cheer squad whisper amongst themselves, shooting me sideways glances when they think I can’t see. I had to say both our names out loud when requesting the sign-up forms, and these girls clearly could not believetheBlake Taylor would ever settle for me.
To which I can only say, me neither.
“Excuse me? Hi,” I say to the energetic girl manning the stand—I think her name is Paris. “Would it be okay if I take these and get them back to you later? I have to go to class.”
“Of course!” she beams, and for a task so dull her smile must be fake. “Just make sure you have them turned in by tomorrow at noon.”
“Thank you.”
I press the forms between the pages of a textbook and stuff the book inside my backpack, practically sprinting away from those girls and their hurtful whispers. I may not have heard every word, but I heard enough.
The Media & Communications building is on the other side of campus, leaving me with lots of time to think about the fact that these whispers will only get worse once everyone knows about me and Blake. My mind has never been my friend, but I’ve kept it on a tight leash. This, however, has severed the cord.
Fingers stroke the inside of my palm and I jump, increasing my pace as Hudson appears at my side. “Stop following me!”
“Come on, Lexus. Did you think I would let a stupid piece of paper get in the way of us?” His hand closes around my wrist, pinning me in place. Panic rises to form a burning lump in my throat as I struggle to free myself, though he doesn’t budge. “It’s okay, though. I know you were just being a brat.”
“Let go!”
Hudson rolls his shoulders, the smile on his face twisting my stomach into a knot. “What’s the rush? This conversation isn’t over yet.”
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes as I claw at his hand, hoping to scratch hard enough for him to lose his grip. Maybe it’ll serve as evidence that the restraining order isn’t working. Maybe they’ll finally take real action. If only.
“Hudson, please. I don’t like you like that, let me go?—”
My tears are spilling freely now, and the sight of them brings a terrifying darkness to his eyes. For a moment I think he might let me go, but then he yanks me forward, leaving me to stumble into his body. “This is where you belong, Lexus. You know this.”
“You have three seconds to let go of her.”
I whip my head around to see Blake standing a mere step behind me, staring down Hudson with a gaze made of steel, the anger simmering underneath palpable. He’s not wearing a coat despite the cold October weather, his broad shoulders and muscles straining against the fabric of his hoodie. Perhaps he’s tensing them on purpose.
Hudson laughs, the sound chilling my blood. “Relax, Taylor, we were just talking. She’s only being a dramatic brat as usual.”
“Is that so?” Blake angles his head. “Because I could have sworn she told you to leave her alone before you laid hands on her.”
