But the smile threatening to take over my face?
Well, that’s something I can’t rein in.
Ten
Logan
November
The following week, Camden and I are in the middle of the quad, discussing his grades for those make-up assignments his professor gave as we head for the library. Despite passing them with flying colors—and staying eligible through the rest of the semester—his work isn’t done. There’s still a final to gear up for next month, which is the reason we’re about to hit another study session. That is, until two hands land on my shoulders out of nowhere.
“Logan!” a familiar feminine voice shouts directly behind me, causing me to nearly jump out of my goddamn skin. My hand instantly reaches for Camden’s as I spin around, only to find Lexi grinning with glee. Willow’s a few paces behind her, cackling like a damn harpy at my reaction.
“Jesus Christ, Lex. Were you trying to send me to an early grave?”
“Funny, seeing as that’s where I thought you already were,” she chides playfully, knocking her shoulder into mine. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in years. Where have you been disappearingto lately?”
My gaze shifts from her to Willow, who has now joined our little circle, before offering a non-commital shrug.
“Just…been busy. I don’t know.”
It’s not exactly a lie. Between my own course work, helping Camden study, and catching a couple of his games, I’ve rarely been home the past couple weeks. Not that I entirely mind it; it’s actually kinda nice to not be cooped up in my room all the time.
Who would’ve thought?
“Well, you should make yourself un-busy tonight and come out with us. Both of you,” she clarifies, letting her gaze move from me to Camden.
Whose hand, up until now, I’d forgotten I was holding.
“Go out with you,” I echo slowly. “And where exactly isout?”
“We’re hitting up the party at the Kappa Sig house.”
Oh, absolutely the fuck not.
While I’ve been to exactly three college parties since I started attending Leighton, I know the Kappa Sigma house parties are notorious without ever having personally stepped foot inside one. And from everything I’ve heard about them, it’s the exact opposite of what I’d consider a good time.
My face must show every thought in my head, because Willow starts laughing, her hair tossed back in the cool autumn breeze.
“See, I told you he wouldn’t be for it.”
Disappointment crosses Lexi’s face, and there’s a part of me that feels a little bit guilty, especially with the miniscule amount of time we’ve seen each other the past couple weeks. But I will admit, all these distractions have done wonders for my ability to be around her and act like a normal human being instead of a love-sick puppy.
For the most part, at least.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” I attempt to reason, though, letthe record state that’s exactly the case. “It’s just that we were on our way to the library. Camden has to study and—”
“We can go,” he cuts in beside me. I glance at him, my gaze colliding with his. There’s a flicker of hopeful excitement in their blue depths when he adds, “I mean, if you want to. Tomorrow is an off-ice day, so we can just study in the morning instead.”
“So that means you want to go?”
He adjusts his backpack on his shoulder with his free hand and shrugs. “I’m always down for a Kappa party. But if you would rather study tonight…”
“No, you should go,” I insist. “Keep an eye on the girls.”
“As if we need Camden to babysit us,” Willow admonishes.
Lexi laughs, then says to Willow, “After the last time we went to the Kappa house, I think youdefinitelyneed one.”
