I cringe inwardly.What are you doing, Amy?I promised myself I wouldn’t lay it all out, but the words just slipped out, and it’s too late to take them back.
“Oh, and I’m just supposed to believe that?” He snorts. “I’ve got classes, practice, plus the app. I don’t have time to waste on mind games—you get that, right? And I’m not interested in babysitting you, either,” he adds. “I need someone I can count on, and your trust balance just hit zero.”
My mouth falls open. I always saw Lewis as this low-key, chill guy. I didn’t expect him to be so intense and straitlaced. It’s rattling me. Not that I’m planning on letting that show.
I hate how out of step I am. Again, on the margins of who I want to be. I hate the way he’s looking at me right now, and worse than that, I hate how much I want to prove him wrong.
“Just ask RJ,” I protest. “I told him tonight was my last night.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “You’ve wasted enough of my time. And we have other candidates lined up, anyway.”
I fucking knew it.
“Other candidates…” I nod slowly. “Like Amir, you mean?”
“Yes, like Amir.”
I open my mouth to reply, but there’s a knot of disappointment tightening in my throat. I wish it weren’t so late in the evening, because I’ve got a sudden urge to take it all out on my punching bag. Or Amir.
He sighs. “I should head back. Thanks for the shitty evening. And for screwing up my hookup plans with this girl I had on my lap until you messed everything up. Guess it’ll just be me on the couch with Donovan and his crazy girlfriend.” He fist-pumps the air. “Woo.”
TMI, dude.
“Wow. Real classy, Campus Driver. Nothing like keeping your reputation all shiny and perfect, am I right?” I snort. “Just so you know, I had plans for this evening, too. Difference is, I actually know his name.”
Okay, so that was a barefaced lie. But the guy is annoying as hell.
“Let me guess—he’s a rebel without a cause, too?”
“Yeah, with a huge, throbbing engine.”
I draw out the word “huge,” letting it go as breathy as I can, keeping my eyes locked on his.
Don’t you dare glance down at his lips, Amy.
“You know I’m never going to forget how you stalled, right?” he replies, stepping closer. “I’m actually not all that sure you could handle huge, throbbing engines—even if you wanted to.”
“Too bad you’ll never find out.”
I expect him to scoff. Or fire back.
Instead, the corner of his mouth lifts, and my gaze drops straight to his lips before I can stop it.
Fuck. Me.
Somehow, I hold strong. I have to. And I watch as he turns and makes for the door.
“So that’s it, then?” I call after him. “Game over?”
“You had your shot, Firebird. I’m sorry.”
I scramble for something—anything—to throw his way as he slides open the garage door.
“Don’t you dare mention this to the dean, by the way. I’m warning you.”
I wince. It sounds like I’m threatening him, and that wasn’t the idea—but what do I care? He’s already made his mind up about me.
He freezes. Slowly, he exhales and then turns back to face me.
