Hell, I might even join in on the sadistic fun just to piss her off.
CHAPTER 12
A TOTAL MASOCHIST
Lexi
A week later, and I’d somehow magically been able to avoid Killian. Thank fuck Rocks for Jocks was in a giant auditorium. That, and I’d been beyond vigilant to be sure to sit at the opposite side of the room every time. He was obviously doing the same. Still, I couldn’t help but notice the occasional prickle of my scalp when he cast a narrowed glare in my direction.
Asshole.
“What’s got you all twisted?” Cordelia nudged me in the side as we traipsed across campus, an icy sting in the air. “You always get all cagey when we go to this class.”
I hadn’t told her about Killian. Somehow, I knew saying the words out loud would make them feel too real. For now, I preferred to live in my happy little bubble of denial. That was how I’d survived that incident on the side of the highway all those years ago. If it wasn’t broken, why fix it, right?
Cordelia’s face appeared in front of me, eyes wide. “Um, hello? You with me?”
“Yeah, sorry,” I muttered. “I’m just stressed about class...” I also hadn’t spoken toPapáfor more than a few hurried minutes since my arrival, and I felt horrible about ignoring him. I just couldn’t find the courage to tell him about Killian either.
“Stressed aboutGeology?”
I laughed. “No, not that. This is my easy class.” Or at least, it was supposed to be, but the idea of seeing Kill again had my damned stomach in knots.
“Hey, ladies!” Micah raced toward us, that easy smile stretched across his face. I’d missed him.
I hadn’t seen my friend outside of class this week either. Between hiding out from Killian and trying to keep up with my workload, I’d been a total recluse. He’d been texting me for days claiming he had super important news he had to tell me in private, but somehow our schedules never synced up.
“What’s up, Preston?” Cordelia offered my friend a flirty smile. “Stalker much?”
He shook his head and diverted his attention to me. “Could I borrow you for a second, Lexi?”
My roommate cocked a brow, mischievous gaze darting between both of us. “Are you guys hooking up? Was he the mystery guy?—”
I shot Cordi a glare, my head whipping back and forth.
“What guy?” Micah’s warm smile faltered, and I wanted to shove my foot into Cordi’s big mouth.
I’d never told her much about that night at the Sigma Delta house, other than I’d met some guy after her continuous hounding. There wasn’t much to tell anyway. I had no idea who the masked stranger was.
“Just some guy who kept me company while Cordelia left me to hook up with some frat guy.” I shrugged innocently.
“It was a masquerade party, Lex. Like I was going to pass up the chance at some anonymous hook up.”
I rolled my eyes, hard. But a twinge of guilt unfurled in my gut. I’d done the exact same thing. Sure, I hadn’t fucked the guy, but would I have if that scream hadn’t interrupted us? His hot mouth still ghosted over mine, the memories of those hands digging into my skin still permanently branded in my mind. Yeah, I definitely would’ve let him play out whatever depraved fantasy spun in that beautiful, twisted head of his.
“Well, it’s a good thing pre-med here isn’t as free-spirited as you.” Micah swung his arm across my shoulder.
He has no idea who you are. A dark voice slithered to the surface.
Cordi and I weren’t that different at all. The only distinction was my roommate didn’t give a shit what people thought of her, while I kept my demons buried far beneath the surface.
“I got in,” Micah whispered across the shell of my ear. Apparently, he couldn’t wait until we were alone.
“What?” I screeched.
“Okay, I’m going to let you two go make out or whatever.” Cordi shot me a smirk. “I’ll see you in class.”
“Far left of the auditorium!” I called out behind her.
