“Actually, I can’t tomorrow. Can you do Wednesday?”
“That should be okay.”
“I think it’s going to rain Wednesday and Thursday, so we should bet on meeting at the Rotunda. I’ll get there early to secure us a room.”
“Sounds good. Though I might be a few minutes later than I was today since I’ll have to get all the way across campus.”
“Let’s make the meeting time thirty minutes later then. That way you’ve got time to get there.” I offer.
“Sounds good to me.”
“Perfect,” I sling back over my shoulder. “I guess I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see you then.”
I feel his eyes on me as I turn and make my way up the stairs. It’s impossible to ignore the heat of his attention and how it creeps across my back, warming my entire body.
I’ve known Macallan for over two years, and in that time, I’ve never seen him act so... normal. No snarky comments. No sexual innuendos. No insults. It was like working with a completely different person, and weirdly, I’m not sure I liked it.
How could I when all those things I mentioned aboveare what make Macallan, Macallan? Though I do appreciate being able to get our work done without me wanting to throw myself down the hundreds of stairs leading to the field.
It’s nearly dark as I finally exit the stadium, so I quicken my steps. Not that I’m not a stranger to walking home after dark by myself. I’ve done it so many times, there’s no way to keep track, but the uneasiness it fills me with never lessens.
I jog across the street before veering right onto the sidewalk, turning my head when I hear obvious footsteps behind me.
I’m both relieved and annoyed when I spot Macallan closing the distance between us.
“Why are you following me?” I hiss.
“I’m not. My apartment is in this direction too.” He waves his hand in the general direction of where he lives. “Or would you prefer I wait at the stadium until you’re far enough to deem me an acceptable distance away?”
“That,” I state flatly, suppressing a groan when he steps up beside me only seconds after I’ve resumed walking.
“You know, you should be thanking me.” He shoves a hand through his dark hair, and I can’t stop my eyes from tracking the movement.
“Should I now?” I train my eyes forward again.
“It’s not exactly a good idea to walk around by yourself after dark.”
“One, it’s not technically dark yet. And two, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Of that I have no doubt. Even still, I think it’s only right that I walk you to your dorm. You know, just to make sure you get there okay.”
“Pass.”
“Pretty sure you don’t have much choice in the matter. I’ll just follow you if you refuse.”
“Is that right?” I risk glancing in his direction again and instantly regret it when I find his eyes locked on me instead of the path in front of him. In this lighting, they look almost green.
“Free country. If I want to walk to your dorm, I will.”
“Even if I don’t want you to?”
“You don’t own the campus, so yeah.”
“Seriously, Mac.” I huff with an eye roll.
“You know, you make it very hard to be a nice guy.”
