“I have just the idea,” I smirk.
The weekend has finally greeted us, and it’s been days of Clayton ignoring me. We weren’t partnered in Anatomy, and it made me think that he said something to Professor Adams.
My idea is in full gear now, though.
I reached out to someone I used to tutor last year as a junior and asked them to set up a study group. Knowing that Clayton is big with Anatomy and helping other students– I’ve seen it in class– I made sure it was a group he would want to attend.
We couldn’t plan a party and invite him because he wouldn’t show up. He doesn’t hang around the crowds that want to let loose and get rowdy. But what he doesn’t know is that when he arrives to the scene, it will be a party. He won’t be able to leave either, because I won’t allow him to. He will be trapped. He might hate every second of it, but I think he’s hiding that he might not hate me as much as he wants to believe he does.
Clayton Reeves can tell himself that he hates me, but his body won’t lie. That is what I’m going to believe.
My job is to make him fall in love with me, and I'm going to do just that, no matter what I have to do.
Chapter 6
Clayton
Grabbingmybackpack,Iopen it and scan through to make sure I have all of my textbooks and notebooks that I need for the study group.
I don’t need any help with studying, but I’m going to see if anyone else does. The flyers were hanging on the bulletin board in the main foyer of the dorms, and I make sure to check them daily in case there is important information.
Helping people is my thing.
I grab the little piece of paper that was hanging off the flyer with the location. I have to go across campus, but it’s not a big deal because it’s a beautiful night outside. Not too warm and with the wind, there is just the right amount of a breeze. The type that might give you the chill, but it’ll settle, and you get this comfortable feeling of warmth when it passes.
Pulling my bag tighter to my body, I make way toward the dining hall. It’s normal to have study groups there so we can be louder than in the library. Plus, tables are already set up, making it an easy place to be.
The walk over is nice. Quiet and peaceful. Nothing but the sound of crickets and other insects chirping and squeaking.
I love this time of year. When it’s not quite summer, but winter is over. Not that winter matters much in Florida.
Unfortunately, that good mood I have turns sour instantly when I step into the dining hall. The tables are gone, and no one is studying.
Instead, music is blasting, people are dancing, and the face that greets me has my knuckles tightening around my bag straps.
Maxwell Levine.
“Hey, pretty boy,” he drawls. His tone is full of banter and a hint of something else I can’t quite place.
I turn around to walk away, but he grabs onto me. “Ah, ah, not so fast. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I’m meant to be with a study group. They must have put the wrong location.”
“Nope. It was a trick. I wanted you here and knew you wouldn’t come to a party.”
“Great. I’m here, and now I’m leaving. Goodnight,” I snap, but there’s no weight to my words.
“No,” the word sounds more like a growl than anything else. More animal than human. Patience, had he ever had any? Gone.
“Last time you forced me somewhere, my guts landed on the ground. I’m not falling for another one of your tricks.” I say, reminding myself of the few days ago he’d forced me onto his bike.
Oh, who am I kidding? I could have left. Could have walked away from that bike, and if I really fought, he wouldn’t have been able to stop me.
Maybe something was keeping me from walking away.
Maybe I’m curious.
Maxwell pulls me into the dining hall and lets the door slam behind me. It makes me jolt. Nervousness runs through me, and I’m not sure what for because we aren’t alone. There are at least a hundred people shoved into the room.
