Page 130 of Arctic Titans of Northwood U: Volume 1

Beckett snorted when I finished. “I already unpacked. If anyone is looking for another room, it’s you.”

I would have shrugged and gone to those lengths if it was anyone else. But Beckett had the unique talent of waking my most spiteful self. “I’m not begging for a bed so you’d be more comfortable.”

“Oh, it’s my comfort we’re talking about, huh?” He shook his head like he couldn’t believe me.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded. It was incredible how long my single remaining inch of patience could last.

“Nothing,” Beckett said, walking toward me. “Nothing at all. I’m not going anywhere. You, however, do whatever the hell you want. But it’s not wise to go crying to one of our guys. We’re supposed to be best friends, remember? But sure, run away from having to share the room.”

“That sounds a lot like something you would do,” I said, leaning against the closed door. I looked at the bed. It was spacious enough if the other person was anyone but Beckett.

“What now?” he asked as he paused three feet from me.

And that was it. One irked tone too many. The rubber band snapped. “You fucking ran away, asshole. What the hell was that all about?”

He was silent, scowling as usual.

“And you can’t even tell me why,” I said with audible disappointment. “You can’t just do that to a person. You can’t just kiss and run. Did your parents teach you nothing?”

“Don’t talk about my parents,” he growled.

“Why should I listen to you? When did you deserve that?” I asked just as bitterly.

“I’m not asking. I’m warning you, Jones.” He moved his shoulder when he took the next step.

“Or what? You’ll kiss me again? Tough luck, buddy. I survived the first round.” I was no longer leaning against the door, but toward him.

“What the fuck is your problem, dude?” His sudden snarl made my skin prickle. He was properly angry now. But so was I.

“It wasn’t fair,” I snapped, louder than I’d meant.

Beckett winced and licked his lips, pulling back from me a couple of inches.

“Why did you do it if you didn’t want it, Beckett?” I demanded. “Why kiss me if you weren’t sure? What was that all about?”

His lips twisted and his eyebrows contorted into a frown. He was silent a moment longer, unblinking, seething, and his chest rising and falling. I could almost see his heart beating under his taut, smooth skin. I sure saw the pulse on his neck.

I shrugged. “You are a coward, Beckett.”

I half expected him to lurch at me for calling him that. Instead, he pulled a full step away. “Whatever.”

“Right. Whatever.” I relaxed and reached for my phone. Ignoring Beckett like a coat rack, I moved to the armchair, sat down, and opened my dating app. I wasn’t advertising it if that was what Beckett thought. I only wanted to be elsewhere. Except, as he sulked where he stood, I found that all my interest in hooking up had drained.

Was his mood such a turnoff that I couldn’t even be into someone else? Or was it something I didn’t dare fully face?

Beckett tapped his foot impatiently. “What are you doing? You’re not bringing anyone here.”

“I’m not bringing anyone here, asshole,” I said. “I’m going there.”

He scoffed so loudly that I wanted to jump up and strangle him. “We have a game tomorrow.”

“It relaxes me,” I replied in a tone that flatly said I was bored of this conversation. Although I didn’t narrow my aim on any of the guys I’d shortlisted before, I was just ready to leave the room. I lifted my ass from the armchair and brushed past Beckett. “Don’t wait up.”

“You can’t.” His tone was so dominant that it stopped me dead in my tracks.

I laughed. “Can’t?” I spun to look at his face. Who the hell did he think he was?

“That’s what I said.” These words were softer than the command he had issued.