Page 42 of Arctic Titans of Northwood U: Volume 2

“You’re missing the jubilee, too?” I asked, and he laughed.

“It’s not like they won’t hit the millionth before they graduate,” Sawyer said. “They play with those soccer handles more than they play with their…never mind.” He laughed out loud. “Gotta go, man.” He kissed the top of my head and I stiffened, pulling away from his ridiculous outpouring of affection. So, there I had it. Gray was the only one I didn’t mind so close in my space. Even if Sawyer was someone I would trust with my life.

Sawyer laughed and swaggered away, saying goodbye. I stayed on the edge of my bed, thinking what to do next. It was almost dark outside. Normally, Gray and I would be meeting for some light exercise in no man’s land, as we called the gym we picked, and doing whatever Gray came up with afterward. The other evening, he’d insisted on building a snowman as he hadn’t done that in years. Thick, wet snow covered the city even now. I gazed out the window and waited while the palpitations of my heart passed. In love…

I’d never thought about it. Not really. I hadn’t considered the meaning of the words. I hadn’t defined what I was feeling. But now wasn’t the time to dig through all that. I was drawn to him. I wanted to see him as soon as possible. So, I set aside my thoughts and got down to work. I showered, ate, and grabbed a six-pack I had promised from the fridge, making a mental note to replenish it tomorrow.

I walked out into the waning light of the winter afternoon, steam rising as I exhaled, and I found that I was so excited to spend the evening with Gray that I was almost skipping. Almost. I could still control some of my limbs.

It was a long walk, but I liked it. Cold air kept me awake and alert. It cleared my mind. And as the mist in my brain lifted, I found Gray at the center of my thoughts. Every time I saw him, I wanted to keep him close. It was a sensation like no other. Throughout my life, I’d never bonded with someone this strongly. I had never cared about a person this much. It was almost like I depended on him. And underneath all the fluff of his romantic gestures, there was a boy I was deeply fond of. A little insecure, a little obsessive, and incredibly kind. He deserved so much but had been denied most of it when other kids had had it. And I was hell-bent on giving him the attention he needed.

Even if it meant spending the next eight hours with Spencer in the same room.

I reached the dormitories ten minutes before four. I looked up and spotted movement in one well-lit window. Hands spread curtains and a handsome face grinned at me. Gray waved, then disappeared from the window. As I approached the main entrance to his building, I heard his speedy footsteps and my heart leaped with desire. He opened the door and warmth washed over me.

Gray wore a dark green sweater and light gray sweatpants. The sweater was fitted so well that not one bit of it appeared baggy or loose, yet it didn’t seem too tight. It emphasized Gray’s physique to my liking. But his sweatpants were the reason my pulse increased. I suddenly longed to have him all for myself.

My handsome boyfriend wrapped his arms around me and pulled me inside, his lips pressing on mine. He was warm against my freezing cold cheeks and I kissed him for warmth almost as much as for the deeply rooted desire to be one with him.

Gray found my hand after a moment, closed his around it, and pulled me upstairs after him. I followed gladly as we headed down a hallway and slipped into his room. The radiators kept it very warm. Gray’s room was way cozier than mine now that Sawyer had emptied it of his clutter. It had nice dark beige wallpapers with a small brown pattern, lamps on desks and in the windows, as well as on the nightstands, a thick carpet across a dark brown hardwood floor, two beds, bean bags, comfortable office chairs, and flatscreen TV mounted on the wall in plain view from both beds. The desks were cluttered with big bowls of snacks, cans of beer, and several kinds of soft drinks. “You don’t joke with these things,” I said, scanning the space.

Gray wrapped his arms around me from behind. I loved feeling his front press so tightly against my back. I also loved his crotch meeting my butt like this. But it wasn’t the right time to get turned on by him, so I wiggled free of him and turned around to look into his eyes. “I’m glad you’re here,” Gray said.

I opened my mouth to say I was, too, but that was when the door opened, and two guys stepped in, pausing abruptly when they saw me.

“Oh. Hello.” That was Cole.

My mouth dried as I tried to greet him. Muscles tensed all over my body and I was sure Gray could sense it. Cole had at least greeted me. That wasn’t the problem. Spencer simply frowned, his expression that of confusion. “Grayson?” he asked.

“Yeah?” Gray replied, but there was annoyance in his tone. It was unmistakable.

“You didn’t mention we’d have company,” Spencer accused.

I couldn’t think of a clearer way to be told I wasn’t wanted somewhere.

Gray forced on a smile. “This is my boyfriend we’re talking about,” he pointed out. “And Avery’s hanging out with us.”

Spencer snorted while Cole nodded. Cole’s gaze met mine and something that looked a lot like sympathy pooled in his eyes.

“What?” Gray demanded. I’d have expected more patience from him, but Spencer’s snort had rubbed him the wrong way.

“Nothing,” Spencer said, then moved to his bed and kicked back. Cole spun one of the office chairs and sank into it, ready to watch the movie, but Spencer wasn’t done. “It’s just that you could have warned us.”

“Warned you?” Gray asked, incredulous. I grabbed his upper arm to pull him back, but he stiffened his muscles. “Why the hell would I have to warn you about bringing my boyfriend to hang out in my room?”

“Our room. And our marathon. You could have given me a heads-up that I’d be third-wheeling, so I don’t come here thinking it’s a friends’ night.” Spencer was nonchalant about it, although he still ignored my entire existence. What the fuck had I done to this guy?

Right now, I truly wanted to fall through the floor and get lost underground. I wanted to say something, to make things less awkward, but I didn’t know where to begin. On top of that, I was starting to get annoyed with the fucker.

But so was Gray. More than I wanted him to be. “Listen, I put this thing together. You keep complaining I’m not around anymore and I’m not gonna apologize for having a life. I wanted to include you. Not the other fucking way around.”

“Is that right? You didn’t have to bother, buddy. I don’t need to be included.” Spencer’s eyes flared with anger, but I could see some hurt in them too. Not that I would let myself feel even a shred of sympathy. My ears were beginning to burn with embarrassment.

“It’s not like that, asshole. Why can’t you be happy for me?” Gray asked, his voice cracking. “Or am I only allowed to do things you tell me and date the people you pick for me?”

“I picked this one, didn’t I?” Spencer said.

“Hey,” Cole snapped.