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“Not just that! It would also mean we get our pick of sororities to party with.”

We reach the top of the hill. My lungs are working hard, sweat cooling against the back of my neck, but Oliver looks worse, which is all that matters.

“You’re slowing down,” I tell him.

“I’m pacing myself.”

I increase my pace.

“Asshole,” he calls, following.

We cut through the quieter side of campus, past the science buildings and toward the trail that circles the creek. It’s cold enough that every breath leaves a faint cloud in front of us. The paths are mostly empty, aside from a couple walking a dog and one girl who recognizes me, does a double take, and nearly walks into a bench.

I lift a hand.

She goes bright red.

“You enjoy that far too much,” Oliver says.

“Being polite?”

“The effect you have on women.”

“Jealousy’s ugly on you.”

“Pssh. I do fine myself with women.” It’s true. Oliver is a good-looking man. He’s got thick brown hair and dude has abs upon abs.

Oliver shoves my shoulder. I barely move. He nearly runs himself off the path.

“Speaking of women,” he says once he’s recovered, “what’s your deal lately? Got any chicks with broken hearts who need a shoulder to cry on?”

I keep my eyes ahead. “Sadly not. I’m painfully celibate at the moment.”

“Why?”

“I’m trying to get my head down and focus on school and music, man.”

“Alright, but you can do that, better probably, with your balls empty.”

I glance at him. “Do these runs usually involve this much interest in my dick and balls?”

“Only when you’re being celibate.”

Bea in that pink dress flashes through my head. Bea stretched across the bed beside me, lips parted, looking at me like she couldn’t decide whether to kiss me or argue.

My blood heats despite the cold air.

I’ve thought about fucking her often enough to know exactly how I’d start.

“There’s a girl who’s got in my head. She’s my tutor,” I confess. “It’s nothing serious really. I just…damn, you know when you can’t stop thinking about someone?” I shake my head because even though I’m asking him. I’ve never experienced this before. I guess usually, if I can’t stop thinking about someone, I have them, and then I stop. But I have a feeling once with Bea wouldn’t be enough, not even close.

Oliver nearly trips. “Your tutor?”

“For Anatomy and Physiology.”

“Jesus Christ, Fox. Banging your tutor is seriously hot.”

“We’re not banging.” I huff. “I don’t even know if she’d want to. She’s smart, like really fucking smart. Funny, sexy. And I dunno, I just want to be around her, like all the time.”