by J. Nathan
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me.”
He arched a brow. “You gonna stomp your foot, too?”
I stomped my foot.
He snorted. “So, what is this? A standoff?”
His question made my statement sound ridiculous, but I’d said it, so now I needed to own it. “Yes.”
“Well, I’ve got all night.” He sat back down on the floor.
Was he really doing this? Was I really doing this?
Damn him.
I sat down on the dusty floor a good three feet away from him.
A stretch of silence passed between us.
Too many questions rushed through my brain. What was he keeping from me? Had he heard more about the package? Why had he let me sleep? Why were we sitting in an empty hallway in the midst of a standoff? “Have you heard anything more about the package?”
He shook his head.
“Do you think they’ll find me here?”
He shrugged.
I huffed, hating his silent answers. “Tell me why you let me sleep.”
“You told me you don’t sleep,” he finally admitted. “I figured you needed it, especially after what happened earlier.”
“I sleep. I just sleep better during the day.”
“Why not at night? Marco and I are right there.”
I knew they were and wished it was enough. But it wasn’t. I shrugged.
“Would it help if I stayed outside your door?” he asked.
The kindness in his tone was disconcerting. Just like when he’d offered to sit outside my room once before. It was out of character for him. Did he really care that I had trouble sleeping? Or, was he just doing his job? “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Of course you can. I work for you, remember?”
My forehead creased. “Are you throwing my words back in my face?”
“Just stating the truth.”
I didn’t reply, and hated that he was so hard to read. One minute he was being kind. The next his condescension seemed to be rearing its ugly head. But did it really matter? I didn’t need to be able to read him. I only needed him to keep me safe—now more than ever. “Maybe you can just bring me to the liquor store.”
His head hitched back. “The liquor store?”
“I tend to sleep after I’ve been drinking.”
“Your dad will just love it when you come home for Thanksgiving an alcoholic.”
I smirked. “I’ll just blame you.”
He chuckled.
The unfamiliar sound of his brief laughter caused a flutter inside my chest. And, instead of being annoyed that he may have been mocking me, his reaction resonated something warm inside of me.
Maybe I’d been wrong about Tristan.
Maybe I didn’t know him at all.
CHAPTER TEN
Tristan
The urge to check Kresley’s camera feed taunted me. After what happened this morning and her falling asleep in class, I needed to know if she was pacing the floor. But I needed to follow the rules I’d created.
I checked my phone. It was just after one. I moved to my door, hoping to God I wasn’t making a monumental mistake. I twisted the knob so I didn’t make any noise and tiptoed across the hall. The idiot next door to me had his rap music playing making it impossible to hear anything, so I pressed my ear to Kresley’s door. If Marco was looking at the hallway feed, I’d have a lot of explaining to do. But it took no more than a couple seconds to hear footsteps inside. I tapped lightly on her door.
Silence.
Good girl. Never ask who it is, especially in the middle of the night. “Kresley. It’s Tristan,” I whispered.
Her footsteps moved to the door, but she didn’t open it. “How do I know?”
“Know what?” I whispered.
“That it’s really you.”
She seemed to be making a habit out of seeing how far she could push me. “What the fuck,” I grumbled.
Her door swung open. “It’s definitely you.”
My eyes moved over the tight tank top and tiny pajama shorts she wore. She must’ve caught me looking because she crossed her arms across her chest. I met her eyes, cursing myself for forgetting myself. I’d seen beautiful girls before in far less. “I just wanted to let you know I was gonna sit out here for a bit.”
Irritation flittered across her eyes. “I told you it’s unnecessary.”
“And I’m telling you I’m gonna sit out here anyway.”
Her eyes dropped to the floor, her stubbornness wavering. She knew, like I did, that it could help her sleep. Extended sleep deprivation did strange things to your psyche. So did fear. She knew it. And I knew it. We also both knew that when it came to our rocky relationship, something needed to give. Reluctantly, she nodded.
“Good night,” I said, grabbing her door knob.
She stepped back into her room and I closed the door, lowering myself down to the floor and leaning against the door. I hoped having me there helped her sleep. Because I knew all too well that not sleeping was a real son of a bitch.
Kresley
I didn’t get into bed. Instead, I sat on the floor with my back against my door. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Tristan would sit there all night, and the unexpected—and uninvited—fluttering in my stomach wouldn’t let me leave him just yet.
“How did you know I was awake?” I asked through the door.
He huffed. “I heard you pacing. Now get in bed.”
I laughed, his bossiness not as intimidating at one in the morning through a door.
“I’m serious. Get in bed.”
“Be careful. Some girls like bossy guys.”
“What the fuck?” he grumbled, and I heard his head fall back against the door with a thump.
I suppressed my laughter, really beginning to like pushing his buttons. “Fine. I’ll get in bed. But promise me Marco’s on duty tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“Because if you stay up all night outside my door, you need to sleep.”
“It’s not your job to worry about me,” he said.
“Then whose job is it?”
A long silence passed. He wasn’t going to answer my question. And, suddenly, I wanted to know the answer. Did he have a girlfriend waiting for him back home wherever he lived? Did he have parents who called to check on him like mine called to check on me? Did he have friends he texted just to check in?
It was late, and I wanted to see if I’d actually sleep with him out there, so I took his kindness for what it was and stood up. I pressed my hands to the door. “Good night, Tristan. Thank you for this.”
He didn’t reply, which I expected.
I moved to my bed and climbed under my comforter. I gave the soft lights wrapped around my room one last look then closed my eyes.
It took no time before sleep pulled me under.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Kresley
I stepped into the hallway after the first good night sleep I’d had since arriving to Remington. Marco waited for me. And, though I told Tristan not to be there, I still couldn’t ignore the unexpected tinge of disappointment inside me. “Morning, Marco.”
“Ma’am.”
I stopped, pegging him with my eyes. “Marco, I will hurt you if you don’t call me by my name.”
“Ma’am, at this point I just do it to piss you off,” he deadpanned.
I burst out laughing and started down the hall. “I appreciate your humor, Marco.”
We made it downstairs and walked across campus toward my first class.
“You missed a good party Friday night,” I teased him.
“I’m a little old for frat parties,” he said.
“Would you prefer I join the chess club?”
“That would put me to sleep.”
We reached my building and climbed the steps. “I can’t win with you.”
He chuckled as we entered the building and approached my class. I walked inside, leaving him behind with the quick wave of my hand.
Tristan
The sound of my phone ringing jolted me from a deep sleep. With my eyes closed, I felt around for my phone on the desk, grabbing it and lifting it to my ear. “Yeah?”
“We need to talk,” Marco said, sounding pissed.
“Then talk.”
“What was last night about?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning onto my side and realizing the sun was shining brightly through my blinds. I glanced at the time. Nine thirty. What the hell? I’d only gotten a few hours of sleep.
“Sitting outside her room,” Marco continued. “That’s not protocol.”
“She doesn’t sleep at night. She paces her floor all fucking night.”
He didn’t say anything, and I hoped to God he didn’t question how I knew.
“I told her I’d sit there so maybe it would help her sleep, especially since she was still worried about the package and all.”
Silence continued to fill his end for a long stretch. “Promise me that’s all it is,” he demanded.
“That’s all it is,” I assured him.
“I’ll have to fire your ass if it’s something else.”
“I own the company. So, no, you won’t fire my ass.”
“You put me in charge. You swore to follow the same rules in the field as everyone else.”
He was right. I had. “I just wanted to help her sleep. That’s all,” I explained.
Again, silence filled his end. “Fine,” he finally said, before ending the call.
I tossed my phone down. Fire my ass? He was delusional. Me sitting outside her room had helped. I hadn’t heard a single footstep all night long. And I was the reason why.
Kresley
Since I’d missed dinner with Elodie and Alice the previous night, I met up with them for dinner. Elodie glanced to Marco who stood in his normal spot off to the side and out of earshot. “Where’s Mr. Hottie tonight?”
“I told him to take today off. He did something for me last night, and I knew he’d be tired.”
They both leaned in, their eyes wide. “What?”
I laughed. “Not tired because of that.”
“Damn,” Alice said. “I was hoping for something juicy.”
“I was hoping one of you caved,” Elodie added.
I shook my head, ever amused by the two of them.
After dinner, I went back to my room to finish homework then I turned on a movie. A few minutes into it, my phone pinged with a text. I grabbed it from beside me.
Hey, Kresley. It’s Chris. Remember me?
I smiled as I responded to his text. Chris? Refresh my memory.
The bouncing dots began. Then his text appeared. Hottest guy at the party Friday night.
I laughed to myself. Hmmmmm. It’s not clicking.
His response came quick. Hell of a dancer.
Me: Were you the one dancing on the bar?
Chris: Come on. You know who I am.
Me: Lol.
Chris: I ended up going home for the rest of the weekend. Sorry I didn’t text sooner.
Me: Why are you sorry?
Chris: I would’ve liked to see you.
I smiled, remembering how much fun we had together Friday night. Spending time with Chris was easy. And I certainly needed a little easy in my life when everything else was so complicated. I’m not going anywhere.
Chris: Not true. You’re going to dinner with me Friday night.
I considered the hoops he’d have to jump through to take me out. My security would have to do a background check, secure the restaurant ahead of time, and follow us on our date. You sure you’re up for that?
Chris: Why wouldn’t I be?
I laughed to myself. I hadn’t considered that I’d have to tell him I had security and all that came with it. But I was twenty-one and pretty damn lonely. So, I responded the way a college girl should respond when asked out by a really nice guy. Sure. Sounds good.
Chris: Do you like Italian food?
Me: Yes.
Chris: Then we’ll go to Fabian’s. They’ve got really good food.
Me: Great. What time?
Chris: 7
Me: I’m in Gorham Hall. I’ll meet you out front at 7.
Chris: Can’t wait!
I placed my phone down beside me. Was I making a huge mistake going out with Chris? Would Marco and Tristan be pissed they’d have extra work to do to prepare for my date? I really needed to stop worrying about inconveniencing them. What was the alternative? Stay locked up like a princess in a castle for fear of troubling them? I hadn’t been lying when I told Tristan that I deserved to have fun. Because I did.
I finished the movie then checked the time on my phone. Midnight. I glanced to my door and noticed the shadow beneath it. A sense of relief washed over me as I climbed under my comforter and closed my eyes, knowing a good night sleep was near.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Kresley
I slipped into a red wrap dress Friday night that tied on the side. I curled my hair into loose waves and brushed on minimal makeup. I’d had a long meeting with Marco after he did the background check on Chris. He promised to stay out of sight in the restaurant if he could drive us. I wasn’t sure how Chris would feel about having a “driver,” but he agreed. I sort of left off the part that he was actually my bodyguard, telling him only that my parents were crazy overprotective and insisted that I have a driver.
I checked my phone. Five to seven. I grabbed my silver clutch and headed into the hallway. Marco stood there in his black outfit.
“Hi,” I said. “Thanks so much for doing this. I know it probably took some time to set up.”
“It’s my job, ma’am.” He looked me up and down respectfully. “You look nice.”
I clutched my heart. “A compliment? To what do I owe this honor?”
“Smartass,” he grumbled before walking me down the stairs and outside. The car was parked at the curb with Tristan in the driver’s seat.
I looked to Marco. “Wait. You’re not coming?”
He shook his head. “Tristan’s on tonight.”
My heartbeat sped up. This wasn’t how I envisioned the date playing out. Tristan was bound to do or say something to ruin the night. I just knew it. And, that sucked because we were just getting to a better place—at least I thought we were. He was sitting outside my room, for God’s sake. “But I thought…”
Marco stared at me, waiting for me to finish my thought.
I didn’t.
“Have a nice night,” he said as he turned and walked back into the building.
“Kresley,” Chris called.
I spun around to find him walking toward me on the sidewalk. He was wearing khaki pants and a blue button-down shirt.
I smiled. “Hi.”
He glanced to the car. “Is this our ride?”
I nodded.
“Does he open the door for us?” he asked, conspiratorially.
“No.” I went to open the back door knowing there was no way in hell Tristan was about to open the door for us, but Chris nudged me out of the way so he could open it for me.
“Allow me.”
I scooted in first.
Chris followed me in, closing the door as he did. “Nice ride.” He took in the interior of the car before he settled his eyes on me. “You look beautiful.”
Heat pulsed in my cheeks, partly because I knew Tristan—the same Tristan who’d sat outside my door all night long to slay the demons in my dreams—could hear everything being said. “Thanks.”
Tristan pulled away from the sidewalk with a slight jerk, driving us toward the restaurant without a word.
“So, you mentioned you went home for the weekend,” I said to Chris. “Where’s home?”
“Clayville. About an hour from here. It was my grandmother’s birthday.”
“Awww. How old is she?”
“Eighty-five. But you’d never guess it by the way she loves to dance,” he said. “She had us all dancing around her kitchen.”
>
I smiled. “Well, you are a hell of a dancer. You had to get it from somewhere.”
He laughed. “Where’re you from?”
“Atherton.”
His eyes widened, probably because most people from California knew it was one of the wealthiest areas in the state. I immediately wanted to retract my answer, realizing I may have been offering up too much information. But it was too late. “You said you transferred here, right?”
I nodded.
“Where’d you go before this?” he asked.
I met Tristan’s eyes in the rearview mirror. I knew he was waiting to hear what I’d tell Chris. But I wasn’t stupid. I’d told Elodie and Alice about France because I had two security guards living around me and following me everywhere. There was no avoiding that conversation. But since I didn’t know if I’d even see Chris after tonight, vague would have to work—so would deflection. “Overseas. But the food was terrible. Speaking of food. I’ve never been to Fabian’s. Tell me what’s good.”
And just like that, the conversation had been averted.
***
Our conversation over dinner flowed easily. Thankfully, Tristan didn’t come into the restaurant. But, from time to time, I could see him through the front window pacing on the sidewalk in his dark clothes.
“So, have your parents always been overprotective?” Chris asked as he ate his chicken parmesan.
“You could say that. But I know it’s because they love me. You know, better safe than sorry. So, if I can put their minds at ease, I do it.”
“Are you an only child?”
I nodded as I took a bite of my chicken marsala.
“Well, that explains it.”
I laughed. If he only knew.
“Do you like Remington so far?”
“Everyone seems really nice. Even youngsters like yourself,” I teased before sipping my glass of wine.
“Heeeeey.”
I smiled.
We finished up dinner a little while later and Chris paid the bill. Tristan was back in the driver’s seat of the car when we stepped outside.
“Do you need to get back now or can we go somewhere else?” Chris asked.
“What were you thinking?”
“I saw a sign for an open mic night.”
“Do you sing?”