“Um thanks,” I mutter as he stares at me. He nods and jerks another chair out and takes a seat.
“Liam and I will get the food,” Hayley says, tugging him toward the restaurants. I didn’t even tell her what I wanted.
I take up the chair on the other side of my bags. I pull out my phone and pretend to check my email because I can’t stand this awkward silence between us. I hope he doesn’t expect me to make conversation.
“Are you dating Woodrow?” Killian narrows his dark and mysterious eyes on me then looks away picking lint from his jeans.
“No. I don’t even know him. I met him like yesterday.” I laugh. “Why do you care?”
“I don’t. It’s only he isn’t right for you. And why are you changing the way that you dress? Is it because I called you a nerd? I didn’t mean it. It was a joke.” His voice has softened, and it is as though he is half apologizing but half mad at me for talking to Woodrow.
“That’s not why. Well it is but it isn’t. I know I dress a bit childishly, and I’m in college now and should act like it. I want to make a good impression tomorrow. And why isn’t Woodrow right for me? He seems nice.”
“You said it yourself. You don’t even know him.”
“I think you are the last person who should be giving dating advice. I saw you making out with that Jackie chick and not even an hour later she had her tongue down Ben’s throat. Not to mention you kissed me later that same night.” I shake my head and tears burn in my eyes. I don’t know why I am being emotional and stupid. It’s not like Killian is anyone to me.
“You jealous?” He smirks.
I twist my head away from him and look for Hayley and Liam.
Killian leans across the chair holding my bags and grips my chin, his touch sears me. “You are, aren’t you?” I know he sees the unshed tears waiting to fall.
I smack his hand away and immediately regret the action. “No.” I chew on my bottom lip as a single tear slides down my cheek. “Like I said—you aren’t quite the authority for advice.” I wipe my cheek praying he didn’t notice.
Before he can reply Liam sets a tray of food on the table and Hayley starts handing out drinks. “Everything okay?” I know she can sense the tension between Killian and me.
“Perfect. I’m starved. What’d you get me?”
“The Chinese here sucks so we got waffle fries and chicken sandwiches,” Hayley explains, taking her seat.
I sip on my drink and ignore the way Killian is glowering at me as he shoves some fries into his big jerk mouth.
“Everyone ready for tomorrow?” I ask in a half-assed attempt to lighten the mood.
“Not even. I hate going to class,” Hayley grumbles, appearing depressed at the thought of attending classes tomorrow.
“I told you not to take anything early morning, babe,” Liam tells her and dips his fry in mayo, and I gag. “Don’t hate, Liri. It’s good. I thought all girls like to swallow.” he chuckles, and I know my face must be beet red.
“Shut up, she’s a virgin,” Hayley announces for the whole food court to hear. Her hand immediately flies to her mouth, and I sink down in my seat to hide my face. I can feel everyone looking at me, especially Killian.
“What?” Liam says oblivious to the coughs and laughter. “I think it’s cool. Liri’s a good girl. Nothing wrong with that.” He bites into his sandwich.
Hayley touches my arm. “I’m sorry,” she mouths.
I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not ashamed of being a virgin.” I look at Killian and lift my chin proudly. He doesn’t say anything or if he does it is low enough, I don’t hear, but I can feel his eyes on me as I sink my teeth into my sandwich. Juice and sauce from the chicken drips down my chin and I laugh. He hurriedly flings a napkin at me.
Chapter 6
Liri
When I take my seat in the lecture hall for my Creative Writing Class, the last person I expect to see sliding into the seat next to mine is Killian. I do my best to hide my shock behind the curtain of my hair. Does he even have this class or is he here to drive me crazy?
“Aren’t you going to say hello?” His voice grates over every cell in my body. Heat flames across my chest and licks up my neck.
“Hello,” I say robotically, and he laughs. “You want to be a writer?”
“Naw. Just saw you coming in here and thought I’d see how your first day is going.”
“What?” I blink and stare at him as the other students start entering the room.
“So, how’s it going?”
“Fine. How’s your day?”
“It’d be a lot better if you’d go to lunch with me.” He winks.
“You have something wrong with your eye?” I tease.
He wipes his finger over the crease. “No.”
I grin and the professor enters to start class.
“Lunch?” he presses.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think too hard.” He slides back out of the seat and leaves.
What the hell was that? My pulse hammers in my ears. Professor Larson is speaking, but I haven’t heard a word she has said, but thankfully I already have the class syllabus.
The class passes by fairly easy. She dives right into a discussion about finding our voice. Our first assignment is to write a historical letter in first person. We are to choose a significant event in history and write about it by letter as though we experienced it firsthand. We have two weeks to complete the assignment. I scan over some of the suggested events and cross off the ones I think I wouldn’t find interesting. I’ll need to go to the library later to do some research first. Sure, I could look stuff up online, but there are some things that can only be learned through a book.
When my writing class ends Woodrow and Ben are waiting in the hall for me. “Liri, hey,” Woodrow greets me and grabs my messenger bag to carry before I can protest.
“Hi. Ben, right?”
“Yeah.” He grins.
“We’re about to grab lunch, and I thought you might want to join us.”
“Actually…” I am about to tell them that I already have plans when I spy Killian coming around the corner with his arm around that Jackie chick. My face goes pale, but I try to recover before anyone notices. “That sounds perfect,” the words come out quickly.
Ben looks down the hall and his lip curls up in disgust. “She’s nothing but a fuckin’ slut, man,” Woodrow tells him, and I stay quiet. I don’t know her enough to really say anything but from what I’ve seen of her he isn’t exactly wrong.
Her and Killian pass by us, and he has the audacity to wink at me. I turn my nose up at him and walk off with Woodrow and Ben feeling confused. I thought Woodrow and Killian were friends. When we get to the cafeteria, I spot Hayley and Liam. She waves me over but then Killian and Jackie sit in the empty chairs at her table. I wrinkle my nose and shake my head at her.
Woodrow hands me my bag. “Just sit wherever you want. I’ll get you a tray.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“I’m not hungry,” Ben states and tugs me along with him by the strap of my bag. These guys are kind of pushy, but I go along with him until I see where we are headed. He takes me to a table by where Hayley is sitting that is full of beefy jocks. Killian is smirking at us, and I want to melt into the floor and become invisible. I look to Hayley for help even though I don’t exactly know what kind of help I need. Maybe mental help for thinking Killian was actually interested in taking me to lunch. Against my better judgment I sit at the other table with Ben and his teammates whom I have learned are all football players. Woodrow returns carrying two trays and orders some guy out of his seat so he can sit next to me. I am already over all these boys. I would have been better off grabbing a bag of chips and hitting the library early.
I pick at my salad, shoveling the cucumbers around with my fork. Like Ben, I find my appetite has escaped me. “Are you guys back together,” I hear a nasally voice question.
“Maybe. We’re seeing
how things go,” Jackie answers and my heart drops to my stomach. It’s crazy to be this effected like this over a guy I hardly know.
Ben bangs his fist down on the table next to me so hard that my tray bounces. He turns to glare at Killian and Jackie before storming out of the cafeteria. Laughter erupts from the table behind us, and I can feel Woodrow stiffening next to me.
I look to him and dare to ask, “What was that all about?”
“Fucking Jackie. She bounces back and forth between Killian and Ben and anyone else who will give her any attention. She’s nothing but trouble. Killian doesn’t even like her, he only goes along with her because he hates Ben.”
“Sounds like they both need to tell the skank to get lost,” I mutter.
“What’d you say about me?” I freeze and Woodrow cracks up. I’m afraid to turn around and hope if I ignore her, she will simply go away. Only that’s not what happens. Jackie shoves my shoulder. “Turn around and face me. I heard what you called me.”
Dang. I do the only thing I can at this point because the cafeteria has gone eerily quiet, and I can feel everyone staring at me waiting for me to make a move. I turn around. In the movies when you stand up to a bully, they aren’t expecting it and they back down. This is probably another dumb mistake on my part but, I say, “You said you heard me so obviously you know what I called you.” I smooth my features and try not to laugh.
Hayley covers her mouth trying to stifle her giggle. Liam is gaping at me and Killian looks amused. Woodrow has his hand on my arm ready to intervene.
“Ugh,” she scoffs. “Whatever, virgin. That’s the only reason Woodrow is giving you the time of day.”
“You say virgin like it’s a bad thing,” Woodrow cuts in. “Of course I’m going to be interested in her. Who wants to be with someone that everyone and I do mean everyone has already had?”
“Screw you both,” she seethes and looks to Killian to defend her. He is staying out of it though. He turns his head and looks out the window.
Woodrow chuckles. “You aren’t our type, sweetheart.” Woodrow looks at Killian as if he is asking for permission. A silent conversation transpires between them with only a few looks. “You think he gives a shit about you? All you are to him is a toy. A dirty fuck to use whenever he wants to take a dig at Ben. And Ben, I don’t know why he is hung up on you, but he is. You look like a dumbass hanging all over a guy who doesn’t want you and won’t even make a move to defend you.” His words are harsh, but they are true from what I gather.
I look to Killian and wonder if he’s even listening to any of this. He appears bored by the whole thing, and I don’t know what I thought I felt sparking between us, but I see him clearly for the jerk that he is cute or not. I don’t want to end up like Jackie.
“This isn’t over,” Jackie threatens, narrowing her eyes at me before she stomps out of the cafeteria the same direction Ben left in.
“Don’t pay her no mind. She’s all bark,” Woodrow says, and an afterthought hits me. How did they all know that I’m a virgin unless Killian, Liam, or Hayley said something?
“I’m just that great at making friends.” I offer him a weak smile and push my tray to the side.
Hayley comes over. “Can I borrow you for a minute?”
I look to Woodrow. “I’ll talk to you later. Thanks for having my back.”
“Yeah you will. I have been wanting to put that bitch in her place for a long time for ruining our group.”
I nod and grab my bag to follow Hayley outside. She pulls me along to an empty picnic table in the courtyard.
“What the hell was all that? Do you have a death wish? Jackie will make your life here a living hell. She’s our RA. If she wanted to, she could kick us out of our dorm. I don’t like her but you gotta be careful. Her and Killian have history. I know you say nothing is going on with Killian, and I told him to leave you alone, but I see the way the two of you keep looking at each other. I like him. He’s Liam’s best friend but…”
I laugh. “Killian thinks I’m a nerd. I think he sees me as a social experiment or a charity case. I don’t know but don’t worry I’ll be staying far away from them.”
“And Woodrow?”
“He’s nice, Hayley, but I have only been here like two days and my focus is on my grades not boys.”
“Well if you need to talk, I’m here. I know it seems like since you got here, I am always stuck up Liam’s ass, but I want us to be close. We’re family.”
I touch my fingers to the locket she gave me with the photo of my father. “Yeah we are. Do you think sometime that your mom would want to tell me about him?”
“Really?” Her eyes brighten. “You have no idea how much she’d love that. That’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about, but I’d rather do it back at the dorm.”
I look at the time on the digital clock that hangs over the entrance to the cafeteria. “I have another class but later?”
“Absolutely and I promise no Liam or Killian this time. Just us.”
“Cool. Can you tell Woodrow I had to go?”
Hayley bobs her head. “Okay. And for the record if you did decide to date someone from their group Woodrow is a safe bet.”
Safe is exactly what I should want but my mind keeps drifting back to a set of dark eyes that make my heart race. “I’m not interested, Hayley.”
“Okay. Okay. I get it.” She grins like she knows something that I don’t.
Chapter 7
Killian
“Dude, what’s your problem? Why do you keep fucking with that Jackie bitch?” Liam presses as I light up a cigarette.
“She’s going through some shit and needed a friend.”
“Since when are you friends with a chick?” He laughs like it’s the funniest thing ever, and I scowl.
“I’m friends with Hayley,” I point out.
“Hayley is my girl and it’s a given that she doesn’t count. So…what do you think about Woodrow moving in on her cousin?”
“Who?” I play dumb. “Oh, you mean the nerd.” I grin and take a drag off my cigarette. My mind flashes to her wearing those stupid tights or whatever they were with the freaking rainbows on them. I hate them but love them on her. I hate her. She’s cute and annoying. She’s like a little lost puppy. I can’t stop thinking about her, and I don’t like it. Girls never get under my skin, but there’s something about her. I don’t know what it is, but I’m drawn to her magical laugh. Even Jackie can’t be mean to her. It’s like Liri is a freaking Mother Theresa type and everyone wants to be nice to her.
“Smoking is unattractive.” Her voice rings in my head, and I flick my cigarette out the window. Then I get pissed and light up another.
Liam gives me a cross look. “You okay, man?”
“I’m perfect.” No I’m not. I feel like I have fell down a fucking rabbit hole, and everything is upside down.
“Whatever you say. I’m thinking of asking Hayley to move in with me around Christmas,” he says out of nowhere.”
“Yeah okay.” I chuckle.
He punches me in the arm. “I’m being serious. After this semester I could go full time at the garage.”
“What about school?”
“I already earn enough to support Hayley and me. I don’t know it was only a thought.” He frowns.
“Good thing you have me to pull your head out of your ass. I like Hayley but aren’t you guys I don’t know…too young to be getting so damn serious?”
“What would you know about it? You’ve never been serious about anything.”
“Ouch,” I huff out under my breath and puff on my cigarette, but it doesn’t taste as appealing as it once did. “Am I dropping you at Hayley’s?”
“Naw. I promised I’d stay away. She has some family stuff to talk to Liri about.”
“What kind of stuff?” I hedge and tell myself I am only asking because I am being nosy.
“I don’t know. I wasn’t really listening. When she was talking, she was waving her arms
around. You know how she gets animated and my eyes kept zeroing in on her tits because they were bouncing every single time she waved her arms around, and then all I could think about was I want to titty fuck her and…”
“Okay enough. I don’t need to know what kind of weird shit goes on in that head of yours.”
“I don’t know. She mentioned something about Liri’s dad. He’s Hayley’s uncle or some shit but dude is fucked up. Lives in a nursing home or some shit.”
“Is he like old or something?”
“No. He had an accident or something and he has the mind of a child.”
“Oh.” I keep driving to the frat house. I’m sure there’s a party or some shit going down tonight. I need to get drunk or laid and get those damn powder blue eyes out of my head and the innocence they held when I kissed her.
“I’m not ashamed of being a virgin.” Her soft voice caresses my cock.
Fuck.
I am so fucking fucked.
Chapter 8
Liri
My ceramics class was fun. The vibe was super laid back. Being in there surrounded by such beautiful work has me feeling the urge to create. I should be at the library researching for my writing assignment, but I’m back in the dorm sprawled out on my bed with my sketchbook. The locket Hayley gave me is open and laying on the edge of my page for reference. I changed out of the jeans I wore to class earlier and put on my navy-blue strawberry print romper. It’s comfortable, and I still feel tired from staying out late the other night.
Hayley comes in a bit later, and I am shocked Liam isn’t right behind her being they are attached at the hip. “Hey.” She smiles at me as she puts her stuff on her desk and goes to the bathroom. I finish shading my birth father’s eyebrows and close up my sketchbook. I lay it on my desk after I clasp my necklace back around my neck.
Hayley is still in the bathroom, so I pull my laptop from my bag and start making some notes for my assignment. I think I want to do something from the Civil War era or World War II. Maybe focus on some farmer’s daughter who was in love with the boy next door, but he’s gone off to fight and she writes him a letter.
The Story of Killian & Liri (Cruel Love Book 1) Page 4