“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?”