Page 11 of April’s Fool

Thankfully, I’m able to do just that. When I step through the doors of the massive library, I take a breath of relief.

The library is open 24/7 for students, and there’s usually someone around. Now, though, with so many still gone and on spring break, it’s completely empty. Kind of freaky with no one here.

However, that’s fine with me. At least I don’t have to worry about someone approaching me. I find a spot, drop my stuff, take off my jacket, and get to it. I can do this. I simply need to focus on getting my schoolwork done. If I stay ahead, I can finish early enough that I won’t worry about anything or anyone again. Then, after graduation, I won’t have to be here anymore. I won’t have to deal with any more torment. I won’t have to debate running away or dropping out. I’ve been so determined not to let them win. I refuse to let anyone get in my way of finishing what I started, but it hasn’t been easy. Not in the last four years. This one, though, has been the worst. But I need to get through the next few months.

After spending several hours in the library, I’ve made progress, and I’m happy with what I’ve done so far. Gathering my things, I make my way outside into the cloudy yet now dry afternoon.

Instead of going straight home, I make my way to the coffee shop on the corner. It’s locally owned and way better than any franchise. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks, but this place is better than everything else. The barista here — she’s a master at getting the flavors just right — makes everything from caramel brulé to pumpkin spice, s’mores, and even a cinnamon blend.

Once I have my coffee in hand, I make my way back out into the world, feeling a bit of a pep in my step. Weird as it sounds, I’m feeling good. I’ve made a dent in my assignment, one I’ll finish before we get back into the classroom. But feeling this way makes me feel lighter. Granted, that’s the effect of Margo’s coffee. It always makes me feel this way.

Rounding the corner to my apartment building, savoring the last of my coffee, I falter at the sight of someone sitting on my front steps. The building itself used to be a house that the owners remodeled into apartments, each with a separate entrance. There’s even a walkway to the back for those who live on the second level.

But sitting on my little steps isn’t just anyone. It’s someone I didn’t expect to see again.

I certainly wasn’t expecting to see him here of all places. Fool.

I slow my steps, watching him closely, his eyes on me. Only when I get close does he stand to his full height.

“What are you doing here?” I manage to ask without sounding breathless.

The sight of him standing in front of me, wearing jeans that fit him in all the right places, a fitted dark gray T-shirt under his cut, and boots on his feet, makes him look hot. Hotter than hot. Even better are the shades he’s wearing over his eyes. Despite the clouds, he's still wearing those dark sunglasses.

I wish he weren’t wearing them so I could see his enchanting emerald-green eyes again. The ones I find so beautiful that they followed me into my dreams the night before.

“You left before you could give me your number,” he says. My eyes drop to watch his lips as he forms each word. “Found out you go to school close by and where you live, so I decided to stop by.”

“You decided to stop by because you didn’t get my phone number?” My heart hammers in my chest at the very idea that he’d even want to do anything of the sort.

“Yep.” He smirks and steps closer. So close I can smell the woodsy cologne on him. It’s heaven. All wood and leather, mixed with spice.

“So, you found out where I live and stopped by.” This makes little sense to me. Why would he . . . Wait a minute? I narrow my eyes and demand, “Were you put up to this?”

“Put up to what?” he asks, one of his brows lifting over his shades.

“Come on, I’m not stupid,” I snap. “I know someone put you up to this. To come out here and check on me.” It’s the only thing that makes sense. If that’s the case, I swear I’m going to lose my mind on whoever put you up to this.

“Nope,” he says, far too easily.

It would be so easy to believe him, but I don’t. I know my best friends and their dads far too well.

“Don’t lie to me,” I whisper, dropping my gaze and shaking my head. “I can’t stand people who lie to me.”

Fool closes the distance between us, reaches out, grips my chin, and tilts my head back, forcing me to maintain eye contact. The first thing I see as he lifts the sunglasses to the top of his head is the intensity in those green orbs staring back at me. Well, I don’t know how to decipher the look on his face.

“I don’t want to be someone you can’t stand or think will lie to you, so yeah, they asked me to look into what’s going on with you. Our club isn’t that far away, only thirty minutes, so it’s not a big deal to come here. However, I’ll have you know, finding out you’re this close to me . . . well, there’s no way I couldn’t come see you. Besides, you left without saying goodbye.”

“Why?” His admission baffles me more than I care to admit. It also warms a part of me I don’t understand.

“Why what?” he asks, stroking his thumb across my bottom lip.

“Why would you come here to see me if not because you were told to?”

“How about we go inside your place so I can explain that to you?” Fool suggests, dropping his hand, only to take my free one in his.

“Um, okay.” I don’t know why I’m agreeing to let him into my apartment, but that’s what I’m about to do.

Hand in hand, the two of us walk up to my door. I let go of his hand to dig my keys out of the side pocket of my bag and unlock the door. I step inside with Fool right behind me. He closes the door, sealing us inside. Immediately, the air feels a lot thinner than it usually does.