Page 130 of Coveted

She makes kissing sounds, which I take as my cue to leave. My classes are done for the day, but I still have a mountain of reading to get through.

As I hurry back to my dorm, I check my phone. Lucan has sent me a message, inviting me to study at his apartment.

I really shouldn’t go. We’ll just end up having sex, and then more sex. Fun, but bad for my grades.

In my dorm living room, I find Juliette and Clara practically levitating on caffeine. Empty energy drink cans cover the table as my roommates fire practice exam questions at each other.

Pop music blasts from Clara’s portable speaker. She says it helps her focus, and I wish I could relate.

Rethinking Lucan’s offer, I hastily accept via text message. He replies fast, telling me that Cormac is already waiting for me out the front of Darkbloom.

Sighing in exasperation at Lucan’s boundless audacity—though I’m also lowkey grateful—I collect the books I need and say goodbye to my friends.

On the drive to Ember Falls, the forest leaves glimmer in the late-October gloom, arcing over the road to create an orange tunnel.

Frowning at my phone, I get an error message from my bank when I try to make my monthly debt payment. Maybe I have insufficient funds?

I swear I had enough though. Even with college and Lucan consuming my time, I’ve worked all my shifts at Ink & Ivy Books.

Gliding in the elevator to his apartment, I check my debt balance, but there is none. The account is marked as deactivated.

“What’s wrong?” asks Lucan, a dark silhouette as the elevator door opens.

“The bank made a mistake.” I glance at the time. “They’re closed now, so I’ll have to deal with it tomorrow.”

He sucks his teeth. “I think you’ll find there’s no mistake.”

“Come again?”

“I took care of your debt for you.”

My hand tightens on my phone. “You did?”

I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned the debt. I wanted to be honest, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Sure.” He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my forehead. “Come in, I’m making you coffee and food. Did your Halloween costume come?”

His books are strewn on the dining table. I place mine down too, along with my bag.

“Yeah.” I bring up the photo on my phone of the dress and black-feather wings. “This is it.”

Lucan takes his time looking at the photo, as if he’s imagining how every aspect of the costume will look on me. “Good choice.”

I can’t focus on the costume though. I’m stuck on him interfering with my finances, unable to decide what I’m feeling exactly.

“You paid my debt, just like that?” I ask.

He presses buttons on his fancy coffee maker. “It’s not a big deal. Why struggle for no reason? You’re my girlfriend.”

“Not a big deal to you, maybe.”

I identify the feeling I’m having as oddly deflated.

I fought to pay that debt, and believed I’d be fighting for years to come. What was a mountain to me was barely a blip to him. It makes me and my efforts feel like they mean very little.

But how can I say that without sounding ungrateful?

“It was nice of you to pay it off.” I unwind the scarf from around my neck.