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“Just us.” I scout out the food line for our captain.
“Captain Hook has a late class,” replies Lia. “She’s taking an art history lecture.”
I laugh. “You better not let her hear you call her that.”
Lia scrunches up her face as she ponders it. “Well, there’s Captain Ahab. Is that better?” She winks at me. “What was up with that attitude of hers during practice? She has it out for you.”
“She’s a mess,” I reply. “Let’s just say she did some uncool shit when we were freshmen.”
“Do tell.” Sam smiles. “Air that dirty laundry, so I choke on the fumes.”
We laugh a little too loud and attract a few curious stares. “I can’t say. Maybe one day when she really pisses me off, but I’d rather hold my cards close, if you get me. Hey, watch my chair while I get something to eat.”
Sam rests her calves on the seat like a footrest. I’m sure that’s pissing everyone standing off, but who’s going to mess with a bunch of jocks with sticks?
I hurry off to get a mixed salad to balance out the breaded chicken burger I had for lunch and carry my food back to the table. Damn, someone stole my chair and is sitting in it. I recognize the back of Nikki’s head. I toss my tray down on the table, but she doesn’t feel compelled to give me my seat back. Nikki has switched out of boss girl mode into besties mode. She smiles in my face like I want to share my time with her.
“I met the coolest guy in class,” Nikki grins. “He’s new and amazingly smart.”
Sam scoffs. “A new guy or someone you only just noticed?”
“No, he was waitlisted,” she replies. “He started Wakehurst this week.”
“Does the sexy guy have a name?” asks Lia.
Nikki smiles. “Elijah Harlow.”
My stomach sinks like lead, and I can’t choke down a bite of my tomato without it scraping along my tight throat. I never mentioned Elijah to anyone on the team, and now, I wish I had. How am I supposed to tell Nikki he’s a lurking psycho without coming off as a hysterical nut? Or worse, a jealous one.
“You may want to take your time getting to know him,” I reply cautiously.
“Why do you say that?” Nikki tosses me a side-eye for butting in.
“I knew him from a long time ago, and he can be intense.”
“That’s it? He’s intense?” Nikki scoffs. “I think he should be since he’s an art major. You have to be creative to understand someone who’s creative.”
My blood boils to steaming as I narrow my eyes on her smirking grin. “Is that a dig?” I ask.
“You’re not intensely creative,” she laughs off my threat. “You’re too normal to be authentically innovative. He’s really passionate, and those fierce eyes…” She bites her bottom lip. “So hot, they stare straight into me like he’s collecting my naughtiest wishes.”
I want to punch her. What the fuck was she doing staring into my Elijah’s eyes?
Nikki smiles slyly as she ignores the salad wilting on my tray. “Uncharted Planis playing at the campus theater this weekend. The school asked the photo club to document it. He’s in the club, so I volunteered to help him.”
“That sounds cool.” Sam glances at me and then dulls her enthusiasm quickly. “Helping out, I mean.”
Nikki smirks. “I’m going to get something to eat.” She looks at me. “Watch my seat, Livi.”
“Sorry, I’ve got to go catch the shuttle,” I tell them as I grab my salad. “See you at practice.” They gawk at my back as I walk away, but I wasn’t going to sit there and listen to Nikki gloat about being with a psycho. Good. Maybe he’ll latch onto her. I sigh, knowing that I’ll try one more time to warn her.
***
The campus theater is standing room only by the time Lucas and I arrive outside the main doors. The venue hosts some of the hottest national acts, not just college bands waiting for a big break. The event banners flutter in a light breeze over the entrance, lit by floodlights and surrounded by an amped-up crowd that makes the atmosphere feel like a holiday. My mood goes from shitty to happy in seconds. The energy bouncing off the crowd is intoxicating, and that’s what I need to forget Elijah is here at Wakehurst.
Holding hands with Lucas, we go inside the theater. Instantly, the hairs on the back of my neck rise, and I don’t need to turn around to know that someone’s watching me. No one is staring in our direction, but someone starts calling my name. In a mini tartan skirt and lace-up boots, Nikki squeezes through the crowd with Elijah in tow.
Elijah’s gaze rests on my hand in Lucas’. His mouth twists into a harsh scowl, which makes me feel guilty for touching another man though it’s innocent. Plus, it’s none of Elijah’s business. Oblivious, Nikki grabs hold of Elijah’s arm, and my body tenses, causing Lucas to yank his hand out of my grip and shake it out.
