HANNAH
“You’re cheating.”
I grin smugly to myself, seeing as how Nathan can’t see me. “You were the one who wanted to sit like this.”
“Yeah. Sit. You, madam, are not sitting. You’re squirming. And very suggestively, too, I might add.”
A snicker leaks out, even as I bite down on my lips to try to keep it contained.
We’re on the floor of Nathan’s dorm. He’s got his back propped up against the couch, and I’m tucked in between his legs. This means he has to wrap both his arms around me and hold the gaming controller in front of the two of us. For him, the position has to be kind of awkward.
But as I said, it was his suggestion.
“I think you just can’t handle that I’m getting better at this than you.”
Friday nights no longer consist of me reading alone in the library. Now, they’re all about hot chocolate and Mario Kart. And sex. Which tends to happen first because the second we’re alone together and near a bed, Nathan starts kissing me like he’s drowning and I’m an oxygen tank.
But it’s not just Fridays; barely a day in these past two weeks has gone by without us at least meeting up for a quick coffee on campus. Not surprisingly, Lucifer always offers to order them.
I should be happy. I should be content.
Instead, whenever one of those emotions threatens to put me at ease, I shrink away from it. If I try to pretend like this silly, easy relationship will last forever, then I’ll be putting myself at risk for a massive heartbreak. There are no guarantees, and I can’t make a decision about my future happiness just because this guy gives me flutters in my chest.
Three of the universities in New York that I’d applied to sent me acceptance letters. I haven’t told Nathan. I also haven’t replied to the schools.
But it’s the end of the week, and I still have two more to go before the end of the semester. No need to get depressed about it all right now. Might as well enjoy the time I have left with him before I put on my big-girl panties and make the mature decision.
“You’ve improved a little bit. But you still have a long way to go, young grasshopper.” He lets go of the controller to reach under my T-shirt. The light touch tickles, and I writhe in his lap, giggling and protesting but to no avail.
We’re wrapped up together, laughing and play fighting, when the front door bursts open, and Nathan’s roommate stumbles in with his girl of the night.
Bobby scored well.
The Amazon towers in her heeled sandals, each step causing her hip-length russet hair to sway around her pale, freckled shoulders. I admire the cupid curve of her mouth and how she expertly applied her eyeliner—a skill my unsteady hand has yet to master.
Much of my playful giddiness deflates. Neither Nathan nor I enjoy hanging around and listening to Bobby’s rousing sexual exploits. Guess it’s time for me to head home.
“Oh. Hey, guys. This is—”
We don’t get to find out if Bobby remembered this one’s name tonight because she cuts him off, “Your shirt! Oh my God! I love it.” The mystery girl shoves away from Nathan’s shocked roommate to crouch in front of me. Pinching the bottom of my T-shirt, she pulls it taut. “My guardian angel wears a trench coat. That is so great! You’re a Supernatural fan?”
I’m impressed. Not many people pick up on my T-shirt’s reference to one of the main characters from my favorite TV show.
“Supernatural?” Nathan’s curiosity is obvious. “That have a pentagram-sun symbol?”
“Duh. The anti-possession tattoo. You watch it?” The stranger clutches her hands under her chin, looking like a child who’s stumbled across a puppy.
“He doesn’t.” I give Nathan a gentle elbow. “But I think I’ve rewatched the whole series, like, five times.”
“Five times?” The Amazon scoffs. “Girl, you need to catch up! You should join the Supernatural Club.”
“That exists?”
She has to be kidding. If there were a Supernatural Club, I totally would’ve spotted it on the university’s website.
“Well, not officially. We don’t need faculty advisers telling us how to binge-watch the fight against evil while consuming massive amounts of junk food.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Scarlet.”
“Hannah.” I return her shake, experiencing a pleasant tingle when our fingers clasp.
“Come on, babe,” Bobby practically whines, his body leaning toward his bedroom.
“For Pete’s sake, just give me a second. Can’t you see I’m making a new friend?” Scarlet leans in close to mutter, “Guy can’t even wait a few minutes for high-quality pussy.”
Behind me, Nathan chokes on a laugh, and my cheeks turn cherry-red hot.
“Do you like rock climbing?” Her question comes out of nowhere, the wild tracks of her mind harder to stay on course than Rainbow Road.
“Um, I don’t know. Never tried it.”
Clearly not afraid of personal space, Scarlet grasps one of my biceps, giving a light squeeze, and then clasps my hand again to trace the pads of her fingers over my palms. “You got some muscle, girl. And calluses. You lift weights?”
“A few times a week.”
“Well, a little upper-body strength is all it takes. You should come to the rock wall in the gym tomorrow around two. My roommate, Callie, and I’ll be there. We can show you how. And quiz you on your knowledge of Sam and Dean Winchester—aka the hottest men on television.”
Her grin is almost manic but in a familiar way. It’s the expression that arises from the joy of discovering someone else who shares your fandom. My face is probably forming into something similar.
And because I get a kindred sense from Scarlet, I take a risk, praying I’m not shooting myself in the foot. “I’m actually more of a Castiel fan.” I name one of the other characters from the show, an angel with floppy, dark hair and soulful eyes.
Scarlet glances at Nathan, likely picking up some of the subtle resemblance between him and my fictional crush. Her grin adopts a knowing edge that shoots up the heat factor in my face a couple more degrees.
“I’m sure you do. Well”—she abruptly stands, towering above the two of us in her massive heels—“you’re still invited. Two p.m. Rock wall. Be there, ass-butt.”
Nathan stiffens against my back, obviously offended for me. I, on the other hand, am surprised into a delighted chuckle, easily picking up on her Supernatural reference.
Before I can respond, Scarlet saunters down the hall, leaving Bobby to trail in her wake.
When they’re gone, Nathan uses his thumb to turn my head to the side, where he can meet my eyes. “Sorry. Didn’t know you were going to get ambushed.”
“Don’t be sorry! She’s awesome! Supernatural club …”
My mind skips over all the possibilities. Long discussions about the show. Themed snacks. Friends to share references with.
Sounds like heaven.
“So, you’re going tomorrow?” he asks.
“To rock climbing? No doubt. Have you tried it? Is it hard?”
“I haven’t. But we both know you’re pretty amazing at climbing things.” Lucifer’s grin turns wicked right before he leans down to press a warm kiss to my lips.