Then, Trent stalked toward me, his gaze never wavering from me. He moved around the students in the hallway with grace and precision, almost like he could sense them without having to actually look at them. It was the most fascinating thing to watch.
He stopped in front of me and smiled, and now my heart was the thing trying to claw its way out of my chest. I shrank against the wall, not because I was afraid of him, but because I was legitimately worried my legs would give out.
Propping his hand on the wall above my head, he leaned down. “You said something at Simon’s yesterday that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.”
“Uh, okay…” I said slowly.
“You said, and I quote, ‘We can’t do this.’”
“Yeah.” I narrowed my eyes. “So?”
“So, you said can’t, not that you didn’t want to.” His eyes sparked with desire, and then darkened infinitesimally.
Okay, that was just a little bit hot. I turned toward him, craving his nearness, even if this was the strangest conversation I’d ever had.
“What’s your point?” I asked.
“Did you want me to kiss you?”
Yes! But I clamped my lips shut. If I told him I wanted him to, he might actually try to kiss me right here in the middle of the hallway where everyone could see us. Not that I really cared if anyone saw us, but I knew it would hurt Simon’s feelings.
“Does it matter?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Does it?” He raised a brow.
“No, it doesn’t.” I crossed my arms.
That was a lie, though. It mattered to me quite a bit. I’d give anything to feel Trent’s lips on mine right now, to know if they were as soft as they looked.
“Then why are you looking at me like that?” He leaned a little closer, and I fought the urge to swoon.
“Like what?” Apparently, my conversational skills had packed up and left.
He bent down so his mouth was near my ear, and I couldn’t suppress the small groan that escaped when his warm breath tickled my skin.
“Like you’re imagining what it would feel like to kiss me,” he said, his voice raspy.
I sucked in a sharp breath. Every nerve in my body was on high alert, wound so tight I was afraid to move for fear of exploding. Tension sizzled between us, or maybe it was undeniable chemistry—I wasn’t sure considering I’d never felt anything so intense before.
“All you have to do is ask,” he whispered.
And with those words, I snapped out of whatever daze I’d been in. I’d heard those words before—from him. I was positive of that, though I had no idea how. Or why. I placed my hands on his chest and gave him a firm shove. He barely moved, but it was enough for me to wiggle away from him.
“You’re insane,” I said.
He laughed.
Spinning on my heel, I walked into class, but I couldn’t shake what had happened. In fact, I thought about it all morning. If Trent really wanted to kiss me, why didn’t he just do it? I’m sure he must know that I wouldn’t stop him again.
Ugh. And I’d been so rattled by him I’d totally forgotten to ask him about Jaxon. I shook my head, frustrated and disappointed with myself.
When lunch rolled around, Trent and Simon were waiting for me in my usual spot. Yeah, this wasn’t going to be the least bit uncomfortable. I considered turning and running back into the closest building and hiding out in the bathroom until lunch was over. But then Trent looked up and met my stare. So much for hiding.
I plastered a smile on my face and sat down between the two of them. “So… what’s going on?”
“I’m trying to convince Trent we should hang out today,” Simon said. “All of us.”
Right, because that had worked out so well yesterday.
“Oh, I have to help my stepmom today,” I said quickly, relieved I’d been able to come up with a believable lie.
“See? Chloe can’t even do anything,” Trent said. He leaned back on his hands, his arm brushing mine as he did.
A wave of heat cascaded up my arm and erupted on my neck. Why did I react this way to Trent but not Jaxon? And why did I feel like I knew Trent but not his brother? Because if I did know Trent, then I would know Jaxon, too, right? I desperately wanted to ask him, but I couldn’t necessarily do so with Simon sitting next to me.
“We can still hang out,” Simon said.
“Yeah, Trent,” I said, taking pleasure in the fact that I now had something I could use to unsettle him as much as he had me this morning. “You should hang out with Simon. You two are friends after all.”
“Exactly,” Simon said. “Just like me and Chloe. We’re friends, and we’re hanging out this weekend.”
I cringed, wishing Simon hadn’t said that. Though I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t have anything to hide or be embarrassed about. He was right—we were two friends hanging out. Nothing more. Besides, it wasn’t like I owed Trent any explanations.
“Is that so?” Trent said, his voice cool. “Well, then.” He straightened and pinned me with a heated stare. “You and I are friends. Are you going to hang out with me this weekend, too?”
I took a deep breath, unsure how to answer that.
Olivia sauntered over, and I groaned. She gave me a dirty look. “The feeling’s mutual,” she said.
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.
She turned her attention to her brother. “Simon, a word, please.” Her tone was curt, and she spun on her heel, walking away before he could answer her.
“I’ll be right back,” Simon said as he stood.
As soon as he was gone, I turned to Trent at the same time he turned to me, and our gazes collided. Mine was furious, but his
