“Who cares what Avery thinks? He won’t want us there either, but that’s not going to stop us.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Excellent.” Ashleigh clapped. “We should probably get to class.” She grabbed Lily’s hand and started pulling her away. “But it was nice to meet you, Miley, and don’t let my brother be an ass.”
“Oh look, if it isn’t the snitch bitch.”
I turned around to find Kendall Novak glaring at me.
“Oh, hey, Kendall.”
“Why were you talking to Avery’s sister just now?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“It’s so sad, using his sister to get to him. When everyone knows Avery wouldn’t touch you if you were the last girl on the planet. He told me that much on Saturday night when we were… well, you know.” Her lip curved triumphantly as if she could see the daggers wedged in my heart.
“You and Avery—”
“I’ve waited a long time to call him mine. And I’m not going to stand by and let the likes of some nerd like you get in my way.” Kendall leaned in, her saccharine smile vicious. “Stay away from the team and stay away from Avery. Got it?”
“Kendall?” Her name echoed through my skull and we both looked up to find Avery glaring at us.
“Oh. Hey, Avery,” she sang, shouldering past me and going to him. She laced her arm through his and they walked off together.
I slumped against my locker bank, inhaling a ragged breath. He’d kissed me and then hooked up with Kendall.
I didn’t know why I’d expected anything else. He was Avery Chase. He could have any girl in the school.
Any girl except me.
Tuesday night, I was working the late shift at the library. There was only me and old Mrs. Winkleman, and she tended to hang out in her office, listening to classical music and doing the paperwork.
The last person I expected to see come through the door was Avery.
“This is a surprise,” I said, smothering my hurt.
“Yeah, well, the school library’s Xerox was down, and I need to copy these.”
“Sure, I can help you with that. Right this way.” I smiled, but he didn’t return it.
The Xerox machine was located at the back of the building in an alcove housing the printers and a couple of old computers.
“It’s quiet,” Avery said.
“We get the odd person who stop by, but usually after seven it’s just me and the Winkleman.”
“The what?”
“Mrs. Winkleman,” I glanced back at him, “she manages the library.”
His eyes were dark tonight, brimming with an indecipherable emotion.
“How’s Kendall?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
“Kendall?” Avery frowned.
“Yeah, I thought… she said you two… it doesn’t matter. It’s none of my business.” I fumbled with the machine, running my finger over the power switch. Then I ran my staff card through the magnetic strip.
“Okay, she’s all set.” I refused to look at him. “When you’re done, just come back to the desk and pay.”
I went to leave, but Avery’s hand shot out and snagged my wrist. “Wait,” he said.
My eyes finally lifted to his and what I saw there sent a shiver racing down my spine.
“Avery?” I whispered as time stood still.
His eyes were fixated on my mouth, and I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.
“What are you—”
“Shh,” he breathed. “Just give me a minute.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
I’d give him time.
I’d give him all the time in the world.
Chapter Nine
Avery
I wanted to kiss her.
Fuck, I wanted to kiss her so badly.
It was like pushing Miley away only made me want her more. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. I was supposed to hate her; part of me did. But I couldn’t get her out of my head. How cute and goofy she’d looked that night at Micah’s party. The way she’d stood up for Lily.
More and more I was beginning to realize Miley Fuller wasn’t a bad person. Sure, she’d made some really fucking awful choices, but she was only human. She had hopes and dreams and a plan. And I knew all about going after what you wanted and putting it above everything else.
After all, I was the guy who still hadn’t come clean to his old man about wanting Notre Dame over Michigan.
Scouts were coming out to the game Friday. I had to tell him before then. I had to rip off the Band-Aid and get it over with.
Yet, here I was, in Rixon Library of all fucking places, one second away from kissing the girl who’d betrayed me. Again.
“Avery?” she whispered again.
Fuck. My name on her lips did all kinds of things to me. Sinful things. Things I had no right wanting. It was senior year, the biggest year of my life. I didn’t have time for girls, let alone ones as confusing and treacherous as Miley. And I knew she had her heart set on Northwestern. There was no point in starting something up with her when we both planned to leave next summer…
But: I. Couldn’t. Stop. Thinking. About. Kissing. Her.
Maybe I just needed to get her out of my system? Yeah, that was it. Maybe I just needed some closure.
I stalked toward her, but Miley backed away. It didn’t matter though. The invisible tether between us was undeniable, and it had only strengthened since school resumed.
All summer I’d tried to forget her, and then I’d taken one look at her on the first day of school and everything had come rushing back. But my feelings for her were confusing. Hatred woven with attraction. Disappointment tangled with desire. I wanted her. I wanted Miley in a way I’d never wanted anyone else, but I also couldn’t forget what she’d done to me, to the team.
Fuck.
Her back finally hit the wall and I caged her in, pressing my hands on either side of her head. “W-what are you doing?” she murmured.
“Trying something.” Leaning in, I ghosted my lips over hers, running my tongue over the seam of her lips. My heart crashed violently against my chest as her taste flooded my mouth.
“Avery…” Her voice was cracked with lust as
