The Hazards of a One Night Stand (Hazards #2)(16)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

We walked across the quad. I waved at a few people I knew, and if it was a guy, Colt moved closer to me. I didn’t give him a hard time about it. I liked the way his body felt next to mine even if I didn’t want to enjoy it.

I stepped away from him. “Here you are.” I pointed to the stone building called Tahoe.

“Great. Want to grab lunch later?”

“I already have plans,” I said honestly. I was meeting my friends.

“Oh. All right. Have a good class.” He surprised me by leaning over and kissing me on the cheek.

“Colt.”

“What? Is your cheek off limits now? Even after everything else you let me kiss the other night?”

I resisted the urge to hit him. “Please stop. That was one time.”

“So you say.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“That you miss me like crazy and can’t get the night we spent together out of your head.” He played with the strap of his backpack.

“I’m not going to say it.” I couldn’t. “Bye, Colt.”

“See you soon, pumpkin.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Never.” He grinned before walking into the building.

I shook my head and headed to my next class.

After spending so much time talking to Colt, I barely made it in on time. The small lecture hall had only a few rows, and on a quick glance, I didn’t notice many free seats.

“Mallory!”

I looked up and saw Reed waving his arm to get my attention.

“Hey.” I took the seat next to his. “I didn’t know you were in this class.”

“Yeah, I decided to take another econ class before graduation.”

“Cool.” I pulled out my laptop. Although I preferred pen and paper for discussion classes, I liked to type my lecture notes.

The professor, a much more seasoned one, introduced herself and started a lecture on capital markets and supply, and I lost track of time. Before I knew it, class was over.

We packed up, and Reed held open the door. “You’re having lunch with Juliet today, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Tell her I said ‘hi.’ I’m heading down to the school I volunteer at.”

“Oh, cool. I will.” I smiled before we went our separate ways on the quad. I headed back to the house. I couldn’t wait to tell my roommates about my morning. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long. I ran into Juliet halfway to the house.

“How was your morning?” She pushed her sunglasses up on the top of her head.

“An experience.”

“An experience? Who was it? Colt or Tanner?”

“Colton, but before I forget, Reed was in my econ class, and he said hi.”

“Oh, I forgot he’d switched into that.”

“You don’t have your boyfriend’s schedule memorized? I think that means you suck at being a girlfriend.”

She laughed. “Come on, spill.”

“Let’s wait for Cara. I don’t want to tell this story twice.”

“Seriously? You’re going to make me wait?” She nearly stepped into me trying to get out of the way of someone on a bike. “Use the road!” she called after him. I loved Juliet.

“Yes. Cara will be here soon.”

“Do you need to go inside for anything?”

“Yeah, to switch books. I have class at one, and I don’t want to come back.”

“Could you bring these up for me?” She handed me a couple of history books.

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” She sat down on the swing.

“Anything else I can do for you, your highness?”

“Some ice water would be nice. But don’t forget the lemon.”

I shook my head. “Drink from your water bottle.”

“If I must,” she said in a horrible attempt at a British accent. What the accent had to do with anything, I didn’t know.

“Be right back.”

I ran upstairs and changed out my books. I only had one afternoon class which meant my pink and white coach tote bag wouldn’t be as heavy. I checked my reflection in the mirror before stopping in the bathroom real quick.

“Hey, Mallory. How’s your day going?” Jana asked.

“It’s been all right. How about yours?”

“It’s been pretty good.” She brushed a few strands of her red hair behind her ear.

“Are you done for the day?”

“Yeah. I only have one class Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.” Her face lit up.

“That’s awesome.”

“There are some perks to being a senior.” She grinned.

“I bet.”

“By the way, I ran into Tanner earlier. He was asking me a million questions about you.”

“Yeah?” I started down the stairs.

“Uh huh. I think he’s going to try to impress you on Thursday.”

“Impress me, huh?”

“Yeah. Did you know I dated him freshman year?”

“Wait, really?” I’d never seen Jana really date anyone. She was at tons of parties, and always seemed to be out, but she never seemed to be with anyone.

“Yeah. It didn’t last long, but we went out a few times.”

“Oh. Cool.”

“He’s a lot more mature now.”

“It’s been three years.” I wondered what she meant, and what had soured her relationship so fast.

“Mallory? Are you coming?” Juliet called in.

“We’re getting lunch at the student center. Want to come?” For some reason, most of Jana’s closest friends had been in the class above her. She seemed a little lonely this year.

“No, thanks. I’m going to make something here, but we should hang out later.”

“Yeah, definitely.” I waved and headed out onto the porch.

“Cara’s going to meet us there. She’s running late.” Juliet took one last swing and then got up.

“Okay, cool.”

We walked over to the student center, talking about nothing in particular, and just enjoyed being back on the bustling campus.

A girl walking out held open the door to the building for us, and we headed to the large cafeteria area.

“Mallory, Juliet!” Cara called.

I followed her voice and found her standing with Aaron and Colt. No freaking way.

Juliet laughed dryly. “That sucks.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I mean now I have to wait longer to hear the details.” She grinned, and I knew she was kidding, but that didn’t spare her from a shove.