Page 5 of Twilight of Embers
My face heated. “Totally fine. Sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“No worries,” he said with a smile. “Freshman?”
I nodded. “I was just looking for the student center.”
“Well, I’m headed that way. I can show you. Wouldn’t want any more head-on collisions.”
My blush deepened. “You don’t have to.”
He shrugged carelessly, which pulled the T-shirt he wore taut across his muscled chest. “I don’t mind. I’m Knox, by the way.”
The wind picked up, blowing my blonde hair into my face, and I hurried to brush it out of the way.
Knox’s nostrils flared, and his green gaze went wide. “Where’s your protection?”
I blinked up at him. “My protection?”
Was this guy some sort of creep who thought I was going to sleep with him because he showed me the way to the student center?
He glanced around quickly before lowering his voice. “Your guards.”
A laugh burst out of me. “Do most students come with a secret service detail or something?”
This time it was Knox doing the blinking. His brow furrowed as he studied me, then he shifted uncomfortably before forcing a smile. “Figured it might take a full security detail to keep you concussion free.”
My lips twitched. “Jerk.”
He grinned, but there was still some unease in those gorgeous green eyes. “Come on. I’ll play bodyguard from here to the student center.”
“You really don’t have to.” But I fell into step beside him.
“I’m heading to the bookstore anyway. So, you’re stuck with me.”
Like that was a hardship.
As we made our way farther into campus, more students appeared. Their gazes all zeroed in on Knox. Guys offered him chin lifts and fist bumps, while girls gave him shy smiles or come-hither stares. Everyone seemed to know his name. Then their gazes would shift to me in puzzlement.
I didn’t blame them. I didn’t fit. Not in my favorite worn T-shirt that read, If life gives you mold, make Penicillin, and my scuffed-up Vans. I cringed. I really should’ve thought more about my arrival attire.
Knox glanced down at me. “You never said what your name was.”
“Hayden. Hayden Parrish.”
“Nice to meet you, Hayden Parrish. Where are you from?”
“A suburb of Seattle.” The actual town name didn’t matter.
“Welcome to Evergreen. It’s pretty laid-back here. A good mix of people.”
I nodded, toying with a loose thread on my T-shirt. “It’s beautiful. How long have you gone here?”
“Since freshman year. I’m a junior now.”
Made sense why he knew everyone.
“What dorm did you get?” Knox asked.
“Ridge Hall.” I was used to sharing a room, but anxiety still bubbled at the unknown of who my roommate would be.
