Page 68 of Inseparable
“Thanks. We’re out of here, but we’ll see you guys later.”
He places his hand on my lower back as he guides me out of the frat house. I shiver in the cold night air, remembering I left my stuff in the house. I spin around, prepared to go back inside, but he holds out my purse and jacket, a smirk twisting the corners of his mouth. “How did you…” I shake my head. “Never mind.”
He takes my hand in his again. “Text Mariah and tell her to stay at Cody’s place tonight. I’ve a lot to tell you, and I don’t want to be interrupted.”
I tap out a quick text as Devin leads me to a nearby parking bay. Opening the passenger side of a sleek, brand new black SUV, he helps me inside before jogging around to the driver side. “Is this yours?”
He nods, switching the engine on. “I’ve tons to catch you up on. You hungry?”
“I could eat.”
His grin is out in full force as he eases the car out onto the road. “I’ve never known any girl to share your appetite and banging curves.”
“Thank you, I think.”
His grin magnifies. “And look at you, all graceful in the face of a compliment.”
I shove him playfully. “Maybe I’ve changed.”
His expression turns reflective. “I think we all have.”
When he joins the line at the drive through, he engages the handbrake, and turns to face me. There’s an anxious look on his face, and he swallows hard. “Be honest. Are you mad at me?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admit truthfully. “I should be, but I’m too freaking happy to summon anger.”
He places his hand atop mine. “I’m so happy to be here with you. It’s all that’s kept me going for months.”
I want to quiz him instantly, but I hold my tongue. He places our order and shortly after we’re on our way with a piping hot bag of greasy goodness nestled in my lap.
My brows knit together as he pulls up in front of the residence hall Mariah and I call home. “How did you know I lived here?” I ask, because I hadn’t given him directions.
He drags his lower lip between his teeth, and my eyes latch onto the movement greedily. I blink my eyes, forcing myself to focus. Devin’s ability to turn my brain to goo hasn’t dissipated in the slightest.
“Promise you won’t freak.”
I pin him with a stern look. “You know me better than that.”
He sighs, dragging a hand through his silky hair. “I go to school here too and… I looked you up the minute I arrived. I know where you live, and I probably know your schedule better than you know it yourself.”
My mouth falls open, and my heart rate speeds up. That sounds more than a little stalkerish. “Since when?”
“Since the start of the semester.”
My spine stiffens. “What? You’ve been here this whole time and you waited almost three months before approaching me?”
“I had good reason.”
“Like what?” I bark. Anger is simmering in my veins.
“I wanted you to settle in without my interference. I didn’t want to hold you back.”
Steam practically billows out of my ears. “What a stinking pile of crap! How dare you presume to know what I did or didn’t need.” I slam my hand against his chest, disgusted when tears sting my eyes. “I’ve been to hell and back worrying about you!” I scream. “I’ve texted you hundreds, hell, probably thousands of times, and you didn’t even once text me back.” My chest heaves up and down. “I haven’t seen you for over seven months. Seven fucking months, Dev! And for some of that time you’ve been here? Screw you! Fucking asshole!” My blood boils as months of pent-up frustration and longing find an outlet. I’m out of the car before he’s had time to blink. I’m mad as all hell as I race toward the building. Ableep,bleepsound echoes behind me, but I don’t look back as I yank the door open and run inside.
I’m breathless by the time I reach our apartment. Slamming the door behind me, I sag on the floor, absolutely fuming. I can’t believe he’s been here this whole time and I’m only now finding out about it. Funny thing is, for ages I felt like I was being watched, but I convinced myself I was paranoid. Now, I’m wondering if I was right all along—has Devin been watching me all this time?
He raps loudly on the door. “Ange, please. Let me in and I’ll explain everything.”
“Go away!” I roar. “I’m too fucking mad right now.”
