Page 6 of Devil Within
I want to know how those lips would taste—
“That’s it for today,” the professor is saying. “I’ll see all of you tomorrow, don’t forget to read the book!”
I stay in my seat until the professor leaves and then I wait patiently as Parker places her satchel over her shoulder and leaves, before making my move.
She is a few feet outside of the classroom. I let out a deep breath and ease my shoulders before calling out to her.
“Parker.”
She turns around, her face a mix of confusion when she sees me. Does she not recognize me?
But then her eyes widen and she says, “Oh hey, it’s Hudson, right?”
5
Tension
Parker
Hudson. The guy from the party. He stands there before me, emitting confidence. His athletic physique compliments his tall frame.
Up close, I can see that his eye colour is a dark jade. He probably knows he’s very good-looking and he definitely looks like someone I should avoid. I’m not in the mood to talk to another guy just yet. Let alone a hot one.
“Yeah,” he says. “I was walking by and I saw you inside the Literature class and then I remembered you from the party.”
I want to laugh ask God what kind of sick joke this is but instead, I ask Hudson, “You remembered me? What was there to remember?”
Why would he remember me? Maybe I had a good following on social media and dated a football player for a while, but I’m not popular.
He shoves his hands into his dark jeans pockets and steps closer, a wide smile forming on his lips. “It’s kind of hard to forget someone falling face flat in front of you.”
“Right,” I say, my cheeks growing warm with embarrassment.
“Anyway,” he says, his dark eyes sweeping over me. “There’s a party tomorrow night if you’d like to come.”
“Why?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
He cocks his head slightly to the side. “I don’t know. A random invite, I guess. It’s at a nightclub called Éclipse. You can bring anyone along.”
“I don’t know,” I say, trying to focus on Hudson, but I can see a tall, familiar frame with dirty blonde approaching.Ryan.He’s just behind Hudson, heading in our direction. “I’m sure you can get someone else to come.”
“Parker!” Ryan calls out.
“Oh crap,” I mutter under my breath and Hudson turns around just as Ryan reaches us.
“What do you want?” I ask, annoyance lacing my voice.
Ryan frowns at Hudson, already sizing him up as he speaks to me. “I wanted to talk.”
“And I told you it’s over.”
Ryan doesn’t say anything, as he continues to stare at Hudson and I gaze up at Hudson to see him staring right back. His face is blank as he watches Ryan.
They’re both tall, with Hudson just a few inches taller and they both look like they’re having some silent “Alpha Male” stand-off, chests puffed out and all.
“Moving on already?” Ryan asks sardonically.
A muscle in Hudson’s jaw twitches and I decide to step in to diffuse the tension in the air.