Chapter 37 CHAPTER 37

Chapter 37 CHAPTER 37
When the bell rang, Theodore finally released me with a grumbled. He pointed two fingers at his eyes, then at Cross -I'm watching you.

Cross hoisted me under his arm. "I love you too, CJ."

I jabbed his ribs. "Stop being so extra. We're not playing around anymore."

David snorted. "Was he ever?"

Halfway to the building, Hilary skidded in front of us, her usually perfect hair was in disarray. She grabbed Cross's shoulders and shook him.

"Did you read my text?!" she blurted, took out his phone.

"No, why?"

"Read it!" she urged.

Theodore stepped behind Hilary and brushed her hair. "Wow princess. I like it when you don't look put together. It brings out something wild in me."

My eyes widened. Wait-is she one of the-

"No, Clara. She's not one of the girls." Theodore
answered, already reading my mind. Hilary looked up at him and smiled, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, you mean one of the girls you had sex with last week? It was-

Theodore covered her mouth with his palm. When she began laughing, he lifted her and carried her off. She looked like a brightly feathered parrot being escorted away by her guilty owner.

They'd actually be cute if Theodore got over his aversion to relationships. At least Hilary was too smart to fall for his lines. I wouldn't need to warn her.

Cross laced his fingers through mine. Usually, his arm was around me. Friendly, mnore casual. Holding hands felt more intimate. Still, I didn't pull away. "What was her text about?" I asked.

"Nothing."
He answered too quickly, staring straight ahead with a faraway gaze that let me know it was anything but.

"Really, you're not going to tell me?"

He stopped walking. "If you kiss me right now, I will." Right in the middle of the hallway. People were already whispering, eyes flickering to our joined hands. If I kissed him, it would seal their assumptions...and silently agree to something I couldn't answer. Not yet.

"Let's go," I said, tugging him forward.

Forrest made a reluctant noise but followed. With his free hand, he caught my face and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"What do I need to do for you to say yes?"

"I told you. I need time."

In technology he predictably led us to an isolated area and refused to let me sit on a chair.

"Cross."

"Come on, this is the only period I get to have you to myself."

More like the only period he could flirt shamelessly without getting called out by a teacher. Impatient, he hooked a finger through the belt loop of my jeans and tugged me closer until I gave in, letting him pull me onto his lap.

Mr. Grifin took attendance, and Cross closed his eyes while I played with his hair. He wouldn't tell me what Hilary texted him, but another question kept nudging me.

I brushed back the loose strands that fell over his forehead. With his hair swept away, his features seemed more defined. The strong line of his jaw, the soft fullness of his lips. With his eyes closed and his shoulders relaxed, he looked heartbreakingly handsome. And yet here he was, leaning into my touch like it was the only place he wanted to be in.

"I didn't know you guys made an agreement to keep me off limits," I said softly, careful not to break the quiet.

His dark brows furrowed imperceptibly. My thumb grazed over the area, relax.

"We did. A long time ago. You didn't flirt, and you're a good girl. Even when Theodore tried to corrupt you."

I stifled a laugh. "Teddy never tried to corrupt me. He likes teasing people, but it's obvious he's kidding."

"He likes testing people. But you were so nice he became harmless."

"At least he wasn't as mean as you."

He made a low sound, but didn't argue otherwise. Compared to Teddy and David, he really was the cruel one, often apologizing when he crossed a line and I ignored him. Not always, but it snuck up every now and then.

Seeing his peaceful state, I eased my hand toward his pocket. He allowed my hand to wander inside, nearly sliding his phone out when his hand closed over my wrist.

"No,"

I detached from him and his eyes jolted open. I busied myself laying our half-finished project.

"You're annoyed," he said.

I spread the supplies and continued my project with sealed lips, ignoring him as he reached for me, light touches that skimmed my arm, my hip. Then, with one hand he caught both my wrists and held them down to the table.

"Don't ignore me. Say something." His voice edged with irritation.

"Until there's full transparency between us, I won't trust you," I said quietly. "Can you let go of me now?"

He released me, only to draw my hands to his lap and hold them there. His chair inched forward until our knees touched.

"There's a new student coming tomorrow," he said lightly.

"Why would Hilary tell you that?"

We have new students all the time. Most faded into the background, unless they were attractive enough to draw attention.

"Because it's someone I don't like."

"What's his namne?"

"Her name is Larissa. She used to go here. A long time ago."

Oh.

I didn't remember her, didn't even know her, but knowing Cross, he probably had history with her.

"Is she your ex?"

"I don't have exes," he said, fingers tightening around me like a noose. It was a harsh grip, as if the idea of that girl being his ex were offensive.

That's true. Cross never did girlfriends. Only flings and situationships. But never a serious relationship. Which made it all the stranger he sought to explore that with me. Maybe being his friend made that comfortable for him.

Irubbed his knuckles. "Why don't you like her?"

"It's a long story. Another day."

I nodded. I could work with that, as long as it didn't feel like he was hiding things from me. I still wanted to look through his phone, not only to see Hilary's text, but to also see if he's been texting anyone else.

"Any other questions?" he asked.

I shook my head, then immediately regretted it when he kissed my cheek and began to work on his project.

Because I did have more questions.

Many of them.

Did he have photos in his album of the girls he'd been with before? Was there anything in a private folder? When was the last time he interacted romantically with someone else?

I didn't know. But I really wanted to. Still, I couldn't find the courage to ask him.

"Are you sure?" he pressed.

While focusing on my project, I didn't notice he'd been periodically checking on me.

"Another day," I murmured, choosing to deflect just as he did momnents ago.

Under the table, his hand settled on my thigh, giving it a squeeze. He'd let it go for now, but we'd be revisiting this. And knowing him, it'd be sooner rather than later.