Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Complicated

"Well? What?"

Drumming my fingers impatiently against the tabletop I lean forward, staring Evan down with as hardened an expression as I can manage.

I say "hardened as I could manage" because I'd be lying to deny that just a small part of me is secretly delighted to be near him again -

Quite damning, really.

Yet again, I betray myself.

Because if I'm with Reggie - which I am - then why would I ever ...

Standing on the far side of the table, Evan straightens his shoulders and stares back at me just as coolly.

A short, uncomfortable silence now punctures the small classroom we've slipped into.

"... Don't 'well, what' me."

"Well?! WHAT ?!" I repeat obstinately.

A show of pure defiance.

I suppose I just can't help myself.

The two of us now glare at one another. When still he declines to speak, I shake my head and scowl at him, "What do you expect, really? Especially after what you pulled yesterday in the library -"

"- And what, pray tell, did I do yesterday in the library?"

"You know what you did, Evan Rosier."

"Hmm ... I assure you I don't."

"Came back, intentionally. When you knew -"

"... Prove it. Prove I knew."

Oh, he knew.

He definitely knew!

Because he may be many things, but 'a fool' isn't one of them.

Unable to think of a proper response, I just stare back at him challengingly.

Sighing, Evan uncrosses his arms and gestures between the two of us, "Let's ignore all that, alright? I say we put it behind us."

Upon hearing this, my face twists into an expression of disbelief. As he continues to stare at me, his voice suddenly switches to being disarmingly gentle, "... If you think I care ... if you think I care about you and Reggie that is -"

An unbidden surge of panic ripples through me at the mere mention of our names, my head whipping around frantically, "- Shhh! For goodness sake, Evan! Shhh!"

Even though we're presumably alone, I find myself totally paranoid hearing the words said aloud.

If anyone ever heard -

If anyone ever found out about Reggie and I -

Hesitating, he gives me a pitying look, "... Come on, now. A bit of trust, for once? My aim's not to expose you. I hope you'd give me more credit than that."

"I'm sorry - it's not you - it's the situation."

The situation.

What is the situation, exactly?

All sources point to 'complicated.'

Complicated immediately switches to 'hopelessly complex' as he stares back at me then slowly walks around the table and comes to a stop just before me. My eyes flying up to his, my breath suddenly comes shorter, quicker.

He's so close - he's so close -

How am I supposed to pretend to be angry with him -