The Jock Neighbor

Chapter 8

Briar's POV

After Hayley's little threat earlier, I haven't been able to focus. I keep telling myself not to think too much about it because there's no way she got her hands on that. But, the more I think about it, the more wary I am. You never know what people can accomplish these days, especially with their connections.

I mindlessly walk to my next class, my head down as I mull over what she said.

"I came across some really fascinating information about you earlier."

"It would really ruin you life..."

"Break off whatever little situation you have going on with Luke, and we can forget the whole thing even happened."

Each sentence pulling me closer and closer to that fine line of pure stress and sanity. The uncertainty of not knowing whether or not she actually has information causing me to worry my bottom lip between my teeth.

I'm so stuck in my head that I don't pay attention to where I'm going and I bump into something... hard. The force causes me to recoil backwards making me trip over my foot in the process.

A small shriek slips past my lips as I prepare to hit the ground, but something warm and safe wraps around my waist and head, catching me, preventing me from falling towards the unforgiving hard floors.

I slowly peel an eye open and see two beautiful brown eyes peering down at me.

Luke.

I open both of my eyes fully and he smiles at me. "What had you so distracted that you couldn't see I was standing in front of you?" He jokes.

My mind tries to piece together just exactly what it was that made me lose focus of my surroundings, but as that twinkle in his eyes shine and that smile of his melts into the softest parts of my heart, I can't get myself to remember.

"Um, I uh..." I clear my throat before slightly shaking my head. "I don't remember, but thank you for catching me. I should've been paying attention."

"I will always catch you when you fall." He smiles softly at me, the double meaning going past my fluttering heart and fuzzy mind.

"Thank you." I repeat again but this time breathier. The Luke Verlice effect, always capable of rendering a woman speechless.

He slowly lifts me to a standing position and that's when I realize that we were in a classroom full of students. I hesitantly get myself to look around the classroom and sure enough everyone was watching us. A blush mars my cheeks as the eyes of the other students stay glued to us, mostly in shock and some in envy.

Luke takes his fingers and places them at the tip of my chin before turning my face towards his. "Don't pay attention to them. They don't deserve to take up a single thought in your sweet head."

I look at him speechless as he brushes a strand of hair out of my face.

Before I can formulate a response, the teacher comes in and he tells us to take our seats. I hear as the class moves to sit down, ignoring what just took place for now. Surely they will tell all of their friends by the time class is out.

Luke pulls out my chair for me, causing me to be taken aback for the second time today at his gentlemanly gesture. I politely smile at him, mouthing a thank you. I catch him mouthing a you're welcome before I sit down in my seat.

Not a moment later, Luke sits to the right of me and I can feel the heat emanating from his body. Was it always so hot in here?

I quickly fan myself before I pull out the materials I will be needing for the class as our teacher gets started. I hear a soft chuckle next to me and my cheeks flame up all over again. I really hope he didn't see me fanning myself.