Intercepting Authority

Chapter Five

Sutton

I know he's following me before I even hear his footsteps coming closer to me. Everything that happened in that kitchen at the party made me feel way too much, and I don't know how to process any of it.

It's been months since I felt anything about anyone. Trevor and I were never touchy-feely even when things were good. Once things turned bad, I never wanted to be alone with him because that was when things would get worse. He would make me feel so damn small and all my self-esteem with destroyed with only a few words.

Coming to a stop, I wait for Rhys to catch up to me. When I got over to Lecia at the party after my little run in with him, she squealed that I had the hottest guy at our school on his knees begging me to tell him my name.

I don't let myself even bask in the knowledge that he's the hottest. I mean, I can see how damn hot he is, but I don't want to be that girl. I want nothing more than to go back to be invisible except when I have to punch his little douchebag teammates for grabbing my ass or something equally as stupid.

"Why are you following me?" I ask when he catches up to me.

"Didn't want anything to happen to you on your way home." I feel a flutter take residence in my stomach, and I bite my lower lip as I scan over his features.

"Such the gentleman." My response is soft as we start to walk towards the dorms slowly.

"Just don't tell anyone. I don't want my asshole rep to get ruined." He grins at me, and I can't help the giggle that escapes from my lips.

"I don't see why you are nice to me, but I won't complain. It's actually kind of creepy out here at this time of night." He doesn't say anything, so we just walk in a comfortable silence.

As soon as the dorms come into view, he turns his head to look at me, and I try not to let him see me blush. It's been awhile since I've even been remotely attracted to someone, let alone a football player after Trevor.

"Why did you skip out on the party?"

I shrug and try not to give him a real answer. I don't want him to know that just being there reminded me of my past. But I definitely don't want him to know that the way his breath tickled my skin as he got really close turned me on. That part of me is craving a kiss.

I may be going insane right now, but I won't let anyone else see that. I'll save my crazy for another day.

"You know, I'm not going to let you walk away without a real answer. One that doesn't involve a shrug or an eye roll, something you seem to have down really well."

This time I can't help but laugh. "An eye roll? You really think I only answer in eye rolls and shrugs?" He gives me a megawatt smile and nods.

"Yeah, I do. You've barely said much to me even though I've tried like hell to talk to you. Every time, you shoot me down with an eye roll and a shrug."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at him this time because I know he will try to prove a point to me and I don't want that. Not right now.

"I'm not much on the party scene. I came here for school, and my roommate practically drug me here because of something that happened earl –" I cut myself off, already giving him way too much information.

I don't share my life with people for a reason. I like to keep everything tucked into a little tiny box inside myself so that no one can ever feel sorry for me and think that I'm broken or whatever. I want to be something else, and this is my one shot.

Being here is the only chance I'll probably get to make something of myself and not worry about what my past was filled with.

He stops us and puts his hand on my, forcing me to stay right where I am. "What happened earlier?" I swallow the lump in my throat and try like hell not to let myself tear up or even think about Trevor showing up here unannounced.