2:29 AM

Chapter Forty-Nine

It's Monday and I've been avoiding Colton successfully for most of the day. God, my weekend with Bryce was amazing. When we woke up, we ate breakfast and then he drove me back to the theater where my car was. We made out and then said goodbye.

And then I went back to the hospital and did homework.

I just have to get through one more hour. The only difference is, Colton's my biology partner, so I can't really avoid him. Bryce sits in front of me, so maybe I'll be okay.

"Hey," Bryce says as he slides his arm around my shoulders.

"Hey," I say, smiling. I slip my arm around his waist. When we get to Biology, Colton's already there. "Fuck," I mutter.

"Don't worry about him," Bryce murmurs. His arm tightens around my shoulders.

"Hey Tim," I say. Tim is Bryce's partner. His older brother, Trent, is a nurse at the hospital. "Can we trade seats?"

"Why?" he asks.

"Because I asked you," I say.

"Whatever," he says, grabbing his stuff.

"Thanks," I say. Tim shakes his head. I sit down next to Bryce. The bell rings and Mr. Burton walks over.

"Andy, go back to your seat," he tells me.

"Can I sit here today, Mr. Burton? Please?" I say. Mr. Burton frowns.

"Did I miss something? I thought you Bryce didn't get along well, and you and Colton were more than happy." He looks at Bryce, then at Colton and then at me.

"Um, I guess things change," I say. "Can I sit here?" Mr. Burton shrugs.

"Today only," he says. I nod. Mr. Burton walks to the front of the classroom. "Today, we're just going to watch a documentary called Blackfish, which is about the way Orca whales have responded to being in captivity. Take notes on things you find interesting," he says. All of the kids cheer. He rolls his eyes and walks to the back of the classroom, turning the lights off. He starts the documentary.

As we watch it, I feel Colton's burning gaze. I scoot my chair closer to Bryce and he slings his arm around the back of our chairs. I'm on edge from his gaze.

"Sweetheart, relax," Bryce murmurs. "You're so tense." He starts rubbing my shoulders. I sigh softly. His touch makes me forget most things.

After fifteen minutes Mr. Burton gets up. "I'm gonna go get more coffee. I'll be back in a few minutes. Please don't pull anything," he says, walking out and shutting the door. It's dark, the blinds are drawn shut, the lights are turned off. Bryce looks around.

"What are you doing?" I whisper. I look around and everyone seems to be watching the movie or on their phones. Bryce grins at me. "Bryce, seriously, what are you doing?"

"This," he says and then his mouth is covering mine. I kiss him back and he pulls me onto his lap so I'm straddling him. I shouldn't be kissing him, Mr. Burton could walk in any second, but I can't top. My arms go around his neck and run through his hair. He has one arm wrapping around my waist and his other arm is on my ass. I'm so glad I wore tiny shorts. I shift closer to him and open my mouth wider.

There's a crash behind us, but I don't really hear it. "Oh, shit!" Someone yells, "Burton's coming back!"

I scramble off of Bryce and back to my seat. He smirks at me and I wipe my mouth off and straighten my shirt. Bryce's hair is a mess. "You might want to fix your hair," I mutter. He shrugs and I fix it for him.

Mr. Burton walks back in. I hear him mutter, "Jesus, I don't get paid enough." I smile and shake my head as we go back to watching the documentary. After a little while, the bell rings and I grab my stuff. Bryce grabs my hand as we walk out.