Half Full

Chapter 7

I sat in my usual corner spot. Spot that makes me invisible...to most people, but not to Ryder Scott who is walking straight up to the seat next to me like he has for the past few weeks.

I got used to the idea that he is Sam's brother.

I got used to the idea that I promised to make his next relationship miserable.

I got used to the idea that he smiles at me that certain way.

I got used to the idea that his voice tickles my ears and some parts of my heart, like no one else did before.

What I haven't got used to, is the fast beating of my heart every time I see him walk towards me.

What I haven't got used to is the way my hands tremble every time he is leaning over pretending he didn't catch that last sentence from the lecture.

What I haven't got used to is the shocking wave of electricity that goes through me every time he touches my hand when he pretends to borrow my pencil, even though his, is lying next to his notebook.

"Payton." My name coming out of his mouth for the hundredth time this month.

"Hi, Ryder." I shift in my seat and pull my hair over my face, uneasy, unsure what all this means. His four times a week interaction with me should not give me any ideas. We just happen to sit next to each other at biology class.

His glances at me with eyes that are full of fire, are nothing but my crazy imagination. His legs touching mine under the table are nothing but coincidence because let's face it, his legs are long and muscular, and he needs to stretch them often during a ninety-minute class.

"What's up?" He leans closer to me and it's hard not to appreciate the fact that he smells delicious. I would have no problem licking that deliciousness at any second.

Really Payton? Jeez, it's like my hormones are in some kind of overdrive every time he's near me.

"Nothing's really changed since yesterday." I keep looking straight because the truth is, he is so close that if I try to look at him, which will require my face to turn right, I might land maybe an inch from his face. Not happening. "You? Anything exciting since we last talked twenty-four hours ago?"

I don't have to look at him to know that he is biting the right corner of his full mouth, his right eye slightly closed. I saw that look way too many times. That is his signature 'thinking' face. "Let's see, I had a long ass practice which sucked because I came on to Tyler, way too strongly and most likely sprain his shoulder. Half the team is not really happy about that. Then I went for a couple of beers with a few teammates and I had to wake up a few hours later to make it to the gym on time."

I snort in my mind. At least I think I'm doing it in my mind. "How the hell are you going out every night and yet managing to go to the gym every morning?" And where is that beer belly that you should have by now? I don't actually ask that, but come on, how can one have perfect abs drinking loads of calories every night. Not that I saw them or anything, but those tight tees that he is wearing tell the truth. Ok, once I saw some of it. A tiny little bit of it, when he lifted his arms to stretch on the chair and his shirt rode up to reveal that glorious V line or a tiny inch of it of it. But my imagination was working on overdrive and I swear I saw the whole V, not just a fraction of it.

"Practice, Pay, practice. You will learn, eventually." He nudges me playfully with his elbow.

I just shake my head. I don't see a point in explaining to him that I actually attend college to learn something, not ruin my liver. But I guess the party animal vibes were implanted with his genes because his sister also thinks that college is about one thing and one thing only - partying.