They were hers.
She’d avoided the truth before now. They could have performed their song from the side of the stage while the holograms danced across the platform. They could have remained out of view—even after the holograms glitched.
Faster and faster still, she didn’t let the pain throbbing in her legs stop her. In the distance, she could see the lake glittering in the early morning sun. A sun that provided little warmth. But that didn’t matter. Not when heat seared down her limbs and adrenaline raced in her veins.
Killian and Devyn ran a few paces behind her. She knew they could probably match this speed without the burning, the gasping for breath. They were athletes, and Wylder was just a troublemaking junk food junkie who kissed the wrong boy.
No one ever would have claimed she made smart life decisions.
But this… Logan was a friend. A good friend. That was worse than kissing a teacher. She couldn’t lose him. And yet, all she wanted was to kiss him again.
Vibrations skated up her legs as her feet pounded into the stone path. Almost to the lake. She just had to make it that far before slowing.
She could do it.
She could do anything.
The ring of grass circling the lake was soft underfoot, a welcome change from the hard path leading to it. This close, tall reeds obscured the water from view.
Dampness from the frost seeped into her shoes, but she didn’t care. As she slowed, her legs shook, protesting further movement.
How did runners do this every day? How did they go for miles and miles?
Wylder had probably run a single mile, and her knees buckled. She pitched forward, tumbling to the grass and rolling onto her back. Flopping her legs out, she put a hand over her pounding heart.
Killian and Devyn both jogged in place as they looked down at her.
“You went too fast,” Devyn admonished. “You have to pace yourself.”
Wylder ignored her and patted the grass. “Come on. Take a break.”
“It’s not healthy to just stop suddenly. You have to cool down.”
Killian flopped down next to Wylder, defying Devyn. “Come on, Dev. Wylder obviously needs us.” He reached down, threading his fingers through Wylder’s.
“I don’t need you.” But she didn’t let go of his hand.
Devyn’s annoyance faded from her gaze, and she lowered herself to lay on Wylder’s other side. “Well, why didn’t you just say that?” She shifted. “The frost is seeping into my clothes.”
Wylder laughed, reaching over to nudge her roommate. “I love you, Dev.”
“She’s laughing. Killian, I thought you said she needed us.”
Killian’s eyes narrowed as he turned his head to look at Wylder. “She does. She’s just trying not to.”
Stupid guy knew her too well.
“So.” Killian tugged her arm, shifting them so Wylder rested her head on his shoulder. “What happened?”
“Why do you think something happened?”
“You think you’re a tough girl, Wylds, that you’re closed off and distant. But I can read you like a book.”
This was not how Wylder planned the morning to go. Laying with Killian and Devyn in the dewy grass and thinking about the kiss of the century.
“It’s about a boy.” Devyn rose up on an elbow and looked down at her. “I can tell.”
“How?” Wylder wasn’t proud of the way the word squeaked out.
“Because nothing shakes you. Not bad grades or rumors. You don’t care what people think about you. I’ve kind of always envied that.”
“Aw, Dev.”
Devyn ignored her. “Your family is like the all-American family. Your brother annoys you but not enough to make you run. Which only leaves one thing. A boy.”
“That doesn’t only leave one thing. I could be upset about global warming or human rights offenses in Xinjiang. I could be worried about what happens to me after graduation since I’m not going to college. What about the many wars going on? Or honestly, just the fact that I live in Ohio.”
Devyn’s brow lifted. “Well, I know you care about global warming and human rights issues. But those aren’t new. Something happened recently. The college thing doesn’t bother you. I can tell. And Ohio… hate to break it to you, Wylder, but you secretly love this place. You just don’t like to admit it.”
“How do you—”
“We might not be as close as you and Killian, but I’ve lived with you since the start of last year. I pay attention.”
A grin broke out across Wylder’s face. “I think you like me, Dev.”
Devyn shook her head. “That’s beside the point. Tell us what boy thing happened to make the anti-exercise Wylder come running.”
Killian had been silent during this exchange, but he spoke up now. “It’s not Sebastian is it?”
“No. That’s way over.”
“Then…” His eyes widened. “Oh my gosh. You kissed Logan.”
“What?” She sat up. “How could you possibly have guessed that?”
“I owe Diego twenty bucks,” he groaned.
“Wait.” She slapped his stomach. “You two bet on me?”
“I owe him too.” Devyn scowled. “I thought it would take a little longer.”
“What is happening?” Wylder hid her face in her hands. How did Diego—the most oblivious boy Wylder had ever known—see this coming, and she hadn’t?
Killian sat up beside her. “Forget the bet. You and Logan? Is that why you’re so upset this morning?”
She rested her chin on his shoulder. “Killian.” She closed her eyes.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Tell us.”
“You’re right. We kissed last night. And it was…” It was what? A mistake? A one-time thing? “Epic.”
“Epic, huh?” He grinned.
“Wipe that smile off your face, Killian James.”
“So, are you and Logan like dating now?” Devyn asked. “Will that be weird with Sebastian?”
“No.” She sighed. “We’re not dating. I don’t think it’ll happen again.”
“Then what’s the big deal?” Killian asked. “So, you forget about it and go back to bickering. Right?”
The big deal? She didn’t want it to be a one-time thing. And that desire had her running from it all the way from the dorms to the lake at way-too-early o’clock in the morning.
“Right.” Even as she said the word, she knew it wasn’t that simple.
Nothing was.
Killian wrapped an arm around her. “Running can’t solve all your problems, Wylds.”
“Definitely not.” Devyn stood and wiped off her butt. “But it can make you forget for a little while.”
“So can sleep.” Killian laughed. “Just ask Logan. He passed out early last night, and his light was off when I left this morning.”
An irrational anger burned through Wylder. “You mean he can sleep?”
No. If their kiss kept her up most of the night, he didn’t get peaceful slumber. Not. One. Bit.
Wylder climbed to her feet, her legs shaking beneath her. “Why did I want to run again?”
“Need me to carry you?” Killian teased.
“No, but I’m not going to finish the run with you guys. I need to go back to the dorm. I have someone to deal with.” A sleeping someone.
Devyn only shook her head and took off in the opposite direction.
“Please don’t break him.” Killian laughed as he followed Devyn.
Wylder didn’t promise anything. She tried to run back down the path to the dorms, but she’d used up her limited running juice. Sucking down water from the bottle Devyn had made her bring, she hiked back up the hill, her legs burning with every step. “You can do this, Wylder,” she kept telling herself. “Just a few more steps.”
Well, more than a few. By the time she reached the front door of the building, she was ready to collapse again. She swiped her keycard and yanked open the door. A security guard nodded to her from behind a tall
desk. It was his job to make sure the genders remained separate in the morning and at night. But the main lobby wasn’t the only way to get to the other floors or the boys’ wing.
She passed the dining hall where the earliest diners ate their breakfast. Crazies.
Thundering down the stairs to her own floor, she walked all the way down the hall to the back stairwell and pushed open the thick metal door. She pushed her legs to climb up to Logan’s floor and checked to make sure no one was in the hall when she stepped through the door into the boys’ side of the dorm building.
It was empty save for one person. Diego froze when he saw her.
She put a finger to her lips.
“Where have you been?” He whispered, looking down at her sweat-soaked hoodie and unkempt hair.
“Running.”
“No really, Wylds. Why are you gross?”
“I don’t have time to convince you, D, just don’t tell anyone I’m on the floor before eight.”
He straightened his glasses. “Can I tell Killian?”
“He already knows.”
That seemed to relax him. Diego never wanted to cause trouble, but he trusted Killian implicitly. “Okay.”
“Thanks, D.” She squeezed his arm as she passed to get to Killian and Logan’s door. It was unlocked, as usual, and she pushed it open.
Killian was right. There was no light coming from beneath Logan’s door. That wouldn’t do. The guy didn’t get to sleep soundly.
Clenching her jaw, she stormed across the common room and flung open Logan’s door without knocking. “Wake up.”
Wylder panted in the doorway, trying to hold herself upright as Logan stirred. She flipped the light on, and it took him a moment to open his eyes.
Confusion flashed across his face as he took her in.
Wylder stepped farther into the room, knowing her legs could collapse at any moment. Dramatic? Yes. But running was a killer.
Her chest heaved as she fought for both breath and words.
“What are you doing here, Wylder?”
She met his gaze and uttered three words. “I. Went. Running.”
14
“Did you just say you went running?” Logan squinted at her as he sat up in bed, the blankets falling away to reveal him in all his shirtless glory. His brown hair stood straight up, giving him that rumpled, I woke-up-this-sexy hair.
“You’re too pretty,” Wylder blurted.
“Well, good morning to you, too. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Get up. If I can’t sleep, you don’t get to.”
“Where are we going?”
“Breakfast. Chop-chop.”
“You can’t possibly be hungry after last night.”
“Did you not hear me? I. Went. Running.”
Logan chuckled, tossing his blankets aside. “Work up an appetite, did you?”
“Something like that, now put some clothes on.” She turned on her heel, leaving him to dress without her staring since she couldn’t seem to peel her eyes off him.
Once in the hall, Wylder fell in step beside Logan, shoving her hands deep in her coat pockets.
“So.” He gave her a sly look. “Why couldn’t you sleep? Something keep you up?”
Even with bed-head, he looked good, and she was still red-faced and sweaty from her run. He’d never want to kiss her again.
“Just this and that,” she hedged. “Silly tractor-inspired lyrics running through my head all night, you know.”
“Sure, sure.” Logan nodded, holding the door to the dining hall open for her. “I slept like a baby.”
Wylder resisted the urge to wipe the self-satisfied smirk off his face. “Good for you.” She shouldered past a group of students and made her way into the cafeteria. Her stomach growled at the scent of something heavenly and spicy.
“What’s that?” She followed her nose from one station to the next, passing up the cereal line, the pancake platters, and the omelet station until she landed in the line for the breakfast of the day. The school chefs offered special meals at dinner each night, with the standard daily staples always available. It appeared they did the same for breakfast. Last time it was French toast. This time it was something she’d never smelled before.
“What is that delicious smell?” Wylder asked the lady behind the counter.
“Biscuits and gravy,” the chef replied.
Wylder wrinkled her nose. “That looks revolting.” She stared down at the white lumpy gravy. “No, I’m talking about that spicy, sausagey smell.”
“It’s the sausage in the gravy. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s a southern delicacy. You should give it a try.” The lady scooped up a spoonful of the goopy stuff and handed the spoon to Wylder. She’d try anything at least once, she popped it into her mouth.
“That’s divine. I’ll have that with extra gravy.”
“How many biscuits you want, hon?” The lady smiled.
“Two.” Wylder glanced at the biscuits. “Well, they’re kinda small, better make it three. I went running this morning, so I’m ravenous.”
“If you like spicy food, try topping it with hot sauce, it’ll change your world.” The chef placed the plate on Wylder’s tray.
“I’ll try that, thanks.” Wylder went through the line and added some eggs and a few Danishes to her tray—for mid-day snackies between classes later.
“Large iced vanilla latte, please? With an extra shot.” Wylder placed her drink order and waited for Logan to join her.
“You should try the biscuit goo, it’s delicious.” She eyed his plate of egg-white crepes with spinach.
“You’re going to have a heart attack by the time you’re twenty-five.”
“Hey, I ran at least three miles this morning, I can eat whatever I want.”
“You ran two laps around the lake? Good for you, Wylds.” Logan shuffled through the line behind her, grabbing an orange juice and a bowl of fresh fruit.
“Um, not quite two.” Wylder grabbed some hot sauce. She wasn’t about to tell him she’d only managed to run down to the lake and walked back.
“Go grab our seats, I still need coffee,” Logan said.
She swiped her meal card and headed for their regular table.
“She’s here again?” Diego whispered. “I thought she was joking when she said she went running this morning.”
“It was her idea,” Devyn said, scooping up a bite of cereal. “Said she couldn’t sleep.”
“I like breakfast.” Wylder took her seat. “Why don’t you guys ever wake me up to come with you?”
“We don’t want to die.” Killian deadpanned.
“Did you know they have something different every morning?” Wylder dug into her biscuits. “This is amazing.”
“Yeah, the daily breakfast is usually a heart attack on a plate,” Devyn said. “So, right up your ally. You going to come running with us tomorrow?”
“Well, let’s not get crazy.” Wylder reached for the saltshaker.
“Cook is a crook. Cook is a crook.” The chanting started up again, and Wylder dropped her fork against her plate.
“Knock it off!” Killian barked at the jerks behind them, just as Logan pulled his seat away from the table. A trash bag full of garbage fell from his chair, scattering around Logan’s feet. He kicked it away and sat down with an angry scowl on his face.
It was getting to him. As much as he tried to shrug it off, the jerks laughing at his expense was too much.
“Ignore them, Logan,” Killian said. “They don’t matter.”
“I know.” Logan lifted a forkful of eggs to his mouth.
Wylder gripped her fork, shoveling her breakfast in. It had lost its appeal. Logan needed a break, and she knew just what to do.
“Let’s get out of here.” Devyn scooted her chair back. “I’m not going to sit here and listen to people cracking jokes about our friends.”
“Thanks, Dev,” Logan said. “But it’s okay, really. I can take it.”
“This will blow over, bro.” Killian lifted his tray. “They’ll have something new to focus on soon.”
“I know.” Logan sighed. “Let’s hope they come up with a better rhyme soon. I’m getting a little sick of Cook is a crook already.”
“They can’t all be brilliant songwriters.” Wylder grabbed her tray and followed the others out of the dining hall to the boos and whispered remarks of their fellow students.
Killian and Diego headed off across campus, and Devyn dragged Will off, leaving Wylder to sneak looks at Logan, wondering what he was thinking about.
Did the kiss not register on his radar this morning? Was he just focused on school drama?
She chanced another glance at him and caught his smirk. Was he being smug about it? Knowing it was their kiss that had kept her up all night?
“Er … see you in class later.” She started to turn back toward the dorms. She still needed a shower, and she had just enough time to get back and change before first period.
“Sure, later.”
She scowled at his retreating figure. How dare he sleep like a baby and then ignore the best kiss she'd ever had like it didn’t even matter?
“Oh, wait.” Logan turned back to her with a mischievous glint in his eye. “I almost forgot.” He leaned down and kissed her, his lips warm and soft against hers as he pulled her closer, his hands resting at her back.
Man, he smelled good. Her heart jackhammered in her chest.
“Later.” He winked and walked away without another word.
A smile slid across Wylder’s face, and she turned back toward the dorms, not caring that she was totally going to miss her first class. She had some scheming to do.
Wylder’s boots tapped against the floor outside the headmistress’s office. “Is she back yet?” Wylder asked the school secretary.
“Do you think she can apparate?” Mrs. McDougal didn’t look up from her paperwork.
“I suppose not.” Wylder sighed.
“Like I said, you should go to class and come back this afternoon when she’s actually here.”
“I’ll wait. This is important.” Wylder folded her arms to keep from chewing on her thumbnails. Her chunky knit cardigan fell off her shoulder.
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