Reckless Mind by Heather Wiginton

come to their practice during the week, and I told him if I wasn't working I would try. He asked for my number so he could text me directions if I decided I could come.
    I wasn't sure about giving him my number, but then I thought about how Emma's group of friends would be my group of friends slowly but surely anyway and I didn't see anything wrong with it. Cole made me smile so he could take my picture so when I called my face would pop up in his phone. He asked if I'd done the campus tour yet, and I told him how Emma and I didn't really pay attention during orientation, but I thought I'd been figuring it out pretty well these last couple weeks.
    “Why don't I come by tomorrow afternoon and I can walk around campus with you? I can show you all the cool shortcuts to get to your classes faster,” he seemed genuine with his offer and I didn't see what the harm in having him help me would be, so I thanked him and told him to call me tomorrow when he was free. “I'll see you tomorrow then?” His dimple was so charming, and I loved how he played with his lip ring, biting it, it drew my attention to his mouth which if that's what he was going for it was definitely working.
    “Tomorrow,” I confirmed with a smile, and thanked him again for walking me home. He started to walk away but waited at the top of the stairs until I was in my apartment giving him a small wave goodbye, then he retreated back down the stairs.
    I went and threw some shorts and a tank top on, then made my way to the bathroom to wash off any makeup on my face and brush my teeth. Nearly choking on my toothpaste, I almost fell off the bathroom counter too when a very hard, very loud thumping came from my front door. Checking my phone to see if I missed the call from Emma, I hadn't, I got nervous Josh had been watching Cole walk me home and was outside my door. Looking through the peep hole, it definitely was not Josh, though I couldn't believe who I saw.
    “I know you're in there, Kahlen, just open the damn door,” Brandon was raising his voice like he was angry, but I knew that wasn't possible, not with me anyway. I opened the door a little and looked up at him, toothbrush in hand, eyebrows raised in question. Almost in a whisper he asked, “Well, are you going to let me come in?” A small crooked smirk played across his lips.
    “No, I'm not,” I didn't even have to think about it. This space was mine and I didn't want him or any other guy in here yet. But he looked at me like he was offering a piece of himself out to me and couldn't take being rejected. Part of me felt like I was being played, the part of me that was still pissed at him for putting his hands on me and then letting some other girl kiss all up on him. But a part of me, the part always seeming to win when I was around him, felt that pull, the connection. Cursing myself for probably making the wrong choice again when it came to Brandon Lucas, I added, “Not unless you are buying me pizza anyway. I'm starving,” I let out a nervous laugh waiting for his response.
    “I already called for pizza, but I didn't know what kind you liked, so I got one cheese, one pepperoni, and one sausage.” He dropped his gaze from mine like he was nervous to see my response to his thoughtfulness. I opened the door a little more and reached out, grabbing his wrist gently and pulling him a little so he came the rest of the way into my place. Motioning to the couch, we sat down and I turned the TV on.
    “Want anything to drink? I don't have alcohol, but I have pop and water and stuff,” he laughed under his breath at me and I heard him mock pop quietly, but I didn't care. He said he was fine for now, then his stare got really intense.
    “What were you doing with Colton?” He tilted his head to the side slightly as if that would help him gage whether whatever came out of my mouth was the truth.
    “He walked me home because Jax asked him to. I was ready to leave the party and because of everything that'd