Amber

Chapter 23: He's Getting Under My Skin

(Amber's POV )

I needed to clear my head.

I needed to stop thinking about him.

But no matter how hard I tried, no matter how many times I told myself that Adrian Blackwood wasn't worth my time—

He was still there.

In my mind.

Under my skin.

And I hated it.

—

I slammed my bedroom door shut, tossing my bag onto the chair before flopping onto my bed with a loud groan.

Mia's texts popped up on my screen before I could even close my eyes.

Mia: Okay. Spill. What the hell was that at school today??

I sighed, typing back.

Me: I have no idea what you're talking about.

A second later—

Mia: BULLSHIT. You and Adrian? The tension?? Girl, I thought he was going to grab you and throw you over his shoulder or something.

My face burned.

Me: You're insane.

Mia: And YOU'RE in denial.

Me: I don't want to talk about him.

Mia: Omg. That means you were thinking about him.

I groaned.

Me: Goodbye, Mia.

Mia: You're running from your feelings.

Me: I'm running from YOU.

I tossed my phone onto my bed, burying my face into my pillow.

This was so stupid.

I shouldn't care.

I shouldn't even be thinking about Adrian right now.

But the moment he had whispered in my ear—if you're trying to make me jealous, sweetheart, it's working—

I had felt something.

Something dangerous.

Something I wasn't ready to admit.

—

I forced myself to get up, heading downstairs.

Mom was in the kitchen, scrolling through her tablet while sipping on coffee.

She glanced up when she saw me. "Hey, sweetie. You okay?"

"Fine," I muttered, opening the fridge.

She hummed. "You don't look fine."

I ignored that.

Mom watched me for a second before sighing. "Is this about a boy?"

I nearly choked on air.

"What? No."

She raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure."

I scowled. "Why would you even—"

She smirked. "Because I was your age once. And you look like a girl who's trying way too hard not to think about someone."

I froze.

Then quickly turned away, grabbing a bottle of water. "It's not like that."

Mom shrugged. "If you say so."

I huffed. "I do."

"Good." She smiled, turning back to her tablet. "Because boys like that? The ones that drive you crazy? They're usually trouble."

I rolled my eyes. "Mom—"

"And they're usually the ones you end up falling for."

My stomach dropped.

I shook my head instantly. "That's not happening."

She laughed. "Mmm-hmm."

I scowled. "It's not!"

"Sure, sweetheart."

I froze.

The way she said it—so casually, so teasingly—

It sounded too much like Adrian.

I groaned. "I hate this conversation."

Mom chuckled. "You hate that I'm right."

I grabbed an apple off the counter. "I'm leaving."

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here!"

—

I stepped outside, letting the cool air calm me down.

I needed to stop this.

I needed to stop letting Adrian Blackwood live in my head.

But then—

My phone buzzed.

I glanced down.

And frozed.

Adrian:come outside sweet heart

My heart stopped.

I hesitated.

Then slowly—I looked up.

And there he was.

Leaning against his car.

Golden eyes locked onto mine.

Smirking.

Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me