On the Outside Looking In (Wrong Reasons) Read Free Page B

it?”
    “Hanging out.”   Setting his coffee on the counter, he crammed his hands into his front jeans pockets.  “Hey, it’s nothing – just something to do.”
    “What about Amanda, or whatever her name is?” I asked as I grabbed a clean rag and wiped the counter.  “Won’t she get mad?”
    He laughed, the sound a deep rumble in his throat.  “ Manda won’t give a shit.”
    “Manda?”
    Rolling his eyes, he picked up his cup again.  “Her name is Amanda, she just likes Manda better.”
    “Oh.  Well, isn’t she your girlfriend?”
    “No, she’s just Manda.”
    Confused, I shook my head, the rag hanging limply from my fingers.  “I really have to study tonight.  I have an exam next week.”
    “So, we’ll hang out in the library.”
    Groaning, I tossed the rag into a sink behind me.  “You’re impossible.”
    “I know.  The chicks dig that.”
    My eyes widened.  “Chicks?  Really?”
    Holding out his hands, he grinned.  “Girls, okay?  Er, women.  Sorry.”
    “Well, this has been fun but I do have to work,” I said, turning my back on him.  I retrieved my rag and began to wipe down the machines and work area.
    “Sure, Morgan,” he said.  “I’ll let you get back to it.  Maybe I’ll see you at the library tonight.”
    I continued to clean, hoping my silence would clue him in that I would not be looking for him. I didn’t turn back until I heard the door close.
    “Darn,” I muttered as I bent over the counter, massaging my temple.  I was fairly certain that I hadn’t seen the last of him.
    ***
    As I settled into my usual table at the library, I set my bag on the chair next to me and withdrew my laptop.  Logging in, I searched for material relative to my exam and began taking notes. 
    I could have easily studied at home, but I preferred the library.  Oftentimes, if I wasn’t able to find certain information online, then I had several reference books at my disposal – not to mention helpful staff.
    Twenty minutes into my study session, someone sank into a chair across from me.  I looked up, startled, to find Evan’s smug grin.
    “What are you doing here?” I whispered, leaning over the table.
    “Learning.”
    I stifled a groan, grinding my teeth.  “Are you a student?”
    “I’m a student of life,” he said as he spread his arms wide, that maddening grin still plastered across his face.  When I lifted a brow, he dropped his arms, but not his smile.  “Fine.  Maybe I’m not a student, but the library is open to the public.  One never stops learning, you know.”
    The urge to smack him was so strong that I had to sit back and place my hands in my lap to control myself.  “I really need to study.”
    “I got that,” he said as he slid one of my books to his side of the table.  “I’m here to help.  I’ll quiz you.”
    “I don’t need to be quizzed,” I said.  “I need to read and take notes.”
    “That’s not a problem,” he said, holding the book close to his face with one hand while flipping the pages with the other.  “I’ll read aloud and you can take notes on whatever you think is important.”
    I clenched my teeth as I clutched the arms of my chair.  “This. Is. A. Library.”
    “I’m well aware of that,” he said, lifting his eyes from the book.  “Wow, this shit is deep.”
    “Give me that,” I said, snatching the book out of his hands.  “You cannot read aloud in the library.  You’ll disturb other people.”
    “Fine,” he said as he turned sideways in his chair, wiggling his legs as his eyes scanned the shelves.  “I’ll be good.”
    “I doubt it,” I muttered under my breath as I found my page in the book and read the next three paragraphs.  He continued to fidget, drumming fingers on the table and the back of his chair, humming some weird tune. I tried to ignore it, focusing my brain on the book in front of me, but it was no use.
    “Can you stop?” I whispered.
    “Huh?” he asked, his face masked in