Silent Screams (Hollow #1)

CHAPTER 7

Almost Four Years Ago . . .

“Harvey,” I mutter as he starts walking behind me, his hands under my hoodie.

“What?” He feigns innocence but I can hear the coyness in his voice.

He called me to be ready for a walk less than an hour ago. Gia said that if dead feminists saw how easily I agreed to meet him, they’d be rolling in their graves. I told her that between me and them I’d be the one getting laid.

We’re now strolling on my campus with his hands wrapped around my waist. It makes for an awkward walk, but that doesn’t deter him.

He pauses for a second, stopping me from going farther. “Once exams are done, will I see more of you?”

I tilt my head up, seeing the sincerity pour out of his deep blue eyes. “You want to?”

“Yes. You make me happy, Gemma. You’re so... genuine .”

“And what about the girls who follow you everywhere?” I was never really the jealous type. Still, Harvey’s sort of a player. I don’t think he can help it. He’s fun, flirty, and hot girls gravitate toward him.

“They’re just girls.” He kisses me on the neck, pulling down my hoodie to reach my collarbone.

I gasp when his lips press on it. “As opposed to what I am...” I stare him dead in the eyes, needing to know I’m not wasting my time. My freshman and sophomore years of college were full of flings, and I was hoping not to have a rerun of that during my senior year.

“ You have girlfriend potential.” He holds my chin up, showcasing his warmest smile. He doesn’t play fair—him and his dimples. The way he twists me around quickly earns a small laugh out of me, as I hold on to his shirt for support.

When his mouth reaches mine, the butterflies start fluttering deep within. My arms latch around his neck, in the hopes that he’ll bring his body closer to mine.

He does.

His arms snake around my waist, lifting me to my toes, as I feel his smile against my lips.

We reach a bench near a pathway to a small forest around campus. I don’t refuse him when he pulls me onto his lap once seated.

“So, art... that’s your thing?” Harvey goes to the Art Institute of Chicago less than twenty minutes away from my campus.

He takes out a rolled joint and lights it before giving me a peck on the cheek. “Yeah, art is definitely my thing.”

“Did you sketch your own tattoo?”

“I did.”

“Well.” I clear my throat. “It’s beautiful—perfect even. And your brother?”

The twinkle in his eyes before his lips touch the joint again does something to my insides. “Henrik does what Henrik wants. At least while he’s in college studying business. ”

We stare at the skyline for who knows how long. I barely know him, but so far, what I do know of him, I really like.

“Tell me your dreams,” he whispers in the shell of my ear as he fingers my collarbone.

I want to ask him what is up with his obsession with my collarbone, but I say nothing. Instead, I think of the answer I want to give him.

“I want to be happy: travel the world, maybe do my masters in conservation biology.”

“I can make you happy.” He squeezes his arms tightly around me and leans into the crook of my neck as he says, “Just give me a chance, and I’ll make you happy.”