Chapter 16 - Waylon

My breathing slowed as I got closer to the garden where the party was being held. I was partially embarrassed that I was going to this function, but I knew that Wakely would be there and I knew that I had no other choice but to go.

I passed students who all waved at me, but I ignored them. A random girl grabbed my arm and tried to say something, but I ignored her, too. I didn’t care what she had to say. It was probably to ask me out or something. I pulled my arm out of her grasp and continued without stopping.

I was the last Walker brother to be single, and I felt like I had a target on my back. It was going to be annoying to deal with that. I didn’t need the attention. Nor did I want it.

I just wanted to be left alone.

Unless Wakely gave me attention. I would soak that shit up faster than a dry sponge.

One day, that would happen.

There was no other choice. I would make it happen.

Another person yelled at me, but I ignored them. I was going to that meet and greet even if it killed me.

As soon as I entered, my eyes scanned the people. There were clusters of students and faculty standing around talking to each other.

I was looking for the one girl who stole my attention. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. But I didn’t see her in the crowd.

I spotted Wakely’s friend, Cora, staring at the stage at someone playing the piano. It wasn’t the typical classical bullshit that they had playing at school events, it was a song from Fall Out Boy. I smirked at the ironic song that was chosen.

My eyes went to the stage to see who was playing. My heart thudded in my chest, and my breath halted. Wakely was pounding away at the keys.

My girl was talented. She didn’t have sheet music, so she must have been playing from memory, and she looked as if she were happy.

Except when she hit a specific note, and she would flinch as if someone was going to hit her. My jaw clenched.

Why would she flinch like that?

No one would dare with me by her side. I would kill anyone who even thought about laying a finger on her.

These dark thoughts were becoming my norm. And they all revolved around Wakely. She was mine, and I was going to protect what was mine. No matter what.

The song stopped, she took a deep breath, and then turned to the crowd. Everyone was clapping, including me. She looked relieved that it was over.

Her eyes scanned the crowd and then landed on me for a few seconds. I smiled at her but her eyes continued to scan the crowd. Who was she looking for?

My jaw clenched as she continued. Was there another guy? Did she meet someone in the short amount of time she was here?

Her eyes met with Director Wilson, who asked her to play another song. She nodded and turned back to the piano.

My shoulders relaxed slightly, realizing she was just wondering if she needed to continue playing. But why did she have to play in the first place?

Usually, for things like this, they would hire someone on the outside or get someone from the music department. But no, Wakely was on stage playing.

I didn’t hate it, though. I found out one more thing about her. Something that I didn’t come across when I was researching her.

Cora yelled at her to play Lady Gaga. She shook her head at her friend with a smile. She glanced at me and I nodded at her. I wanted to hear her play more.

She bit her lip and started to play ‘Poker Face.’ She was good. Really good. Again, she didn’t need any sheet music. That means she has had years and years of practice.

I made my way through the crowd. I needed to know why she was up there. What could possibly have happened to have made her go up and start playing?

I slowly passed people, making sure that I didn’t bump them as they either talked to each other or watched Wakely.

I wanted to hit the people who were not giving her the respect to listen to her play. My teeth ground together to avoid violence. She didn’t need to see that side of me.

Yet.

Cora swayed to the music, whispering the words to the song that Wakely was playing. She didn’t notice that I was now standing next to her.

I cleared my throat, not taking my eyes off of Wakely.

Her head turned, and from the corner of my eye, I could see that Cora’s eyes grew round as she stared at me.

“Why is she playing?” I asked, ignoring her stare. I tilted my head toward Wakely.

She didn’t answer for a few moments. “Um…uh.”

I turned and cocked an eyebrow at her.

“Director Wilson was freaking out because her hired musicians were stuck in traffic. So Wakely’s old director from Seoul said she’s an amazing piano player. Director Wilson practically begged Wakely to play.” Cora said quickly.

“Hmm.” I nodded, turned, and went back to where I was standing before.

Wakely finished playing, and I clapped again. Before she scanned the rest of the crowd, her eyes darted to me. I gave her another smile.

The other musicians were setting up around her, and she stepped off the stage and walked to Cora, who was clapping excitedly.

I knew what Cora was going to tell her. She was going to tell her that I asked about her, that was the type of person that Cora was.

They whispered to each other, Wakely stood straight and glanced over my way. I raised the glass of punch that I had in my hand and then turned.

I couldn’t let her know that I was obsessed with her. Even though I wanted her to know. She had a right to know just how obsessed I was.

She consumed my very being, every waking thought. Hell, even every sleeping thought. When I closed my eyes, I only saw her.

“Hey, Waylon.” Doctor Baxter said. He was one of my engineering professors. Now that I was an upperclassman, I was going to mostly be taking his courses. Not only that but he was my mentor and the one that approved the amount of classes I was taking this semester.

“Hi, Doctor Baxter,” I said as I nodded at him.

“Gotta admit, I wouldn’t think that you would come to one of these events.” He laughed and sipped at the champagne flute that was in his hands.

Lucky bastard. Faculty and staff were able to have wine, beer, and champagne. But the students got mediocre punch.

“What can I say? I’m trying to turn over a new leaf.” It wasn’t even remotely true. I wanted to see what my girl was doing at the party. If anyone talked to her for too long, I wasn’t about to let that slide.

My eyes scanned the crowd and located Wakely talking to Director Wilson and a man whom I could only assume was her old Director from her school in Seoul.

Doctor Baxter scanned the crowd and spotted who I was looking at. “Ah, I see.” He laughed. “Are you ready for the semester?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, not taking my eyes off Wakely.

“Let me know if your schedule gets overwhelming.” He took a sip. “We can always scale back.”

“Not an option. I’m graduating at the end of this year.” My eyes locked with his.

He nodded at me. “You’re not alone in that endeavor. The fair Ms. Wakely is taking all of the same classes that you are and plans to graduate this year as well.”

He glanced over his shoulder and waved at Wakely. She looked at the man and waved back. He summoned her over to our conversation.

I didn’t know if I should kiss Doctor Baxter or punch him for interfering. Either way, I was going to get to talk to my girl.