Fault Line (Coastal University #2)

by Ki Stephens

“I’ve been thinking about it, and I feel like I deserve to get railed this weekend.”

My God, I’ve never met someone as easily riled up as Kaia Karras.

You haent met .e

She’s in her element now, confidence radiating from head to toe—from her wide smile to her self-assured posture to the notable pep in her step. She’s a fucking vision, isn’t she?

“Go in there with your perfect, golden hair, your shit-eating grin, and all your unmerited connections. Just know that when I beat you, it’s because I’ve actually earned it.”

“Well, I’m sure you killed it. You’re gonna top your girl Kaia, no doubt.” “I’d definitely fucking like to,” I say, grinning at the innuendo that’s slipped right over poor Rai Rai’s head. “That’s one thing I know for sure.”

Sure, I may have wanted to be alone tonight, but pressing Kaia’s buttons is always a welcome interruption.

“You know what? Fine. As embarrassing as this is, I’m looking for a hookup tonight. If you have any friends that aren’t total jerks, I’d be down for a setup.”

At her request, there’s an uncomfortable pinching sensation in my chest. For some reason, I’m rattled by the thought of her hooking up with one of my teammates. It’s not because I want her for myself—to date her or anything like that—but it’s just the principle of the matter. Kaia Karras is mine to fuck with.

“If you want to set real boundaries with me, Karras, I’ll respect them. But something tells me you get some sort of sick enjoyment out of our bickering.” He licks his lips, his gaze cutting to me for no more than a split second. “I know I sure as hell do.”

It’s not just school—the perpetual fear of failure—that weighs me down.

“If you wanted to get down on your knees and beg for my forgiveness, I would also accept that.” “You’re such a pig.” “Oh, and here I thought I was a baby.”

“You know, I missed you last week.” “What?” “I missed talking to you,” he admits, his gaze intense. “This ignoring shit you’ve been doing? Yeah, it doesn’t really work for me.” I’m momentarily speechless. Honestly, I assumed that he didn’t care either way if we talked. “Holden,” I murmur softly, uncertain of what else to say.

“Kaia.” He parrots my tone. “Look, if you’re pissed at me, then just tell me. Fight with me. Yell at me. But don’t shut me out. I don’t like seeing you everywhere, knowing that you’re just gonna look the other way.”

“You must know I want you, Karras,” I admit, my heart hammering in my ears. “I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember. And if you’re looking for just one night, then count me in.”

“You still think I don’t like you?” I lean back, running a frustrated hand through my hair. “Kaia, I fucking adore you.” Her brow furrows. “What?” “I admire the hell out of you. I think you’re smart, funny, witty, beautiful.” I stop myself before I get truly carried away. “There’s never a dull moment when we’re around each other.”

“God, you’re so hot when you’re desperate.” “Oh, shut up, Beck.” “Even hotter when you pretend not to like me.” She wrinkles her nose. “Is it really pretending, though?”

“So, what you’re saying is that you want to be my last resort?” A smirk tilts my lips. “As long as I’m your something.”

I don’t know what the future holds for the two of us. But what I do know is that, at least for right now, Kaia’s all I can fucking think about.

“Come on, Karras. Go home,” I plead, making one last attempt to cajole her. “I’ll be by this afternoon with some soup and shit.” “Don’t you dare.” “What are you gonna do about it, Sneezy? Fight me?” “I hate you,” she scoffs, but her eyes betray the truth. “No,” I say with a grin. “You don’t.”

“If it wasn’t obvious by now—I kinda give a shit about you, Karras.”

I know this isn’t what we agreed on, but it’s what we were meant for—two halves of a dysfunctional whole.

This is like, butterflies in my stomach, heart racing, can’t stop thinking about him kind of crush. And it’s freaking me out.

And I’m really more of a homebody myself. I basically only have one friend, and I’m pretty screwed up in the head. I mean, God, I can barely shut off my fucking brain most of the time. I overthink everything. And also, you were right before—I do take every tiny piece of criticism to heart. I’m not some happy-go-lucky little sweetheart. I can’t be that girl even if I wanted to be.”

Me too kaia

I want this girl. I want her in all the ways that matter. I want to be the one she turns to when she’s feeling down, the one she laughs with, the one she dreams with. The one she trusts with every tiny secret and insecurity.

How am I going to compete with students who have spent months preparing, specially tailoring their applications, and have already submitted for early decision?

But the more I work, the more I feel like I’m falling behind. The more I try to push my thoughts away, the louder they become.

“I’m being serious,” he insists. “We’ve just made it clear that you like gifts, and I like giving them. So you better expect me to give you so many fucking flowers that you’re gonna be drowning in them.”