“I bet he thinks I’m a bad influence, and he already thinks I’m a weirdo.”
“Because you asked him to spy on Wes or some other reason I don’t know about?”
“If you mean have I pulled a stunt like this on Sam before, the answer is no. I try not to get high during the week.”
“So, what happened last night?” His soft tone matches the look on his face.
“Since the fiasco at the fundraiser, my parents have had me on lockdown.”
Understanding dawns on him. “I heard you and Zach got into trouble, but what do you mean by lockdown?”
“I’m forbidden from hanging out with Zach, and I’ve been grounded from partying for a while.”
His eyes splay wide. “Aren’t you a sophomore?” I nod. “Then how the hell can your parents demand that of you?”
“I still live with them. Unfortunately.” I sit on my hands to disguise the slight tremors taking hold of me.
“Coach is strict with us, but I never imagined he’d be that strict on his own daughter.” He leans back on his hands.
“To be fair, it’s more my mom. I embarrassed her.”
He bolts upright. “The way I heard it, Wes was out of line, and Zach was only coming to your defense.”
My jaw drops. “Who told you that?” I don’t think Zach would’ve shared what happened with Adam. Certainly not Wes. And the only reason I’m surprised is because Adam heard correctly, which is unusual, because the rumor mill never gets the story straight.
He bites down on his plump lip and it’s sexy as fuck. “I told you I didn’t want you anywhere near that asshole and I said it for a reason. Asshole’s got a rep around campus among the guys. I’ve heard rumors. He’s not a good guy.” His tone is reserved, but worry and irritation sit idly underneath.
I want to tell Adam he doesn’t own me and he can’t tell me what to do. My parents think they have that right too.
But I like he’s worried about me.
That he seems to want to protect me.
It’s been far too long since I’ve had that warm feeling of someone caring about me. Dad is still all over the place. One minute, he’s sticking up for me, and the next, he’s siding with Mother Dearest.
And Mom?
Well, she’s consistent in how she feels about me.
I snort. “Yeah, tell me about it.”
His eyes narrow, and he reaches out, taking my hand. I lower my gaze, marveling at how swamped my hand looks in his large one. Thanks to my height, I’ve always felt gangly and awkward around guys, but Adam makes me feel small and feminine, and I like that feeling a lot.
“Are you going to explain that?”
I yank my hand back, wrapping my arms around my torso, trying to hide the bruises compliments of Wes and his disgusting crew. The movement causes the shirt to lift a little, flashing the edge of my panties. His eyes dart to my crotch for a split second before he jerks his head up. Thank fuck he didn’t remove those last night. I’d die of mortification if I’d just flashed him my bare pussy.
I drop my hands to my sides. “I already explained. Wes is trying to date me, and he won’t take no for an answer.”
“It’s that last part I’m afraid of.” He cups my face, forcing my gaze to his. “You can tell me. I’m trustworthy. I promise.”
“Why?” I whisper.
“Why am I trustworthy?” His face creases in confusion.
I shake my head, and warmth floods my cheek from his large palm. “Why do you want me to tell you?” I don’t find it easy opening up, and I don’t allow many people to get close. Even when my therapist in rehab tried to peel my layers back, I fought her tooth and nail. But Adam isn’t my therapist. He’s a sexy as fuck guy, staring at me like he wants to take away all the bad in my life.
I wish he could. But no one holds that much power.
