“Fine,” he spits, his gaze darting behind me. “I’ll leave the little freak alone.”
He just had to get that last jab in. I tighten my grip on his throat, satisfied with the look of panic in his eyes, before letting him go.
I get to my feet and step away. Mickey rolls over and coughs a few times before he stumbles to his feet. He sways a moment, proving he’s wasted. That and the alcohol that was coming off his nasty breath.
“Watch your back, Novak. Just because you’re buddies with the new coach doesn’t mean you’re untouchable.”
“Maybe not, but I do happen to know the new dean, too. I’m more than happy to bring this to him. I’ve heard he’s not a fan of rich pricks paying their way in life. Money doesn’t talk with him, so good luck with that if I do.”
“Fuck you.” He spits a mouthful of blood on the floor at my feet.
“Nah. You’re not my type. Even if you were, I wouldn’t touch you if you were the last man on Earth. I’d rather fuck a hornet’s nest, thanks.”
He flips me off before pushing past me and storming down the hall.
I watch and wait until he’s gone before turning to check on Blake. “Are you okay?” My eyes search him over. “Did he hurt you?”
Blake stares at me, his eyes wide with shock. “I– Ah.”
“Shit, your neck.” I curse, reaching to rub my thumb over the mark that's starting to turn red. “Let me get you some ice.”
“Why did you do that?” Blake blinks up at me.
“What do you mean? Pull him off you?” Blake nods. “Because there’s no way I’d stand by and watch him hurt you.”
“He’s your teammate, though.”
“So what? Doesn’t matter who they are, if they’re being an asshole, if they’re about to do something wrong, and I have the power to stop it, I’m going to. I hate that guy. He’s a bully, aperv, and an asshole. I’m not sure what his issue with you is, but from what I heard, I’m guessing he was trying to get you to do his work or something?”
“Yeah.” Blake’s eyes cast down, and my heart hurts to see him so defeated.
“Blake, is this the first time he’s bothered you?” He shakes his head slowly. “This has happened before?” He nods, and fuck, I feel a wave of anger. “This year?”
“And all the years before.” The sigh that leaves him screams pain and exhaustion. What did people do to this poor guy?
“What do you mean?”
“We went to high school together.” His eyes flick to mine, and I hate how broken he looks. “I was his, as well as the rest of the football team's, favorite punching bag. I was easy prey. They weren’t as bad if I did their schoolwork for them.” He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “I told him I wasn’t going to do it anymore. This is college. The work is harder and it’s not the kind that you can just fake your way through. That hasn’t stopped him from harassing me every year since coming to SVU and trying to change my mind.”
“That motherfucking asshole,” I growl. “I really wish I had kicked his ass now. Still might.” I run my hand through my hair, grabbing at the strands for a second before letting go.
“Why would you? You don’t even know me. We just met yesterday. Why defend me?” Blake looks at me like he can’t believe what I just did.
My shoulders slump, my heart clenches. He was bullied for years, god knows what those assholes did to him. Of course, he’s not going to trust me or believe that someone would defend him because, by the sounds of it, no one ever has.
“Because that's who I am, Blake. I don’t hurt people, and I don’t allow people to be hurt. Doesn’t matter if I know someone or not, I don’t just stand by. Plus, that's not entirely true. Valadopted you, officially making you part of our friend group.” My voice is soft, a small smile lifting on my lips. “That means you’ve got a whole gang of people who would jump at the chance to stand by your side. Doesn’t matter with what, we’re there for each other.”
Blake’s jaw clenches, his nostrils flaring, and I can see his eyes start to well up. It takes everything in me not to pull him in for a hug
“That is, if you’d like us to be your friend? I know Val can be too much sometimes. Okay, all the time.” I chuckle. “But she really is an amazing person. So are the rest of our friends. Still, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. No hard feelings. Your life, your choice.”
He nods his head in a stiff, jerky movement.
“I know you came here with the girls, but I’m pretty sure Val has passed out in my room, and Lexie is watching over her. Would you be okay if I give you a ride home?”
He nods again.
“Let’s go this way,” I tell him, pointing down the hall, the opposite way I came, and Mickey left. “It leads to the garage.”
