I don't plan what happens next. One moment I'm walking, the next I'm shoving Reed hard enough to make him stumble backward. I position myself between them, back to Liam, facing Reed.
"Back off." The words barely sound like my own voice. "He's mine."
Reed's expression shifts. Surprise, then calculation, then something unhinged. He starts laughing. Loud. Like the psycho he is.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, Farley?" He snarls, the grin spreading wider. "If it isn't the golden boy. Missing your daddy? Just ask. I can make you my little bitch."
Behind me, Liam grabs my arm. "Ethan, what the hell!"
I shake him off. Eyes on Reed. "Stay out of this, Liam."
Reed's smirk makes my blood boil. "Yeah, Liam, stay out of it. Your guard dog's off his leash."
"I said back off." I step closer. Close enough to see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes.
"Or what?" Arms open, inviting. "Or motherfucking what?"
"Guys, stop!" Liam tries.
Reed's eyes flick past me to Liam. "Tell your keeper to calm down before he does something stupid."
Jack's hand on my shoulder, pulling. "Come on, man. Not worth it."
I should listen. Walk away. I've never broken rules like this, never risked everything over something this stupid. But Reed is still smirking, still looking at Liam like he owns him, and everything I've spent years building, control, discipline, composure, evaporates.
"Stay away from him."
Reed laughs. "Make me."
My fist connects with his jaw before I can think. The shock travels up my arm. He flinches, then looks at me with that murderous grin and lunges forward, shouldering past my guard, tackling me around the waist. He's having fun. That's the worst part. The impact knocks the wind out of me as we hit the ground, rolling in the dirt. Liam shouts somethinglost in the blood rushing through my ears. Reed lands on top, knees pinning my shoulders, fist raised.
"Stop!" Jack grabs at Reed's shoulders.
Reed throws an elbow back, catching Jack in the ribs. Then punches me so hard I see stars, the world exploding in pain, mouth filling with blood.
"Someone's coming!" Jack says, desperate.
Reed breaks free, scrambles up, bolts. I follow, dirt and grass stuck to me, blood everywhere. But my blood is still boiling, vision red, ears buzzing. I let Jack lead me, aware of Liam close behind. My lip throbs with every heartbeat. The adrenaline starts to ebb.
I just fought Reed. Over Liam.
Everything I've worked for. Every mark on my record. Every step toward my future.
I don't care. All I care about is that stupid boy.
"Bathroom," Jack says, pulling me through the dormitory hallway. "Quick. Before anyone sees you."
I catch my reflection in a window, dirt-streaked face, bloody lip, wild eyes. I barely recognize myself.
Liam is silent behind me. I can't look at him. Can't face whatever's written on his face. I've spent days pushing him away, only to explode the moment he showed any sign he’d possibly moved on.
I brace against the sink, watching blood drip onto white porcelain in bright red circles. Liam wets a paper towel. I look at him in the mirror. The softness on his face, no anger, no judgment, only concern. My expression cracks for a second.
"Hold still," he murmurs. I flinch from the pressure against my swollen lip. His fingers brush my chin, tilting my face toward the light.
"Is it bad?" I try not to move my mouth.
His eyes flick to mine, a small smile, then away. "You'll live.Though Reed might want to rearrange your face again tomorrow."
