“Is this a trick?”
“Sweetheart, I’m asking this once, and only once. Are you high?”
She looked so confused by the question, I couldn’t hold back the laugh. Which, of course, only made her furious again.
“Sweetheart,” she mocked. “Are you stupid? Aren’t popping painkillersyourthing?”
A sound of surprise escaped me, and she looked immediately guilty.
“Shit.” She looked down. “I...” She blew out a breath, not looking at me. “Can you just go?”
I reached for her; it was an unconscious decision. My arms moved before the thought did.
The little gasp she made was so worth it. “What are you doing?” She looked up at me, eyes wide, lips parted.
Fuck.I burrowed my face into her neck.
“Dante?”
“Shh . . . I need a minute.”
“Let me go.” But she made no attempt to move away. I lifted my head, facing her, watching her eyes dart between mine and my mouth.
“You’re the one standing here, holding your breath like you’re waiting for me to—” I stopped myself, jaw locking. Too far.
Her eyes flickered, wide and warning, like she’d heard the word I hadn’t said anyway.
Kiss.
The tension between us was thick enough to choke on. All it would’ve taken was one tilt of my head, and we’d both stop pretending.
Instead, she uncoiled her arms and pressed both palms flat against my chest. Not shoving. Not pulling closer. Just... holding me there, like she couldn’t decide which way to push.
Her voice came out hoarse. “You need to leave.”
“Sav,talkto me, tell me what you think I know,” I said again, softly, my eyes roaming over her face. “Why are you so mad? You walked out on me, remember?”
“This isn’t about sex!”
“Okay, well, now I’m really confused.”
Her gaze held mine, and that small line she had when she frowned deepened. “Iknow.”
“Okay, tellme, so I can know too.”
She pushed back, and I let her. One step back and I felt the cold between us like a blow. Her stare held mine the whole time, searching. Unsure.
“I know you don’t need to be tutored. I know that they’ll pass you anyway.” She looked at me defiantly.
“You’ve told me twice that I’d pass without you,” I spoke slowly. “I don’t understand.”
She swallowed, watching me so closely I felt like a lab rat. “Do you know?” She sounded like she was asking herself.
“Please, I can’t take the tension, justtellme.”
“The Academics Association told me this afternoon that your coach has alreadyassuredthem that your academic eligibility is secure.”
I let out a huff of surprise. “Coach Sutherland said that?”
