I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
“Male slut,” I muttered under my breath while scribbling in my notebook.
His head turned slightly. One dark brow lifted.
“You jelly belly?” he asked, voice low and amused. “’Cause all this could be yours, princess. All you have to do is say the word.”
I didn’t answer. Just kept my eyes on my notes and prayed the professor would start soon.
When class finally ended, I moved as fast as my leg brace would let me. Which, unfortunately, wasn’t very fast. I tried toslip around him, but Drew was already on his feet and blocking the aisle with that big body of his.
He caught me gently by the elbow before I could escape.
“We need to talk about the other night,” he said quietly.
“No, we don’t.” I kept my voice light, almost breezy. “I’m fine. You’re fine. Everything’s fine.”
He studied me for a second, eyes narrowing.
“Is it, princess?”
I yanked my arm free and started walking again, slower than I wanted because of the damn brace.
“He didn’t choose her,” I said over my shoulder. “We’ve been texting. I’m going to his next game. I’m not giving up on him.”
That was all it took.
Drew’s hand wrapped around my elbow again, firmer this time, and he steered me into an empty classroom down the hall before I could protest. The door clicked shut behind us.
When I turned around, the usual cocky, easygoing Drew was gone.
His jaw was tight. His eyes had gone dark—like the ocean right before a storm. For the first time since I’d known him, there was no trace of that playful, flirty charm.
He was pissed.
“Then maybe I’m giving up on you,” he said, voice low and rough. “Why do you keep chasing a guy who doesn’t want you? He knows you’re always there. Always available. Hardly makes you valuable, Isa.”
I flinched.
“I could say the same about you.”
His expression hardened even more.
“Not anymore, cupcake.” He stepped closer, crowding me without touching. “I know when it’s time to fold, and I’m folding my cards. You can keep pretending you didn’t feel what I felt the other night — because I know you felt it. You can keep chasing aman who will always be thinking about some other woman while his lips are on yours, if that’s the life you want.”
He let out a short, bitter laugh.
“But me? I knew you weren’t thinking about him when my hands were on you, baby. And that’s the real sad part.” His voice dropped even lower. “Because now I’m walking away. And next time? Don’t come crying and running to me. I’m not gonna be the one holding you through the next broken heart he causes.”
He turned and walked out without another word, leaving the door open behind him.
I stood there in the empty classroom, leg brace digging into my skin, heart hammering so hard it hurt.
For the first time since this whole mess started, Drew Travers had actually left.
And I had no idea why that felt worse than anything Tristan had ever done to me.
Chapter Nine
