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I flushed.

“I don’t want you to get seriously hurt.”

“I will be careful. I promise.”

“Please do.”

We silently ate, then Jaxon snagged his laptop so we could work on our paper. But I found that as we worked, I was more focused on him than the paper. Hamlet had nothing on Jaxon.

Chapter Seventeen

Christopher

“Ablood moon is coming,” Dean Yaga said to the assembly. She floated on her platform, looking at all of us students sitting in the auditorium. “It is something all of our monster students need to be aware of. There is information in the health center for you, and Dr. Lee is available if you have questions.”

I nodded along, not really paying attention, as Jaxon was sitting right next to me with his arm draped over my shoulders, holding me close. His fingers were slowly dragging over my bicep in a distracting manner. It was impossible for me to do anything besides focus on him. He had been so caring and protective since I’d hurt my ankle, and the injury had barely been anything. Such a small thing that had resolved itself rather quickly. However, he’d taken it so poorly, like I was deathly ill. Having Jaxon take care of me had been… Fuck, it had been magical. I’d loved it way more than I should have.

When the assembly ended, it was safe to say that I had barely heard anything. But Jaxon grabbed my hand and led me out.

Pressing a kiss to my hand, he asked, “I’ll see you after class?”

“Of course.”

Jaxon gave me one more kiss before he left, heading in the opposite direction to me. I watched him until he disappeared out of sight. Sighing, I readjusted my backpack and headed toward class. I couldn’t be late. I really needed to keep my head on straight and focus on class. I couldn’t let my grades slip. I needed to maintain my GPA to remain on the soccer team.

“Hey, Chris,” Aaron said as he approached me.

I tensed. I didn’t know what this “new” plan of Jaxon’s was, but I was struggling to think about him and Aaron together. I needed to get over it. I forced a bright smile to my lips. “Hey, Aaron.”

“I don’t suppose you could get me more Bro-tein?”

I chuckled. What was I? His supplier? Still, I answered, “Yeah.”

“I was talking to a couple of the guys on the baseball team, and they want some as well.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. So do some of my frat brothers.”

It seemed like it was taking off a bit, which was amazing for Jaxon. I might have to pursue this more with the various coaches. Maybe I could get them on board with buying Bro-tein for their players. That would be huge for Jaxon.

Aaron clapped my shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

“Of course. Anything for Jaxon.”

“You two seem really solid.”

I should tell him no. Express doubts. Something to make Aaron think he had a chance. “Yeah, we are.”

Apparently, my mouth wasn’t on board with my fake dating plan.

“Cool,” Aaron said, like he had zero opinion or care about it, like he was just making conversation. “Well, I’m off to class, man. Hit me up when you have the Bro-tein.”

I watched him go for a second, then shook my head and walked to my class.

The day passed molasses-slow. By the time I was done, I was exhausted. Thankfully, I had a little bit of time before dinner, so I went back to my room and crashed on the floor. My thoughts just kept circling Jaxon and these feelings that refused to go away. I had messed up today with Aaron, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. Jaxon… I couldn’t help but think that he didn’t belong with Aaron, as nice as the other ogre was.

The door opened, and I glanced up to see Jaxon walk in, then I pressed my face into the carpet again. I wasn’t quite sure why lying on the floor calmed me as much as it did. But fuck it all, sometimes being on the floor was the only thing that made me feel better.