Page 147 of Give In

“I think the beer would probably be more useful to you right now.” Nudging me with his shoulder, Brooks shot me his boyish smile. “I’m great with secrets, too.”

“Like whoyou’vebeen dating?”

He laughed. “Okay, maybe not so great. Her name is Alice, she’s a freshman. A couple of the brothers like to give shit about dating freshman, so we’ve kept it pretty lowkey until we see if there’s something there.”

“Is there?”

“I’m going to Michigan to meet her family this week. They’re doing Thanksgiving a week late because her dad had to work. That’s why I’ll be out.” He pulled out his cell and showed me a picture of the two of them. She was cute as hell and he looked happy.

Needing to confirm it, I asked, “Are you happy?”

He smiled. “Very. You?”

I didn’t have to think, my answer coming just as quick as his had. “Very.” I paused before amending, “The last hour notwithstanding.”

“What was Peters talking about?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. Better, I bet.”

“Only one way to find out.”

My curiosity was usually a driving force behind my bad decision. But not right then.

Hooking my thumb over my shoulder, I said, “Actually, I think I’m going to duck out early today.”

“You sure you’re okay?”

I nodded. “I don’t have my game face on, and not everyone is as good with secrets as we are.”

“True.” He pulled me in for a quick hug. “Call me if you need to. And, seriously, I won’t tell anyone. Not even Alice.”

God, he’s such a great guy.

Blinking back tears, I whispered, “Thanks. And thanks for playing it up back there to cover for me.”

He waved away my gratitude. His brows lowered for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face. “It makes sense.”

“What does?”

“You and… him. I can see it. Not saying it’s not surprising, but the more I think about it, the more I get it.” There was another boyish smile as he pushed his hair out of his eyes. “Unless he fucked it up, then fuck that dude.”

That’s how I got into this mess.

After saying bye to Brooks, I started walking to my car. My phone dinged when I got outside.

DC:Come to my office.

I contemplated ignoring him, but knowing Damien, he wouldn’t be put off. He’d walk out of class, and he wouldn’t be discreet about it.

Me:Can’t.

DC:Come to my office, or we’ll have this discussion in the middle of class.

I stopped and thought about how my mind would run wild all day. How I’d dream up scenarios further and further from the truth until I was a tangled mess of anxiety. At least if I talked to Damien, I’d know what to obsess about.

Me:Be right there.

Backtracking, I walked to his office, hoping for everyone’s sake he was alone because I wasn’t sure how much civility I had left. Thankfully, he was.