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“So that’s why he went to your parents about you going away with me.” Dan shook his head. “That explains a lot.”

“Yeah, that’s what sparked his sudden interest in my schooling.” I unclenched my hand from his and trailed my finger over his palm. “He sees you as a threat.”

“So he should,” Dan huffed “Can I ask you something?”

I nodded my head.

“Did you sleep with me to make him jealous?”

I looked him dead in the eye.

“No.” My voice was firm “I wanted to move on from him. I didn’t even think of him finding out until Scott mentioned it.”

Dan’s body seemed to relax a bit and his face softened. Did he think I was using him as chess piece? Did he think I was using him to make Xavier jealous?

“I didn’t do it to make him jealous. Actually I have been doing everything possible lately to decrease his jealously. Which is why I try to not touch you in front of him, though that was blown out of the water when you kissed me at the sports day.”

Dan looked guiltily at me. “Sorry, I just didn’t want that human guy to think you were all his or something.”

“I don’t want to be anyone’s anymore,” I said, turning my head to lean on his shoulder again. “All love does is hurt me. Feelings are overrated.”

Dan brought his hand from my arm and ran it through my wet hair. I closed my eyes and took comfort in his touch.

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” I said softly. “He won’t let me transfer from his class. He has this control over me and, as much as I think I can pull away from him, he can pull me back in with one tug.”

“I know now, so you don’t have to do it all on your own anymore,” Dan said and kissed my forehead. “And I won’t let him hurt you anymore.”

“Dan, I didn’t want you to get involved in this mess. You don’t have to.”

“But I am. Any guy who is hurting you like this, Chloe, needs to be stopped.”

Pulling my head up from his shoulder, I twisted around to face him. “And how do you suggest I stop him? He has full control over my emotions.”

“Well first off.” Dan shifted his weight on the couch and brought his hand from my hair to wrap it around my waist. “You are coming away with me next week.”

“I can’t. Xavier has scared my parents.” I shook my head, knowing it was hopeless. “They said I have to study and get my grades up.”

“Well, we will do that while we are away. The whole trip it can be our focus.”

I looked at Dan blankly. “No way am I letting you waste your vacation studying with me.”

Dan’s lips twitched up slightly. “I am not leaving you here now, not knowing why you can’t come. It will be fine. I will get my parents to suggest the idea to yours and we can rope Alec into helping. He doesn’t like me too much, but he has a soft spot for you.”

“Is Ace even capable of school work?” I frowned. “He doesn’t really come across as a book smart sort of person.” In fact all the memories I had of Alec involved mucking around or fighting.

“He keeps it hidden well.” Dan smiled and pulled me slightly closer to him. “He’s actually smarter than me, but don’t say I said that.”

For the first time my gloom and doom started to melt and a smile crossed my lips.

“I don’t want you guys to waste your vacation though, and I’m not sure my parents would go for it.”

“Come on, Cho. My dad is a professor at a university. My parents and your parents are damn close. I am sure they will listen to them.”

I bit my bottom lip. Dan had a point. My parents would likely listen to his. But guilt began to build inside me as I thought about making Dan study with me for the whole vacation.

“I’m really behind though, Dan. Like really, really behind,” I spoke grimly.

Before I knew what happened, I was on my back and Dan was hovering over me. The smirk on his face made me smile.

“You doubting my skills, Chloe?” He arched an eyebrow. “Because I would be really disappointed in you.”

I placed both hands on his shoulders. “Fine, we will give it a try.”

“Good.” Dan grinned and I saw his eyes move to my lips. Without even thinking about it, I leaned up and softly pressed my lips against his sweet mouth.

I let my head fall back onto the couch. His eyes were soft when I looked into them.

Perhaps the best thing I ever did was telling him.