Page 72 of Quarterback Sneak

A phone buzzing draws my attention away from Zane. Riley picks it up and frowns. “I’ve got to head home. Evie, let’s do this again.” She pins her brother with a look. “Take care of her.”

I expect him to laugh or something, but he nods seriously. “I will.”

She stands up and starts gathering her trash, but I reach out and grab it. “I’ll get it.”

“Thanks, Evie.” She looks over at Zane again. “Bring her to Sunday dinner.”

“I’ll ask her.”

In a flurry of activity, she disappears with Reid a few steps behind her. I think about asking Zane about the two of them, but he doesn’t even seem to notice. His attention is fixed on me, and his expression is serious. “We have an away game this week.”

“Okay.” I’m not really sure what that has to do with me.

“I won’t be around for a few days.” Again, I nod, taking all this in. “I’ve asked Reid to keep an eye on you.”

I sit up straighter. “I’m not a child, Zane. I don’t need someone to keep an eye on me.”

His eyes meet mine. “I am very aware of the fact that you are not a child. That’s not what I meant at all. But I am also very aware of the fact that something happened to you Saturday night.” He puts a hand on my leg when I shift in my seat. “Youdon’t have to tell me, but I want you to be safe. Reid will just be around.”

“It’s okay, Zane.” I take a deep breath. “I appreciate you trying to look out for me, but you don’t need to. I can take care of myself; I have been for a long time.”

“Okay. But you’ll call me if you need me, right? Or call Reid if I’m not here?”

I can at least give him peace of mind. “Sure.”

“Thanks, Evie.”

I gather up my trash; Reid ended up taking Rileys’ when he left. “I’ve got to get back to my room and study.”

He stands up and takes my trash from me. “I’ll walk you.”

“You don’t need to,” I remind him.

“I know.”

We walk out of the dining hall and towards my dorm in silence. “How long will you be gone?”

“We leave Wednesday and won’t be back until Sunday.”

An empty sort of feeling rises at the thought of him not being around. I’ve started to get used to his protectiveness. “Can I text you while you’re gone?” I ask, surprising even myself.

His eyes light up, and I realize it was the right thing to say. “Definitely.”

“It won’t be a bother while you’re on the road?”

“If I can’t text back right away, I will later. But it’s no problem.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” he repeats.

We walk back to my dorm, and he holds the door for me as I step inside. I turn back to say goodbye to him, but he motions me forward. I climb up the steps, conscious of him behind me. When I get to the room, I open the door slowly. When I don’t see Sam or anything out of place, I breathe a sigh of relief. Without asking, Zane walks over to the closets and looks inside them andthe bathroom as well. “It’s clear,” he says before turning back to me. He nods down to where I’m rubbing my arms. “I know what fear looks like. I wanted to give you peace of mind that you're safe.”

And just like that, any of the barriers I thought were keeping me from opening up to him come crumbling down. “Do you want to sit a minute?” I ask him, gesturing to the chair at the desk. He does and stares up at me. I rub my hands over my arms, trying to find warmth. He reaches over to my bed and snags my soft blanket before tossing it to me. I wrap it around my shoulders, seeking its warmth.

“Saturday night, I woke up in the woods.” I don’t turn towards him, but I can feel his eyes drilling into the side of my face. My voice sounds far away, even to my own ears. “I have no memory of getting there. I woke up slung over Jace’s back, like a sack of potatoes.” Anger spikes when I remember the way he treated me. “He,” my voice cracks a moment, and I swallow, trying to gain control. “He told me he was taking me to his boss. Sam was there as well.” The words she spoke to me burn in my mind. Oh Evie, come on, did you really think we were friends? I can’t stand you. You’re naive and annoying and way too trusting.The words hurt now just as much as they did then. I take a breath. “An opportunity came to run and free myself, and I took it. That’s when I called you.” I close my eyes at this next part. “They,” I pause, trying to find the words. “They changed.” My voice is flat, devoid of emotion. “One minute they were Sam and Jace; the next...” my voice fades off.

“What?” Zane prompts softly.