Page 49 of Rear View

I was stronger with him. Because of him.

“How serious is it?” Mom asked.

“Hmm?” I said, pulled from my musings.

“You and Xavier?” Her brows flicked up. “That’s who you were thinking about, wasn’t it?”

I canted my head. “What makes you say that?”

“Because your eyes, sweetheart.” She ran her fingers over my hair. “They soften for him.”

Warm tingles spread from my arms to my back, and I inhaled deep, shoulders rising as I filled my lungs.

“So?” she repeated, “How serious is it?”

I bit my lip to hide my smile. “Serious.”

She nodded as if she’d gathered as much. “He’s special, Ryah. Men like that don’t come around often.”

“I love him, Mom,” I confessed. So much. With everything I had.

Her expression was maternal and sweet and so, so genuine. “I can tell.” She switched lanes, aiming for the College Street exit, and gave my knee a pat. “You look good with each other.”

Tugging my seat belt strap, I wiggled deeper into my seat.

“What’s his family like?”

I lifted a shoulder. “Complicated.”

Her head dipped in a nod. “I assumed.”

“You assumed?”

“A man doesn’t develop that kind of character without traveling a difficult road.”

Difficult didn’t even begin to describe it.

“He’s the reason you told us, isn’t he?” It wasn’t really a question.

I opened my mouth to defend myself but she tsked me into silence.

“If you were going to tell us on your own, you would have.” My mouth dropped but she waved it off.

“He pushed you, Ryah. And you want that. Not someone who pushes to do what’s right for them, but someone who pushes to do what’s right for you .

You’ve found it, sweetheart. So, hold on with both hands, because that kind of selflessness is rare. ”

The flutter in my chest had me itching to call him.

Mom turned into the U of E lot, and I pointed. “There’s good.”

“Is that Zoya?”

“Yep. She’s walking me in.”

“Tell her hello for me.”

“I will.”

Pulling to a stop, she leaned over and wrapped her arms around me in a hug. “I love you, baby. I’m so happy for you.” She pulled back and grimaced. “Not about the stalker thing though.”

I snickered. “I would hope not.”

She smiled. “Just had to be clear.” She gave me a quick kiss, then waved to Z as the two of us hurried across campus.

“I miss your face around the apartment, girl,” Zoya said. “It’s so quiet without you.”

“Miss you too. At least you’ll have privacy to bring someone over whenever you want.”

“I already have.”

“Wow. Didn’t even wait for my grave to cool.”

She grinned, all giddiness and teeth.

Rolling my eyes in mock incredulity, I asked, “Was it that Andrea girl you mentioned?”

“Nope. She’s too violent. Did I tell you she liked to throw axes?”

My snicker morphed to a cackle. “Are you coming to the race this weekend?”

“Of course! I’ve gotta take my own car, though. What is it, an hour out of town?”

I nodded.

“Mom’s complaining I haven’t been by in a while, so I might have to skip the after-party. I promised I’d visit that night.” She tugged her scarf tighter. “Did you end up talking to Stan?” she asked, pivoting the conversation hard.

The shake of my head was sharp. “No. The way he’s pressing is totally weirding me out.” A lot. I didn’t like it or his timing. It felt…suspicious.

Her face scrunched. “I don’t know. Everyone’s dangerous to you, which,” she raised her arms, palms out, “fair. But your radar for this kinda thing is off and I’m not getting a bad vibe. I think you should chat with him. See what’s up. I can be there if you want.”

I frowned, considering. “Leave it with me.” Pulling out my phone, I brought up the email I’d typed the night before and shoved it under her face. “Read this.”

She squinted down as she scanned it. And scanned it. And scanned it. The further she went, the more her eyes bulged. “Holy crap balls! You actually sent this to the dean of psych?”

“Sure did.”

“It’s really well written, Ry. The complaint’s perfectly outlined.” Her gaze lifted to mine. “You know Barlowe will be told, though, right?”

“I know.” I swallowed hard, because, no matter how good it’d felt to write, the reality of what it meant was daunting. “But it needs to be done.”

She handed the device back. “Good for you.”

“Thanks.”

Barlowe cut into my path, bringing me up short. My spine went rigid as I braced myself.

“You haven’t responded to my email about our meeting, Miss Nolan.”

My heart rate spiked, and I took a step back. Soooo, he clearly hadn’t been spoken to yet. Awesome. The hardening of my stomach almost hurt.

Stand tall, Ryah.

I cleared my throat. “That’s because I’m no longer interested in meeting with you, Professor.”

Zoya’s head volleyed between us, her gaze eager like she itched for a bowl of popcorn.

He eyed me. Hard. “I cannot stress how unwise that decision is.”

That fear from moments earlier faded like smoke on an angry wind and I scowled. He’d done it subtly, but he’d thrown his weight around and abused his position with me long enough. I was done. So long past done.

I straightened my spine, offering him the full force of my glare when I said, “And I cannot stress how much I no longer care.” With that, I left, pulling out my phone to fire off another email to the dean, a squealing Zoya hot on my heels.