Page 47 of Scars of Anatomy

“Then I got another call after that from the local police department,” I continue carefully. “They asked if I want to press charges.”

Her eyes briefly flicker with worry and suspense.

“I told them I’d think about it,” I say.

Admittedly, I want to press charges, but they’re not quite certain on what I can go after him with yet because he broke into my room, which is technically campus property, and only stole a thirty-dollar hoodie from me.

It’s a bit complicated and I’m not sure if it’s really worth the time and hassle.

Plus, I want to get Olivia’s input before I do anything.

She still looks conflicted.

“Hey.” I reach over the table to grab her hand in mine. “You okay?”

She stares at our joined hands for a moment, unblinking. “Yeah. No. I don’t know,” she admits, shoulders sagging. “I honestly don’t know how to feel.”

I rub my thumb back and forth over the back of her hand. “I get that.”

She opens and closes her mouth, trying to form her thoughts into words. “I just can’t believe it,” she says eventually. “I thought he was my friend. I guess I just feel a little shocked and confused right now.”

I nod sympathetically. “If you don’t want me to press charges, I won’t,” I promise her. I don’t want to cause her any more distress for my own vengeance.

“No,” she says with certainty. “He broke into your room and purposely did those things. He knew what he was doing was wrong,” she says, sighing sadly. “He intentionally tried to hurt you . . . and me. He should have to face the consequences.”

I nod.

“Well, we don’t have to make any decisions right now,” I tell her. “We can think it over for a few days.” Plus, it’ll be a little fun making the rat sweat, but I won’t tell Olivia that.

She gives me a grateful look before pulling her hand from mine, then leans back to give the approaching waitress room to set down our plates.

“On a lighter note,” I say, perking up and picking a fry off my plate and popping it into my mouth. “Coach called me this morning.”

She looks at me, puzzled. “He did?”

I grin, taking a big bite of my burger, chewing and swallowing before I continue. “Yeah. He called to let me know a scout from the West Coast called him the other day to discuss me.”

Her eyes go wide, and her voice rises a few octaves. “Really?”

I wipe my hands on a napkin. “Yep, said they’re really interested in me, and he gave them a great review and verbal résumé about me to really drive home their decision. He said I have a high chance of getting drafted next year.”

“Bronx, that’s amazing!” she states, eyes warm and proud.

“Thanks, baby. According to Coach, they’re coming to watch me play during the playoffs after the break and plan on sitting down to talk with me.”

Her eyes sparkle with happiness. “That’s great news!”

“And that’s not all of it,” I confess, excitement buzzing through my chest. When I said the good news kept coming this morning, I meant it. “I got another call from testing services.”

Her head jerks back in surprise, confusion written all over her pretty face. “Testing services?” she asks, slight alarm in her voice.

“Yeah, since I missed the lab final due to reasons that were out of my hands, they’re giving me a chance to take it instead of receiving a zero.

” Not that taking the lab final was weighing heavy on my mind.

Honestly, I was more worried about getting Olivia back to even think about not actually taking the final.

“I have an appointment at the testing center at two.”

She looks at me baffled before guilt washes over her face. “Oh my gosh, Bronx, I didn’t even think about you missing the final,” she says worriedly, knowing a zero would really tank my final grade.

“I didn’t either.” I chuckle and wave my hand dismissively. “Zero or not, I’d still pass the class. Barely, but I’d pass.”

She looks at me disbelievingly. “Huh?”

I grin. “Final grades for the class were posted this morning on the online portal. My barely passing, overall grade obviously isn’t set in stone anymore with my now-tentative zero for the lab final, but for the lecture final I got a B plus.”

Shock and excitement light her eyes again. “No way!”

“What can I say?” I shrug casually, taking a sip of my soda, smirking around the straw. “I got a kickass tutor.”

With an excited little squeak, she stands and slides into my side of the booth, and wraps her arms around my neck. “I’m so proud of you!”

I wrap my arm around her waist, hugging her back. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” I whisper sincerely into her hair.

Leaning back, I capture her lips with mine, kissing her briefly. I grab her plate and drink from the other side of the table and slide them over in front of her, not wanting her to leave my side of the booth.

She settles in next to me, my arm draped around her shoulders as I watch her pick up her phone and log into her student portal to check out her final grade. No surprise, she finished the class with an A+.

“Great job,” I say, kissing the top of her head.

“So, wait.” She pauses, looking over at me expectantly. “Since we both got the grades we agreed to for the bet, does that mean we’re going to Florida?”

Shit .

I completely forgot about that.

As much as I don’t want to go to Florida, a bet is a bet. And the look on her face, the hope and excitement in her eyes—I’d be a complete dick if I told her no and went back on my word.

I sigh, forcing myself to smile despite the unsettling feeling in my stomach. “I guess so. Pack your bags, Finch, it looks like we’re going to Florida.”

And just like that, the smile on her face makes it worth it.

Maybe going back won’t be so bad with her. It’ll be nice to have a little getaway and see her experience the beach for the first time, something I know she’s excited about. I think I can manage to set aside my bad memories and make new, better ones with her.

“But first I have to pass the lab final. Think we can squeeze in a quick study session before two?” I ask, my grin sharp as I waggle my eyebrows suggestively. “A little anatomy refresher with you would really do me some good.”

Her cheeks burn red at my innuendo, and she swats me in my chest with the back of her hand.

I just laugh, leaning over to kiss the side of her head. “I’ll take that as a maybe,” I tease.