Page 18

Carson

The first punch landed hard, a sharp pain radiating from my knuckles up my arm. Wyatt staggered back, his face twisting with fury, but he didn't stay down for long. His recovery was quick, and before I could step back, his fist connected with my cheek.

The world flashed white for a second, but I didn't go down. My pride wouldn't let me.

"Wyatt, stop!" Eve's voice cut through the haze, sharp and panicked.

But neither of us listened. Wyatt was a freight train of old grievances and sharp words, and I was too angry to back down. His sneer as he sized me up was infuriating.

"Rich boy thinks he's untouchable," Wyatt growled, circling me.

"And you think you're some kind of saint?" I shot back, my voice low and dangerous. "You don't know anything about me, Wyatt."

"Guys like you think the world owes you everything." he spat, his words laced with venom.

I stepped forward, shoving him hard enough to make him stumble again. "You don't know a damn thing about what I've worked for."

Wyatt lunged at me, shoving me back with equal force. For a moment, I saw Eve's face—wide-eyed, her hands out like she was trying to stop an avalanche—but then Wyatt swung again.

This time, I dodged, landing a punch squarely on his jaw.

"Stop it!" Eve's scream finally broke through the chaos, her voice trembling with anger.

She darted between us before either of us could throw another punch, shoving her hands against Wyatt's chest and glaring at him.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she snapped, her voice shaking. "Both of you!"

Wyatt backed off, his jaw tight as he rubbed the spot where I'd hit him. "I'm just looking out for you," he said, his tone defensive.

"I didn't ask you to!" Eve shot back, her eyes blazing. "You don't get to waltz back into my life and act like you know what's best for me. You don't know me anymore, Wyatt."

His face softened for a second, but her words hit like a hammer.

"Go," she said, her voice quieter but no less firm.

"Eve—"

"Just go." She folded her arms, her glare enough to send a chill down my spine. Fuck, my girl was scary.

Wyatt hesitated, his eyes flicking between us before he turned and walked away, his shoulders tense as he disappeared into the crowd.

Eve spun on me, her hands on her hips. "And you. What were you thinking?"

I wiped at the corner of my mouth, where I could feel the sting of blood. "He was out of line."

"And you thought punching him would help?" She glared at me, then sighed, her anger giving way to exasperation. "You're coming with me."

"I'm fine," I protested, though my knuckles throbbed with every heartbeat.

"You're not fine," she snapped, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward the parking lot. "Now shut up and let me take care of you."

Eve's dorm smelled like her, soft and comforting. It was a stark contrast to the tension that hung between us as she pushed me inside.

"Sit," she ordered, pointing to the edge of her bed.

I obeyed, leaning back and letting her take charge. She disappeared into the bathroom and returned with a first aid kit, her movements brisk and efficient.

"You didn't have to get involved," I said as she knelt in front of me, pulling out antiseptic wipes.

"You're not the only stubborn one," she shot back, her voice tight as she dabbed at the cut on my cheek.

The sting made me flinch, and she glared up at me. "Hold still."

I bit back a grin. Even when she was angry, there was something endearing about the way she bossed me around. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around the back of her legs and pulled her onto my lap, so she straddled me. She let out a surprised squeal, her eyes widening as I tugged her closer.

I couldn't resist pressing my mouth against hers, my hands slipping to her back as I reveled in the heat of her touch. But before anything could go further, she pulled away, gently slapping my chest in protest.

"I need to clean you up," she said, her breath soft against my lips despite the firm tone.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died in my throat as a thick silence settled between us.

"Wyatt shouldn't have said what he said," I muttered.

"No, he shouldn't have and you shouldn't have hit him," she replied without looking up. "You didn't need to prove anything to him."

I sighed, leaning back on my hands. "I wasn't trying to prove anything. I just—"

What?" she asked, her tone softer now.

"I hate the way he talked about me. About us."

Her hands froze for a moment, then resumed their work. "He doesn't know you. Not like I do."

The words were simple, but they hit me harder than any punch Wyatt could've thrown.

When she was done with my face, she moved on to my knuckles, carefully cleaning the scrapes and wrapping them in gauze. Her touch was gentle, but I could feel the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

"Eve," I said quietly.

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

Her hands paused, and she looked up at me, her brown eyes searching mine. "For what?"

"For the fight. For making this harder for you."

She let out a sigh, leaning back on my lap. "You're not the problem, Carson. Wyatt—he's... complicated. He thinks he's protecting me, but he doesn't realize he's just making things worse."

I reached out, my fingers brushing against hers. "You don't have to explain. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Her lips parted like she was about to say something, but she stopped herself, shaking her head. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

I smirked, leaning back against the wall. "I try."

The silence that followed was heavy but not uncomfortable. She packed up the first aid kit, her movements slower now, like she was lost in thought.

"Thank you," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

"For what?"

"For caring. For being here."

I watched her as she stood, her back to me. There was something fragile about her in that moment, like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"Eve," I said softly.

She turned to look at me, her expression unreadable.

"I'm not going anywhere," I said.

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, I thought she might cry. But instead, she nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile.

"Good,"