Hiding a yawn behind my hand, I watch as Jeremy sits beside me in the auditorium. It’s our first class of the week and I’m looking forward to seeing Sawyer standing up front while our weekend together is still fresh in my mind. Spending all weekend with him is why I’m so tired today, but I wouldn’t exchange it for anything.

“I called at yours on Saturday night, but you weren’t in.” Jeremy raises a brow awaiting an explanation, which annoys me.

I don’t owe him any because we’re just friends, at least from my point of view we are. I know he wanted more and probably still does, and I hate myself for leading him on the other week. It’s kind of like the elephant in the room whenever we’re together, but I really don’t know what to say to him especially as he knows that Sawyer came after me.

“Andie,” he whispers, “are you okay? You seem distracted.”

I really look at him and smile. “I am okay, and I’m sorry that I haven’t been a very good friend lately. I have a lot on plus I’m worrying about my mom.”

“The baby’s okay, right?”

“Yeah, or at least I think so.” I smile. “I’m going home at the weekend so I’ll get everything out of her then. She can put me off over the phone but not in person.”

“Ms. Foster,” Sawyer snaps from the podium. “I’ve been standing here for five minutes waiting for you to finish your conversation.” He clears his throat. “Anything you’d like to share?”

He’s gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, even though I thought it was the right, considering what we did in the shower.

“Nothing of interest, Professor,” I reply and find it difficult to keep my annoyance out of my voice while I shuffle in my seat.

“Hmm.” His eyes narrow. “Stay behind at the end.”

“Ass!” I mutter under my breath.

Jeremy hears me and when I glance at him he frowns. “Out of favor, huh?” he whispers.

“I was never in.” Having uttered those last words, I make sure that my attention is on Sawyer for the rest of the lesson.

I’ve no idea what he’s talking about though because my mind is elsewhere and I can’t get the image of being on my knees in the shower while I blow him. It had been amazing and he’d slithered to his ass after he’d come down my throat. Just the thought turns me on as I fidget in my chair.

The lecture continues and I’ve no idea how long I’ve been lost in my own thoughts when I feel Sawyer’s eyes on me. Jeremy nudges me, and hisses, “Pay attention, he looks angry.”

My gaze flickers to Sawyer at the front and then I notice the silence of the room and realize that the other students are watching me. I feel my face heat with embarrassment and right now I hate Sawyer for making me the center of attention. My anxiety gets the better of me and I can’t catch a full breath.

“I’m waiting, again, Ms. Foster,” Sawyer drawls, anger in his words.

Tears come to my eyes while I try and calm down, but it’s too late and I know that I have to get out of here...Jeremy realizes too because he whispers, “Go. I’ll grab everything and meet you outside.”

Nodding, I quickly run from the room and hear, “Ms. Foster?” shouted by Sawyer. “What the hell,” he growls.

Exiting, I drop to my hands and knees on the grass outside of the building and try to catch my breath. I haven’t had a panic attack in a while and to have it in class like that is so embarrassing. Even though I take some classes, I’m prepared and take my anxiety medication. Today I hadn’t been prepared and its hit full force.

Books drop to the ground beside me and then Jeremy is there. He takes my arms and forces me to look at him. “Breathe with me Andie. Clear your mind and concentrate on breathing.”

Gradually, I slowly start to calm and feel like I can actually breathe again. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I think it is,” I whisper, tears clogging my throat. “I didn’t pay attention to anything he said in there today.” I swipe at the tears. “I just don’t know why he had to be an asshole and make a point during the lesson. He’d already asked me to stay behind.” I turn and drop onto my bottom, and wrap my arms around my drawn up knees.

“Thank you, Jeremy. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t have been there with me.”

He gives me a wistful smile. “I have a feeling if I hadn’t have been there then there wouldn’t have been a problem.” He stands and dusts his jeans off. “If you’re okay then I’m going to head for my next class.” He doesn’t wait for a reply and runs off while I’m left wondering what he meant.

“What the hell is going on with you?” I hear over my shoulder.

I ignore him.

The annoyance is in his every movement as he crouches in front of me, but at a descent enough distance away so that tongues won’t wag.

“I expected better of you, Andie. I thought you’d have at least been ready to listen to the class today, participate, but you had no interest. All you seem to want to do was talk to Jeremy!” he spits my friends name out like it’s dirt on the floor. “And then, you run out of the class.” He sighs and looks around.

“Just go, Sawyer. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than talk to me.” I rest my cheek on my knees, looking away.

“This isn’t over.”

I sense that he’s gone so before he changes his mind and heads back toward me, I clamber to my feet and start swaying.

Stumbling and unable to get my balance, and just when I’m about to hit the ground, I feel strong arms wrap around my waist. “What the fuck, Andie,” Sawyer whispers and lifts me against his chest. His strong arms tighten around me while I rest my head on his shoulder, keeping my eyes closed.

“Thanks,” I hear him mumble and then we’re moving and minutes later I feel the cool air conditioning as we enter a building.

Doors open and my eyes stay closed because it’s easier than facing my embarrassment of the morning. I hate that I suffer with anxiety, and I especially hate how Sawyer saw me along with the other students in the class.

“Place her on here.”

My eyes snap open at the voice of one of the college nurses.

“Hey, Andie. Another attack?” she asks, and ignoring Sawyer who stands next to her with a puzzled look on his face, I answer, “Yeah.”

“Okay, honey. I’m just going to check you over to make sure you’re fine, and then you can rest for a bit before I call your friend to come and help you back to your apartment. Jeremy, right?”

I nod.

“Jeremy’s busy. I’ll call someone to come and get you.” Sawyer hovers and when the silence starts to become uncomfortable, he adds, “Could you give us a minute please?”

The nurse looks between us both and frowns but does as requested.

“What attack?” he asks as soon as we’re alone.

“I suffer with anxiety. I usually take meds before the class I take or if I have to do a presentation—anything that involves having attention on me. I don’t take meds when I’m the one attending the class because I’m usually okay.” I sigh. “Except today was the worse class I’ve ever been in.”

“I drew attention to you...because I was furious to walk into the room and find you so engrossed in conversation with Jeremy that you didn’t even register I was there.” He brushes his hands through his hair. “I was jealous...and I’m responsible for causing this.”

“I’ll be okay,” I try to reassure him but I don’t have it in me as a headache is starting across my brows.

“I’m going to call Pattie to come and get you. Please don’t go anywhere with Jeremy.” He takes my hands. “I know I don’t really have the right to ask you that after how I’ve behaved today, but please let me do this.”

I’m too tired to think. “Okay...you better go.”

He softly brushes a kiss across my lips. “I’m sorry.”

Once he’s left the nurse checks my vitals and leaves me to sleep until I’m being shook awake, what feels like minutes later.

“The nurse said to wake you as she may need the bed,” Pattie says hovering over me. “You’re pale. Perhaps you should stay where you are.”

“I’ll be okay. I just need a drink of juice.” I swing my legs over the side of the bed and smile when she punches the straw into a carton of orange juice.

She shrugs a grin on her face. “The nurse said you’d appreciate it.”

With a slight nod, I drink the juice and feel unsettled. It bothers me that Sawyer was jealous enough during class to make a point of challenging me in front of everyone. What was wrong with leaving it until the end of class like he’d initially suggested? It doesn’t make sense and if I’m honest, I feel it was unfair of him to do that.

He’s the one who said our relationship had to be left at the door, and I agreed. But yet he’s the one who didn’t like it.

“Are you cursing my brother out?” Pattie asks, her head tilted to the side while she studies me.

With a wry smile as I finish the juice, I reply, “Not really.” I sigh and toss the carton into the trash. “He’s never drawn me out in class before like he did today. I’m annoyed that he did and, I guess, upset. He did it out of jealousy, which he admitted. He just can’t keep doing it.”

Pattie steady’s me as I stand and once I get my balance she moves away but keeps her eyes on me. “From what Sawyer has admitted to me, he’s been into you for months, so please try and give him some slack, okay? He’s going to get it wrong because I don’t think he’s ever been so involved before.” She’s thoughtful. “I do remember in his early twenties, but that was such a long time ago.” She narrows her gaze. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Nodding, I smile. “I’m fine. Get me out of here.”

“Andie, Sawyer really likes you and he’s going to screw up a time or two, you might be the next one to do so.” She grins. “Just please don’t hurt him.”

“If I do it won’t be intentionally.”

She watches me. “I can accept that.”