My alarm wakes me at the usual time, but instead of jumping right out of bed, I lie there and play back the last year of my life like a highlight reel. Surprisingly, the most painful memories aren’t of David, but of Wes. David humiliated me, but his betrayal was expected and skin deep. Wes’s dismissal cuts at the very core of me.

When I finally step outside to head to class, he’s the last person I expect to see sitting on the front steps. Bags under his eyes, clothes rumpled, he’s still the hottest guy I’ve ever seen. “What are you doing here?”

“I called last night. I—”

“I heard what you did. Thank you for standing up for me, but really, I’m fine. Go home.”

Of all the times I wished he’d show up for me, he picks the moment I feel the least beautiful, the least deserving of him.

“Can’t do that until I apologize and make up for how I acted. I’m so sorry, Blair.”

“Apology accepted. Now go home.”

I take off down the sidewalk toward campus, and Wes follows beside me. Wordlessly, he walks me all the way to Stanley Hall.

“See you in fifty-five.”

I sigh. “Do you even have class right now?”

“Nope. My morning is wide open.”

“Go home, Reynolds. You aren’t doing me any favors by sitting outside my class like some sort of security guard.”

He challenges me with a determined set to his jaw. “You’re right. I’m coming in with you.”

“That’s not—”

“Up for discussion.” He pushes past me and holds the door open. Whatever, Wes wants to waste his day, then so be it. I have no more secrets to be used against me, and I’m more determined than ever to rock my classes.

Most people don’t even look up as I take a seat in the large auditorium, and the few guys who act like maybe they want to say or do something turn away when they see Wes glowering behind me.

I slump into my seat and breathe deeply as I pull out my phone and sit back in my chair, waiting for class to start. Wes silently does the same, and as I scroll through Reddit, a text flashes on my screen.

I roll my eyes as I respond.

When class is over, Wes stands and blocks me from leaving before he’s stared down every single classmate. It’s so obvious he’s trying to make some sort of statement that I’m not to be messed with, and as annoying as it is, it’s also so ridiculous that my heart betrays my resolve. The struggle is real when it comes to hardening my heart against this man.

And so goes the rest of my day. Wes walks me to every class and even back to the sorority house. He’s limping and, as frustrated as I am, I’m touched too. But this is insanity. I don’t need him acting as my bodyguard. He didn’t want anything to do with me before, so why act like he cares now? I get that his loyalty makes him feel somehow responsible, but I don’t want him around out of loyalty alone.

“Okay, as you can see. I’m safe and sound. No one said a word to me all day. I relieve you from your duty.”

“They didn’t say anything because I was with you.”

That’s probably true.

“Seriously, Wes. You don’t need to do this. I’m fine. I can take care of myself. I don’t need your pity.”

“Pity? You think I’m doing this because I feel sorry for you? Fuck, Blair, this whole thing is my fault. I should have stopped him. I was supposed to protect you, and I didn’t.”

I shake my head. “That isn’t accurate, and even if it were, I’m not yours to protect anymore.”

My words cause him to frown and step back. “See you tomorrow,” he says and gives me a salute.

I bite my tongue as Joel’s car stops in front of the house. He waves from the driver’s seat. I don’t miss the grimace on Wes’s face as he slumps into the seat. His foot has to be killing him.

The next morning, I sneak out an hour early to avoid any possible Wes run-ins and hole up in my new cubicle at the tutor center. I’m teaching my first workshop on goal setting and career planning today and, though the timing sucks with my peers all having seen me naked recently, I’m excited.

My excitement is short lived.

“That’s it. Thank you so much for coming.” The words are barely out of my mouth before the three people who stumbled in run for the door. I dig around in my backpack for a stray Spree. Certainly surviving that is cause for a reward. I exit the classroom, flipping off the light and pushing the door open with a hip, and stumble into a wall of muscle and my backpack lands with a thud next to a black boot.

Wes leans down and scoops up my bag.

Fingers brushing as I take it from him, I manage a mumble of thanks.

“How’d it go?”

“Only three people showed up. Luckily, they seem to be the only three people on campus who haven’t seen me naked.”

He pulls a bag of Chewy Spree seemingly from thin air, and I salivate like a dog in one of those Pavlovian experiments. “Now, how could you rephrase that to better represent your achievements instead of focusing on the things you can’t control?”

I balk, staring at him, delicious candy not forgotten but temporarily moved to second position of things of interest.

“You were listening?”

He shrugs. “We spent a lot of time together, some of what you said was bound to stick.”

I quirk an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest. “What are you doing here?”

He looks down at his shoes before meeting my eyes. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I already told you, I’m fine.” I move to step around him, but he’s quicker and sidesteps with me.

“Also, I wanted to apologize again. Not for what happened with David. For everything before. I acted like an ass.”

“Apology accepted.” I take another step around him, but he cuts me off and shakes the bag of candy above my head.

I sigh. “Three people showed up today. That’s three more people that I’ve helped and three people who might tell their friends.”

“Good job.” He pats my head. I’d love to be offended, but the goofy smile on his face makes him look young and carefree. Like the Wes I fell in love with.

I swipe the Sprees from his hand. We walk out of the university building together. I can feel him watching me, but he doesn’t say anything.

“How’d you find me?”

He waves a hand as if it isn’t a big deal, but there is a pleased grin on his face. “I follow all the happenings of the career resource center.” His expression falls. “Actually, I probably should stop in now that it’s time to start thinking about what I’m going to do after graduation.”

“Where are you headed next?” I ask after he goes silent.

He points to Moreno Hall. “I have macroeconomics.”

I scrunch my nose.

“Eh, it’ll be fine. The professor doesn’t mind if I sleep through class like Professor O’Sean.”

“It’s infuriating that you can sleep through and still manage to get an A.”

“Wasn’t so infuriating when I was saving your ass from failing.”

He’s flirting . . . I think. It’s almost like the playful banter we used to have that kept me on my toes and gave me full body tingles. My head and heart are conflicted. I do forgive him, but it’s too hard to be around him like this. Wes Reynolds isn’t the kind of guy you can be friends with after you’ve had more.

“I hear tomorrow night’s game is going to be a good one.”

He nods and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Utah is tough. They run a combination defense that . . .” He stops himself, and I wonder how long it’s been since he’s talked basketball. Is he going to practices? Has he stopped sulking and started travelling with the team again? They’re questions I want to ask, but I know it would be crossing some invisible line he’s drawn.

“Thank you for the candy,” I say instead. “I guess I’ll see you at the game.”

“Maybe. I haven’t decided if I’m going to go.”

“What? Why not? You have to go.” I stop and stare after him. He can’t be serious.

He lifts one shoulder and lets it fall. “They don’t need me there.”

“Maybe not in the way you want to be there, but they do need you. You’re their leader. You said so yourself.”

His jaw flexes. “Enjoy the candy. Congrats on your first workshop. Text me if anyone gives you any trouble.”