AllFreeNovel
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I bark out a laugh. “It’s only been a week. Give it time. I thought she was going to claw my eyes out when she saw me standing by your mom’s car on moving day.”
And I haven’t seen her since until today. I’m starting to think that’s a good thing, considering her reaction. “Eh, she’ll get over it. I’m just glad you’re there with her. Makes it a lot easier to focus on school and football knowing you’re there if she needs anything.”
“I’ve got your back,” I say, feeling the sticky remnants of guilt about the fact that I haven’t bothered to personally check on her all week. Another glance to my right and she’s still talking to the douchebag with the wandering eyes. “Actually, I see her now, so I’m going to check in.”
Teagan chuckles. “Want me to stay on the line for backup?”
I shake my head, a smirk curling the corners of my mouth. “Nah. I got this bro. Talk to you later.”
“Later.”
I hang up and shove the phone in my pocket as I stand and make my way over to where they’re standing, sliding an arm around Brynn’s shoulders and appreciating the flicker of surprise in the douche’s eyes when he sees me. “Hey, Brynn.” I nod toward the guy. “Who’s your friend?”
She stiffens beneath my arm, and I can feel her gaze hot on the side of my face as her eyes bore into me. The guy shuffles on his feet, glancing up at me with a nervous gleam in his eyes while I stare at him like a psycho without blinking.
Good. He should be nervous.
“Uh, I’m Stanley?” he says, more like a question than a statement. Then he stretches a hand out for me to shake. “I’m in Brynn’s Intro to Psych class.”
I stare down at the outstretched hand, my smile tight, until he drops it and shifts his gaze back to Brynn with a frown. “I thought you said you don’t have a boyfriend?”
“I don’t,” she snaps, trying to shove me off her, but I’m a concrete pillar: made of stone, unmovable.
“And you were just discussing . . .?” I ask.
Stanley clears his throat. “Uh, a couple of my buddies from Psi Delta are going to Bradd’s tonight. It’s a nightclub just off campus.”
Interesting.
I glance down at Brynn with an expression that says,Really, Brynn, a frat guy?
Stepping to the side, she shrugs out from under my arm.
“You’re not going,” I say and immediately see I’ve said the wrong thing.
Her eyes round, and I know without asking that if she never had any intentions of going to Bradd’s before, she’s nowplanning on it. “I’m sorry, but last I checked, you’ve got no say in my social life.”
“Um, who are you?” Stanley flicks a finger between us.
“This overbearing ogre is my brother's best friend,” Brynn says between clenched teeth.
“Your brother’s best friend?” My brows lift, and I turn to face her fully now. “Brynn . . .” I grip my chest. “I’ve known you for years, spent more time at your house than my own, andthat’sthe introduction I get? That’s cold, even for you.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be? Like practice or class?”
I rock back on my heels. “Just came from there, so I’ve got all day.”
Brynn narrows her eyes, but rather than argue further, she huffs and turns back around to faceStanley,but his gaze is focused solely on me.
I have to say, not a great sign for Brynn.
“You’re on the football team?” Stan asks.
“I’m a wide receiver.” I tip my chin to him. “You a football fan?”
“Hell, yeah. Are you the new guy we got from Ohio? Taggart?”
I smirk, finding it fucking hilarious he knows who I am, especially because I know it’ll annoy the shit out of Brynn. “The one and only.”
