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I thought about reminding him we weren’t really engaged, but well, I liked his growly tone and the way he used it on Director Fields.
Behind him, Prism made a sound of agreement, and I peeked over Ben’s shoulder again. Seeing my stare, Matty glanced at me and winked.
“This is absurd. She was having trouble with her crutches, and I was trying to help her.”
Ben drew back enough to look down into my face. “Baby, you having a hard time?”
“I want to go.”
His lips pursed, and he nodded once. The arm around my waist tightened, and he lifted me off my feet with just one arm and swung toward Matt. “Stand here with your brother,” he ordered, shifting me into Matt’s hold without any trouble.
Before I could even ask him what he was doing, he pushed up into the director’s personal space, using his larger size as intimidation. “What’d you do?” he intoned.
“I beg your pardon.”
“You keep asking for pardons, but you ain’t getting them from me.” His arms folded over his chest, which gave me a view of his bulging back muscles. So sexy. “She’s upset. So I’ll ask again. What did you do?”
“What’s your name? I’ll need to call the dean.”
“Benjamin Hayes Kruger. But don’t call the dean. Call Coach Resch.”
He looked as if he’d swallowed a lemon. “Coach Resch.”
“Mm,” Ben hummed. “I’m Elite,” he informed and tossed a thumb over his shoulder. “And so is he.”
Director Fields did his best to look down his nose at Ben even though Ben was several inches taller. “Does Coach Resch know how uncouth his swimmers are?”
“Do you know you can read a dictionary, but it still doesn’t make you sound smart?”
Prism’s chest vibrated with silent laughter. I smacked him in the middle, and he just laughed more.
“Go ahead and call Coach. Call the dean too. You can tell them how uncouth I am, and when you’re done, me and P here will tell them how we came in here to you manhandling a student, one who’s already been attacked on this campus.”
“Attacked!” His eyes flew to me. “I thought it was an accident.”
I don’t know why, but I shrugged. “Memories are coming back. I’ll know soon enough.”
He flushed, several expressions playing over his face at once. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a department to run.” His shoes clomped over the stage as he went. Just before disappearing backstage, he stopped and turned. “And, Miss Park, considering the pain in your head with the stitches, I would also agree that it’s best you don’t return to rehearsals until next week. Follow your doctor’s orders and stay home.”
Ben spun to look at me, concern all over his face. When the director was gone, Ben rushed over, gently tugging me away from Matt and into him. “What’s this? You’re in pain?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “Not really.”
Ben’s face darkened. “Jessica.”
I sighed. “My stitches are a little sore.”
“Let me see,” he said, voice soft and fingers gentle as he grabbed my head to pull me in so he could look at the offending area. “P, how about an assist?”
Matt came forward, switching on the flashlight on his phone and aiming it at my head.
“This is ridiculous,” I announced.
“That man’s suit was ridiculous,” Ben muttered.
Matt snickered. “Bet when he goes outside, birds try and build a nest on his shoulder.”
“Good one, P.”
