“How?” Orion said, pacing across his place. He wore an undershirt and sleep pants, and looked haggard, wrecked by grief for Dean. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to tell the school exactly what happened.” I read Orion’s face. “I know what you’re thinking. His word against mine. They’re not going to believe me.”
“Maybe, I don’t know. He’s super popular. When you said his name…”
“I know. I saw it.”
Orion’s head whipped to me. “Harper, I believe you. You know that, right? I believe you one hundred percent, but it’s this fucking system. It’s this whole thing… It’s the school. I saw it today at a crew practice. It was business as usual, and I was there. I was a part of it.I went down there and I sat in that goddamn boat…” He shook his head angrily. “This is not about me. I’m just saying, they might fight back.Hewill fight back, but I’ll be there with you. I’ll drop out of the contest.”
“No,” I said, feeling strangely calm. Clear-headed but exhausted. “You cannot drop out.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s just more charity. It’ll just look like I can’t fight my own battles or that the only reason I won isbecauseyou dropped out. I have to tell them the truth and see what happens. We have to let it play out and hope that they do the right thing.”
“Okay,” he said slowly, “but Ishoulddrop out. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Not now. I really can’t. I’m so tired. Please. I need to sleep.”
Orion looked conflicted for a moment, and then he nodded. “Take the bed. Do you want me to sleep on the floor?”
“No,” I said. “I don’t know where we’re at right now, but I need you. Your coin. It saved me. I hid in the storage closet until the janitor found me. I would’ve probably lost it even more if it wasn’t for you.”
“I’m glad,” he said. “But I wish I’d been there. I would’ve killed him.”
“Then this would be an even bigger mess than it already is.”
Orion’s face was unreadable as he took my hand. I kicked off my shoes and lay down in the bed.
“What do you need?”
“Hold me, Orion. Please?”
Wordlessly, he climbed into bed and held me to him, my back to his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. I thought I would pass out immediately, but my hand ached where I’d hit Langford, and the memory of his leering face and his touch kept coming back to me. Every time I dozed off, I felt his fingers on my skin or his breath on my neck, and I’d bolt awake.
“It’s okay, I’m right here,” Orion whispered every time I jerkedawake. He never seemed to sleep. “I’ve got you, love.”
Finally, I slept and stayed asleep.
The next morning, I woke in Orion’s arms, and for one soft, stupid moment, I thought the whole thing must’ve been a terrible nightmare. Nothing bad had ever happened. Nothing badcouldever happen when I was with him…
Then it all came flooding back, and my stomach clenched.
I sat up and nudged Orion’s arm.
“I have to get going,” I said, and climbed out of bed. I wanted to get home and shower and change and never wear these clothes ever again.
“Do you want me to be there?” Orion asked. “Should I call someone? Just tell me what you need, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything.”
“I have to do this on my own,” I said. The memory of Langford at his car, waiting for me, sent a shiver running down my spine. “But will you walk me to my car?”
“Of course.”
It was early yet; the student parking lot was empty.
At my car, Orion’s brows furrowed. “Call me or text or…I don’t know.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m sorry, Harper. I’m sorry things got all cocked up and that I’m such a bloody mess. Because there’s something I still need to tell you.”
“Later,” I said. “Please. I’m barely hanging on. I have to get home, and…then I have to do what I have to do. Okay?”
