I’d spoken to my mom every day this week. The detective who’d worked on my case had retired, so there were a million hoops to jump through to speak to someone. Finally, she’d gotten a new officer to agree to look into my case and Drew, but according to her, he didn’t seem to be moving with any urgency.
As soon as class finished, I gathered my things, eager to escape. But then what? I had to trudge to Amir’s house and enter a whole new level of hell.
Since he’d fallen asleep on me over the weekend, he’d been more attentive than ever, watching me like a hawk. Sitting in the kitchen while I cooked. Studying my every move. I didn’t know what was behind this escalated intensity, but I hated it...because I loved it.
When I stood up and slung my messenger bag over my shoulder, Deacon was waiting for me a few rows down. With a sigh, I walked down the steps, resigned. I couldn’t leave this classroom without walking by him, and I had a feeling he wouldn’t leave me be as requested.
Sure enough, he fell into step with me, down the steps and into the hallway.
“Are you ready for the test Monday?” he asked.
“No, not at all,” I replied honestly.
“Do you...do you want to study together?”
I glanced at him, taken aback by the earnestness in his question. “That’s a nice offer, but I do better on my own. Thank you, though.”
His smile was tight. “Got it. Thought maybe a study sesh would be more your speed than a frat party.”
I had to laugh at that. “You’re right, it would be. But I really do prefer to study on my own. I can’t concentrate when there are distractions. If I could be in a sensory deprivation tank, all the better.”
Deacon chuckled as he held the door open for me to exit the building. “I don’t know, might be hard to study without any light.”
My laugh was softer this time. “That’s true. I guess I would need one sense in my tank.”
We were both laughing when Amir stepped into my path. His bunched fists were at his hips, his midnight eyes were on me.
“Oh, hi,” I stammered.
He held his hand out. “Come on. I’m driving you.”
“All right.” My fingers twitched, but I wouldn’t let myself slip my hand in his. Not when I so desperately wanted to.
Amir took matters into his own hands, transferring my messenger bag from my shoulder to his, then wrapping his fingers around my wrist and tugging me into his side. He turned us both to face Deacon, then he curled his arm around my shoulders. For his part, Deacon blanched, but he didn’t back off. He stood there, legs wide, chest puffed, as if he was ready to take Amir on if he needed to. As if he had any chance.
I slid my palm across Amir’s chest. “Let’s just go. I’m tired.”
“Are you okay, Zadie?” Deacon asked.
“I’m fine,” I assured him. I may not have liked Deacon, but I would never want him to face Amir’s wrath. After witnessing his viciousness in the ring, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
Okay, maybe Drew.Maybe. But I wouldn’t watch.
Amir’s muscles flexed and rippled under my hand, then he tipped his chin to peer down at me. “Do I need to do something about this situation?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. I promise. There’s no situation.”
His head snapped back up to scowl at Deacon. “You see this? This is mine. Remember that, kid, and we’ll be fine.” Then he stalked off, and since I was attached to him, he dragged me with him, forcing me to scramble to keep up.
“Can you please slow down? My legs are much shorter than yours.”
He immediately tempered his pace, slipping his hand from my shoulder to cup the side of my neck. He kept his touch gentle and light, despite the tension bleeding from his muscles. “I did not enjoy seeing you sharing a laugh with that asswipe.”
My mouth gaped. “I’m not allowed to laugh now?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“He said something funny, so I laughed. I didn’t accept his proposal to become his personal house pet next semester or anything.”