I click my tongue on the roof of my mouth. “We’ll see about that.”
The next thing I know, Crew is on his feet, lunging at me. When I go to push him back, not wanting to do this shit again, he grabs my waist and takes me down to the floor. My back hits with a thud, knocking the wind out of me. “What the fuck is the matter with you?” I growl at him, nose to nose.
“I lost her once and I won’t lose her again because you’ve suddenly decided you’ve got a crush on my girl.”
We exchange blows as he tries to grab me by the throat. “This isn’t a sudden crush. I’ve had feelings for Scar for years.”
“Liar! I know you, Jagger. You don’t get feelings for girls. You wanna fuck her and leave her like you do every other girl.”
When he makes a wrong move, I get the upper hand. In a swift motion, I kick my leg up, flinging him off me and onto his back. With both his wrists pinned in my hands against the floor, he doesn’t stand a chance. “Maybe I let go of all the other ones because I was waiting for her.”
“Well, brother, you waited too fucking long. She’s with me now.”
“I know she feels something toward me. You know it, too. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t feel so threatened by me.”
“I don’t see shit and I sure as hell don’t feel threatened.”
He squirms, trying to break free, but I slam his wrists hard on the floor. “Then give me a chance with her. Worst-case scenario, she doesn’t reciprocate my feelings, and she stays with you.”
“She won’t do it. There’s no way in hell.”
He says the words, but the pique in his expression tells the truth—he’s worried.
“You don’t know that.”
Crew surrenders and turns his head, looking to the left. When he looks back at me, he curls his lip. “What do you want from her?”
It’s simple really. “I just want a chance.”
I let go and climb off him. Crew stands, rolling his wrists as he grinds his teeth. “Give it your best shot. But don’t expect anything from her in return. She won’t give it to you.” With that, he walks out of my room, slamming the door hard behind him.
* * *
“You know,”Scar begins as she chews off a bite of her hot dog. “Normally I’d argue that I’m fine and don’t need your protection, but after yesterday, my pride is taking a back seat.” Her arms wave around the kitchen, hot dog in hand. “I welcome all security from this point forward.”
I pick up my empty paper plate from the table and push my chair back. “Good. Because I have no intention of letting you out of my sight. It’s you and me tonight, girl.”
With a full mouth, she points her half-eaten hot dog at me. “It’s a date.”
If only.
“So,” I continue, “the plan is to go to the game, then back here for a chill night. We’ve put a temporary curfew in place until we catch this guy. Everyone is in their dorms by eleven o’clock this weekend.”
She laughs, finding humor in the situation. “If you really think everyone is going to abide by that, you’re delusional.”
“Honestly. I don’t care about everyone else. I only care about you.”
She’s mid-bite when she stops herself. “Crew said the same thing last night.”
“I guess Crew and I think alike.”
More so than I care to admit.
I step on the lever for the trash can and drop my plate inside. “Kickoff is in ten minutes. We should probably go.”
Scar stuffs the rest of her hot dog in her mouth, filling her cheeks as she chews. I chuckle at her, warranting a glare. “What?”
“Just admiring your dinner etiquette.”