Page 102 of Fighting Spirit

“No buts. Say it.”

“You’re not going anywhere.” The words almost make me crumble.

“Good. What can we do right now?”

“I should-”

“No,” he cuts me off, stopping the building panic in its tracks. He gestures between us. “Team, remember? What arewedoing today?”

“The assignment’s due at three.” I feel like a child who’s just been scolded, but in a good way? It’s like I’ve been fumbling around in the dark by myself for so long, and now there’s finally somebody in the room with me yelling, ‘Follow my voice!’

I know if I let my guard down, if I let Rowan help me, he’s not going to let me fall.

“What do you need to get it done?”

“My computer, the book.”

“Is that at your place?”

I nod.

He nods like he’s thinking. I can see in this moment why he’s going to make such a good coach. He’s in full gameplay mode, watching all the moving pieces come together until he’s got a fully formed plan. “Okay, you’re gonna go sit at the island and Trevor’s gonna make you breakfast.”

“I don’t have ti-”

“You do. I’m gonna take your keys and go over to get your stuff. Maybe text Georgie and tell her I’m coming so she doesn’t knock me out with a bat or something. Write me a list of everything you need, I’ll bring it back here, and you can get it done. Do you need to hand it in in person?”

“This is crazy.”

“Not what I asked.”

I feel like I should push back on his high-handed manner, but I’m simply too wrung out to care.

“I can turn it in online.”

“Perfect, you’ll get it done, then I’ll take you out, deal?”

“Shouldn’tItakeyouout after this?” I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay him after all this, but I don’t get the impression he’s keeping score.

“Nice try.” He rolls his eyes.

“You really don’t need to do this. This is my problem.”

“Okay, let’s just get this straight, yeah?” He stands up to his full height. “You are mine. So your problems are mine, your hurt is mine, your happiness is mine to share, and your achievements are mine to cheer you on for. The same way I’m yours. Every breath in my lungs, every cell in my body, is yours. If you want something, fuckin’ take it because it’s my privilege to give it to you.

“I don’t want to hear any more of this ‘not your problem’ bullshit because if it’s a problem for you, then it’s a problem forme, and I’m gonna fuckin’ deal with it. I’m not Marshall, I’m not your roommate, I’m not your parents. I’m not gonna let you down. Because you and me, we belong to each other now, okay?”

My jaw hits the floor. Rowan quirks an eyebrow at me.

“Just say you understand.”

Chapter Forty-Two

ROWAN

It’s a fight to keep my hands loose on the wheel as I steer my truck onto the freeway. I can’t get the picture of Ruth’s stricken expression out of my head. Every time I blink, she’s there, looking so broken that I want to turn around and head back, to tuck her under the covers with me until nothing can touch us, nothing can make her cry.

It scares me how deep I’m in this. She’s got herself wound so tight around me that I don’t think I’ll ever get loose. All I want is for her to be safe and happy. I have to make a conscious effort to obey the speed laws in my attempt to pick up what she needs and get back to her as fast as possible. This helpless feeling is eating me alive, knowing there’s nothing I can do to fix this. I’m not built to wait and try to let a problem solve itself, and seeing her tie herself up in knots fuckin’ kills me.

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