Page 43 of Guarded Love

"Yeah." I run a hand through my still-damp hair. "Trust me, I was as surprised as anyone."

Knox studies me for a moment longer. "Alright. I believe you."

"Thanks…” My voice trails off because I’m not sure what to make of any of this.

"Can we please go eat now?" Wilder says and I would almost classify it as a whine. "I'm starving, and this drama is making me hungrier."

"It's not drama," I say firmly. "It's a school trip. That's it."

"Sure it is," Wilder says with an eye roll. "A school trip with the girl who looks at you like she wants to set you on fire. Totally normal."

"She doesn't—" I start, but Levi cuts me off.

"Let's just get food," he says, sliding between me and Knox. "Everything's better after pancakes."

He’s not wrong. Food has solved many issues between the five of us, and I’m sure this will be no different. The tension in the locker room eases slightly as we file out, but I can feel Knox's eyes on me. He falls into step beside me as we head across campus.

"We good?" I ask Knox, keeping my voice low. The other guys are a few steps ahead being entertained by Wilder, who is talking about what food he is going to order.

"Yeah, we're good. Just caught me off guard."

"For what it's worth, I was surprised to see her there too because it’s a trip mostly for political science majors."

"She's taking it as an elective," Knox says. "And to get away for a bit according to our mom."

"Get away from what?" I ask before I can stop myself. I don’t want to seem as if I’m super interested in what Willow is up to, because it would raise every alarm bell in Knox’s head.

Knox shrugs. "Hell if I know. That's just what my mom said when she texted me last night. Something about Willow needing a change of scenery."

"Makes sense. Winter in Virginia isn't exactly paradise."

Knox gives me a weird look before he speaks. “I mean, yeah, I don’t blame her for going. I would go too if I didn’t already have plans.”

“So someone else is keeping secrets about what they are doing for winter break too?”

"It's not a secret if I haven't had a chance to tell you yet. Selene and her parents invited me to stay with them at a cabin they are renting in Vermont for a few days after Christmas."

"Wow. Spending time with the parents already? That's serious." I’m shocked and relieved we've moved away from the topic of Willow.

"It's not a big deal. But yes, we are serious.”

"Spending a significant amount of time with the parents is definitely a big deal," I counter. "That's like...relationship level-up territory."

Knox shoves my shoulder. "Whatever. At least I'm not spending a week in Puerto Rico with someone who hates me."

And we're back to Willow. Great.

"She doesn't hate me," I say quickly, though I'm not entirely convinced of that myself.

"Could've fooled me," Knox mutters as we approach Brewed Beginnings. The scent of coffee hits us as soon as Wilder yanks open the door.

The place is decently packed with students who are grabbing coffee and food to fuel up before morning classes. I scan the room and thankfully, there is a table with four chairs in the corner.

As I follow the guys toward the corner table, I look over and see that Hailey's there, her brown hair pulled back in a messy bun, taking orders. Levi spots her immediately—no surprise there—and a dopey grin spreads across his face.

"I'm gonna go say hi," he says, already walking toward the counter.

"We'll grab the table," Asher calls after him, but Levi's already gone, making a beeline for his girlfriend.

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