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He smirked and flexed his hand. “Feeling better already.”

“Such a baby,” I teased, but there was affection threaded through it.

Ryder’s head tilted, just slightly, but the shift in his voice crept in like smoke. “How do you know D-W’s hurt? He hasn’t been on campus.”

My hand dropped back to my lap. “I saw the video.”

His expression didn’t shift, but something behind his eyes did—cold and controlled. “You’re in steady contact, though?”

“What do you mean? We’ve always been in contact. He’s my…” I paused, not sure if stating the obvious was necessary or wise given the mood he was in after the whole Dennis thing.

“He’s Ashton. I wouldn’t say it’s steady, but we talk. Why?”

Cade watched us, grinning around a sip of his orange juice like he was waiting for the explosion, but not dumb enough to interrupt it.

Ryder thumbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’m just wondering how many people think they have access to you.”

I knew what he was really saying. How many people thought they had the right to me like he did? I considered hitting back, bringing up Brooke and the way her arms wrapped around him like they belonged there, but I didn’t want to argue by being petty or exposing more of my insecurity. Not when I was still choosing to believe in what was said between us.

It was going to be easier said than done. My habit of overthinking and acting off emotion would be the death of us if I allowed it the space to grow any more than it already had. I reached for my hot chocolate and took a cautious sip.

“Why do you guys call him that? D-W? You’ve never told me what it means.”

Cade and Ryder shared a look, one of their silent exchanges that spoke louder than any explanation. Definitely not meant for me.

“Just a silly nickname,” Cade finally replied, like that settled it.

“So why can’t I be in on the joke, then?”

Ryder leaned back, his tone smooth. “You will one day, Sass. Then it’ll all make sense.”

Lacey returned with our plates balanced on her arms.

“Bacon, egg, and cheese melt with chili cheese hashbrowns,” she said, setting Cade’s in front of him, “Cinnamon pancakes, turkey sausage, and fried apples.” She placed Ryder’s down. “And Oreo pancakes, extra drizzle.” She gave me a knowing smile before straightening. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

Then she was gone again, leaving silence and the scent of sugar and grease behind. I pulled my plate closer, my appetite rising as soon as I breathed in the aroma. I cut into my pancakes and took a bite, still thinking of what Ryderhadn’t said.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew there was more to that nickname, something I wasn’t supposed to understand yet. I wasn’t sure how to handle the aftermath of my eventual split with Ashton when it came to Ryder. I didn’t know how clean the break would be. Or if it even could be clean. I prayed Ryder wasn’t planning to do anything to him. That was definitely a conversation I’d have to broach witha lotof care this weekend, when it was just us and I could look him in the eyes and see if I was imagining the way he talked like he was already a ghost.

Beside me, Cade shoved half his bacon melt into his mouth in one bite, groaning dramatically like he hadn’t eaten in a week.I laughed, shaking my head as he struggled to chew. Ryder, more controlled as always, cut neatly into his pancakes, stacking bites like he had all the time in the world. He didn’t talk much, justsat back, eating slowly, his gaze skimming the diner lazily, never really relaxing, but not tense either. Simply aware.

I hesitated before speaking. “So, I know we said no Hunt talk, but… have either of you gotten word on what’s going to happen with Dennis?”

Ryder didn’t miss a beat. “Expulsion.”

“That seems extreme.”

Cade grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth. “Sanj, he tried to drag you through one of the university’s restricted tunnels and pretend he was a Huntsman. Not to mention, he broke nearly every rule in place for something that hasn’t even started yet.”

I frowned. “Pretend?”

Ryder leaned forward, bracing one arm on the table. “He was invited to play this year, but his family couldn’t afford the cost of entry. He had no business doing any of this.”

I sat back, processing. “Okay, yeah. He screwed up. But expulsion? Isn’t he on a scholarship track? This shouldn’t derail his whole future.”

Cade shook his head like I’d personally offended him. “There’s no way I’m hearing right. You’redefendingDennis?”

“I’m not,” I said quickly, scowling. “I think he’s a shriveled ball sack with delusions of power, and I want to kick his so hard they ricochet into his stomach for how sore I am.”

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