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“I hope you’re all aware that casual sex isn’t the same as emotional development,” Cloe commented.

Ashton made a face. “You could’ve worded that way differently.”

I silently agreed, reaching for a soggy fry.

Rook glanced at Cloe with a quiet calculation, like he was registering something and filing it away. Then he went right back to eating.

Xander chuckled. “Why would he? It’s Rook.” He caught my eye, and his grin faded. “Don’t worry too much about this mask stuff, Sanj. We’ll figure it out.”

“You should’ve told me,” Ryder stated, his tone composed yet assertive.

“I tried. You said I looked weird.”

“And what else did I say?”

I hadn't anticipated that question. My heart skipped, my mind racing for the right response. There was no way I was about to repeat our text exchange in front of everyone, especially not with his girlfriend sitting next to him, and Ashton at my side. Brooke’s blue eyes bounced between Ryder and me like she was trying to decipher what was happening.

“She told me,”Ashton revealed as a way to smooth things over.

Ryder didn’t acknowledge him directly. “That’s new,” he said softly. “Guess I’m not the first to know things anymore.”

He didn’t sound angry. He sounded let down, and that somehow cut deeper.

Roxxi angled her spork like a blade, aiming it directly at his chest. “None of that. Knock it off.”

Ryder looked at her with a practiced half-smile. “You know I’m joking.” His blue-grey eyes drifted back to me. “I know you’d tell me first if something was really wrong, wouldn’t you?”

The tone he used was warm enough, but I knew him too well to buy it. I played along all the same, giving him a manufactured smile to rival the one he was giving me. “Of course, I would.”

Brooke reached over then, fingers trailing along the back of his neck, doing her part to ground him. I ducked my head and dug into my bag. My fingers closed around my phone just as it buzzed, like it knew I needed an escape. I was a bit confused to see Layla’s name pop up when we were a chair apart. I kept my phone close so no one could see what she was saying and opened the text.

Layla

Can you meet me at the library after your last class? Please. I need to talk to you.

My brows pinched together. I was supposed to study with Ryder and Cade later. Our usual Tuesday session for Quantitative Reasoning, the math course currently stomping me into the ground in Air Force 1s. Statistics the year prior had nearly ruined me, and this class was its sadistic twin with a cleaner aesthetic and a superiority complex. Cade had a gift for translating formulas into something I could actually understand, and Ryder had the kind of patience that could’ve healed nations. At least with me.

Usually.

Now, I wasn’t so sure, but I meant every word I’d told him the night before. I missed him. I missed him even right then, while he sat across from me, letting his girlfriend drag her fingers through his hair.

I kept the screen angled away from the table as I typed out a reply.

I’ll meet you as soon as I’m done.

Across the table, Cade was watching me now too, calm but attentive. He never stepped in unless it was absolutely necessary. When it came to Ryder and me, he played the role of mediator. Close enough to supervise, willing to let his brother push me, but never too far. With the way I was feeling right then, a break would be for the best. Besides, Layla mattered more than formulas ever would.

CHAPTER SIX

SANJANA

I arrived at the library right after my final class, as I’d promised. Professor Wise had assigned a critical analysis essay on influence in digital spaces, due first thing Monday morning, and my brain already felt like it was buffering. I had another paper due that same week, so I foresaw myself spending a lot of time on this part of campus and locked away in my bedroom.

The late afternoon sun filtered through the tall, arched windows. The space always looked like something out of a historical novel. It was three stories high with ornate ceilings, faded murals, and rows of towering bookshelves packed with books. It was one of the few places that could still calm me. Here, the lake back home, and the old, abandoned quarry were my sanctuaries when Ryder wasn’t an option.

A few students were scattered around, some buried in textbooks, others typing with earbuds in and snacks hidden beside their laptops. The hum of productivity lingered in the air like background music, comforting and familiar. I sent a quick text in our main chat and then to Ashton, sliding my phone back into my jeans pocket, only to pull it out again to silence my notifications. The group chat with the girls was blowing up.

Cici

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