Page 54 of The Equation of Us
Around midnight, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I check it discreetly:
Dean: Leaving early for game. We need to talk when I get back Sunday night. My place. 9 PM.
There’s something in the phrasing that sends a shiver down my spine—not fear, but anticipation. This isn’t just Dean wanting to talk. This is Dean planning something.
OK, I respond, then tuck my phone away, my mind already racing with possibilities.
Sadie appears beside me, her cheeks flushed from dancing. “Ready to go? This week kicked my butt.”
I nod, glad for the excuse to leave before I can dwell too much on Dean’s text and what it might mean.
As Sadie and I say our goodbyes, Daphne gives me another quick hug. “Thanks for coming,” she says. “I survived James and Dean being in the same room.”
“They both seem fine with it,” I say honestly. “You look happy.”
“I am,” she says, with a smile that reaches her eyes. “It’s different than with Dean—easier, you know? Less intense.”
I nod, guilt twisting in my stomach again. “I’m glad.”
Walking back to our dorm through the chilly night air, Sadie links her arm through mine. “So what was that about with Kyle and Dean? Looked tense.”
“Kyle was being Kyle,” I say with a shrug. “And Dean was being… unexpectedly protective for someone who’s just…”
I can’t finish that sentence because I honestly don’t know the word that comes next.
“Mmm hmm.” She gives me a sidelong glance. “You know, I’ve noticed him looking at you a few times tonight. Not in a casual way.”
My pulse quickens. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, Dean looked ready to murder Kyle tonight,” Sadie says, lowering her voice. “That’s not a ‘just a hookup’ kind of look. That was pure jealousy.”
“He was being protective,” I argue weakly.
“Nora.” She gives me a look that clearly says she’s not buying it. “I saw his face when Kyle put his hand on your back. That wasn’t protective. That was possessive.”
I sigh, grateful that at least Sadie already knows about us. “It’s getting complicated.”
“No kidding.” She squeezes my arm. “And seeing Daphne tonight? With you and Dean in the same room? That had to be weird.”
“She seems happy with James,” I say, deflecting slightly.
“She is. But that’s not what I asked.” Sadie studies my face. “Are you okay? I know this is messy with the whole friend code thing.”
I squeeze her arm, grateful for her loyalty even as I continue to lie. “I have no idea. Just trying to navigate one day at a time.”
Sunday night, I’ll see him again. And something tells me there will be consequences for Kyle’s hand on my back—consequences I’m already looking forward to more than I should.
Another rule about to be broken:No jealousy.
And I’m not even sorry.
Chapter Nineteen
Priorities
Dean
The locker room erupts in chaos after Coach’s final words—guys shouting, music blasting, water bottles and tape balls flying through the air. We took down Ohio State 4-2, with a last-minute empty-netter to seal the win. A solid road victory against a ranked team.
