Leo’s fists strain in Zander’s jacket and his eyes are locked on his face. “Go ahead. Whatever you want to tell her, tell her.”
“Like I need your fucking permission.”
Leo tightens his grip, and in spite of himself, Zander recoils.
But then he has the gall to grin. “Where are you from Leo Hawthorn? Huh? What’s your address? Or your social security number?” Leo seethes, but Zander rambles on. “You a senior? Junior? Grad student, maybe? Because I couldn’t find you registered here at Brownhill. In fact, I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
I’m appalled. “What the hell, Zander? Were you looking him up? Could you be any more psycho?”
But Zander’s not paying any attention to me. “Help me out here, Hawthorn. Answer my questions.”
“He’s a senior,” I say. “And he’s from Pennsylvania.”
“Notyou!” Zander barks at me, earning another shove from Leo. “I want Leo here to answer.”
“You can bad-mouth me all you want,” Leo growls back. “But that doesn’t mean she’s going to come back to you.”
Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what Zander thinks. Sensitive, delicate Betts has been snowed by some rogue and once she learns the truth, she’ll “come to her senses.”
“I’m trying to protect her,” Zander declares, challenge in his sneer.
“Protect her? You call this protecting her? You almost ripped her arm off!”
Zander’s blue eyes narrow. “At least I don’t lie to her.”
Leo shakes his head at what a hopeless case Zander is. He lets go of Zander’s jacket and backs away, holding up his hands: the universal guy sign foryou’re not worth a fight.
“Zander, go home,” I say. “Please.”
He thrusts out a hand. “Come with me.”
“No,” I croak, stepping back as Leo jumps between us.
Unable to reach for me, Zander jabs a finger in my direction. “I’m telling you, he’s a liar. He’s not who you think he is!”
Tears well up in my eyes as I stand there shaking. I just want him to leave. Please, god, just leave.
Leo gathers me safely behind his back, blocking me from Zander’s view.
“Fine,” Zander spits. “Learn the hard way. But don’t expect me to take you back!”
I shut my eyes and drop my forehead into the valley between Leo’s shoulder blades. It’s safe and dark there. I don’t have to face Zander’s rage-filled eyes, or the gawking of everyone trying to read and study at the tables nearby.
Tension drains out of Leo’s body. “He’s gone,” he finally says, turning around and taking me in his arms. Those same arms that shook with fury as he shoved Zander against the bookshelves. They’re gentle now. Sheltering. I wrap mine around his middle and rest my cheek against his chest.
“What a nightmare,” I say. “I’m so sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Everyone’s staring at us, aren’t they?” It was quite a show we put on.
I feel him turn his head to look. “Only a little. Luckily, there’s barely anybody here.”
I risk a peek around his shoulder and sure enough, the few students in view are watching us, their earbuds dangling down their chests. When they notice Leo and me staring back, they freeze for a second, then immediately drop their gazes back to their computers and books.
Leo nudges me further back in the stacks and out of their line of sight. He tilts my face up and studies me, the crease between his thick brows deeper than I’ve ever seen it. Impulsively, I reach up and smooth the lines away. “I’m okay.”
“I’m sorry. I know you wanted me to stay away. But I couldn’t. Not when he grabbed you like that.” He runs a gentle hand down the arm Zander handled so roughly.
