If only Cross would do the same thing, but I knew he wouldn’t. And unlucky for me, he was in two of my classes. I felt the question burning in his mind.

It wasn’t that I wanted to keep a secret from Cross… Well, I did. But not because it was him. I didn’t want to tell anyone, but if I’d been willing to talk, it would’ve been to him.

No one knew my secret except Drake, and the circumstances where he’d found out had been beyond my control.

After fourth period, when the bell rang for our lunch, I knew my time was up.

A path opened in front of me, but not because of me this time. It was there for Cross, and he was bearing down on me. His eyes were smoldering, fierce, and his golden hair was pushed back. I knew the reason why; he’d been raking his hands through it the whole time. It wasn’t real long, so for it to stay back showed me how frustrated he was with me.

I wasn’t a girl who got scared, but if I had been, the sight of Cross heading my way, his head down and locked right on me, would’ve done the trick today.

Instead, I adjusted my books and met him at our lockers.

I turned my back to him as I opened my locker.

“Hey.” Two hands hit the locker on either side of me. It was a short, quick slap as he trapped me in place. Like an exaggerated hello, but I got the message. He wasn’t going to be ignored or avoided anymore.

I put my books into my locker and grabbed my keys and phone, closing it back up before facing him. He stood just behind me, close enough so I could feel the heat radiating from him, with his head down so our conversation would just be between us. Those same girls from this morning were gathering at Sunday’s locker, and I heard their whispering. My eyes flicked over, more for a brief respite from Cross’ silent demand, and they were there, eyes wide, watching us like goddamn spectators at the Coliseum.

As if we were gladiators squaring off for a fight.

Then again, maybe that’s how we looked to them, to those who weren’t us.

“Hey.” Cross stepped close, almost touching me.

“Hey.” I met his gaze, feeling seared from the contact. He was my best friend, and that meant he knew what was going on inside of me more than I did. It was uncomfortable at times, times like now. There was a reason I’d kept that secret a secret, for fuck’s sake.

He let out a frustrated sound, raking his hands through his hair again before straightening. “Look.” His hand fell, hitching on his jeans. “You gotta tell me, especially if it’s something a Ryerson has over you.”

I jerked my head in a nod. He was giving me time, but he was right. I would have to tell them, eventually.

“Lunch?”

I hated this. I hated keeping this secret from him, that night burning in my throat, but damn. It was better if he didn’t know, if they all didn’t know. I fell in step with him as we headed to the parking lot. Juniors and seniors got open lunch. We could leave to grab something, then come back.

A moment later, I wasn’t surprised to find Jordan and Zellman behind us.

“What was he talking about?” Jordan asked immediately.

Zellman was on follow-up. “I didn’t think you and Drake were that serious.”

“We weren’t.” A knot formed in my stomach.

“You seemed affected by whatever Drake told him,” Jordan countered. “There something we should know about?”

I stopped in front of my Jeep and turned around. A whole group of students had followed us to the parking lot.

From the whispering I’d heard, and the furtive glances sent our way all morning, I had no doubt word had spread fast about what happened before first period. I just didn’t know if the interest was my altercation with Alex, Race’s arrival, or the fact that we had a new guy in school.

I gestured to Sunday Barnes and some of her friends, who had stopped a few feet from us. They were waiting for something.

My eyes slid to Zellman. “Did you find out last night, Z?”

“What?” His eyebrows pulled together. He scratched his chin.

Jordan looked at the crowd and rolled his eyes. “Who cares. Look, we just need to know what’s going on if we’re going to have your back. Okay?” He gentled his tone. “Tell us what we need to know, when we need to know it.”

Cross didn’t say anything, but I felt his presence. He wouldn’t push, not when they were with us, but the temporary moment of peace I’d gotten from him had a time limit. I could almost hear the clock ticking away, but I was glad for his support.

The knot in my stomach loosened, just a bit. “I will.” I nodded toward the girls again. “That’s not going to happen now.”

The girls edged closer, and Z looked back and forth between us and them. An eager smile pulled at his mouth, and I sighed. “Go get ’em.”

Zellman had been slouched. He shot upright. “Yeah?”

Jordan frowned. “You sure?” He didn’t sound like he was in any hurry to leave.

I nodded. “Go. I’m sure.” I waved at Zellman. “I’m sending you lots of luck if you still need to find out if they’re real.”

He began backing up, heading toward the girls. He winked. “I found out last night. They’re not.” Then he turned, throwing his arm around Sunday’s shoulders. “Hey, boobs.”

She tensed under his touch, and as her friends started laughing, she smacked his chest. He ducked his head, whispering something to her. He started to draw them away from us, toward his own truck. As they went, I could see Sunday’s smile go rigid, then soften.

Jordan lingered. “You’re positive you’re okay if we take off with them?”

I glanced to Cross. He moved to lean against my Jeep, and I knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

I nodded. “I’m sure. Go and flirt away.”

Jordan began backing away too, and he gave a wave before he turned around and headed after them. A few of the girls were looking over their shoulders. I saw the hope in their eyes. When all of them except one kept watching, despite Jordan’s approach, I knew who they were really waiting for.

I turned to my best friend. “You have a fan club.”

Cross snorted, but didn’t respond.

We watched as Jordan caught up to the group. One of the girls went up to him, and he lifted his arm, letting it fall over her shoulders. Her arm wrapped around his waist, and slowly, the entire group headed over to where Jordan’s truck was parked, though a few girls still snuck glances back at Cross.

Another group of students walked right past us, interrupting the girls’ view. I felt the break from their attention, and Cross turned to me.

He got right to the point. “Is it bad, what he knows?”

There it was. That punch again.

Feeling tears threatening, I scowled. I didn’t fucking cry. Ever.

“Seriously?” I was more asking myself. I was mortified to be a girl.

As I started for the door of my Jeep, Cross blocked me. He held his hands up. “I just want to know how bad it is.”

He was pushing, right after he’d told me he wouldn’t.

I almost growled, shoving him back a step, the gesture so small no one could see because he was that close. “You know it is or I’d tell you.”

I tried again to get into my vehicle.

His chin jutted out. “You liked Drake, but you weren’t that serious. I know you better than anyone. I’m hoping that guy was bluffing and he doesn’t know whatever it is you don’t even want me to know, but what if he does? If it’s that bad, maybe you should tell me sooner rather than later.”

Fuck. That was my worst nightmare. Cross had put it into words.

He stepped close to me. “I racked my brain all morning, but I can’t think of something you’d be okay with Drake knowing and not me.”

I felt a knife in my lungs. “Cross, stop it.” I started to shake my head.

“Bren.” It was a soft and quiet command.

That almost broke me, coming from him. Anyone else, hell no. Cross, any day of the week.

“Stop.” I put a warning in my voice. “I mean it.”

We stood there. We were at an impasse.