Page 8 of For Crosby

“I do.”

He swept out his arm toward the two-story house behind him. “Lead the way. Just ignore the smell. I live with four other dudes. You know how it is.”

“Let’s sit on the steps. This won’t take long.”

“Said who?”

I brushed by him and headed toward the front steps. “You can’t help yourself, can you?”

“It’s a gift.”

I shook my head, stifling my unwarranted amusement as I sat down on the top step.

He sat down beside me, the side of his big body pressing against mine. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“I heard you’re studying pre-law.”

“I am. Are you into smart guys?”

“I’m into guys who can have an entire conversation without hitting on me.”

“I make no promises.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, fine. Why do you wanna know what I’m studying? You having some legal troubles?”

I drew in a deep breath as I chose my words wisely. “The dean thinks I know something, and I think he just threatened me because of it.”

His head shot back. “That’s a pretty big accusation. Are you sure?”

I shook my head. “No. That’s why I’m here.”

“So, let me ask you something. Do you know what he thinks you know?”

I nodded. “But it didn’t come from a reliable source.”

“Then why not tell him that?”

“Because if I do, it could get quite a few people in trouble, and possibly expelled.”

He nodded his understanding.

“I need to know what my rights are.”

“Babe, I’m not even in law school yet. I only know pretty basic laws. But my uncle’s got a law firm in Montgomery. Would you mind if I checked with him?”

“No, that would be awesome.”

He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to me. “Let me get your number. I’ll call you tonight when I hear back from him. He’s in the courtroom all day.”

I leveled him with serious eyes as I took his phone. “If I start getting pictures of your package, I will come and kill you.”

He smirked. “Don’t be so sure. I’ve been told it’s one of Alabama’s most prized landmarks.”

“You’re sick, you know that, right?” I said, placing a quick call to my phone from his so he had my number.

“It’s another gift.”

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