Page 11 of Dozer

After class, I picked up my backpack. Levi waited in her seat. As I approached, she picked up her bag and, without a word to me, slipped into the exodus of students. Sadly, I was relieved because I wasn’t one for confrontation, and I suspected she’d have a lot to say to me given the chance.

With a few minutes before my next class, I sat at a table and opened my laptop.

“Hey, Pipsqueak.”

I lifted my gaze and rolled my eyes at Greyson Cooper, running back of the Eminence University Rooks football team. He could be a royal douche, but he was my brother’s best friend. Not that he started out as Diego’s friend. He was mine. Even though Diego was a few years older, they’d bonded over football. Diego had played football in high school and for the Rooks. Greyson Cooper had NFL dreams.

“Leave me alone, Coop.”

“Can’t. I’m doing a deep dive on you for Diego.” He wagged his brows. “I asked him how deep I could go, considering you’re his sister.”

“I hope he kicked your ass.” I stuffed my laptop back into my bag.

“He can kick mine because he knows I’ll kiss yours.”

“I’ll pass. Who knows where your lips have been?” I stood and slung my bag over my shoulder. “I’ve got to get to class.”

He scrambled to catch up to me. “Listen, I’m not going to rat you out. You can do what you want. But since you moved out, your dad is busting Diego’sass to find out why you’re never home. You know your mom.”

I did. Since my recently married, Italian sister had one kid and another on the way, my mom was perpetually worried I was a period away from being knocked up, too. Misogynistic in his ways, but my dad believed I needed a man. He’d practically promised me to one of his business partner’s sons.

“So, who is the guy?” he asked again.

“No guys, no problems, just busy getting settled in Gabi’s house.”

“I heard. When is the party?”

“Never.” I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I’m going home this weekend. Mom is giving Claudia a baby shower. Baby Gio is going to be a big brother for baby girl Pisano.”

“Bring a boyfriend and get them off my back. I’m not really interested in being your babysitter unless you need a spanking.” He laughed, then turned and jogged away.

I rushed to Easton Hall for my next class and counted down the minutes to lunch. Hana was waiting for me in the commons. I sent her a text saying that I was on my way.

“Sorry about this morning,” I said.

She gathered her stuff. “I was just worried about you. I thought you’d still be at the MC.”

I shook my head. “Last night was…complicated. I just wanted to get home and clear my head. Romeo was passed out when I called a ride share. Do you want to get something to eat?”

Her lips twitched. “Blade needs to go to his mom’s. He wants me to go with him. I don’t think helikes being alone with her. He thinks she’s staying clean, but who knows? Anyway, there is a shit ton to do with Razor’s death. Not just club business, but all the legal stuff that needs filled out when someone dies. He’s going to pick me up on his bike.”

We walked across campus in the direction of my car. “Do you know why Levi hates me?”

Hana bit her lip.

“What? She’s always with Dozer. She spent last night in his bed.”

“She wasn’t fucking him. Dozer doesn’t want Levi, not like that. He’s been staring at someone else.”

My heartbeat stuttered. Those words shouldn’t affect me, but they did. “He had his hands on her.”

Hana raised a brow. “Bitch, you better start talking. Why do you care? You’re with Romeo.”

I choked on a flood of anxiety, a wave with the power to pull me under, to drown me. I held Hana’s hand and pulled her to the bus bench next to the street.

“Last night, Dozer sort of watched me and Romeo.”

“What do you mean sort of?”

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