Page 64 of Of Pranks and Passion

“I’m cold,” I complained, waving a hand toward the closet.

He nodded like he got it, dropping his bag on the futon. “I get that. It’s going to snow soon. You got winter gear?”

Not technically. Since my parents stopped buying me clothes when I was a teen, none of my actual winter jackets fit by the time I left for college. I normally just layered instead. It meant more laundry, but that was the price to pay for getting warm. The only jackets I had were lighter, and I couldn’t rely on them alone.

When I pulled out the warmest jacket I owned, a jean one I’d found at the thrift store, I grimaced. It was barely big enough to fit a long sleeve under it. I usually layered a long sleeve, a t-shirt, then the jacket to stay warm. Easton’s hoodie definitely wouldn’t fit.

“That’s not warm enough,” Carter said. He was sitting on the futon, his long legs stretched out in front of him, frowning at the jacket in my hand. “Don’t you have something warmer? Like an actual winter coat? My friend’s dad is a farmer, and he said this winter was going to be brutal.”

I shook my head, and I felt my cheeks burn. I didn't enjoy calling attention to the fact that I was broke. More than half of my wardrobe was thrifted, and it wasn’t a lot. I couldn’t afford to buy new clothes when I was using everything I had to pay rent and keep Brienna happy while also trying to get the hell out of there. Even my shoes could probably be replaced. One part of the rubber was peeling, and in a few weeks, it’d probably be sporting a hole. I made do with what I had, but it was embarrassing. Which was why I was so grateful that Eastonnever complained about me stealing his hoodies. At least up until now, I was warm.

“Here. I’ve got a spare. Use mine for now.”

Pushing off the couch, he strode over to his closet, digging around the massive amount of clothes before pulling out a puffy white coat. It would be huge on me, since Carter had wide shoulders and he was taller than me, but it’d be warm. I accepted the coat graciously, slipping it over my shoulders. Carter snorted.

“It’s a little big. But better too big than too small, right?”

I shrugged. “I’ve had worse. Thank you. I’ll give it back as soon as I can get another one.”

“No rush. Where’s your boyfriend? Haven’t you two been attached at the hip since you met?”

“Class,” I answered, grabbing a few of my long sleeves and tucking them into my backpack. I wasn’t going to stay here if I didn’t have to, not while we still weren’t sure if Brienna called off her guys, and Easton seemed fine with me staying with him. It was only a few blocks from The Hideout, too, so I could hang out with my friends before heading home for the night, even when Easton was out at a fight.

“You ready for finals?”

My shoulders slumped, and I whimpered. “No. I’m still surprised I passed my midterms. I’ve never been great in school. And that was before my sister was sending people to harass me.”

Carter straightened from where he’d been digging around in his closet, a deep frown on his face. “Hold on. What?”

Crap. I forgot I hadn’t told him about that. He never even saw me after I got hurt. I stayed with Easton after that, and Angel came over early every morning that whole week to cover the bruises with makeup so I wouldn’t be bombarded with questions from professors or classmates. I was so used to hanging out withmy friends, who all knew what was going on, I forgot to filter myself.

“Uh… It’s nothing, really. Nothing to worry about.”

His brows furrowed tightly. “It sounds like a big deal, Gary. What do you mean by harass? Are they hurting you? Do you need to talk to campus security?”

Crap crap crap. I really needed to think things through before talking.

“I’m fine. I need to get to class. Thanks for letting me borrow your jacket. I’ll give it back as soon as I can. I–”

I tried sneaking out the door, but I didn’t notice Easton was standing outside it until I slammed against his chest. He caught my arms, holding me against him, and his gruff voice sounded suspicious when he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” I squeaked.

Easton didn’t believe me and used the grip on my arms to nudge me back into the room. He shut the door behind me with his heel, frowning down at me.

“Man, did you know about people being sent to harass Gary?” Carter demanded. “He said something about his sister being involved?”

Easton made a face. “Yes. We’re handling it. Whose jacket is that?”

Of course, that’s where the caveman would focus. I leapt on the change of subject, hoping it’d distract from the fact that I left my roommate out of the loop on what was going on.

“Carter’s. He’s letting me borrow it. I–”

“No.” Easton shoved the jacket off my shoulders like it offended him and thrust it out to Carter. “If you need a jacket, I’ll buy you one.”

Nope. I didn't like that. Easton was used for his money in the past, and I didn’t want him spending any more money on me. He already housed me and protected me. He did the same forthe rest of the guys, but they contributed to The Hideout so they were all equals. I had nothing to contribute. I wasn’t going to let Easton buy me clothes, too.

“I can buy my own. I just didn’t think about it. I don’t need you to buy it for me.”

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