Page 59 of Savage Rose

“Yeah. Only, what we learned is being applied differently.”

“What do you mean?”

“He uses his strength to make those he perceives as weak cower. He takes what he wants and he gives no fucks who he hurts in the process.” His voice hitches. “Like what he was going to do to you at the party.”

I suck in a breath, but nod. “And what did you learn?”

“To protect. From an early age, it was ingrained in me that I had to defend myself and the ones I love.”

He gets quiet after that, and I sense from the rigid set to his jaw he doesn’t want to discuss things further.

I think about what Xander said all the way home. Apparently, he and Justin have seen abuse at the hands of the same man. I feel terrible for both of them, and for their mothers as well. I wonder what finally made Xander’s mom leave. And what it must have been like for Justin and his mom when they realized she’d married a real asshole.

One final thought pops into my brain right after Xander drops me off. Is it possible that what he was doing—trying to get me to leave the school—had been a form of protection? He’s said once before that he’d always protect me. I don’t think I’m ready to ask.

I’m terrified of the answers that lie in wait.

Chapter 38

Late Friday night, I get a text from Xander that makes me blush twenty shades of red.

Xander:Is it bad that all I could think about at the game was the way your face gets all pink and glowy when you come for me?

Xander:It’s pretty damn distracting.

Me:OMG. Stop. Aren’t you on a bus full of guys on the way home from the game?

Xander:Yep. I am. Fun times being at half-mast sitting next to Micah while he snores away.

Xander:But it’s true. Your pleasure is becoming an addiction for me.

I nibble on my lip, not used to this kind of intimate text exchange with anyone.

Me:I’ve been thinking about you, too.

Oh my God, that was totally lame.

Xander:Tell me what you think about.

I roll over onto my stomach in bed. I can’t tell him that I’ve been worrying about the whole situation with Justin. What the real deal is with him and Aria. And whatever the hell is going on with my weird-ass scholarship. Oh, and the cherry on the fucking sundae, that the Unknown Number continues to harass me, asking if I’m looking into things from my mother’s past, which may or may not have included Aria’s aunt.

The honest truth is that I don’t know if I want to know any of those answers, and I’m barely keeping my head above water between school, practice, and work—all of this extra bullshit is distracting. And draining.

And then there’s Xander, who has moved rather quickly in my thoughts fromWhy are you doing this to mestatus toO-M-G please do that to me again.Yeah. Enough said there for now.

I cringe, then tap out what I hope is a sexy—but not too sexy—message.

Me:When you told me you guys won the game, I thought about you stripping off all your football gear, all naked and sweaty.

Xander:I can’t fucking wait to see you tomorrow night.

Me:Same.

Xander:We just pulled up at the academy. Night, Red. Dream of me.

Me:Night, Xan. I’ll wake up touching myself, and it will be all your fault.

Xander:You just had to fucking say that.

---