Page 66 of Toxic Obsession

“Due to the scholarship, I also looked into your Whitmore application. It was flagged in admissions and landed on my desk. I knew who you were before you stepped foot on campus.” He folded his hands in front of him.

Blanching, I blinked furiously. Had I misunderstood him? I had been accepted even with my connection to the school shooting?

“And you accepted me anyway?” Clearly he had, or I wouldn’t be sitting in his office right now, but I was nervous as hell and not thinking his words all the way through.

He offered me a kind smile. “Your grades and determination to move forward after a”— Dean Holcomb cleared his throat—“a situation like that is remarkable. I’m not sure many people would have the resolve to create a better future for themselves. I’m impressed.”

Tension eased from my body, then returned tenfold. “Did you call me here to ask that I leave Whitmore?”

He leaned back and tapped his fingers on the top of his closed laptop. “No. The only reason I’d ask you to leave is to suggest taking online courses in case you’re in danger. Honestly, that’s my biggest concern.”

I’m not being kicked out!Tears filled my eyes, and my hands fidgeted in my lap while I tried to get a hold of myself.

“You can’t go in there! He’s in a meeting, young man,” a female voice yelled from the other side of the wall.

Startled, I turned in my seat and looked over my shoulder.

“What in the world?” Dean Holcomb hurried to his door and flung it open.

“Dean Holcomb, I have to see you ASAP. It can’t wait. I did something really stupid, and I need to make sure that my actions don’t affect a student on campus. Her name is Wynter Baldwin. Please, give me ten minutes. I have a plan to fix it and hopefully help her and others in the future.”

I shot out of my chair, recognizing Quinn’s voice.

“Hey,” I said from behind the dean. “I had no idea that you were going to talk to Dean Holcomb.”

The dean’s attention bounced between Quinn and me.

“Morning.” Quinn looked at the Dean again. “I’m the one who made and played the video. Since Wynter is here, would the both of you be okay if I join the meeting?”

A heavy silence loomed over us like a storm cloud refusing to move on.

“I’m fine with him being here,” I said to the dean, “but it’s your choice.”

“Okay, then.” Dean Holcomb moved aside, allowing Quinn into his office and motioning to the chair next to the one I had used.

“Mr. Astor, what do you have to say for yourself?” Dean Holcomb glowered at Quinn.

“First of all, I’ve apologized to Wynter, and I’m hoping to undo the damage, but I know it will take work. I’m willing to put that time in. But I need to ask Wynter something first.”

Dean Holcomb’s dark brows rose slightly as Quinn leaned over to me.

“Did he kick you out of Whitmore?” he asked so softly I almost didn’t hear him.

“No. He knew about my past before he accepted me as a student here,” I explained out loud, giving the dean a grateful smile.

Quinn’s hazel eyes landed on me, sparkling. “Then I won’t spend our time trying to keep you in school. I’ll get right to the point.”

Hmm. I wasn’t sure what to expect next. Quinn hadn’t talked to me about it.

“Sir, I met with Coach and our quarterback yesterday. Coach and Kane are both willing to publicly speak at events on campus along with me. Since the weather is cooling off and the rain has moved in, it will be difficult to set up places outside. We will need your permission to set up in the cafeteria or other public places with large numbers of students. It will be the fastest way to spread the truth.” Quinn glanced over at me. “To explain that Wynter had nothing to do with the shooting. We want to clear her name as quickly as possible. Also, I’m guessing that most of the football team will be willing to help once I talk to them.”

An audible gasp escaped me. Quinn had not only talked to Coach and Kane, but he had a plan in place. A lump formed in my throat, overwhelmed with what Quinn had already put together ... for me.

“I can help make that happen, but are you sure you’re ready to step into that kind of spotlight? It might not be as forgiving as you hope.” Dean frowned as he directed his question at Quinn.

Quinn focused on me. He didn’t smile. He didn’t respond. He simply stared right into my eyes. Without breaking our gaze, he nodded. “I can handle it.”

The raw determination in Quinn’s voice sent shivers down my spine.

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