Defending Donovan (Face-Off Legacy/Campus Kings 6)

Everyone at our table laughs.

I shrug, blowing it off like it’s nothing. This is the Drake all of them know. I still have an image to maintain. “What can I say? My dick has a life of its own.”

“And Taylor knows that, stupid,” Preston says. “Which is why she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”

“Nah,” I lie, shaking my head. “She likes the chase.”

I haven’t told them much about Taylor. It’s the first relationship I’ve had since high school that means something to me. Talking about puck bunnies is one thing, but I’ll never divulge a single detail about Taylor.

When you meet the one, you don’t want to share her with anyone. If only I can make her see that she doesn’t have to share me with the world. I know that’s how she feels, she made it clear last night when she yelled at me over the phone.

“At least the semester is over on Friday,” Jamie says. “That will give me a little more time to work on tracking The Queen. She might have her guard down thinking no one is paying attention to her during the break.”

I hope Jamie finds this blogger chick. She’s slowly trying to ruin each of our lives and for no good reason. We’ve all been wondering if we hooked up with her, though it’s doubtful we all messed with the same chick. Whoever is behind this blog wants blood, and if Jamie is as good as I think, he’ll get us our revenge.

“Speaking of the break…” Preston says between bites of food, “… you guys coming over to my house for Christmas?”

Trent shoves a forkful of rice into his mouth. “My dad said something about doing it at our house instead.”

“You know how my mom feels about Christmas basketball,” Preston says. “We might not stay at your house for long.”

My Aunt Charlotte never misses NBA basketball on Christmas day. She lives for it. We usually spend the day at Preston’s parents’ apartment on the Philadelphia waterfront, so she can kick back and watch the games. All of the kids usually take side bets while our parents place their own. Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families typically involves a lot of drinking, sports, and gambling. It’s tradition.

“My dad bought one of those projection screens,” Tucker says. “Wait until you see the high-def on it. The players look like they’re jumping off the screen.”

“Oh, yeah?” Preston grins. “Bex will like that, too.”

“She can come,” Tucker offers. “You can bring Taylor, too,” he says to me, laughing. “If she’ll even look at you after reading that post.”

My demeanor shifts, the seriousness of the situation making me sick to my stomach. Preston laughs, and I consider punching him for egging Tucker on.

At this moment, it occurs to me that I can’t fully lower my guard with my friends. None of them know my secret. I can’t even talk to them about Taylor without getting a rash of shit. She’s the only person I can go to… and now I don’t even know where we stand.

A text dings in my pocket—it’s Taylor telling me we need to talk. The message that follows is a screen capture of The Queen’s post with a red-faced anger emoji on it.

Fuck, this is the end. I just know it.

When Taylor opens the door, she barely even looks at me. She steps to the side, allowing me to enter the on-campus suite she shares with Bex. While the halls are crowded, her living room is silent. Bex was at my house with Preston. They were taking over the couches and eating the last of the chips when I left.

I follow Taylor into her bedroom and stand in the entryway as she sits on her bed.

“I don’t know what to think anymore, Drake.” She plays with the navy comforter, twirling her finger around it. “What is The Queen talking about? Did you send pics to any girls after we met? Because it read like you have.” A tear slips from her right eye as she meets my gaze.

My heart slams into my chest. I hate seeing her in pain over me. I rush over and drop to my knees on the floor in front of her, taking her hand in mine. “All of this is my fault, Taylor. I’m sorry, baby.” I raise her hand to my mouth and plant soft kisses along her soft skin. “I haven’t sent pics to anyone but you since we’ve been together. Whatever she’s talking about is in the past. You know my truth. I haven’t been with anyone. Only you.”

“I know,” she breathes. “But, Drake…”

I wipe her tears away with my thumb and give her a quick kiss on the lips. “I promise you, Taylor, I didn’t do anything. You’re the only woman I want.”

Ever again, I think but leave that out.