Campus Player

A fresh wave of tension rolls through me as my narrowed gaze bounces between the two men. Now that I’ve had time to study them side-by-side, I realize there’s a likeness between them. They have the same sharp cheekbones and straight nose. Rowan is taller by a handful of inches, but they both have the same broad set of shoulders.

Is it possible they’re related?

It’s an unsettling thought.

“Umm...” It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue. Even if they are family, I’m still loath to leave Rowan alone with this guy. The hair at the back of my neck prickles with unease.

“Demi,” his voice drops, “please.”

I’m unsure what to do. If Rowan wants me to take off, I should go. But still...

My instincts are screaming for me to stay.

“Demi,” he growls, impatience simmering in his voice.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ll catch up with you after your next class.”

“Fine.” My focus shifts from Rowan to the man silently watching our exchange with amusement. I don’t like it. Not one damn bit. It’s as if he’s won some sort of game. This entire interaction can only be chalked up as bizarre.

For a split second, I consider brushing a kiss across his lips, but don’t want to do that with this stranger looking on. Instead, I give a hesitant wave before taking off. Rowan’s expression turns to one of relief as I step away—which is odd. He’s never happy when we part ways, and he always tugs me in for a kiss. Even when we’re in public. Rowan has turned out to be surprisingly affectionate. I can’t say that I don’t love it.

“Bye.”

Rowan gives me an abrupt nod, only meeting my gaze for a moment before his attention shifts back to the man.

It’s almost difficult to turn my back on him and walk away, but it’s obvious he doesn’t want me to stick around. When I’m about twenty feet away, I glance over my shoulder and catch a glimpse of the thunderous expression on Rowan’s face.

I don’t know what this is about, but I’m going to figure it out.

One way or another.

34

Rowan

Relief pumps through me as Demi takes off. I know she was hesitant to leave and wanted to argue but thankfully changed her mind at the last minute. I don’t want her anywhere near my father. And I sure as shit don’t want him sniffing around her either. If I had my way, he wouldn’t even know she existed.

Unfortunately, it’s too damn late for that. He’s already sizing her up and assessing the situation. If he can use her to squeeze me, he’ll do it in a heartbeat. It doesn’t matter if I’m his own flesh and blood.

He cocks his head and watches her walk away. “Pretty girl you got there.”

“Don’t talk about her,” I growl, taking a step closer and forcing his gaze to me.

“What?” he says with a chuckle. “You’re a chip off the old block when it comes to the ladies.”

That thought fills me with revulsion. I don’t want to be like him in any regard. I’ve done my best to be the polar opposite. I try to live my life with integrity and discipline. My father knows nothing about that. He’s always taken the easy way out instead of working hard for what he wants.

“What the hell are you doing here?” My jaw is clenched so tightly that it aches.

A smug smile simmers around the corners of his lips. I’m so tempted to punch it off his face. I have to keep my arms locked at my sides in order to not give in to the impulse. I’m much too cognizant of the audience that surrounds us. Even now, people are calling out greetings and waving. Whatever I do will spread through campus like wildfire. I’m sure that’s why he chose such a public place to ambush me. My father might be a lazy piece of shit, but he’s not stupid.

He jerks his shoulders as if he doesn’t understand why I’m upset when in reality, this is all a game, more like a warning. He’s not afraid to insert himself where he doesn’t belong. And he wants me to understand it. “Like I said before, you haven’t been answering my calls.”

“That’s because we have nothing to talk about,” I snap with frustration. “You asked me for money,” more like demanded it, “and I gave you everything I had. We agreed you wouldn’t contact me again.”

“Hmmm. Is that what we decided?” He purses his lips all the while pretending to look thoughtful. “I can’t remember.”

A growl explodes from my lips as I propel myself forward, eating up a chunk of distance between us. I’m so damn tempted to strangle the life out of him and put us both out of our misery.

As soon as the thought pops into my head, I rein myself back in. I won’t allow him to crawl under my skin and burrow there. That’s exactly what he’s trying to do. Drag me down to his level, and I won’t allow him to fuck with me or my destiny.