Caught in Us (Lost 3)

“Careful, Damon,” Gabe says. His arms are limp by his side. He’s not even attempting to defend himself. “If the police interrogate me, they’ll be very interested in you if I tell them you threatened me.”

I grab the stand for support. I remember Damon telling me the police specifically told

him and James not to engage in fights with Gabe, or make threats. But how does Gabe know this?

“Damon,” I plead. “Let him go. He’s not worth it.”

Damon pushes him away, his eyebrows pinching together. Gabe throws me a glance that tells me I’ll find you alone again then walks off without another word.

Cupping my cheeks, Damon whispers, “I will not let him hurt you. I promise.”

I nod, sliding away from his grasp as new students stop at our booth. In the distance, Damon and I see Gabe slide into his car. Damon punches the booth, swearing loudly.

Hazel hands Damon some ice, then tells me, “You can take the bad boy out of the fighting ring, but you can’t take the fight out of the bad boy, can you?” She smiles, but the tinge of worry in her voice makes me shudder.

I cannot exactly accuse Gabe based on a look he gave me. He doesn’t show up again the entire day, but I know he’s watching.

Chapter Thirty-One: Dani

The next weeks pass in a whirlwind. I’m doing five courses, and that still proves to be a full-time job. Damon's doing four, but also works a lot of hours with James. Thank God we're on the same team in the business project. Otherwise, I'd barely see him.

"I need a break, or my brain will explode," Hazel complains. It's three o'clock in the morning, and Damon, Hazel, Chase, and I are in our living room, busting our asses to get the presentation for our business class ready. Hazel and Chase sit under the window with their laptops in their arms, while Damon and I have taken over the opposite corner of the room. "I can't believe we’re having exams already. How are you guys doing?"

"Bickering over who will present tomorrow," I say.

"No bickering," Damon says in a final tone. "We'll both present."

"But I hate presenting and you’re great at it."

"You're good at it, too. It's just out of your comfort zone. You've worked hard on this project. If you don't present, you’ll sell yourself short. Everyone always remembers the presenter."

"Is this another piece of wisdom you got from my brother?"

"Yeah, but it's true, and you know that."

The thing is, I do. "I'm scared," I say quietly, staring at my knees.

He lifts my chin with his fingers, so I have no choice but to look him in the eyes.

"You are great; you just let your fears keep you back, and sometimes you need a little push. I volunteer to do that. You push me, too. Hell, I'm at Stanford because you pushed me to apply. You're never going to get out of your comfort zone if you don't try to break through it."

"You're right," I say.

"Do you remember Rhetoric & Public Speaking class?" A mischievous smile plays on his lips.

"Yeah, I wore the red scarf you gave me."

Leaning into me, he says. "Let’s try the panties trick now." The commanding tone and the scent of his skin—impossible to ignore when he’s so close—are almost enough to make me lose my trail of thought and accept. Almost.

"Damon Cooper," I say under my breath, "I am not going to stand in front of a class full of people without underwear. Forget it. But I will wear the red scarf again."

"You still have it?" The emotion in his voice tugs at my heartstrings.

"Yeah, I kept it after you left. It reminded me of you."

"God, you two are adorable," Hazel says, making us both jump. She's standing a few feet away. I hadn't realized she was this close. Judging by the uncomfortable look on Damon's face, neither had he. "I would have been severely heartbroken if you hadn't gotten back together. I need to find you a couple name. "

"What?" Damon looks at her as if she’s speaking pig Latin.