That’s the only reason I can think of to justify the way blood is whooshing in my ears. I want to look away, but I physically can’t. It’s like driving by a car crash. There’s some morbid fascination, except the only person I’m hurting is myself. Everyone around me is oblivious to the hot spike of anger in my chest.

“Wanna go over there and mess with him?” Finn asks.

I clench my jaw and finally jerk my gaze away. “No.”

I’m not worried about Graham. Between the talk I had with him at his so-called study party and the fact he seems to be every bit the nice guy he acts like, he’s not a threat. I want Sydney to have fun. To branch out.

I just don’t want Cassia to have any part of that growth if it involves other guys.

We end up sitting across the restaurant from the booth where Sydney, Graham, Cassia, and Harrison are sitting. I’d have to crane my neck to the side to catch a glimpse, and it’s a good deterrent.

Mark ends up sitting next to me. “You okay?” he asks me quietly.

I glance at him. “Of course.”

“It’s not just Baker. I’ve heard other guys talk about her.”

My look turns into more of a glare. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m thinking about the scouts coming tomorrow.”

He nods, but it’s more of an I’ll drop it than an I believe you gesture. As far as I know, Finn has always been oblivious to my feelings for Cassia, but Mark doesn’t miss much. I saw him glancing between us at the pool last weekend.

Conversation about tomorrow’s game dominates the rest of dinner. As soon as the last slice is finished, I announce I’m leaving, making up an assignment as an excuse.

I’m eager to get out of here. To clear my head. Maybe I should text Grace, but I doubt I actually will. As much as I want to wash away the memory of me and Cassia right now, I know it will haunt me for a long time.

I shouldn’t have slept with her. I don’t regret it, but it was a mistake. It’s made the possessiveness I’ve always felt toward her a million times worse.

“You’re not actually worried about Covington, are you?” Finn asks. “You didn’t say much at dinner.”

“No,” I reply as we walk toward the door. “I’m not worried.”

I wish basketball was the source of my anxiety right now. Covington is one of the biggest threats to our undefeated season and playoff rankings. To my chances of getting a scholarship. A bunch of scouts will be at the game tomorrow night.