I head toward the team tents, but instead of going into mine, I follow the boys into the Bio tent.

When I enter, Rafe is still yelling, but when I hear what he’s saying, I hang back out of sight to listen.

“You could have seriously injured her. What were you thinking?”

“It’s a dangerous game, Vanguard. That’s the whole point.”

“Not the kind of dangerous where you purposely try to inflict injury. First the power strike and then a headshot—are you mad? You’re lucky the lodge didn’t call it a foul.”

“Are you being serious right now? We’ve played on the same team for three years. Something like this has never bothered you before.”

“We’re not in Avant anymore. You know that at Genesis they have less tolerance for skirting the rules. This kind of play could get our entire team disqualified.”

“No, it won’t. You’re just angry because I bruised your untalented, weed girlfrie—”

Bram doesn’t even have the words out before Rafe has him by the throat, pressed up against a post. “Don’t you ever speak that way about her again.”

He really is very impressive at this possessive boyfriend act. He looks seriously angry. But it’s actually scaring me a bit. I don’t like violence, especially not on my behalf.

I rush over and put my hand on his arm. “Leave it. He’s not worth it.”

“Apologize to her.” Rafe shakes Bram forcefully.

Bram looks at me, more afraid than remorseful. “I’m so sorry,” he says.

Rafe lets him go, and Bram scurries off like a pathetic mouse.

Rafe is still fuming.

“Calm down,” I say. “He didn’t actually hurt me. See, I’m totally fine.” I spread my arms and wiggle my fingers.

“You may be unharmed, but you continue to accept disrespect far too easily.”

“You’re actually upset about what he said? Why? You say worse to me all the time.”

Rafe steps into my space, staring daggers into my eyes. “Let’s get something straight, Little Weed. If all of them”—he points toward the exit of the tent in the direction of the crowd but doesn’t tear his gaze from mine—“have to think that we’re together”—he puts his hands on my shoulders and steps even closer—“then no one can insult you but me.”

Wow. My heart is beating really fast right now. I bite down on my lower lip, and Rafe grunts in a way that sounds suspiciously like a growl.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop letting all the boys talk mean to me, my dove,” I try to joke, but it comes out a little breathy.

“Be sure you do, babe.”

That sounds way better than it should. I might be in trouble.