It would’ve been comical, if it weren’t so tragic. His face morphed from confusion to shock to caught-red-handed guilt. “You saw the party.”

“Saw, heard, and felt it shaking my windows. I’m surprised you’re not still nursing your hangover after how late things went.”

“I only had a couple, but I didn’t want to drink and drive.”

“Good to know you won’t be using the ‘I was drunk and didn’t know what I was doing’ defense.” My notebooks were clutched against my chest like that would protect me. All the swirling in my head and stewing over being cheated on—ha! Was it even cheating? Were we even dating? I’d been hinting at something more and he’d kept me at arm’s length, never taking any of my hints. Maybe it wasn’t that he was oblivious, maybe it was that his fascination with me had nothing to do with getting in my pants. Which meant those red-blooded football player oat-sewing engines were in overload.

“It was shitty to have the party and not invite you.” He looked at me like I should jump with joy over his admission.

“No shit.” I trained my gaze on the door over his shoulder. My escape and the only way to preserve my sanity. Being this close to him meant trouble.

“Those parties aren’t a place I’d want you to be.” He lifted his hand and I took a step back avoiding his touch.

“Got that loud and clear.” I saluted and tried to get by.

He blocked my path. “People get trashed. Bombed out of their minds. Puking. Fighting sometimes. Last year at our after-championship celebration two people were sent to the hospital for broken arms after jumping from the roof into the pool and missing. After the first guy got taken to the hospital, some idiot did it again. It’s insanity.”

“And people having sex.”

A sharp exhale and nod. “Yes, and sex.”

“People like you.” It was pointed, knowing, angry. I peered up at him, trying to keep my gaze steely and my words forceful.

Inside, I was coming unglued. The edges I’d barely threaded together were already fraying and the last thing I wanted to do was dissolve into a puddle at his feet.

“No.” His eyes widened and he swiped his hands in front of him like he was clearing a path for more lies. “I didn’t have sex.”

I tightened my hold on my backpack straps with my elbows locked in at my sides almost like I was protecting myself from an emotional blow with my body. “Why not leave here with a clear conscience?”

The bathroom door was pushed open.

His voice boomed in the three-stall bathroom. “Out. We’re having a discussion.”

There was a yelp and whoever it was thought better of confronting Dare on the fact that he absolutely didn’t belong in here.

“We’re not.” I tried to get around him again.

He braced his arms in the gap between the tiled wall and the first stall, blocking my exit. “I didn’t sleep with anyone, Bay.”