He nodded, and his lips parted to say something else, but he was stopped by someone calling his name behind him.

We both pivoted in the direction of the male voice. At first I thought it was one of Robert’s friends. But as the young guy moved closer, I couldn’t place him. I also realized two things; this guy was drunk or at least on his way to being drunk as evidenced by his wobbly stride, and two, he had to be related to Robert. He had the same dark hair and eyes, tall stature, and as he moved closer the freckles that Robert had on his cheeks, this guy did as well.

“Jason, what the hell are you doing here?” Robert’s voice was low, agitated.

The new guy, Jason, glanced at me and smiled, looking between the two of us. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No.”

“What the fuck do you want?”

Robert and I responded at the same time.

“I did as you said and I thought I’d come find you. I didn’t know you would be occupied with a lady friend.” Jason’s eyes returned to me, smirking again.

“Jason, if you don’t—”

“I need to get going. I’ll see you in class,” I told Robert. I gave the two one last look before turning and starting in the direction of my dorm room.

“That one’s got a nice ass. I’m a—”

I gasped and turned around, stunned at the words that’d come out of Jason’s mouth, but my eyes widened even more when I saw that Robert had literally wrapped his large hand around Jason’s throat, choking off whatever he’d been about to say.

“I haven’t laid a hand on you since we were children, but if you ever talk about her like that again, I will beat the shit out of you. Understood?” he growled.

I wasn’t sure if he was intentionally talking loud enough for me to hear or not, but at that moment, as I stared at a livid Robert Townsend, I had no doubt that he meant every word he’d just spoken. I clutched the strap of my bag tightly in my right hand.

“Fucker,” Robert grunted as he shoved Jason away.

I blinked and noticed Robert’s gaze returned to me. A chill ran through me at the darkness I saw in his eyes. But with one blink it was gone. Wordlessly, I pivoted on my heels and moved quickly in the direction of my dorm room. I dared not to even think of the butterflies that floated in my belly at the dangerous gleam in his eyes.

Maybe I didn’t have Robert Townsend all figured out.

Chapter Four

Present

Deborah

“You didn’t know me at all. But you were about to find out,” my husband cockily stated as I turned in his direction. I laughed, shaking my head all while admiring the age lines in his forehead and around his eyes. He looked better today than he had all of those years ago. And he was a sight for sore eyes back then.