When Troy’s gaze fell back on me, it was as if I’d lost the ability to speak. His eyes were steel, like I’d done something to betray him. Ignoring it, I took a deep breath and stepped forward, holding out my palm.

He let it hang in the air as he tossed the keys up and let them drop back into his hand. “Let’s go.” He started toward the exit, walking faster than my five-foot self could follow and I sprang forward to catch up. Frustration bubbling in me.

He was quiet and didn’t look at me. His jaw was tight, eyes level. He seemed as though...someone had stolen his victory tonight. Which didn’t make any sense.

The crowd was screaming his name. His teammates jumping every inch of him after the thunderous buzzer went off and he…didn’t want any of it.

We finally stepped outside, through the same side door and he barely held it open for me. When he started walking along the side of the building with purpose, I knew he had an idea where they parked my car.

“Hey slow down,” I urged.

“Try to keep up, Harper,” he snapped.

I stopped and rested my hands on my knees, catching my breath. “Just… give me the keys…I can take it from here.”

He turned sharply and his tone was condescending. “It’s eleven o’clock at night.”

I straightened with a deep breath. “What’s your deal? You won tonight.”

“I didn’t win anything. Nothing was ever mine to win,” he added under his breath and turned, striding forward. “Come on.”

I shivered, feeling the cool October wind against my face.

“No,” I shouted, before lowering my voice. “I don’t feel safe with you.”

He stopped, turning to me. “What?”

I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. “Please just hand me my keys and go away.”

I heard the footsteps; they were coming toward me. With my eyes shut tight, I didn’t have to see him. I didn’t feel for him. I didn’t want to know what the matter was and how I could help. I wasn’t going to care.

With my eyes closed, I could hate him again.

He was now inches from me, I could almost feel his breath. He pulled on my hand gently and placed the keys in my palm and clasped my fingers around them. His warm hand held mine a moment longer.

The tears that were the result of an exhausting and confusing week with him escaped my eyes one drop after another and I kept my eyes closed.

He thumbed one away. Then another and spoke softly. “You have your keys. But I’m not leaving you alone.”