He nodded. “I know.”

We talked about it at length before. Mason was worried about Sebastian, thinking he was going to try to hurt Mason through me, but that was the problem. If Sebastian were going to use me to hurt Mason, that meant Mason would have to know about it. I didn’t know what Sebastian had in mind. I was assuming some form of mental manipulation, but he’d have to line up. I had gone against some of the best. It wasn’t going to work, so here I was. Mason was worried about me. I was worried about him.

Mason, Logan, and Nate had been hush-hush about their plan to battle against Sebastian. I was not to be a part of it—that was all I knew—but they didn’t know my plan.

I would not allow Mason to be hurt. I was protecting my man this time. It was my turn to keep secrets. This was going to be the one and only secret I would keep from the man I loved.

Mason would never know how Park Sebastian was trying to hurt me.

“Oh.” A nervous laugh came from the doorway. A very tall, very slender, and very beautiful girl with almost white-blond hair stood there, holding on to two bags slung over her shoulder. She adjusted one of the straps and flashed perfect, white teeth, smiling at us. “Hey. I’m Summer.” She focused on me. “You’re Samantha?”

I nodded. “Sam.”

“Oh, nice.” She came in, putting her bags on the floor. “I was nervous I got the wrong room. Again. Apparently, we have floors that go that way and floors that go this way. I didn’t realize our floor was one of those that went this way.” As she talked, her hands made motions to the left, to the right, and back again.

I was mesmerized by her languid motions. As she moved, it was like she was gliding or floating. I’d never seen anything like it. Heather was sexy, and she commanded that attention, but Summer was different. It was like she was a gazelle or a goddess.

Sparkling bracelets slid over her arms as she was motioning, still talking and laughing, now explaining how maneuvering through the packed hallways had gotten her even more lost. She was saying this to Mason, her eyes transfixed on him. She tilted her head backward, lifting her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before grazing her fingers down the side of her cheek and lingering there for a second.

That was when the momentary spell was gone. Poof. I snapped to attention. Her eyes were dilated, and her lips were plumped out a little bit.

My roommate was attracted to my boyfriend.

I interrupted whatever she was saying, “Mason’s my man.”

Her voice cut off, and she looked at me. Her eyes were wide, surprised. “Uh…yeah.”

Mason coughed, frowning at me. “I already told her that.”

“Oh.” He did?

“He was telling me that he had a brother here, too.”

I frowned, glancing at the hallway. “Logan was supposed to help me move in.”

“Speaking of Logan, I’ll go find whatever freshman dorm room or closet he’s in.” Mason passed me, his hand grazing mine in his own way of reassuring me. He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll be back with more of your stuff from the car,” he said before disappearing into the hallway.

My roommate started for her desk but swung back around. “Wait. Mason. Does he already go here?”

I nodded.

Her eyes started to light up. “Is he a sophomore this year?”

I gave another slow nod.

“Is his last name Kade? As in, Mason Kade?”

“You’ve heard of him?”

“Have I heard of him?” Grabbing my arms, she pinched into them. “He’s supposed to go pro next year. He’s Cain University’s premium wide receiver. Of course, I’ve heard of him. Mason Kade is a legend. My dad is friends with the coach, and they’ve talked a ton about him. I can’t believe it. Oh my god.” Her chest began rising, picking up pace, and she let go of my arms to wrap her arms around herself. “I need to calm down. I’m getting too excited.”

“Are you a fan of him or of football?”

“Both.” Her cheeks were flushed red, and she was fanning herself. “Did you turn the heat on?”

I gestured to the open door.

“Oh.” She grinned at me, still waving her hand to fan herself. “Sorry. I’m not normally this fangirlie, but, man.” Her smile turned lopsided. “I can’t believe he’s your boyfriend. Mason Kade is dating my roommate. Wow. When I tell my dad, he’s going to freak.”

I was still giving her the side-eye. She was beautiful. She was tall. She was thin. She had bone structure that went through her ass. She could be a model. And she was going all gaga over my man? If she moaned his name in her sleep, I was going to go apeshit. Damn the consequences.

She must’ve noticed my reaction. Her mouth dropped open. “Oh! No! I’m not interested in him like that. No, no, no. I’m a huge football fan. You have no idea. I am not normal. I can give two shits about the guys. It’s all football for me. I inherited my dad’s genes.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Wait. Not that I could give two shits about guys like that. I’m not like that either. I like guys. Well, it’s not that I don’t like girls. I mean, I do. Oh my god.” She groaned, pressing her hands to her temples. “I am making a fool of myself, and I don’t normally do that. Seriously. People make fools of themselves around me, not the other way around.”

One of my eyebrows went up. Really?

She groaned again, shaking her head. “And right there, I came off super arrogant, didn’t I? I am not like how I’m coming across. Not at all. I’m not arrogant. I just don’t adhere to certain rules of society. Now, I’m sounding like a major dork.” She flung a hand out, gesturing to me. “It’s you. You’re super cool, and you’re dating Mason Kade, whose career I’ve been following for years. His brother too, but not as much.”

“You know Logan?”

Her eyes were still wide as she slowly moved her head up and down. Her cheeks were becoming pink again. “I know of Logan. Who doesn’t? Do you not realize how known your boyfriend and his brother are? I know their football stats. I know how many games they played together. I know they were a force to be reckoned with. Mason graduated, and Logan still did amazing with Fallen Crest’s record last year. How many did they win? Are you from Fallen Crest? I guess I don’t even know that. You may be from somewhere else. Wait. How did you meet Mason? I know I’m being really nosy, but I can’t help asking. I’m fascinated with everything. My dad wanted to go pro, and I think he knows their dad, too—something about business. Okay, I’m shutting up. I keep babbling and babbling, and you’re looking at me like I’m a psycho stalker. I’m not. Promise.” She patted herself on the chest before forcing herself to sit down on the bed and tuck her hands under her legs. “I just really like football. That’s all. I don’t want to get into either of their pants.” She squeaked, her entire face flaming up. “Shutting up. Now.”