Until Friday Night (The Field Party #1)(61)

“Thanks,” I said through the lump in my throat.

“Get your things. I’m walking you to your next class. I’ll have Brady know you need an escort after this one. Between us, we should be able to keep you covered for a while. At least until they find something else to focus on.”

I wanted to tell him that I didn’t need that. That I could take care of myself. But I couldn’t. Because if he hadn’t shown up, Raleigh would still be in my face, yelling at me while everyone watched.

“Okay,” I replied, and turned back to my locker.

“He’s going to be furious when he finds out about this. When he comes to find you, know his anger isn’t at you. It’s because he thinks he’s caused this to happen to you. He wants to protect you. He’s not going to take this well.”

A tear escaped, and I reached up and wiped it away quickly. If only his need to protect me was something more. Something deeper. Not simply his need to have me beside him so he could cope with things. I wanted to be more to him than someone to lean on.

“Ready,” I said as I tucked my books close and fell into step beside Nash.

He didn’t ask me questions or mention West. We walked in silence to my next class. Once we were there, I thanked him and went inside. Eyes locked on me, so I dropped my gaze to the books in my arms and found a desk in the back. If I were going to make it through class, I needed to be where as few people as possible could look at me.

I Want to Belong to You

CHAPTER 46

WEST

Nash walked into class just as the late bell rang. His eyes scanned the room until they found me. His frown deepened as he made his way back to where I was sitting. There wasn’t an empty seat beside me, but he stopped by a guy with curly hair and glasses and convinced him to move over before taking his seat.

I glanced at him, and he turned his attention to me. “There was a . . . problem at the lockers . . . but I handled it, and she’s fine,” Nash whispered.

My chest tightened, and I clenched my fists. “Explain,” I said, not giving a shit if anyone heard me. I was ready to bolt and go find Maggie. The fact that I was supposed to be giving her room was the only thing keeping me in my seat.

“Raleigh cornered her at her locker.”

I didn’t need to hear any more. I stood up and started walking for the door.

“Where do you think you’re going, Mr. Ashby?” the teacher asked.

“I’m sick,” I replied before opening the door and stalking out. I should have found out more from Nash. Like if Raleigh had touched her. But my instinct to go find Maggie and check on her was stronger.

I started toward Maggie’s class when the door reopened behind me.

“West, wait,” Nash called out.

“Going to find Maggie,” I replied, not stopping.

“She’s fine. I took care of it,” was his response.

“Did Raleigh touch her?” I asked, my voice rising with the thought of anyone hurting Maggie.

Nash didn’t respond, and I knew I had my answer.

“She was taking up for you in her crazy-ass way. The females in this school have come to the conclusion Maggie is the enemy, since she broke up with you. Surely, you’ve heard the talk today. It was bound to happen. Someone was going to confront her.”

That made me stop. “What?” I asked him incredulously.

“What do you mean ‘what?’?” He looked confused. “What are they saying?”

“The girls?”

I nodded.

“Shit about Maggie. She’s not responding to it; she’s keeping her head down. I walked her to class and texted Brady to get her after and walk her to lunch. The buzz will die down soon enough.”

“Wait.” I stopped him as my stomach twisted and anger pulsed through my veins. “Are you saying that people have been talking shit to Maggie all day about this? Because of me?” Nash nodded.

“Motherf*cker!” I roared, and broke into a run toward Maggie’s class.

“I thought you’d have heard them!” Nash called out.

If I had heard them, I would have shut them down. What did he think I was doing? Letting them talk about Maggie? Seriously? Did my own friends not even realize I was in love with her?

I stopped at the door to the classroom she was in and took a deep breath. My emotions were all over the place. I hadn’t meant to cause her any pain, yet that was all I seemed to be able to do. She had run from me because I’d acted like an ass. I was clinging to her and not even taking into consideration the fact she had her own demons to face. She needed me, and all I had done was take from her.

I was ready to be her shoulder to cry on. I wanted her to lean on me for a change. I wanted more.

Jerking the door open, I searched the room until I found her in the back, looking like she was ready to crawl under her desk.

“Can I help you, West?” Mr. Banks asked.

“I need to see Maggie, please, sir,” I replied, tearing my eyes from her to look at him.

“Uh, well, um . . . okay. But please be quick,” he replied.

I turned my gaze back to her. If I could plead with a look, I was doing it. Slowly, she stood up and made her way toward me. Her eyes were on the floor, and her hands were fisted together in front of her. She was nervous. I never wanted to make her nervous.