Chapter 2

"So the thermodynamics professor actually said that?" Caspian asked, nearly choking on his coffee.

"I swear on my scholarship," I held up my right hand like I was taking an oath. "Professor Martinez looked at my calculations and said 'Mr. Murphy, this is either genius or complete nonsense. I haven't decided which.'"

Caspian laughed—one of those real laughs that made little crinkles appear at the corners of his eyes. "And which was it?"

"Genius, obviously. I got an A."

We were sitting at our usual table in the corner of Morning Grounds, the campus coffee shop that had become our Thursday afternoon tradition.

This little window between classes and Caspian's football practice was honestly one of my favorite parts of the week.

Being around Caspian was when I felt most relaxed. He never questioned my "guy" identity, never asked those probing questions that might trip me up.

Plus, there was something solid about him, like having him around meant nothing could go really wrong.

"You want another coffee?" he asked, already standing up.

"Sure, same as usual."

He nodded and headed toward the counter. I watched him walk away—those broad shoulders, that confident stride, the natural leadership thing he had going on. No wonder he'd made team captain.

Last night's weirdness seemed to be behind us. Caspian was acting totally normal today, no strange vibes at all. I'd probably just been overthinking everything.

I was flipping through my materials science notes when I felt someone watching me. That prickly feeling you get when eyes are boring into you, impossible to ignore.

Then I saw him.

Diesel Cross stood at the coffee shop entrance—my high school ex with his trademark cocky grin and those brown eyes that used to make my heart race. Now they just made my stomach drop.

His expression shifted from confusion to recognition to something that looked way too much like excitement.

My world suddenly felt about the size of a pinhole.

No. No, no, no. Diesel was supposed to be a thousand miles away at State. He couldn't be here.

But he was already walking toward me with that familiar confident swagger that used to make me weak in the knees back in high school. Now it just filled me with dread.

"Scott?" He stopped at my table, uncertainty creeping into his voice. "Scott Murphy?"

My mouth opened and closed a few times before any sound came out. "Diesel. Hi."

"Holy shit, it really is you!" His grin widened as he dropped into Caspian's empty chair without invitation. "I can't believe it. What are you doing here?"

Stay calm.He's calling me Scott, but he knows perfectly well who I really am. What game is he playing? Why is he here? Why did he transfer?

"I go to school here," I managed, trying to keep my voice steady. "What about you? Last I heard you were at State."

"Was. Transferred this semester. Dad got a job transfer, whole family moved." His eyes roamed over my face like he was searching for something. "You look... different."

My pulse kicked up a notch. "Different how?"

"I don't know. Older maybe? College life suits you."

At least he's not making a scene about my identity. But that look in his eyes... he's studying me the same way he used to in high school.

"So," Diesel continued, leaning forward, "tell me everything. What are you studying? Where do you live? Are you still into all that mechanical stuff?"

The questions came rapid-fire. I could feel sweat starting to form under my binder.

"Mechanical engineering. And yes, I still like 'that mechanical stuff.'" I tried to keep my voice level. "What about you? Still playing football?"

"Made the team here. Not starting yet, but working on it." That competitive edge I remembered crept into his tone. "We should hang out. Catch up properly. Like old times."

Old times? You mean when you made me think you actually cared about me, then cheated on me at homecoming? Those old times?

"Here's your—" Caspian's voice cut off behind me.

I turned to see him standing there with my coffee, his gaze bouncing between me and Diesel. His expression was hard to read, but I could sense some kind of tension rolling off him.

"Oh, sorry," Diesel stood up. "I didn't realize you were with someone."

"This is my roommate, Caspian," I said quickly. "Caspian, this is Diesel. We went to high school together."

Caspian nodded but didn't extend his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Diesel reached out anyway. "Pleasure. Scott and I go way back."

When they shook hands, I swear I could feel electricity in the air. Two guys sizing each other up, though I couldn't figure out why.

This feels weird. Caspian's usually friendly with new people, but right now he looks... guarded? And Diesel's smile seems way too bright, like he's putting on some kind of show.

"Well," Caspian said, setting my coffee down in front of me, "I should get going. Practice starts in twenty minutes."

"Of course," Diesel replied. "Don't let me keep you."

But he made no move to leave. Instead, he settled back into his chair.

Caspian looked at me with an expression I couldn't quite decode. "See you later, Scout."

"Yeah, see you."

He walked away, but I noticed he took his time, glancing back a couple times before disappearing through the door.

"Interesting guy," Diesel said, watching Caspian's retreating figure. "Captain uniform suits him."

"He's a good roommate," I answered, not sure why I felt the need to defend Caspian.

"Roommate, huh?" There was something suggestive in Diesel's tone. "Must be nice having someone so... protective."

I frowned. "Protective?"

"The way he looked at me. Like I was some kind of threat." Diesel smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Unless there's something you're not telling me?"

Red alert. This is a trap. Diesel always was good at setting these little snares, getting people to say things they shouldn't.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Come on, Scott. We've known each other since high school. I can tell when something's off." His stare got more intense. "You seem... nervous. Like you're hiding something."

My mouth felt like the Sahara. "I'm not hiding anything. I just... wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Right." He nodded, clearly not buying it. "So tell me, where exactly do you live? On campus?"

Just when I thought this nightmare reunion was over, Diesel suddenly reached out and patted my shoulder.

"By the way, Scott," his voice turned light and casual, but his eyes stayed sharp, "I remember you mentioning your dorm situation back in high school. Something about getting a single room because of some medical condition?"

My blood turned to ice. I'd never said anything like that.

"What I'm curious about is," he continued, his voice taking on a playful edge, "where exactly are you living now? Men's dorm, right?"

He paused, those brown eyes boring into me like he was trying to see straight through to my soul.

"Because if I remember correctly, Scout... that's quite a unique name, isn't it?"