Captured Love (The Crestwood University #3)

33. Selene

33

SELENE

I nearly jump out of my bed when I hear a sharp knock on my door. Who could be here at this ungodly hour? I stumble to the door, my mind already racing with ways to tell the person on the other side to fuck off. I swing it open, ready to unleash my sleep-deprived fury, but my words die in my throat. Knox stands there with a charming smirk on his face, holding two steaming cups of coffee and a bag that smells suspiciously like breakfast sandwiches from Brewed Beginnings.

“Morning, picosita,” he says, his voice far too chipper for this early hour. “I figured the only way I'd keep myself out of bed after practice was with the promise of seeing your beautiful face.”

I step aside, letting him into my dorm room. “You're lucky you come bearing gifts,” I tease, reaching for one of the coffees. “Otherwise, I might have had to slam the door in your face for waking me up so early.”

Knox chuckles, setting the bag of sandwiches on my desk. “And risk missing out on all of this? Never.”

We settle around my desk and unwrap the breakfast sandwiches. I take a big whiff of the aromas of bacon and eggs as they fills the room. Between that and the smell of coffee, I’m already in heaven. I take a bite and let out a low moan.

Knox raises an eyebrow at me and tilts his head to one side. “If I knew a simple breakfast sandwich could make you moan like that, I would've been at your door every morning.”

I playfully swat at his arm. “Shut up and eat your sandwich, Sanchez.”

We dig into our breakfast, the comfortable silence stretching a bit longer than I anticipated, but that’s probably because we are both starving.

“So what's on the agenda for today?” Knox asks as he wipes his mouth with a napkin.

I sigh, glancing at the pile of textbooks on my desk. “Psychology lecture, followed by a mountain of reading. You know, the usual glamorous life of a college student.”

Knox nods and runs a hand through his hair. “I feel you. Between practice, games, and trying to keep up with my classes, I barely have time to breathe.”

“And yet you still found time to bring me breakfast,” I say with a small smile.

Knox shrugs. “What can I say? I have my priorities straight.”

“That you do, and I’m not complaining one bit. In fact, I'm honored to be one of your top priorities.”

“You should be. The guys have been giving me so much shit for being 'whipped.' They say I've gone soft.”

I try to imagine Knox being teased by his teammates and can’t see it. “And what do you say to that?”

“I tell them that half of them have the same issue, and the other half are just jealous they don't have a gorgeous, brilliant woman like you in their lives.”

I giggle and quickly take another sip of coffee to hide my reaction. “Well, I'm glad I can be your excuse for going soft.”

“Trust me, picosita, there's nothing soft about me when it comes to you.”

He’s right about that. And I’m sure he’ll be willing to show me just how not soft he is later. We finish up our breakfast, and Knox glances at his phone. “I should probably head out and let you get ready for your day.”

“Yeah, I suppose I should make myself look presentable for class.”

Knox stands, gathering the empty coffee cups and sandwich wrappers. “You always look stunning, Selene. Even with bedhead and no makeup.”

I roll my eyes but can't fight the smile that appears on my lips. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

He winks at me as he heads for the door. “I'm counting on it. Text me later?”

“Of course. Now go, before I decide to skip class and keep you here all day.”

Knox chuckles and opens the door. “Don't tempt me.” With one last look, he's gone.

I lean against the closed door for a moment, hating that he had to leave. How is it possible for one man to make me feel so giddy and nervous at the same time? It truly doesn’t make a bit of sense. Shaking my head, I push off the door and start getting ready for the day ahead.

I head to my psychology lecture, still feeling the warmth from Knox's surprise visit this morning. As I settle into my usual seat in the lecture hall, I pull out my laptop and get everything ready so I can take detailed notes. But as the professor begins discussing the day's topic, my mind keeps wandering back to Knox.

The professor is explaining self-perception theory, which describes how our self-image is shaped by observing our behavior and how others respond to us.

“For example,” she says, “if someone frequently compliments your intelligence, you’re more likely to start identifying as a smart person.”

I can’t help but reflect on my own insecurities and how being with someone like Knox challenges them. Not that he is the answer to this, but he sees me in a way I’m still learning to see myself. It helps me as I navigate reworking my brain to not immediately pick my body apart.

I jot down a few key points from the slide on the board and it takes everything in me to focus on the presentation. I look at the time on my laptop and am grateful that it’s almost time to meet up with Isla for a small lunch. She and I need to catch up and I want to be doing something other than sitting in a classroom.

As class ends, I gather my things and head out. I meet up with Isla at one of the dining halls on campus. She's already snagged a table by the window and waves me over with a bright smile.

“Hey, girl, how's it going?” she asks as I slide into the seat across from her.

“Oh you know, the usual. Juggling classes and trying not to get lost in daydreams about a certain hockey player...” I joke.

Isla rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “I have those same issues so I can’t even laugh at you properly about it. Let’s get some food and then we can chat.”

After grabbing what we wanted from the variety of options that are available, Isla and I settle back at our table. She takes a big bite of her pizza and her salad before she looks at me.

“So spill. How are things going with Knox?” she asks.

I can't help but smile. “Really well, actually. He surprised me this morning with breakfast.”

Isla's eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, that's dedication. Especially for a hockey player who probably values his sleep. Ask me how I know.”

That makes me laugh. “I know, right? But he said seeing me was worth keeping himself out of bed after practice.”

“Aw, look at you, all smitten!” Isla teases. “I'm happy for you, Selene. You deserve someone who makes an effort like that.”

“Thanks, Isla. I don't know, it just feels...right with him, you know? Even though we're so different.”

She takes a sip of her water. “Sometimes opposites really do attract. And you balance each other out.”

“I guess so.” I play with my sandwich. “But I am really happy in a relationship for the first time in a long time.”

My best friend claps her hands together and brings them up to her mouth as if she’s getting emotional. “You’re going to make me cry.”

I shake my head. “Now, you know if you cry, I’m going to cry. So please don’t, for both our sakes.”

“Okay then, I should change the subject,” Isla says as she tucks a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I need to fill you in on Tessa.”

I groan, already anticipating what's coming. “What has she done now?”

“She's been stomping around our room like the whole world betrayed her,” Isla says, rolling her eyes. “Ever since she found out about you and Knox at the hockey game, she's been in a perpetual state of pissed off. Not that it is hard for her to do.”

I sigh. “I assume I’m public enemy number one because I got with him when she was planning to try to get back with him. Why, after years of them being separated, she wants him back now, I have no idea.”

“Because he’s graduating and has a shot at getting drafted? The NIL money they are already getting isn’t anything to laugh at either.”

I nod along because Isla has a good point. “It could be that. I wonder when she decided that she was going to go after him again. Not that it really matters because he’s with me.”

Isla hesitates for a second before saying, “True. And I don’t know the full story, but from what I’ve picked up… she and Knox weren’t exactly ‘together’ for most of their relationship. More on-and-off. A lot of drama. And if I had to guess? She probably thought she’d always have the option to go back to him.”

I frown. “So she only wants him now because he moved on to something that is more serious?”

“Sounds like it,” Isla says, shrugging. “She never mentioned him much before this semester, at least not to me. But I heard her on the phone once—right before the season started—telling someone she was going to ‘make it happen’ this time.” She air-quotes the last part. “I didn’t know who she meant at the time, but I’d bet money it was Knox.”

I press my lips together. Tessa’s been plotting this for months? Good to know. “She needs to find someone else because that ship has sailed.”

“Stake your claim,” she says as she holds up her hand to give me a high five.

I high-five Isla, laughing. “Oh, I have. And I plan to keep doing so.”

“Good. Don't let Tessa's bitterness ruin what you and Knox have,” Isla says “She had her chance, and she blew it. Repeatedly. This is your time now.”

“You're right. I refuse to let her drama seep into my relationship. Knox and I are good together, and that's what matters.”

“Exactly. Besides, from what I've seen, Knox only has eyes for you. Tessa can scheme and pout all she wants, but it won't change the fact that he's crazy about you.”

I wonder if I should tell her about Knox saying the L-word while we had sex in the library. I quickly decide not to because I haven’t even talked to him about it yet. “Thanks, Isla. I needed to hear that.”

“That’s what I’m here for and—” She stops talking for maybe ten seconds. “Wait a minute.”

“What? What’s up?”

Isla leans forward and grasps my hands that were resting on the table. “Do you remember I told you about that little black book I found of Tessa’s? The one I accidently knocked off her desk?”

“Yes…” I say as I vaguely recall it and am now wondering where this part of our conversation is going to lead.

“What if that was her little research book of sorts? To, like, figure out who was around Knox or something?”

My eyes widen as I process Isla's words. “Wait, you think she's been, what, stalking Knox? Trying to gather intel on him and the people in his life?”

“It's possible. I mean, think about it. She's clearly obsessed with getting him back, and she's not above playing dirty to get what she wants.”

“But she seemed surprised to see me at the hockey game. Wouldn’t she have known about me sooner?”

Isla shrugged. “Maybe she hadn’t put two and two together about you two yet. After all, it’s not like Knox was seriously dating anyone after her until you.”

“I don't know…. It seems a bit far-fetched, even for Tessa. But I guess I can't put anything past her at this point.”

“I might be totally off base. But I just wanted you to be aware of the possibility.”

I let the idea roll around in my head for a moment before I turn my gaze back to Isla. “When’s your next class and is Tessa usually in your room at this time?”

Isla checks her phone quickly. “I have class in about an hour. And no, Tessa's class or something should be beginning in about ten minutes. Why?”

I stand up and gather my garbage, formulating the plan that’s spinning in my mind as I go. “I think we should go take a closer look at that little black book. If there's even a chance it has information about Knox or me, I want to know.”

Isla looks hesitant for a moment but then agrees. “You're right. Better to know what we're dealing with. Let's go.”

We throw out our trash and put away our trays and head out of the dining hall. The walk across campus allows us to make sure that Tessa will definitely not be in the room once we arrive at our destination. Once we’re there, Isla uses her badge to get through the main entrance and unlocks the door of her room when we reach it.

“It should be on her desk,” Isla whispers, moving toward Tessa's side of the room.

“Okay,” I whisper back. Why we are whispering I’m not sure, but it just feels right. I follow, my eyes scanning the desk until they land on a small, nondescript black notebook. I pick it up and flip it open.

At first glance, it looks like a normal small notebook. Then I swallow hard as I start recognizing some of the names. They are people I know from around campus and even a few professors. Next to each name are details about each person, which is weird as hell. But soon I realize that’s the tip of the iceberg. As I flip further, I start to see Knox's name appearing more and more.

My fingers tighten around the notebook as I turn another page because apparently, I can’t stop. It’s like watching a car accident unfold in front of me and I can’t take my eyes away from the scene.

Knox’s name is everywhere. His practice and game schedule is listed. Places where she might be able to catch him around campus. How did she know all of this stuff?

I flip another page and almost drop the book.

I find myself staring at my own name. I freeze. What the hell?

Right next to it are notes she’s made. They include dates and observations she’s figured were important enough for her to write down:

- Library shift: late night three days a week.

-Working out in the gym.

- At hockey game tonight. Did not expect. Need to adjust.

I think I’m going to be sick. I slam the book shut and I wish I could lie and say I wasn’t shaking. “What the actual fuck ?”

Isla, who had been leaning over my shoulder reading along, sucks her teeth. “Okay, I was kidding about the whole ‘stalking’ thing, but, uh… I take it back. I was so very wrong.”

I rub a hand across my face as I try to wrap my head around what we’ve just uncovered. “She’s not just keeping tabs on Knox.” I swallow hard, forcing the words out. “She’s been watching me as well.”

“What’s her endgame here?”

That’s a great question and I don’t know, outside of her wanting to obviously get back with Knox.

And that’s the problem.

Because whatever Tessa’s planning, she’s been working on it for a while.

And that means she’s not done yet.