~ Chapter 40 ~
Eva
Being back on campus as Reed's girlfriend felt surreal in the smallest ways.
Not in a fireworks way.
Not in a dramatic, everyone-stop-and-stare way.
In a quiet, constant awareness way.
Reed walking her to class.
Reed's hand on the small of her back when they crossed streets.
Reed leaning down to murmur something in her ear that made her forget what planet she was on.
It felt soft.
It felt safe.
It felt dangerous in the best way.
Eva sat outside the student union with Sandra, Parker, and Cassie, a basket of fries in the middle of the table, Reed's hoodie draped over her lap even though it was warm out.
Sandra was mid-rant.
"I'm just saying, if Caleb ghosts me again I will absolutely lose my f—ing mind."
Parker raised an eyebrow. "He texted you good morning today."
"Yes. Which means he's about to emotionally devastate me."
Cassie laughed. "You thrive in chaos."
Sandra pointed at her. "So do you, miss dating-a-basketball-player."
Cassie grinned. "True."
Eva smiled quietly, half listening, half thinking about the way Reed had kissed her forehead before class.
The way he'd said, Text me when you're done.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Her stomach tightened.
She answered.
"Hello?"
Vinod's voice came through, rushed and tense.
"Eva, you need to get here right now."
Her heart dropped into her feet.
"Where?"
"Near the engineering building. There's a fight. Reed's involved. He's hurt."
Everything went cold.
"What?"
"He's okay, I think, but—just come."
The call ended.
Eva was already standing.
Her chair scraped loudly.
Sandra's face went pale. "What happened?"
"Reed," Eva said, breathless. "He's hurt."
Parker was on her feet instantly.
Cassie grabbed her bag.
No one asked questions.
They just ran.
Eva didn't feel her legs.
Didn't feel the ground.
Didn't feel anything except the violent pounding of her heart and one repeating thought.
Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay.
They rounded the corner.
And Eva saw him.
Reed
Reed hadn't woken up that morning planning to punch anyone.
He'd been in a good mood.
Great mood, actually.
Eva had stolen his hoodie.
Kissed him slow.
Smiled like she owned him.
Life felt good.
Then he heard it.
Loud laughter.
Familiar voices.
The same three guys from the opposing team.
One of them said something about Sandra.
Another about Parker.
Reed ignored it.
Then—
"Taylor's girl ain't even that cute. He just likes them small and easy."
Reed turned.
"Say that again."
The guy smirked. "Hit a nerve?"
Ryan stepped in. "Dude, walk away."
Felix added, "Not worth it."
The guy leaned closer to Reed.
"Guess she's good for something though."
Reed swung.
No strategy.
No thought.
Pure instinct.
Chaos followed.
Shoving.
Punches.
Someone yelling.
Someone falling.
Reed took a hit to the jaw.
Didn't care.
Hit back.
Caleb dragged someone off him.
Ryan was swinging too.
Felix was cursing like a sailor.
Then—
"REED!"
That voice.
His body reacted before his brain did.
He froze.
Turned.
Eva was running toward him.
Hair flying.
Eyes wild.
Face pale.
Reed's entire world narrowed to her.
"Eva."
She slammed into his chest.
Wrapped her arms around him like she was afraid he might disappear.
"You're bleeding," she said, hands already on his face, his jaw, his shoulders. "Oh my god, you're bleeding."
"I'm okay," Reed said quickly. "I swear. I'm okay."
She didn't look convinced.
Caleb wiped blood from his lip. "We're done. Campus security's coming."
Ryan muttered, "Worth it."
Eva turned on Reed.
"Why would you fight?"
Reed didn't dodge it.
"They talked about you."
Her breath caught.
Reed reached up and wiped a smear of blood from her thumb.
"I don't let anyone talk about what's mine."
Her eyes went glossy.
"Don't do that," she whispered. "Don't scare me like that."
Reed softened instantly.
"I'm sorry."
She grabbed his hand.
"We're going somewhere quiet. Now."
Reed followed.
Always.
Eva
They ended up in an empty study room.
Eva sat Reed down in a chair.
Parker handed her tissues.
Cassie stood by the door like a tiny bodyguard.
Sandra paced.
Eva gently dabbed at the cut on Reed's lip.
"You're reckless," she said quietly.
Reed shrugged. "I'm protective."
Eva shot him a look.
"You're stupid."
Reed's mouth twitched. "Your stupid."
She huffed.
"You could've gotten really hurt."
"I didn't."
"That's not the point."
Her hands were shaking.
Reed noticed.
He reached up and wrapped his fingers around her wrist gently.
"I'm here."
Eva swallowed hard.
"I don't want to lose you."
The words came out small.
Honest.
Raw.
Something in Reed's chest cracked open.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Sandra cleared her throat loudly.
"We're going to... leave now."
Cassie nodded. "Immediately."
Parker squeezed Eva's shoulder. "Text us."
Then they were gone.
Eva stood between Reed's knees.
Her hands still on his face.
Softer now.
"You scared me," she whispered.
Reed slid his hands to her waist.
"I know."
She leaned in and kissed him.
Not slow.
Not careful.
Hungry.
Needy.
Reed groaned into her mouth.
His hands tightened.
Pulled her closer.
Her fingers slid into his hair.
The kiss deepened.
Tongues brushing.
Teeth grazing.
Breaths tangling.
Eva pressed against him.
Felt him.
Hard.
Hot.
Wanting.
She gasped.
Reed stood, lifting her with him.
Her legs wrapped around his waist.
Her back hit the wall.
Reed's mouth left her lips, tracing her jaw, her neck, the hollow of her throat.
Eva whimpered.
"Reed," she whispered.
He sucked lightly at her skin.
"You're killing me," he murmured.
Eva's hands slid under his shirt.
Bare skin.
Warm.
Muscle.
She dragged her nails lightly down his back.
Reed swore.
His hips rocked into hers without thinking.
They froze.
Both breathing hard.
Foreheads pressed together.
Reed's voice was rough.
"We need to slow down."
Eva nodded.
Didn't move away.
"Okay."
Reed kissed her again.
Slower.
Deeper.
Like he was pouring everything he felt into her mouth.
When they finally pulled apart, Eva's lips were swollen.
Her eyes dark.
Her chest rising and falling fast.
Reed brushed his thumb under her eye.
"You're mine," he said quietly.
Eva didn't hesitate.
"You're mine too."
Reed kissed her one more time.
Long.
Promising.
Not finished.
Not even close.
But enough to know—
They were heading somewhere dangerous.
And neither of them wanted to stop.