I post up against the brick exterior of The Library, watching my breath mingle with the cold November air. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my leather jacket, I observe all the cars coming and going, anxiously waiting to spot Olivia's car pull into the parking lot.

I check my watch. 7:54 p.m., I told her to be here around eight.

Six more minutes.

Knowing Olivia, she's probably going to arrive at eight on the dot, not wanting to spend any more time here than she has to or scared that she'd beat me here and have to sit in her car awkwardly waiting for me.

Originally, I insisted on picking her up from her house and driving here together, but she refused. She wanted to drive herself, and as much as I hate it, I have to give her props. She's a smart girl, I should have known she'd come up with a full proof escape plan incase things go south. Not that I plan them to.

At 7:58 p.m. I finally spot her little white Jetta turn into the parking lot and find the closest spot available. I jog up to her car, opening the door for her.

"Hey, Finch," I greet her, suddenly riddled with excitement and anticipation.

"Hey." She gives me a timid smile, pulling her keys out of the ignition. I can tell she's nervous.

I extend my hand out to her and she takes it. Once I help her out of the car, I close the door for her and she locks it with the key fob, sliding her keys into the pocket of her white puffy coat. 

I let my eyes roam over her, my heart beat kicking up a notch. Her hair is thrown up in a high ponytail, slightly teased, and what I can see of her outfit so far, under her winter coat, is a black pair of jeans with a short pair of heeled boots. She also has on a light application of makeup, something I've never seen her wear before. She's mainly only wearing mascara and eyeliner, making her brown eyes pop. I'm so used to seeing her barefaced, usually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. And even though she looks beautiful in simple, casual clothing, I have to admit, this is a nice change of pace. She looks phenomenal.

I can't wait to see what's under the jacket.

I give her hand a reassuring squeeze, leading her towards the main entrance. "Ready?"

She looks at me nervously, giving me a stiff nod that says otherwise.

When we get to the front door, the bouncer checks our I.D.'s before letting us in the dimly lit club. We walk in, the music thumping as strobe lights and lasers dance across the walls to the beat of the music.

"This way," I instruct her, yelling over the loud music.

With her hand still in mine, I pull her through the crowd towards the back of the club, finding my teammates already occupying a large seating area.

"Miller!" Brennen beams, spotting me first. Then the rest of the team bursts out in greeting.

"Hey, guys. This is Olivia," I introduce her, pulling her to my side.

She gives a shy smile and wave, and they warmly smile back at her in greeting.

JC pops up from his seat, beer in hand and cap placed backwards on his buzzed head. "Hey, Liv," he greets her with a fond smile.

She genuinely smiles back, probably relieved to see another familiar face. "Hey, how have you been?"

I remember JC mentioning that she used to be his physics lab partner last year. Trusting that he's not going to make any moves on her, I saunter a few feet over to Chase and some of our other teammates to let the two catch up briefly, not wanting to breathe down her neck. But I stay close enough to make her feel secure.

"Holy shit," Chase hisses. "She actually came?"

I shrug, a triumphant smile on my face.

Chase shakes his head in disbelief. He may or may not have heard some of my nervous rambling about whether she was going to show or not. "I for sure thought she would bail on your ass."

"Nah," I say, more confident now than I was a few hours ago. I knew deep down Olivia would never stand me up, but still, I'd be lying if I said a part of me wasn't worried.

Realizing Olivia and JC's conversation is starting to taper off, I make my way back over to her. Shrugging off my leather jacket, I drape it over the back of a nearby chair, motioning for Olivia to do the same. 

Slowly, she grabs the zipper of her coat and drags it down. Once it's all the way unzipped, she slips it off her shoulders, revealing a black high neck halter top of some sorts, making my breathing falter. While I'm a little disappointed that she's not showing more skin, I'll take what I can get.

I take her in, marveling at her fair, smooth skin in the dim light of the club. She looks so delicate, so feminine, so perfect, all I want to do is drag my lips across her bare shoulder to the small sliver of collar bone showing, up to the long, smooth lines of her neck.

Fuck.

I swear, any girl could come up to me right now with less clothing and I wouldn't be nearly as impressed.

Swallowing thickly, I reach for her coat, deliberately letting my fingers graze hers, and set it on top of mine. I take a step towards her, leaning in to ask if she wants to grab something to drink, my hand reaching around to rest on her back, but I freeze as soon as my hand lands on a smooth, warm span of skin.

All blood flow to my brain seizes momentarily, my hand soaking in the feel of her soft, bare skin. A tingle runs up my arm and down my spine, and I struggle to form a coherent sentence. I clear my throat, my voice still gruff. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"I'll take a water."

I raise a brow. "That's all?"

She gives me a sheepish smile. "I don't drink," she admits.

I nod once. "I respect that. Do you want to stay here or come to the bar with me?"

She looks over my shoulder wearily at all the football players. "I'll come with you."

I suppress a smile, knowing she's still wracked with nerves and isn't quite comfortable enough for me to leave her side yet. Not that I want to. At all.

"Come on." I extend my hand out to her and lace our fingers together, leading her over to the crowded bar.

We stand around the bar, trying to fight our way up to the counter to place our order. As soon as a small opening becomes available, I urge Olivia forward. She slots herself between two people to lean up against the bar and I'm right behind her, my front pressed against her back. I reach forward, resting my hands on the edge of the bar to bracket my arms round her, protecting her from the crowd.

I scan the staff behind the bar, and luckily my eyes lock with Toby from the basketball team. He grins, holding up an index finger to me before grabbing three shot glasses and disappearing to the other end of the bar. He's back in a flash, taking our orders.

"Two waters," I tell him, holding up my index and middle finger to signal to him.

He quirks a brow. "Two waters?" he repeats quizzically, knowing I usually order a beer or a round of shots for the guys.

"Two waters," I confirm.

"You got it, man." He disappears to go grab us two waters.

Olivia cranes her neck to look back at me. "You can drink if you want to, Bronx. Don't let me stop you from having fun," she worries.

I shake my head. "I'm fine. You're here, that's all I need."

She gives me a soft, appreciative look before turning back around, her attention focused on the hustle and bustle of the staff while mine is focused on the rather large patch of her skin on full display for my greedy eyes. I observe the soft, smooth lines of her back, realizing now that the back of her top has a decent size cut out, a delicate bow tied at the back of her neck to hold the thin straps up. What I also realize is that with this shirt she's not wearing a bra.

Fuck me.

Damnit, Finch.

Clearing my throat, I take a step back so I'm not plastered up against her anymore, not wanting her to possibly feel anything and scare her off, but I keep my hands still firmly planted on the bar around her.

Toby comes back with two plastic cups filled with ice water. I immediately take a large gulp, needing to cool down.

"Want to dance?" I ask Olivia.

She looks at the packed dance floor hesitantly, nervously nibbling at her bottom lip. "Maybe in a little bit?"

I nod. I get it. Baby steps.

"Alright, Finch. Cause you know you're going to have to dance with me at some point tonight, right?" I grin.

She lets out a light laugh. "I figured."

We mingle back over to the team and take a seat on one of the couches, making light conversation. In no time, girls start flocking over to our section, finding their favorite player to try and shoot their shot. A couple of girls take a seat next to me, trying to strike up a conversation, but I pay them no mind. Even with my hand resting on Olivia's knee, none of them really seem to get the hint that I'm not interested. Some of them even full out acknowledge my hand on Olivia's leg, giving her a rude, sideways glance, making my blood boil.

By the time a fifth girl approaches me, I'm thoroughly annoyed, and I can tell Olivia is extremely uncomfortable with all the unsolicited attention. Fed up, I stand, plucking Olivia's water from her hand and setting it next to mine on a table where Brennen has his feet kicked up, talking to some random chick giving him googly eyes. "Watch these," I instruct him and he gives me a thumbs up, flashing me his infamous pearly whites.

I turn back towards Olivia, finding her also standing, alarmed.

"Dance with me." I grab her hand and lead her to the dance floor before she can protest.

Brushing past people, I pull her through the crowd to the middle of the dance floor. Finding some space, I turn around to face her and put my hands on her hips, moving to the beat of the music thumping through the speakers.

She hardly even sways, her body strung tight as her eyes worriedly dart around the club.

"What's wrong?" I yell over the music.

"Everyone's looking at us." I don't exactly hear her soft voice over the loud music, but I'm able to read her lips.

I do a quick once over the room, noting that many people are indeed staring at us, but I'll be damned if I let them ruin our night.

"No one's looking," I lie.

"You're looking," she whispers, shyly looking away from me and down at her feet.

I lean in close, letting my lips brush against the shell of her ear. "Well then, you better put on one hell of a show."

I manage to hear her soft little gasp, and I can't help but grin. She grips my biceps, momentarily stabilizing herself before her body gives way to me.

Holding her firmly but gently, my hands still planted on her hips, I draw back and give her an encouraging look. Using slight force, I sway her hips from side to side, trying to get her tense body to loosen up. It takes her a song or two, but eventually she loosens up and finds the rhythm. By the third song, her hips are moving freely, but I can tell she still has her guard up.

I take a step closer, our bodies brushing against each other as we move to the beat. Placing my hand on her lower back, I pull her closer and she momentarily stiffens, her hands landing on my chest. She looks up at me with her big brown eyes that are clouding over.

I grab her hand, twirling her around until her back is pressed up against my front, anything but friendly thoughts now entering my brain.

My eyes lock on her long, exposed neck that's glistening with a light sheen of sweat, and all my restraint flies out the window. Dipping my head, I place a feather light kiss to her bare shoulder, skimming my lips up to her neck where I let my tongue softly poke out to taste her salty sweet skin before kissing just below her ear.

Olivia gasps, spinning around and staring up at me with a mixture of shock and fascination.

I give her a wolfish grin, grabbing her hands and hooking them behind my neck. My hands drag down her arms, her ribs, and land back on her hips, rocking them to the rhythm. I lean forward, resting my forehead against hers, and she looks up at me through her thick lashes, unblinking.

Suddenly, I feel a pair of hands land on my shoulders, running down my back seductively. I look over my shoulder to see Adrianna's green eyes boring into mine, her body now pressing into my back. She flashes me a malicious grin, like a black panther ready to catch its prey.

Stunned, I feel Olivia start to slip from my grasp. I snap my head back around to see her slowly backing away, dazed, her eyes that were just clouded over with desire now clouding with shock and confusion.

Adrianna takes the opportunity to squeeze herself between us, her back against my front as she grinds back against me. I try to move away, but she raises her arms back, clasping her fingers tightly behind my neck, like an octopus wrapping its tentacles, unwilling to let go.

Olivia shakes her head, as if snapping back to reality. Mortified, she takes a few steps back before turning around and briskly walking off the dance floor.

"Olivia!" I call after her, trying to untangle myself from Adrianna. "What the fuck, Ads?" I growl, having to use a bit of force to successfully pry her hands off me.

"Bronx, wait. We were having fun!" Adrianna says, catching my arm, but I yank it out of her grasp.

"Finch!" I yell, running off in the last direction I saw her go.

I exit the dancefloor, heart pounding, and scan the club, my eyes finally landing on her picking up her coat. Running as fast as I can, I nearly take some people out trying to get to her.

"Finch, wait," I plead, my hand gently grasping her arm that has her coat draped over it, ready to leave. "Stay."

She shakes her head, looking frantic. "I should go," she insists, grabbing her keys out of her coat pocket. "I don't belong here. I'll see you Monday."

I watch her take off, her head bowed in shame as she fights her way through the rowdy crowd, some wondering eyes skeptically watching her.

I look over my shoulder at Chase and Brennen who sit up straighter, giving me curious glances. Throwing a glance back over to the dance floor, I see Adrianna grinding against some random dude, dancing so raunchy that it even makes me cringe in embarrassment. She catches my gaze and throws me a devilish smile, and I turn my attention back towards Chase and Brennen who witnessed the exchange. We all give each other an 'Are you fucking kidding?' look.

Balling my hands into fists, I shove my way through the crowd and find the exit. The cold air smacks me in my flushed face the second I push through the door, and my eyes scan the parking lot to see Olivia halfway to her car. 

"Finch!" I jog to catch up with her.

She stops in her tracks, turning around to face me.

"Don't go."

She shakes her head, giving me a forced smile. "Go have fun, Bronx. I'm okay, I just—this isn't my scene. In there, with you—I don't know..." She gives a helpless shrug, not knowing what to say.

I take another step towards her. "What?"

I see the storm of uncertainty brewing behind her eyes, and she begins backing away, pulling away both physically and emotionally. 

"I only want to be here if you're here," I confess, taking the last few strides to reach her. My eyes bore into hers. "I know this isn't your scene and that you're uncomfortable. I get it. I'm not going to force you to go back in there, but I know there's something else bothering you. Talk to me," I plead.

She stares up at me, contemplating. Then she takes a step back, and another. "I'll see you Monday," she repeats, her voice almost a pained whisper.

You're losing her, my conscious screams at me. Do something!

Watching her hightail it to her car, I go into panic mode.

Brain on the fritz, I check my surroundings to think of something, anything to get her to stop. I look to my right and spot a couple of guys perched up against the wall, sharing some beers. Without a second thought, I snatch a bottle from one of their hands, downing the remaining contents.

"What the fuck, man?" the guy yells.

Once I'm finished, I let the bottle fall from my grasp, the glass shattering on impact as soon as it hits the concrete.

Olivia spins around, her eyes landing on me.

I steal another guy's beer, downing the contents and dropping the bottle like the last one. Then another.

Olivia looks at me, baffled. Like I'm insane.

Maybe I am.

Hell, here I am, going to drastic measures to not let her leave like this, without talking to me and telling me what else is bothering her. I think that automatically puts you in the insane category, moron.

But I need her to talk to me.

I stride up to her. "I need a ride home," I say, knowing she won't be able to turn me down. She won't chance letting me drive out of here with alcohol in my system.

Her shoulders sag. "Bronx," she sighs, overwhelmed.

I know what I'm doing is manipulative, but I swear my intentions are good. I can't have her run away like this on bad terms.

"Please, Finch?"

Silently, not tearing her gaze away from mine, she hits the unlock button on her key fob, the rear end lights softly illuminating her face for a moment as they blink. She turns and walks to the driver's side door, opening it, and just when I think she's going to leave my dumb ass behind, she looks over her shoulder at me expectantly, waiting.

I waste no time reaching her passenger side door, opening it and slipping inside the vehicle. A fresh, clean scent engulfs me, and I spot the air freshener clipped to one of the air vents. I observe the rest of the interior of her car, noting how clean and pristine it is.

Olivia gets situated behind the wheel, turning on the engine and cranking up the heat. Wordlessly, we both put on our seatbelts and she slowly, cautiously, backs out of the parking space and turns onto the main roads.

It's quiet as she heads to campus, the tension between us tying like a rope around my neck. In the intimacy of the dark, in her small car, I struggle to find the right words to say. I know I'm running out of time as we approach the campus at a steady pace.

"Where's your jacket?" she asks, her soft voice cutting through the silence, startling me.

Huh?

I look down at my body, realizing I must have left my jacket back at the club, and I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips, despite the rather serious situation.

"I must have left it back at the club."

A frown etches her features, making me smile more. Only she would care about that right now.

"Finch, pull over."

"What?" She steals a glance at me, looking at me like I have three heads.

"Pull over," I softly, desperately, instruct her.

No questions asked, she pulls over into an empty parking lot, staring at me.

"Put it in park," I instruct, knowing this is going to take a while.

She does as I say, throwing the gearshift into park, staring down at the wheel.

"Look at me, Finch."

Hesitantly, she turns her head towards me, but her eyes don't find mine. I twist my frame, planting my elbow on the center council, and gently grabbing her chin, angling her face until I find her eyes. "Finch, I'm sorry about Adrianna."

She shifts her eyes and I lose her gaze. "It's not that."

"What is it?" I ask gently, patiently.

She sighs, pulling her chin from my grasp, fixing her gaze on something past the windshield, looking contemplative.

"I don't know," she says helplessly. "I guess..." she trails off, thinking.

I reach over, placing my hand on top of hers and giving it a reassuring