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that look.
    Oh my gosh. It’s that look.
    That look that’s usually aimed at the girls he’s hooked up with.
    A thrill thrums through me, and I glance quickly at Delilah, because if I look at him any longer, I’m going to do or say something stupid. I know I must be reading him wrong.
    Delilah smiles and squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad you’re coming with us.”
    Okay, so she doesn’t see it. It’s definitely my messed-up head.
    “Me too,” I say, trying to ignore my racing heart. I feel Wyatt’s eyes on me as he reaches behind him and grabs my phone. I can tell by his steady, and slightly disappointed, stare that he knows about Kyle’s texts, and I can’t think of a single thing to say. It’s not like Wyatt’s my boyfriend, but he did come to my defense, so I kind of owe him honesty about Kyle.
    “I know he’s texting you. I’ve seen you deleting his messages.”
    I guess I’m not so ninja-like after all.
    “This is your life, Cass, and if you want that asshole in your life, it’s up to you.”
    He holds my gaze, and conflicting emotions wash over his face—anger, concern, and something warm that makes my insides go soft. And just as quickly as he sucked me in, that look goes right out the door, replaced with a cold stare.
    “All I can say is that I’m really not interested in pounding the shit out of him multiple times. If he comes to Harborside, I will hit him again, but it’ll be the last time I have to. The son of a bitch won’t be able to walk away, much less come back again.”
    “I don’t want anything to do with him.” The words come fast and hard. “I don’t even read the texts. I just delete them. I didn’t want to upset you.”
    He narrows his eyes, and it makes me worry that he doesn’t believe me.
    “I would have hidden the texts from you, too, Wy,” Delilah says.
    He looks at her and his eyes soften. “Why?”
    I’m not sure which one of us he’s asking, but I let Delilah answer because I don’t have any idea what to say. Because you protect me like I’m yours? The thought races through my mind, and I don’t say anything because I’m not sure I can.
    “Because you’d beat the snot out of him again, and even if he deserves it, it’s really hard to watch.” Delilah’s never afraid to tell him the truth, and right now I’m thankful that she’s found her voice again. “She dated him for two years, Wyatt. That means something.”
    His eyes drift back to me, and I see the question in them.
    “I didn’t want to upset you.” It turns out I can answer. Then again, talking to Wyatt usually isn’t difficult.
    He doesn’t say anything, just runs his eyes between me and Delilah like we’re a team or something. I think I see hurt in his eyes, but it could be confusion. Wyatt’s never had a long-term girlfriend. He probably doesn’t realize how much it hurts to spend two years with someone and realize too late that you never really knew him. Or to have someone you trust lie to you. He’s been lied to, but the girl who cheated on him wasn’t really cheating. He never hooks up with girls more than a few times before moving on to the next-best thing . His words, not mine. He’s never been hurt by a girl who said she loved him. I’ve been trying not to think about that. It wasn’t that I thought I was in love with Kyle. I didn’t, or at least I don’t think I was. I never thought of him as my happily-ever-after guy even though he told me he loved me a million times. Now I’m glad that I never said it back. That would probably hurt even more.
    He sighs and takes his hands off my thighs. Whoa . Unexpected longing sweeps through me, and I swallow hard, trying to conceal the confusion it causes.
    His jaw clenches as he rises and sits on the coffee table across from me and clasps his hands together. “Listen, Cass, if you’re going to stay with us, then no hiding that type of shit. I’m your friend. I care. The last thing we need is him coming around and getting his