Not that I care, because I don’t want him here either. The way Brent sat down made it seem like they were at first, but Ren seems mad about him being here.

“Coach wants to see you,” he says to Ren, trying to dismiss his attitude. He laughs at Ren’s words, but something about it lets me know that he doesn’t think it’s funny at all. Ren moves in closer like he’s trying to shield me from the guy. “Fuck off, Brent,” Ren says, and I tense up even more. I’d actually forgotten for a moment where we were. He showed up and popped the little bubble that Ren had made around me. I swallow the bite of brownie still in my mouth, but the arrival of the new guy makes it turn to ash. I drop my gaze back down to the cafeteria table, fidgeting nervously. Lily tenses next to me, and I need to get her out of here before I do something Brent will regret. I want to punch my quarterback in the eyes because he doesn’t deserve to look at her. I want to hide her and teach this guy some respect. His eyes roam over Lily, and the sneer he gives her infuriates me. He gives me a what’s your problem? look, but then he’s distracted by who’s beside me. He tries to pull one of my trays over to him, but I reach out and grab it, pulling it back. I look over and watch Brent take a seat across from us. How did something so innocent and funny turn into something more in a matter of seconds? I feel her mouth graze my thumb, and it sends heat pulsing down my spine. She laughs and leans forward, opening her mouth, and I try not to stare at her full lips as they open and she takes a bite of the corner. She shakes her head at me, but I wiggle it a little and smile at her. I unwrap the brownie and hold it out for her to take a bite. So no matter how much dinner you eat, there’s always room for sweets.” I’m telling her the same thing my mom has been saying since I was a kid. “You know, you’ve got one stomach for food, and then you’ve got one stomach for dessert. “My what?” she says playfully, and I stifle the urge to pull her into my lap.

Alexa riley shielding lily