Chapter Three

Justin

JUSTIN STOOD IN his doorway and watched Ethan leave until he went down the stairs and was out of sight. He headed across his room to the windows and parted the blinds to look at the sidewalk below.

Shawn came in and flopped down where Ethan had been. "Lucky that dude found it and not some clinger."

"Yeah," Justin said, still at the window.

He leaned in and stared below until Ethan exited the dorm's front door and made his way, headed for Lawson. He stayed there until he could no longer see him. Justin ignored the demanding urge to rush out and walk with him, getting him safely to his dorm. He wanted more time to listen to him talk or at least get to know him, more time to figure Ethan out. Instead, Justin returned to the couch and sank down.

He took a deep breath of what felt like his first actual oxygen in the last two hours. "And I got some answers I didn't have for the take-home practice quiz."

"Sucks what happened to him," Shawn said, and Justin blew out a long exhale.

"I think he's okay now."

"Can you imagine, though?" Shawn shook his head.

Everyone knew who Ethan Andrews was and what had happened to him from the night campus had gone on lockdown, and three students were arrested after jumping him. Ethan had been hospitalized and all classes and activities canceled while campus and municipal police conducted criminal investigations. Crime scene tape had been strung up and students directed away from that part of campus. An entire building was shut down for two weeks. It had been on national news.

"That was some bad shit." Justin rubbed at his study-strained eyes, remembering some of the darker details from the gossip. No one knew the real story, as the university had tried to protect the victim as much as possible. But the aftermath on campus, all the safety and security changes that had happened as a direct result, left little doubt about what had happened to Ethan Andrews in that elevator and then the basement where he'd been found.

"I can't believe he stayed here," Shawn said, glancing at the door. "But I heard he's got a free ride, and the university did everything they could to make it right."

"How do you make something like that right?" Justin asked, not wanting to think about what might have happened and the parts he and everyone else knew did happen to Ethan a year ago. An assault and battery victim jumped in a three-on-one situation. No one wanted to confirm the unspoken allegations of what else had happened to Ethan in that basement storage room.

"I don't think you can," Shawn said. "Man, you should invite him to the game." He motioned to the coffee table notes and Justin's phone. "You never use your will calls."

"And if something happens to him there?" Justin frowned at Shawn.

"Man, that dude is untouchable now. Nobody is ever going to fuck with him. I feel bad for him, just like everyone else. If anyone was stupid enough to try, they'd get mobbed by the entire student body and the faculty. Hell, I bet the dean would drop-kick them himself."

Justin agreed with Shawn on that point. It was as if the student body had handed down some unwritten rule. If Ethan stayed, he would be safe. Then Justin said, "We'll see."

"Keep up with your phone, man." Shawn laughed as he got up, "What is that, like, number six now?"

Justin admitted, "Only the fourth."

"Thank God you can keep track of a football," Shawn said as he went back through the bathroom passageway.

With Shawn gone, Justin picked up his phone, scrolled to his burning new contact, and stared at the irresistible name.

"Bad idea," he said as he typed out the text. Fuck yes , he wanted Ethan Andrews at his game, and thank you, Shawn . Just the thought of Ethan in the stands made Justin's heart beat faster and familiar football adrenaline pump through his veins.

Justin: I never use my will call guest tickets if you want to come to the game.

Ethan: Yeah, I've never been to one, thanks.

Justin: Show your student ID at the will-call window, and they'll be there. How many? If you want to bring someone.

Justin had been hesitant about that last question, but it was something he wanted to know, shouldn't want to know, and had to know, all at the same time. Did Ethan have someone? A partner, a…

"Fuck," Justin muttered, unable to even think the word. He was getting way ahead of himself but had already sent the damn message.

Ethan: No, just the one ticket will be great. Do I have to cheer for you?

Justin smiled, but his competitive athletic side had his fingers typing before his brain could catch up.

Justin: Yes. Only me.

Justin's knee bounced as he stared at the dots in the message window. They vanished and then started over again. Come on, come on , he encouraged his phone screen.

Ethan: Will do.

He wasn't sure how to take the response, but Ethan was coming to his game. Justin could already feel the hyped-up high he'd be riding for the next forty-eight until kickoff. He called the athletics department office to request the single ticket and asked for one of the better seats closer to the field rather than the student section or general admission. Swinging a single for those would be easier than multiples, and excitement almost overwhelmed him as it was handled.

"All season?" the girl asked.

"Yeah," Justin said, thinking, why not? Hell, if he was this pumped over Ethan coming to his game… Instant superstition struck him, as if Ethan had to be there for every single game.

Justin: It's taken care of. Your ticket will be there.

Ethan: Do I cheer now?

Justin stretched out on the loveseat couch as best he could and enjoyed Ethan's humorous side for the first time. He rubbed at his cheek and the strange twinging sensation there. Justin realized he'd been smiling the entire time, and it wasn't something he usually did. He tried to think of something else to send, but with the ticket business handled, he drew a blank. He closed his eyes, imagining Saturday, then jerked at the sound of his phone.

Ethan: Are you taking me up on the quiet study spot? Your dorm is ridiculous.

Justin: I think I am.

Ethan: You feel sorry for me, don't you?

Justin: Nope, just trying to say thanks, and Shawn suggested it.

Ethan: Well, if Shawn suggested it, I'll be there.