SIX WEEKS WITH HIM

Almost caught

*Monday. 6 PM. Library, 3rd Floor.*

“Strictly not a date,” Lucas said, dropping his bag on the table across from me.

“Obviously not a date,” I replied, opening my anatomy book. “We’re studying.”

He smirked. “Sure. That’s why you’re wearing that shirt.”

I glanced down. Plain black tee. Nothing special.

“You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re looking,” he said, grinning.

I kicked him under the table. He laughed, quiet enough not to get us shushed by the librarian.

For an hour it worked. We actually studied. I quizzed him on muscle groups, he quizzed me on rugby injury stats. It felt normal. Like we were just two students, not patient and physio, not secret and careful.

Then Dennis from the rugby team walked in.

My stomach dropped.

Dennis was Lucas’s second-row. Loud, observant, and nosy as hell. He saw Lucas first, then me, then the way we were sitting close enough that our knees were touching under the table.

“Kimani?” Dennis said, walking over. “Yo, didn’t know you were back to studying. Thought you’d be celebrating.”

Lucas didn’t miss a beat. “Celebrating what?”

“Your comeback game Saturday,” Dennis said, glancing between us. “You and Kip? Studying together? Cute.”

My face burned.

“It’s for anatomy,” I said quickly, sliding my book forward. “He’s behind.”

Dennis raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you tutor rugby guys, Kip? I thought you hated us.”

“I hate you specifically,” I said.

That got a laugh out of Lucas. Dennis just looked suspicious.

“Alright, alright,” Dennis said, holding up his hands. “I’ll leave you two to your ‘anatomy.’ Just don’t fail the team by distracting the captain, yeah?”

He walked off, but not before giving us one last look.

The second he was gone, I exhaled.

“That was close,” I said.

Lucas leaned back, frowning. “He’s going to talk.”

“Let him talk,” I said. “We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Doesn’t matter. People see what they want to see.” He reached across and closed my book gently. “Hey. It’s okay.”

I looked up at him.

“We knew this would happen eventually,” he said. “Campus is small. People talk.”

“I know,” I said. “I just don’t want it to mess up my placement.”

“It won’t,” he said firmly. “I’ll talk to Coach if I have to. No one’s touching your placement.”

I believed him. That was the problem.

I believed him too much.

“Back to work,” I said, opening the book again. “Before Dennis comes back and assumes worse things.”

Lucas smirked. “Too late for that.

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