Chapter 33

Pov: Nathan

Finn shoved me lightly on the shoulder as we left the gym, his smirk wide and unmistakably smug. "Man, you're getting soft. You skipped leg day last week, and today your deadlift form was trash. I'm starting to think Evergreen's turning you into a marshmallow."

"Screw you," I muttered, my tone dry. "You're the one who spent half the time flirting with that girl at the front desk."

Finn's laugh echoed down the empty path. "What can I say? Multitasking is a skill. You should try it sometime, Nate. Like, you know, actually talking to people instead of glaring at them until they evaporate."

I rolled my eyes, keeping my pace steady as we neared the dorms. "I'll leave the social shit to you. You're better at embarrassing yourself in public."

"Whatever, man. You're just jealous because I've got game." Finn's grin widened as he leaned closer. "Speaking of game... how's life with Jules?"

I shot him a warning look, but he wasn't deterred. Of course, he wasn't.

"What?" Finn asked innocently, though his expression screamed mischief. "You're lifting weights, but it's Jules carrying all the weight in your brain. Admit it. She's got you twisted."

"Shut the fuck up," I said, but the heat rising to my neck betrayed me.

"Oh, come on. Just admit you like her already," Finn pressed, practically bouncing with glee. "It's not like anyone's shocked. You've been less of an asshole lately and obviously Jules is the reason."

I clenched my jaw, debating whether to punch him or just walk faster. Instead, I sighed. "Fine. She's... different," I admitted, the words coming out more grudgingly than I'd planned.

Finn stopped in his tracks, holding his chest like I'd just delivered earth-shattering news. "Holy shit. Did Nathan Talon just admit feelings? Someone call the press."

"Don't make me regret talking to you," I muttered, but Finn was already barreling ahead.

"Alright, alright. Let's be real for a second," he said, his tone softening just enough to catch me off guard. "If you like her, why not do something about it? There's that bonfire on Friday. Ask her to go with you."

"It's not that simple," I said, my voice low. "She's been... off lately. Like something's bothering her. I don't want to push her."

Finn raised an eyebrow. "So talk to her. You're good at that serious shit when you actually try. Maybe she'll tell you what's going on."

I shook my head, the thought gnawing at me. "We've had serious conversations before," I admitted quietly. "It's... different with her. She doesn't feel like everyone else."

Finn gave me a long, knowing look. "You're letting your walls down for her," he said simply. "That's a big fucking deal for you."

I didn't respond, but the truth of his words hit me harder than I'd expected. Jules wasn't just someone I tolerated. She'd slipped past my defenses without me even realizing it. I couldn't stop thinking about her—the way she looked that night in my hoodie, curled up and fast asleep like she belonged there. Or the time she called me handsome, the words slipping out so casually it knocked me off guard. She made me feel... exposed, like she could see past the walls I'd spent years building. And yet, I didn't hate it.

Finn clapped me on the back, breaking the silence. "Look, man. Just ask her. Worst case, she says no. Best case, you get to spend a night by the fire with someone who makes you smile. Either way, it's better than doing nothing."

"Yeah, we'll see," I muttered. As we reached the dorm building, Finn peeled off toward his own wing, throwing me a final grin over his shoulder. "Don't overthink it, Nate. Later!"

I waved him off, my thoughts tangled as I turned the corner toward my room. Alone now, the reality of the conversation settled over me. Finn's words rang in my ears, but so did my own doubts. Jules had been distant lately, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She hadn't been herself—quieter, her usual spark dimmed. It made me want to ask her what was going on, to pull her out of whatever dark place she seemed to be sinking into. But the idea of pushing her into anything felt... risky.

Lost in thought, I almost didn't see them at first. But when I did, the sight hit me like a punch to the gut. Standing outside Room 352 was my father, David Talon. And he was talking to Jules.

My footsteps faltered, and a cold rush of anger spread through me. What the hell was he doing here? And why the fuck was he talking to her?

Jules' hands were fidgeting, a telltale sign of her discomfort. Her voice was steady, but there was a tightness to it that I recognized all too well. David, on the other hand, looked as calm and calculated as ever. And then I heard it.

"Dylan Wilder," my father said smoothly, like the name was a weapon he'd been waiting to use. My head snapped up, alarm bells ringing. He knew her legal name? How?

Confusion twisted in my gut, quickly giving way to anger. What the hell was he doing here? And why did he know anything about Jules?

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, stepping between them.

David's gaze flicked to me, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "Just visiting my son. Didn't expect to meet your... intriguing roommate."

Jules opened her mouth to excuse herself, but David cut her off. "Leaving so soon, Dylan? I thought your family was better at handling pressure."

I glared at him, my voice sharp. "What's going on? How do you know her?"

David's smirk deepened. "Oh, you should ask her about Clara and Robert Wilder sometime. They're quite the story."

Jules flinched, her discomfort now impossible to hide. My anger boiled over. "What the fuck are you talking about? Stop playing games."

David shrugged, clearly enjoying himself. "Ask her," he said lightly. "Secrets have a way of coming out, Nathan. And be careful—people like her family have a knack for dragging others down."

With that, he walked away, leaving me and Jules standing in tense silence. I turned to her, my voice low and demanding. "Start talking. Who the hell are Clara and Robert Wilder? And why does my father know you?"

She hesitated, her hands trembling slightly. "It's... complicated."

"Then uncomplicate it," I snapped. "Because right now, I'm starting to think there's a hell of a lot you haven't told me."

Jules took a deep breath, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of fear and resolve. "I'll explain," she said quietly. "But not here in the hallway."

The weight of her words hung between us as I nodded stiffly, my mind already racing with questions. Whatever this was, it was about to change everything.

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A/N

Sorry that this chapter is so short but it felt right to end it on another cliffhanger. hihi sorry.

I'm infact dying because of all ur comments XD. It gives me so much motivation to write/upload.

fr Love you all to death! Don't forget to vote <3