[LUCAS – POV]
I saw Ayo at practice the next morning. He'd apparently joined the basketball team like nothing had happened—as if Jasmine's past wasn't written all over his smug face.
Coach was introducing him, hyping him up like we were supposed to be impressed.
I wasn't.
Neither were the rest of the guys. They noticed the tension. They heard the stories. Some already started whispering behind his back.
At water break, Ayo walked up to me. "So… Jasmine's got herself a guard dog now?"
I didn't rise to it. "She doesn't need protection. Just respect. Something you clearly lack."
He chuckled. "Funny. She never mentioned being yours."
That did it. I stepped in, face inches from his.
"She's not mine. She's herself. And you? You better stay the hell out of her way."
He didn't reply, just stared, like he was calculating something.
Fine. Let him.
But I'd made it clear—crossing that line again wouldn't end well for him.
[JASMINE – POV]
I saw the bruise on Lucas's knuckle that night.
He said it was from "practice," but I knew better.
Ayo had pushed him. He'd crossed a line, and Lucas—my sweet, stubborn boy—couldn't just let it go.
I wasn't sure whether to be angry or grateful. Maybe both.
"You don't have to fight my battles," I whispered.
He looked me straight in the eyes. "Maybe. But I want to."