"Wow," Keeley murmured as she sat down on the metal chair. "This campus is gorgeous."

They had just spent most of the afternoon touring the campus and different buildings of UCSB. Keeley was amazed to see how many bicycles were on campus. Thousands of them! They even had walkways deemed as "bicyclists only." Now, they were at a small sandwich shop that had an outdoor patio, which overlooked the ocean. It was absolutely breathtaking!

Brent sent her a knowing grin. "I knew you would love it. You really should apply here Keeley. It has everything you like. Beaches. Good food. Relaxed environment. Plus, two libraries," he winked, "which means tons of books for your viewing pleasure."

"You're a bio major right, Brent?" Talon butted in, forcing Brent's attention away from Keeley.

"I'm a biochemistry and molecular biology major," Brent politely corrected.

"Isn't that the same thing?" he asked in a silent challenge.

"Not exactly. It's a combination of biology and chemistry."

Talon leaned forward in his seat. "But you're graduating as a biology major right? From what I understand biochemistry is a sub-discipline of biology."

Brent cocked his head, assessing the boy sitting across from him. "You've done your homework," he said, lightly. "Technically speaking, you are correct. I am a biology major."

One side of Talon's mouth lifted as if he had just won a battle. "That's what I thought."

"However, as a biochemistry and molecular biology major, I have to take more chemistry and physics courses than most regular biology students."

"I bet that isn't a hardship for you," Keeley interjected, wanting to be a part of the conversation. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Talon roll his eyes but she ignored him. "You always loved going to those classes in high school. I remember one time you had a 101 degree temperature and you refused to go home till after your chemistry class."

Brent looked at her in surprise. "You remember that?"

Keeley ducked her head as her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. Of course she remembered. She remembered everything about him. From his favorite color to what kind of meat he liked on his sandwich.

Talon made a sound of disgust and instantly, Keeley's head popped up. He was staring at her intently, his blue eyes flashing with irritation. When their eyes met, his irritation morphed into a gleam that was purely predatory. It made the hairs on Keeley's arm stand on end.

"All I remembered from that day was finishing the test in fifteen minutes," Brent continued, ignoring his companions' locked gazes. "I was so surprised to find out that I got an A- on it."

Talon gave her a flirty wink before tearing his eyes away. "I heard most biology majors take five or six years to graduate because the classes are so packed. Is that true?"

Keeley felt a surge of annoyance. He had been trying to provoke Brent all afternoon. During the entire tour, Talon had made unnecessary and passive aggressive comments about the campus, Brent and anything else he could think of.

And when he wasn't needling Brent, he was finding ways to touch her. He would open a door for her and lightly place his hand on the small of her back, or he would walk next to her so closely that their fingertips would brush against each other's. One time, he even pulled her to his chest, saying a bicycle was about to her run her over, even though there had been a good two feet between her and the bike. The whole experience was disconcerting.

Brent sent Talon a pleasant smile. "Not necessarily. It depends on what type of classes you are taking and how well you plan your four years here. Luckily for me, I haven't had any trouble getting into the classes I want."

"Is that because biochemistry and molecular biology isn't that popular?"

Brent sent him a sideways glance. "Yes and no."

"I heard that the more popular a major is, the better its program."

"Talon!" Keeley chided. How could he be so rude? He was practically insinuating that Brent's program was terrible. She glanced at Brent, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"What?" he cried out, his tone defensive. "I'm just saying. The bigger programs usually get more funding and that means better equipment, better professors, and better research. It's not my fault no one cares about unpopular majors."

Instead of taking offense, like Keeley thought he would, Brent just chuckled. "That's all very true. Fortunately, biochemistry is part of biology so we get funding. In fact, our department is ranked among those at Harvard, Stanford and Berkley."

"Really?" Talon asked. "That's surprising considering how academically challenging those universities are."

Keeley's jaw dropped. What. The. Hell.

"So, Talon, what colleges are you applying to?" Brent asked with a raised eyebrow.

Talon shifted in his seat, looking a tad uncomfortable. "Well, um," his eyes darted quickly over to Keeley, "USC, UCLA, Texas A&M, Notre Dame and a couple of others."

"Those are really great schools," Keeley blurted out without thinking.

Talon chest noticeably puffed out, almost like he was preening. "Well, of course they are. Would you expect anything less of me?"

Keeley sighed at his arrogance. Couldn't he take a comment without making it about his ego? "Sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or pity you."

"Oh, I have a good idea what you can do to me, baby doll," he suggested in a low voice, while wagging his eyebrow.

Keeley's temper flared. "I have a good idea too." She looked down at his lap and then used her fingers to form a pair of scissors. "Snip, Snip."

Talon guffawed. "Oh baby doll, you don't want to do that. There are certain things only men can offer."

Under the table, her hands curled into tight fists. The gall of him! She schooled her face into a pleasant expression and then smiled sweetly at him. "You're right. Sometimes I need only what you can provide, Talon."

He raised an eyebrow at her change of tone. "Oh yah? What's that?"

"Absence!"

Suddenly, Brent coughed loudly, trying to disguise his laughter. His eyes were twinkling with amusement. "You guys should take this act on the road. You could make a fortune."

Keeley bit her lip. She had completely forgotten Brent was even there. How embarrassing! She hoped Brent didn't think her juvenile or immature.

"So Talon, what do you want to major in?" Brent questioned, bringing the topic of conversation back around.

"Um..."

Keeley's eyes narrowed. Was he...? No. It couldn't be. Could it? She leaned forward slightly. He was! Talon was blushing!

"I..uh...want to major in history," Talon mumbled quickly.

"You're a history buff?" Keeley asked in disbelief. Of all majors, that was the last one she expected him to say. Pre-law? Yes. Business? Yes. Political Science? Yes. History? No way.

Talon's eyes flickered with annoyance. "Is that so hard to believe?"

Keeley pretended to think about it for a second before crying out, "Honestly? Yes!"

Talon's spine stiffened. If he had been a dog, his hackles would have been raised. "I'm more than just a pretty face."

Keeley scoffed at his implication. "I know that!"

His face softened a little at her words. "Then why is it so hard to believe?"

"Because it's a major that focuses on the glory of other people!" Keeley threw her hands up in the air. "I thought for sure you were a shoe in to be a lawyer. You have all the qualities. Egotistical. Argumentative. Stubborn. Cunning."

Talon smiled like he won the lottery. "You think I'm cunning?"

"That wasn't a compliment!"

Before Talon could respond, Brent interrupted. "Do you have a particular time period you like the most?"

"Mostly World War II."

"How did you get interested in it? Learning about it in class?" Brent inquired.

Talon shook his head. "My great-grandfather was a fighter pilot in World War II. He died before I was born but my grandfather told me stories about him. He was a great pilot. He was even awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross." Talon smiled broadly. "It's a metal honoring those who achieved heroism during an aerial flight."

"Wow," Keeley said impressed. "That's really cool."

"I was even named after him," Talon boasted.

"So, that's what you meant when you said it was a family name," Keeley commented, thinking back to their first conversation two weeks ago.

"All the men in my family are named after him," Talon responded ruefully. "I'm the fourth."

"Jesus!" Keeley exclaimed. "Doesn't that get confusing?"

An emotion flickered in his eyes, before they went blank. He shrugged his large shoulders. "Not really."

"What do you guys do at parties then? Does your mom call out 'Talon' and three people come running?" she joked.

Pain slashed across his face. "No. My grandfather died three years ago. It's just me and my dad," he said softly in a steady voice. He looked away, his eyes fixating on the waves that were crashing on the shore.

An awkward silence descended over the group.

Keeley bit her lip, mentally berating herself for bringing up a painful topic. But how could she have known? He never talked about his grandfather before-only his mom and dad. Just went to show how little she knew about Talon. They may have talked for hours today, but it hadn't meant anything. Not really. Not anything that mattered.

She looked over at him, his body completely still. He appeared unaffected, except for his hands, which were tightly clutched together as if he was praying. Keeley felt the greatest urge to wrap her arms around his body and comfort him. Let him know that it was okay to be vulnerable. That it was okay to confide in her. She would never judge. She would never criticize.

"Are you still undecided about what you want to major in Keeley?" Brent asked, breaking the silence.

She turned away from Talon, partly grateful for the interruption and partly hating it. "Yes. I think my plan is to take a couple different classes my freshman year and see what interests me."

"That's smart. Don't be afraid to try something you wouldn't normally."

The waitress came and set their food on the table. As they ate, Brent and Keeley caught up with each other, talking about mutual friends and teachers, while Talon remained silent. Every once in a while, Keeley would send Talon a furtive glance, checking to see if he was okay. Talon not talking was like shoes without socks. Odd and strangely uncomfortable.

"How's your brother doing? Still obsessed with football?" Brent questioned.

Keeley rolled her eyes. "When isn't he? My mom swears the first word that came out of his mouth was football."

Brent chuckled. "Sounds like him. I bet he's anxious now that college scouts are starting to come around."

Keeley snorted, remembering the whole drug debacle. "Anxious doesn't even come close. He's been freaking out for weeks now. He even started staying late after practices to run more drills."

"Does that mean he's letting you use the car?" Brent asked.

Keeley shook her head. "I either have to wait for his practice to end, or catch a ride home with a friend."

"Your brother makes you wait for him?" Talon jumped in, talking for the first time since mentioning his grandfather's death. "What an ass."

"It's not that bad." Keeley was so relieved to hear him talk, she didn't even get defensive over his critique of her brother. "I get my homework done during that time."

"He could get one of his football buddies to give him a ride home," Talon argued.

"Well, he has all of his football gear in the car."

"So?" Talon shot back. "He could easily put his gear in the locker room."

"Why do you care?"

"Because he's obviously taking advantage of you! You're like a goddamn doormat to him."

"You know Zach?" Brent chimed in.

"I don't know him personally," Talon said in a strained voice, "but I've heard enough. Do you know he wakes her up in the middle of the night, just so she can give him a ride home from parties?"

Brent nodded. "Keeley told me."

Talon's face darkened. "Of course she did," he muttered under his breath. "Excuse me. I have to go to the bathroom." He got up abruptly and stalked away.

"So...." Brent drawled, once Talon was out of earshot. "That's Talon."

"Sorry about him," Keeley quickly apologized. "He doesn't get out much."

"Well, he certainly has a lot of opinions."

Keeley cringed. Yes, he did and he was very vocal about them. "Ignore him," she advised. "That's what I do."

"I have to admit, he wasn't what I expected," Brent said, leaning back in his chair.

"What did you expect?"

"I don't know. I guess I thought he'd be more mellow and reserved. Not so loud and...." Brent trailed off.

"Abrasive?" Keeley suggested.

Brent hesitated. "Assertive I think is a better word. He's a lot like your brother actually."

"My brother?" Keeley squeaked. That was the last thing she wanted. She loved her twin, but he could be a pain in the ass sometimes.

"Kid, have you been listening to him? Their mannerisms are almost identical. They talk and act the same. Hell, they practically have the same swagger."

Keeley thumped her head against the table. "Oh god. One troublesome male in my life is enough. I don't need two of them."

Brent's voice trembled as he laughed at her. "Well, at least you won't be bored."

Keeley lifted her head and groaned. "More like driven to the brink of insanity."

"It can't be that bad."

Keeley was about to answer but a curvy brunette talking to Talon caught her attention. She had one hand on his forearm, while the other was resting on her hip. She must have said something funny because Talon threw back his head and laughed. Keeley bit her lip. What were they talking about? Did she stop to talk to him or was it the other way around?

"I mean you did stalk him, after all," Brent added.

Keeley dragged her eyes away from the flirting brunette. "Say what?"

Brent playfully winked at her. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Talon told me all about what happened."

Keeley blinked. "I'm sorry. What?"

"He told me about how you stalked him at the county fair, and sneakily switched the phones so you would get the chance to talk to him," Brent explained.

Keeley's hand scrunched the napkin she was holding into a small ball. "When did he tell you this?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"Last week, when we talked on the phone." Brent's eyebrows drew together. "Didn't he tell you?"

"Please discard whatever he said. Talon is a lying, manipulative bastard," Keeley seethed. She threw her napkin down and rose swiftly from her chair. "Excuse me for a minute."

Keeley marched straight up to the flirting couple with nothing but revenge on the mind. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you," she said so sickening sweet it made her teeth hurt.

Talon and the girl jumped apart, startled by her presence.

Keeley pretended to just see them together, widening her eyes in an exaggerated fashion. "Oh! I'm sorry. Was I interrupting something?"

"Actually, you were," the girl countered snidely.

Talon crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on his heels, a ghost of a smile curving his lips.

Damn him! He was enjoying this! He wanted two girls to fight over him. Well guess again, buddy! Keeley ignored the busty brunette and turned to Talon. "Are you still having second thoughts? It's okay to change your mind, but don't resort to flirting with girls. It's not fair to lead them on."

The smile melted from Talon's face and was quickly replaced with a sense of panic. His eyes searched Keeley's face, looking for a hint of what she was planning.

"Second thoughts?" the girl asked. She looked back and forth from Talon to Keeley. "Are you guys getting married or something?"

Keeley let out a loud laugh. "Goodness gracious, no! Talon or should I say Teagan," she placed a hand on his arm, "is here to get his first round of hormone replacement shots."

"Hormone replacement?" the girl asked, her face perplexed. "For what?"

"Why for his sex change of course," Keeley said with a wide smile. Beside her, she could feel Talon's body go rigid. She quickly glanced at him and snickered when she saw his face. He looked like he just swallowed a lemon.

"Damn," the girl muttered under her breath. "Why do all the hot ones bat for the other team?"

"Yes, it is a shame, isn't it? Come on, Teagan," Keeley said before Talon could interrupt. She grabbed his hand and walked away from the curvy brunette, pulling him with her.

"You are absolutely diabolical," Talon hissed in her ear. "Has anyone ever told you that?"

"What can I say? You bring out the best in me," she tossed over her shoulder, quoting one of the texts he sent her that morning.

Talon sent her a disgruntled look. "Does it always have to be about my manhood though? Can't you ever go after something else?"

"Why would I when this is so effective?" Keeley smiled triumphantly, knowing that she bested him once again. It felt good.

Talon looped his arm around her waist, bringing her to an abrupt halt. He pulled her back till she was flush against him. "I love it when you get all feisty on me, baby doll," he whispered in her ear gently, his breath tickling her neck. "But don't forget who you are playing with."

Keeley tried to ignore their close proximity, but it was difficult when all she felt was his hard muscles against her soft body. "And who am I playing with?" she asked with more confidence than she felt.

"Someone that always wins," he stated, his voice rumbling like gravel on an unpaved road. He released her from his arms, but not before placing a chaste kiss on the side of her neck. Silently, he strode back to the table, leaving Keeley to trail after him in shock.

****

"We don't have to go if you don't to," Brent repeated for the fourth time.

"Brent, it's fine," Keeley assured him. One of his friends was throwing a party at his house and had invited the three of them.

Brent sent her a worried look. "I know how much you hate parties."

"I don't hate parties. I just don't go to them," Keeley corrected.

"Why not?" Talon posed, speaking for the first time since they started walking to the house that night.

Keeley shrugged her shoulders. "I just don't like them." The truth was, that she'd rather curl up with a good book or hang out with Nicky than go to a party. Sometimes those parties felt so phony. Like everyone was trying to pretend to be something they were not. Either that, or they were trying to escape from their lives.

"Okay. Well, stay by my side at all times and if you ever want to leave, just tell me and we'll go," Brent ordered as they approached an old two-story house with a white porch wrapped around it. He grabbed Keeley's hand and pulled her to his side.

A muscle in Talon's jaw twitched as he glanced at their clasped hands. "I'm sure she'll be fine on her own."

Brent glared at Talon over Keeley's head. "This is a college party. She needs someone with her."

Keeley frowned, not liking Brent's tone. She could take care of herself. She was a big girl.

"So you're saying she isn't safe with your friends?" Talon countered.

"No," Brent said slowly, drawing out the word. "What I'm saying is that she barely has any experience with parties in general, much less one with a keg and several handles of hard alcohol. She needs someone to guide her."

"It doesn't have to be you," Talon said sourly.

Keeley held up her free hand. "I'm right here, you know. Can we just go?" She walked into the house, still hand in hand with Brent.

Even though it was only 10:30 at night, the house was already jammed packed with people. The living room had been turned into a makeshift dance floor, and there were couples scattered around, grinding to the beat of the music. Keeley looked back to say something to Talon, but he had disappeared. "Where's Talon?" she asked Brent.

He shrugged his shoulders. "He's around here somewhere. I'm sure we'll run into him eventually. You have your phone on you right?"

Keeley nodded. She had finally gotten her phone back from Talon that afternoon. She had begged, wheedled, and cajoled. And when that didn't work, she promised to buy him a pack of peeps. Immediately, he handed it over, informing her he liked the yellow ones the best. Jerk.

Brent directed her over to the kitchen where a keg sat with people crowded around it. "Do you want anything to drink? I can get you a soda or juice without alcohol."

"Can I have a Sprite?"

Brent grinned at her. "Coming right up."

Rather reluctantly, she let his hand go. It had felt so comforting, holding his hand. Like being surrounded by a large, wool blanket.She couldn't wait till he returned. A whole night of holding his hand and being by his side? Yes, please!

Brent returned with her drink and for a while he took her around the party, introducing her to his friends. They were all friendly and welcoming, answering any questions she had about UCSB or college life in general. During that time, she kept her eyes peeled for Talon, but she didn't see him anywhere.

"I'm going to go get another drink. Do you want anything?" Brent asked, leaning in close so she could hear him over the music.

Keeley shook her head. "I'm good," she shouted back, happily. She was having the time of her life. No one was pressuring her to drink like at high school parties and she got to hang out with Brent. Best night ever.

Ten minutes later, Brent hadn't returned and Keeley started to get worried. Where was he? Foregoing his orders to stay where she was, Keeley left her spot and made her way to the kitchen area. That was when she saw Brent up against a wall, making out with a tall, leggy blonde. His shirt was halfway unbuttoned, and there were pink lipstick marks all across his neck and chest. The girl thrust her hand under his shirt and started to caress his stomach. He moaned loudly and groped her ass, pulling her closer to him.

Keeley felt like she got all the wind knocked out of her. God, she was so stupid! There she was waiting like an idiot for him and he was making out with some girl the whole time! Mortified, Keeley rushed down the hallway and into an empty bathroom. Hands shaking, she locked the door and dialed her best friend's number.

"Hello?"

"Nicky!" she cried out in misery.

"Keeley? What's wrong?"

Trembling, she leaned against the sink counter, her legs starting to give out. "I am so stupid!"

"What happened?" her best friend asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm at this party and Brent is making out with this blonde Amazon girl in the fricking hallway! They are going at it like two dogs in heat!"

Nicky sighed. "Ah Keeley. I'm so sorry."

"I feel so stupid! I should have known he would never like me. He's always thought of me as the little kid he tutored," she cried out, her voice cracking. "Even at this party he acted like I was a child who needed babysitting. At least Talon thought I could handle myself."

Nicky remained silent for a couple of minutes as Keeley collected herself. When her breathing started to return to normal Nicky asked, "Keeley, do you really think that you like Brent?"

"What do you mean? Of course I like him!"

"Really? Because it seems to me that you like Talon, not Brent."

"I do not like Talon!" Keeley exclaimed.

"In the past two weeks, you've talked more about Talon than Brent. Even now, when you are upset about Brent kissing another girl, you brought Talon up. Doesn't that say something to you?"

"It says that he's way too involved in my life, not that I like him!"

"Keeley. Come on. Be real with yourself. You don't really know Brent anymore. It's been two years since you've even lived in the same town as him. Not to mention the fact that you guys hardly talk to each other."

"So?" Keeley asked stubbornly.

"So, right in front of you is a guy who texts and calls you incessantly. He asked around about you, albeit kind of creepily, but at least he cared enough to try to get to know you. He even came on this trip to be with you. Come on, Keeley. Put away your pride and admit that you like Talon."

Keeley bit her lip. Was Nicky right? Did she like Talon?

"Hey! Stop hogging the bathroom!" someone yelled, banging at the door.

"I got to go Nicky. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Keeley hung up and opened the door. Two angry girls were stood in front of her looking pissed.

"It's about time," one of them snapped as they brushed past Keeley. "What were you doing in there? Taking a dump?" They cackled at their own joke before slamming the door.

Keeley took a deep breath, trying not to get upset. How did one night that started off so great, end up being so horrible in the matter of minutes? She walked through the house, searching for Talon. She knew she could count on him to make her feel better. All he had to do was say a couple of outrageous comments, and Brent and the blonde bimbo would be instantly forgotten.

She walked down the hallway, past the dance floor and into the garage. There was a pool table in the middle of the floor, with couches and chairs surrounding it. Out of the corner of her eye, Keeley saw the back of Talon's familiar blonde hair. She instantly made her way over, dodging a couple of people with beers in their hands. As she made her way over, she noticed that Talon wasn't alone. A beautiful redhead was sitting in his lap, running her hands through his hair, whispering seductively in his ear.

Keeley's heart stopped.

Oh god.

Oh god.

Was he going to kiss her? Was he going to tease her? Was he going to whisper baby doll in her ear like he did with her?

Raw, hot pain tore through her body, grabbing hold of her already fragile heart. It squeezed her till her chest ached, and even then, it didn't let go.

Suddenly, Keeley's breathing turned shallow. She started to feel claustrophobic. Like the walls were closing in on her. She needed to get out of this god-awful house.

Now.

Keeley pushed past people, practically shoving them out of her way. She ignored the looks and the loud protests, determined to reach the door and get away.

Maybe then, the throbbing in her chest would dissipate.

Maybe then, the hurt in her heart would start to ease.