Alexander tossed the note into the nearest trash can without a second glance.
He wasn’t interested in casual hookups with people he barely knew.
The surge in female attention still felt unnatural, though.
He needed to get checked out after school to figure out what was happening with his body.
As he stepped out of the classroom, a familiar figure froze in the hallway.
“Alexander…?”
“Emma.”
She stared at him like she was seeing a ghost.
The man standing in front of her looked nothing like the boyfriend she had left just days ago.
He was taller, broader, and radiated a raw, magnetic presence that made her throat go dry.
Heat flushed through her body as her eyes traced his strong jaw, powerful shoulders, and the easy confidence in his stance.
‘How is this the same guy?’
Memories of their nights together flooded back, but now they felt different, more intense.
A reckless part of her wondered what it would feel like to be pinned down by this new, stronger version of him.
He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You okay?”
Emma’s cheeks burned.
She leaned instinctively into his touch before catching herself.
“I… yeah. You’ve changed so much. I mean… after we broke up, have you been… working out?”
Before she could ramble further, a loud, angry voice boomed from behind her.
“Emma!”
Buck stormed over, his massive frame shaking with rage.
At nearly 1.9 meters and well over 300 pounds, the rugby player looked like a human tank.
His father’s wealth and status usually made him untouchable on campus.
Alexander’s expression remained calm.
“Your boyfriend’s here. I’ll leave you two alone.”
As he turned to go, he gave Emma’s backside a light, familiar pat, more habit than provocation.
Even through her tight jeans, the sensation brought back old memories.
“You asshole!” Emma gasped, face flushing bright red.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”
Alexander shrugged casually.
“Sorry, old habits. We were just catching up as friends. You don’t mind, right?”
Buck’s face twisted with fury.
“I’m gonna shove your head up your ass!”
The big man charged like a linebacker, fists clenched, clearly expecting to flatten Alexander in one hit.
“Buck, stop!” Emma cried, caught between them.
Bang!
A dull impact echoed down the hallway.
Buck’s eyes rolled back and he collapsed heavily to the floor, unconscious before he even realized what happened.
Emma covered her mouth in shock.
Alexander lowered his fist, looking mildly surprised.
“Huh. Guess he wasn’t as tough as he looked.”