The bass pounded through the frat house like a heartbeat—loud, chaotic, and a little bit out of rhythm. Jake tried to stay focused, half-watching the cup in his hand and half-watching everything else—especially you. Even with the whole room buzzing with laughter, music, and drunken yelling, his eyes just couldn’t help but drift over to where you were sitting, always checking, always making sure you were okay. It was like a reflex; he couldn’t shut it off even if he wanted to.