"I have issues," he admitted with a shrug. "Let's just leave it at that." He did have issues. Serious issues. But he didn't want to share anymore with her than he already had. It was more than enough that he had broken past his Dean barrier.
"I don't really think I work that way," he told her. "I don't like the idea of another person going through hell and back. Only makes me feel worse." He glanced back over at the rock again. "I get what you're trying to do though. And it's appreciated. But I don't want to think of you in suffering." He almost smiled. "Even as annoying as you are."