Page 1 of Freestyle (Boys of Frampton U #2)

Last semester…

Rowyn

“ C ome on, Row! We’re going to be late!” Lyndsy chimes in from the doorway, her excitement palpable. I roll over, promptly plopping a pillow over my head, trying to block out the sun and the noise.

“I thought I had time to nap first?” I whine, my voice muffled by the fabric as exhaustion washes over me from the day. All I want to do is curl up with a book or skip straight back to sleep. Between working and studying, there’s barely any time for rest this semester .

“You did nap!” she huffs, and the sound of her heels clacking against the hardwood floor pushes me to sit up, ensuring she sees my displeasure.

“Yeah, and I worked a double shift, Lynds. I’m still exhausted,” I groan, rubbing my temples.

“But tonight is a big night. The Sharks just won their final competition, the whole campus is buzzing around!” Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it melts away some of my resolve for staying in.

“Plus, you need to do more than work and study all the time,” she calls out as she moves into my closet and begins pulling out different outfits.

“You know I partied too much last semester, and now I’m paying for it by being on academic probation. Losing half of my scholarship for failing two classes kind of put a damper on things. Hence the working. It’s a vicious cycle,” I yawn.

“You’ve got this, babe.” She plops down on the bed beside me. “I know you have a lot going on right now, and I know you’ve already said no but my dad’s offer to help with your tuition still stands. Then you won’t be killing yourself by working all the time.” Her expression turns to a worried smile.

I stiffen at her words, and my jaw tightens.

“I don’t need a handout, Lynds,” I snapped, more harshly than intended.

The truth is, I’ve always had to look out for myself.

Accepting help feels like admitting that I can’t handle shit on my own.

Lyndsy’s eyes soften, and she reaches for my hand, her grip gentle yet firm.

“It’s not a handout, Row. It’s just support. Sometimes we all need help. It doesn’t make you weak.” I pull away, shaking my head.

“I appreciate it, really, but I’ve got this.

I just need to keep pushing a little harder.

” She sighs but doesn’t push further. I’m thankful for that at least. Instead, she jumps from the bed and pulls out a short, red skater dress from my closet, holding it up against her body.

The mini dress flows around the hanger as she twirls in the mirror.

“Wear this. It will make your ass look fabulous,” she muses. Looking at the dress in her hand, I’m torn between my exhaustion and the hope in her eyes. Maybe she’s right. Maybe one night off wouldn’t hurt.

“Okay, but only because you promised me a fabulous ass,” I laugh despite myself. Lyndsy grins, tossing the dress at me.

“That’s the spirit! Now, let’s get you dolled up.” As I slip into the dress Lyndsy rummages through my makeup drawer, pulling out various products.

“You know, you really should let loose more often. You’re a blast at parties.”

I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips .

“Yeah, well, last semester was a bit too much fun. I need to find a balance.”

She nods, applying a bold red lipstick to her own lips.

“I get it. But don’t forget to live a little, too.” With expert hands, Lyndsy curls my hair and does my makeup, giving me a sexy, sultry look.

“Damn, girl! You look hot!” She exclaims as she steps back, admiring her work.

“Thanks to you,” I laugh, feeling a little more confident.

“Tonight there will be no stress, no worries. Just dancing and having a good time.”

“Alright, but if I start falling asleep on the dance floor, you’re carrying me home.” Lyndsy laughs, handing me a pair of heels.

“Deal. Now, let’s make some heads turn.”

I roll my eyes, but can’t wipe the smile off my face. “You’re crazy!”

“I am, so what does that make you for being friends with me?” Lyndsy quirks her eyebrow up at me, putting her hands on her hips.

“Certifiable,” I admit. We both burst out laughing as we grab our purses and head out of the dorm.

We make our way to the swim team’s mansion, which is always a breathtaking sight. It’s a luxurious haven that feels almost like stepping into a dream. A manicured lawn stretches out like a lush, green carpet dotted with vibrant flower beds and towering palm trees swaying gently in the breeze.

The bass of the music is so powerful it reverberates through the floor before we even step inside. The crowd pulses with energy, laughter, and excitement, and I can’t help but feel a spark of exhilaration as we cross the threshold.

“See? Isn’t this better than working another shift?” Lyndsy shouts over the music, nudging me playfully. I grin, feeling the energy of the party start to lift my spirits.

“Okay, you might be right this time,” I concede. We weave our way through the sea of bodies, greeting familiar faces and soaking up the electric atmosphere.

“Come on. Let’s get a drink,” she yells over her shoulder.

We make it to the kitchen where the makeshift bar is always set up. The bartender, a fellow student, winks at us as he mixes a concoction of colorful liquids before us.

“What can I get you ladies?” He flashes his dimples as he runs his hand through his tousled black hair.

Lyndsy leans in, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Surprise us with something fun and sexy,” she says, flashing a grin.

The guy nods, his hands moving deftly as he mixes the drinks.

I glance around the room, taking in the lively atmosphere.

The kitchen is buzzing with people, laughter and conversation filling the air.

He hands us two drinks, the colors swirling together like a tropical sunset. “Here you go, ladies. Enjoy!”

I raise it in a toast to Lyndsy. “To fabulous nights and fabulous asses!”

Lyndsy laughs, clinking her cup against mine. “Cheers to that!”

“Lyndsy! Rowyn!” A voice cuts through the noise, and we spot Fallon waving us over to a table where a few of the swim team members are lounging.

We wade through the party goers and I settle into a chair, the wooden surface vibrating with the music. “We miss you! How’ve you been?” I ask, glad I decided to come out tonight, because I haven’t seen Fallon in what feels like forever.

“There’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure.

” She laughs, pointing over to the other side of the room where her boyfriend, Remy, is chatting with his two ridiculously hot friends.

Grayson Ford is Lyndsy’s older brother and another member of the elite Sharks.

The other guy I’ve seen around, but I don’t know his name.

“Typical. He’s always the life of the party. How did you manage to tame him, Fal?” I inquire, genuinely curious.

“Oh, I didn’t tame him. He’s just a little more sane with me staying here, but don’t get me wrong, he still drives me up the damn wall,” she laughs. “But I just looked at him, and something clicked. You know?”

My heart flutters at her words. Love is such a whimsical thing. I often wonder if I could find someone like that, but of course, my reality doesn’t have time for such fantasies.

A new song blares through the speakers, making Lyndsy jump from her seat.

“We love this song, Row!” she yells as she drags me to the dance floor.

We’re swept into the tide of people moving to the beat.

The atmosphere is electric, filled with laughter.

Our drinks slosh, but that doesn’t stop us from dancing the moves along with everyone else.

I can feel the bass thumping through my veins, my body moving almost instinctively to the rhythm.

Lyndsy and I dance together, our movements perfectly in sync.

The exhilaration of the music and the crowd lifts my spirits higher than they’ve been in weeks.

For a moment, all the stress and exhaustion disappear.

I’m just a girl having the time of her life with her best friend.

We laugh as we try to keep up with the fast-paced moves, our drinks splashing with every spin and jump. The song reaches its peak and we throw our arms up in celebration, letting out a cheer.

As the song ends, Lyndsy pulls me into a tight hug, her eyes shining with happiness. “I told you this would be fun! ”

“You were right. This is exactly what I needed.” I laugh, breathless and exhilarated.

As I lose myself in the music, a strange prickling sensation runs down my spine. It’s a feeling of being watched. I glance around the room, scanning the crowd until my eyes lock onto two pairs staring back at me from across the dance floor.

The first set of deep brown eyes is familiar—Gray. The other set is a striking green, belonging to the mystery guy who’s always with Remy and Gray. There’s an intensity in their gazes that sends a shiver through me, adding a different kind of thrill to the night.

I can’t help but feel a mix of curiosity and excitement. Lyndsy, oblivious to the gazes from across the room, continues to dance with abandon.

I try to shake off the prickling sensation and focus on the music, but my eyes keep drifting back to Gray and his friend.

There’s something about their stares—intense, almost magnetic—that draws me in.

I force myself to look away and rejoin Lyndsy in the dance, determined not to let them get under my skin.

It’s making me feel self conscious, and thoughts creep back in from my younger years.

These guys are used to getting their way; it’s common knowledge. Shark’s muscular bodies and confident postures make all the girls fall straight to their knees. Disgusting .

I turn around, not wanting to play into their little games, because I’ve seen all too well how they end.

Guys like them are nothing but trouble, and that’s something I definitely don’t have time for.

But even as I move through the crowd, I can still feel the heat of their eyes following my every move.