Page 22

One Month Later- Junior Year MRU

“ A re you even paying attention to a word I'm saying?” I ask Maverick as I throw a French fry in his face. “Who are you talking to that has you so enraptured?”

“Nah, I’m reading today’s edition of The Howler Report. I had to do a double-take since whoever’s writing for them this year literally quoted Alan Jackson.” His eyes widen, probably because it’s not every day a campus newspaper uses the word “coochie” in their journalism.

I laugh. “I saw that and, honestly, they’re not wrong. It’s hot as hell for it to be so close to fall.” I purse my lips and raise my eyebrows. “Buuut…who were you texting after the fact? I saw those thumbs moving.”

“Geez, Amy, why are you so nosy?” he asks, then places his phone face down on the table.

I roll my eyes and take another bite of my wrap, knowing damn well he ain’t telling me shit. Mav reaches for my basket of fries and slowly drags it to his side of the table, and I scowl.

“Eat your own damn fries,” I tease him and tug my basket closer.

Let me tell you, this guy has perfected the puppy dog look, because he’s sporting the best set I've ever seen.

“I'm a growing man. I need sustenance. Look at me, I'm practically withering away,” he mock whines, his brown eyes shining playfully with his tattoo-covered arms splayed wide with dramatic flair.

My heart twinges at the fact that I wish I were staring at the golden flecks and the virgin skin of another.

He rarely lets me get that close anymore. Even when we’re together, he doesn’t allow me to see the depths of those eyes like he used to. Over the past month, during our rides, I’ve slowly watched his walls lower, as have mine, but neither of us has let them crumble all the way.

My gaze drifts around the campus café as my thoughts wander.

Mav asked to meet me here after the hockey team’s weight room session.

He wanted to grab a “small bite to eat” before our Friday night activities begin.

Like most weekends, I try to fill my nights with parties, booze, and good times.

Taking full advantage of my college experience.

When my eyes settle back on Mav’s empty tray filled with more plates and containers than one person should be able to stomach, I can’t help but chuckle.

“You literally ate an entire meal and a smoothie already… How are you still hungry?”

He shrugs and grabs another handful of my fries and grins at me victoriously.

“So what were you saying before?” he asks with a mouth full.

I grab a few more fries, then push the basket in front of him to finish off, and he wastes no time digging in.

“Lottie was asking where we’re tailgating tomorrow, so I wanted to double-check with you,” I say.

It's MRU Football’s first home game tomorrow, so we’re all planning on getting together beforehand.

Berkley’s friend, Lottie, also attends Mountain Ridge, but she lives with her boyfriend, Greyson, and the pair often meet up with us on the weekends to hang out.

Not only is this game a big deal, but it’s also Berkley’s first time seeing her ex, Nate, play, so I wanted to make sure we’re good and toasted before she sees him, and especially before we head to The Wolves Den for the party afterward.

Nate, Berkley’s ex-boyfriend, recently transferred to Mountain Ridge.

Not only is he now living with Cash, Mav, and their cousin, Graham, in The Wolves Den, along with a sophomore named Nola, but he also happens to be the new QB1, which is a huge deal on campus.

Darby, our third roommate, and I are slowly but surely helping her work through this new reality she’s been thrown into of having to now be at the same school and sharing the same friends as her ex.

It’s not that I wish drama on her, but her chaos helps calm my own nagging thoughts.

“Tell ’em we’ll be in parking lot A, and once we’re situated, you can give them a spot number.”

“Ah, yes, because your bright blue Tahoe won’t be any indication of our spot,” I tease, and he chuckles.

“Anyway, how’s your first week of classes going?” Mav asks as he pops the last fry in his mouth.

“It's going… Found out one of my professors was switched at the last minute, so I'm a bit pissed off. What about you?” I reply, fidgeting with my bracelet.

He smirks as he rests his hands behind his head. “I can't complain.”

“Yeah, yeah… Life of an athlete. You’re lucky you're talented.”

“Aw, you think I'm talented, Amy?”

I roll my eyes. “I hate you sometimes.”

Maverick’s phone buzzes with an incoming call, and he checks the screen. “I gotta go. Love ya. I’ll see you bright and early,” he says, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder as he walks away.

Most importantly… I’ll be seeing him tomorrow. A torture so sweet, I can't help but fall into its trap.

I gather up my things and head back to my apartment, where I plan to drink away my feelings and live the carefree life of a single college girl.

“What a game!” I yell from the backseat of Mav’s Tahoe.

“That was insane. This season is going to be amazing,” Berkley agrees from beside me. Possibly a little too tipsy from my efforts to keep her nerves at bay.

“I’ll definitely be going to more games than usual this season. The eye candy…” I say, placing my fingers to my mouth in a ‘chef’s kiss’ motion.

Berkley laughs, and I peer into the front seat, where Maverick is still yapping away to Cash, who doesn’t even pretend to be paying him much attention, since his eyes are staring at me through the rear-view.

I stick my tongue out at him. Yes, real mature, I know, but whatever.

I'm just having fun…or at least, trying to make it seem like I am. Besides, he’s with Tori , and she’s been rubbing it in my face for the last three years, so he can't say shit.

“Ya’ll sure Darby is okay?” Maverick interrupts my spiraling thoughts.

“Yeah, she’s fine! Greyson texted me she was home safe, and him and Lottie got home too,” Berkley replies as she dances to the bass of the song streaming through the speakers.

I hold out my hand, waiting for Berkley’s high-five. “Operation: Make Him Sweat starts tonight. Are you ready?” I ask and squeeze her hand.

“Oh, hell yeah, I'm ready.”

“I don’t think it’ll take much, considering the way he was watching you after the game,” I say, talking about Nate. No lie, that sucker couldn’t take his eyes off her. She bites her lip to hide her smile, and I can see a small blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Well, at least she’s in good spirits, that’s all that really matters.

Several hours and plenty of drinks later, I find myself alone at the party. Berkley dipped out and was escorted home by none other than her ex. Leaving me to my own devices.

I hop around the party, trying my best to keep myself occupied.

I can’t help but notice the way Tori has been eyeing me all night.

It's not like we haven’t been around each other over the last few years, but tonight, I just can't seem to escape her. Everywhere I go, she’s there, hanging all over Cash like he’s a fucking tree she’s desperate to climb.

The snide look on her face makes me want to throat punch the bitch.

Okay, we get it. You won . Congratu-fucking-lations. No need to rub it in.

I’ll walk away with you right here, right now.

My heart aches, knowing that what I want most is just within reach, if I were brave enough to snatch it.

I want nothing more than to be fearless, but that would come at a cost, and it’s one I wasn’t willing to pay at the time, knowing the damage it would cause to everyone around me.

I need to keep my mind busy. I've come too far for the woe-is-me shit. I made my bed; now I need to lie in it.

Chancing a look in Cash’s direction, and for my viewing pleasure, I get to witness Tori shove her tongue down his throat. Ugh … I need another drink, or ten.

With a beer in my hand, I find my way to the middle of the living room, which is currently being used as a dance floor.

Letting the music take over, I dance with whoever’s around.

My eyes land on an unfamiliar handsome face, wearing an MRU Athletics shirt.

He slowly approaches me with a devious smile, and I can't help but smirk back. Okay, this might be the distraction I’ve been looking for.

He reaches for my hip, and I allow him to close the gap between us. His hips sway against mine as we dance to the beat. But before I allow this to continue any further, there’s one question I must ask. “Haven’t seen you around before. What do you play?”

“Basketball,” he smirks.

Not hockey. Perfect.

The only thing I ask of you… Please don’t hook up with any of my teammates. I couldn’t handle hearing about it.

Stop thinking about him. Look at this hottie in front of you.

“So you can ball, but can you dance?” I quirk my eyebrow, pointing to the make-shift dance floor.

With a smile, he grabs my right hand and twirls me around. I wasn’t prepared for the sudden motion, and a twinge of pain shoots through my wrist. I wince and withdraw my arm from his hold. My discomfort must be written on my face because he’s immediately apologizing.

“Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Shit, my bad.”

I shake my head, trying to downplay it. “No, no, I'm fine. It's a healed injury that just acts up occasionally.” Of course, it had to be my right wrist. It’s been feeling better lately, but every once in a while, it’ll act up. I try to remind myself I’ve only had the cast off for about a month.

“Damn, I blew my shot before I even got your name,” he says, disappointment evident in his tone. “Come on, let’s get you some ice.”

“It’s fine, honestly, I can get it,” I insist as I take a step toward the kitchen. “And I'm Bellamy.”

He runs his hand through his dark brown hair. “I'm Josh, and I insist. Let me help you,” he says and leads the way to the freezer.

I hop up onto the counter and watch as Josh makes his way around the kitchen. He finds a bag, fills it with ice, wraps it in a paper towel, and hands it to me.

“Thank you,” I say, trying my best not to reveal how awkward I feel about having a stranger cater to me. I'm watching where his hands are, carefully balancing the ice on my arm, when a gruff voice interrupts the moment.

“I’ll take it from here.” I don’t have to glance in his direction; I’d know that attitude anywhere.

Josh eyes him for a moment, then glances back at me. “I got it. No worries, brother.”

“Wasn’t really a question,” Cash basically snarls.

Josh pops an eyebrow at him, and I can feel the tension swirling around us. I place my hand on Josh’s chest. “It's okay. Thank you for helping me. I’ll find you in a bit.”

I swear I hear Cash growl at that. Thankfully, Josh is smart enough to realize he needs to step away.

Cash’s hands wrap around the ice pack. “Are you okay?” he asks, the golden flecks in his eyes shining. The concern I see quickly replaces the waves of rage that were wafting off him just moments ago. It makes my stomach flutter traitorously.

“Yeah, I’m fine. He twirled me around, and I wasn’t ready for it.”

“I saw,” he grumbles as he rubs my wrist in slow, soft motions. Goosebumps erupt down my arms at his touch.

“Didn’t realize you could see through Tori’s head.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize it. I try my best not to let her get to me, but I can’t help it. Out of everyone…he chose her.

He eyes me with a warning. The unspoken words float between us, and dread coupled with resentment floods my veins.

You did this. You pushed him away.

Needing to escape his vicinity, I make a show of rotating my wrist. “WOW, look at that. Feeling so much better.”

Spotting Tori across the way, searching pathetically for Cash, I hop off the counter and put the ice pack in the sink.

“Thanks for your help,” I say, just as she enters the kitchen.

“Don’t forget, I’m going to come earlier than normal in the morning,” he says, referring to our Sunday ride. How can I forget? It’s one of the days I look forward to the most. But since we’re also having a pool party at my apartment complex tomorrow, we need to make sure we get back in time.

“Yeah, yeah,” I reply, waving him off, acting all nonchalant when, in reality, I just want to run as far away from the two of them as possible.

Seeing them together hurts worse than falling off that horse and breaking my wrist.

I set out looking for Josh, in hopes of using him as an escape. When I pass through the living room, I spot his tall frame across the way, surrounded by a hoard of girls. All of which are practically hanging all over him.

Mmm, no thanks. Not in the mood to fight off swarms.

Glancing around, my eyes land on Connor in the corner with a couple of his baseball teammates. I switch gears and head in his direction.

A huge smile spreads on his face when I approach. “Hey, gorgeous. Fancy seeing you here,” he teases, considering this is where we met at the back-to-school party Hudson brought him to.

I swat at him playfully. “Hey, handsome.”

He flashes me a megawatt smile, and I return it right back.

“Are you down to leave?” I lean in and whisper to him, hoping like hell he doesn’t have his eyes set on anyone else.

He nods, then finishes the last of his beer. Connor says goodbye to his teammates and links his arm through mine.

Hudson stands up to hug me and whispers in my ear, “You trying to get my teammate murdered?”

I let out a low chuckle. “He’ll get over it.”

“Yeah right.” He raises his eyebrows at me pointedly.

“Don’t worry, Hud.” I pat his chest and turn back toward Connor.

“Your place or mine tonight?” he asks as we head through the party.

“How about mine? I have to be up early, though,” I warn him.

“Breakfast in bed, it is.” He bumps into my shoulder, causing me to chuckle.

I don’t look up before we head out the door. I know Cash is watching me leave with Connor.

I can feel his eyes on me with every step leading me to the door.