Page 106 of Baseball and Shifters

Dean Harold exhales like he’s been holding his breath for an hour. “Wonderful. We’ll arrange the keys and you can move in this afternoon.”

We exit the conference room as a unit, moving through the halls and back out into the crisp late spring air. Derrick has a bounce in his step now, and Bas keeps mumbling something about ordering a ‘massive’ bed frame. Liam suggests a photo wall for the living room and Lucas is already talking about setting up a full coffee bar and wondering if there’s a porch. I let their chatter wash over me like sunlight. It feels warm and safe, and so earned.

As we round the building heading back for the dorms I spot three figures huddled together on one of the benches about halfway up the path. When we get a little closer I can finally make out who it is.

Maya. Dallas. Aubree.

They see me and practically launch themselves off the bench.

“RACHEL!” Aubree shouts, sprinting toward me.

I barely have time to brace myself before she barrels into me, wrapping her arms around my middle and squeezing like she worries I’ll disappear.

Dallas and Maya join in a second later, forming a messy, tearful group hug. I laugh, and then I cry too.

“You idiot,” Dallas chastises, her voice cracking. “Don’t youeversneak off in the middle of the night again.”

“I thought I’d have to trample someone to death,” Maya mutters, squeezing me tighter.

“I love you guys,” I say, voice muffled by all of their hair and the hoodie fabric I’m being squished into. “So much.”

They pull back just far enough to look at me. All three of them are crying. Maya’s makeup has definitely migrated to someone else's shoulder and Aubree's nose is pink and snotty, but I’ve never loved them more than I do this very moment.

“Are you okay?” Aubree asks, her voice gentle and hesitant.

“I’m getting there,” I say honestly. “I gave them my statement just now. The investigators say they have everything they need now and that I likely won’t have to go before the council. Ranger and Trent are both looking at a long time behind bars.”

“Good,” Dallas growls, sounding more like a protective mama bear than an otter.

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “They definitely deserve it. Also… the school offered us something kind of amazing.”

“Oh?” Maya responds with a raised eyebrow.

I wipe my face, sniffle once, and grin. “They offered us a house. One of the faculty townhouses. They’re opening up an unused block for bonded packs.”

“Oh, so you’re just going to leave us?” Dallas sasses, the glare says she’s serious but the fact that she can’t hold it and a grin breaks out across her face says different. “I’m just kidding girl. We already know. Mama Ashford showed up at the dorm about an hour ago with boxes and filled us in.”

“Yeah,” Maya nods. “And get this, she invited all of us back to their mansion for spring break!”

“Really?” I ask my eyes searching out Demi, who just chuckles and nods his response. “Eeek! I can’t wait for break now. If I’m honest I was kind of dreading being on campus all alone, because I’m definitely not going back to Ranger’s house.”

Dallas wrinkles her nose. “We never would’ve left you here alone. You’re stuck with us now. Forever.”

“Even if we have to share you with four hot men,” Aubree adds with a wink. “Which, honestly, is super generous of us.”

Bas groans playfully from behind me. “They’re going to be at the house all the time, aren’t they?”

“Absolutely,” I say, turning just enough to grin at him over my shoulder. “You better start working on that ‘massive’ bed you mentioned.”

Lucas snorts. “Don’t give him an excuse. He’ll build you a throne made of throw pillows.”

“Correction,” Bas says smugly. “A throne and a blanket castle.”

We all dissolve into laughter again, light, easy, and full of love.

We make our way back to the girls dorm building, still tangled in laughter and sunshine. When we reach the front of the building Helene is waiting for us. Her arms are crossed, and her mouth is tight.

Her eyes land on me, then narrow with an unmistakable mom energy. She’s dressed in crisp cream slacks and a teal blouse that makes her look like she’s about to host a brunch-slash-intervention.

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