Page 88 of Baseball and Shifters

I laugh, wiping at the corner of my eye.

“Guess we’d better get back out there.”

Together, we head back to our pack.

We get back to the living room and find everyone ready and waiting to finish the movie. Derrick's jaw is tense and he’s gripping his phone like a live grenade. I cross the room and sit in his lap wrapping my arms around his neck and looking deep into his gold flecked eyes.

“What did Demi say?”

“Nothing new really,” Derrick replies, softening under my touch. “Just that Ranger is a wanted man and considered dangerous. He says we should be safe on campus but to stay aware just in case.”

“He wouldn’t be dumb enough to come back on campus,” Lucas asserts, ever the positive thinker.

“Let’s hope not,” Derrick mutters, hugging me closer.

Monday afternoon rolls in warmer than expected, harsh, hot sunlight spills over the courtyard like mother nature forgot it’s still spring. I step into the quad and scan for my girls. A breeze lifts my black waves and with it a breath of freedom. Ever since shit went down with my father the guys have been hesitant to be very far from me. While being wrapped up in my mates has been safe and good, I missed hanging out with my girls.

“There she is!” Dallas calls from across the courtyard. “Our elusive fourth roommate, returned from the great testosterone wilderness.”

I laugh, and cross the lawn to join them where they are sprawled out on a picnic blanket. Dallas sips a pink smoothie while Maya and Aubree engage in a very serious debate over whether barbecue or cheddar and sour cream is the superior chip flavor.

“Sorry I’ve been MIA lately,” I say, settling in beside them.

“Girl, you’ve been M.I-mated,” Aubree says with a smirk. “We get it, just don’t forget about us little people when you’re all shacked up with the next Tribunal Leader, a tiger snack, and a set of sexy wolf twins.”

Maya nudges her. “Be nice. You know she’s been going through it.”

“Speaking of going through it,” Dallas adds. “Did I see correctly yesterday? Your father is on the lam and wanted for a whole slew of crazy shit?”

“Yup. That happened,” I say, blowing out a heavy breath. “Super dramatic. Arrest warrant, Council investigation, full-blown fugitive vibes. But honestly, I’m trying not to think aboutit. I just want to hang with my girls, soak up some sun, and pretend I’m not the poster child for shifter trauma.”

“We got you,” Dallas says, passing me a sandwich and a bottle of water. “We were just thinking. It’s time for a girls night. This Friday. Us, cozy PJ’s, junk food and eye masks.”

“Yes!” I answer before she’s even finished. “Absolutely. I miss you guys. I’ll be back to the dorm by six-thirty.”

“Hell yes.” Aubree grins.

With that settled we fall into a rhythm, trading stories, laughing about Aubree’s latest frog. I’m just starting to relax when a shadow falls over the blanket sending a chill up my spine.

“St. James.”

Trent.

All the warmth bleeds out of the air around me. I look up, and there he is. Shoulders squared, jaw tight, wild eyes. His cheeks are hollow, the circles under his eyes stark against his flushed skin. His shirt is wrinkled, like he’s been wearing it for days.

He looks like shit.

“Hopper,” I say flatly, not moving from my spot.

“You think you’re so special?” His voice is sharp and bitter. “You think you’ve won?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask.

“You and your damnmates.”The last word leaves his mouth like a curse word. “You’re the reason I’ve been expelled. You’ve ruined my life, my baseball career. And yet here you sit as if you’ve won? As if you’re safe?”

Dallas stands, smoothie still in hand. “You should turn around and walk away before this gets embarrassing.”

Trent doesn’t even look at her. His eyes are locked on me, like I'm the reason his world is falling apart. Which to be fair, I kind of am.

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