Page 90 of Baseball and Shifters

I need a few hours to just breathe, and laugh. To just be a girl with her friends instead of a target.

So I don’t say anything.

I tuck the memory into a quiet corner of my mind and focus on forcing a smile as we step out of the dorm and into the hall.

“I can’t believe it’s Friday already,” I say. “Feels like the week flew by.”

Liam grins. “Well, time flies when you’ve got a whole pack of distractions.”

I bump my shoulder against his as we walk. “You’re not wrong.”

When we reach Professor Stone’s english class my heart warms at the sight of Bas leaning against the wall. He snuckout early this morning and I haven’t seen him since dinner last night. I might be worried he was keeping something from me if it wasn’t for his reaction to seeing me. His whole face lights up just like the bond as he smiles. Pushing off the wall, he stalks me, like the deadly predator he is. His dark hair is perfectly tousled, like he just ran a hand through it, and the green in his hazel eyes seems even more vivid against the black of his t-shirt.

“Good morning, Firefly,” he says, pulling me in for a small peck. The heat of his palm on my lower back centers me, calming some of the lingering unease I’ve been carrying.

“Morning,” I murmur, giving him a little smile as he pulls back.

Liam offers him one of the sandwiches from the bag. “D figured you hadn’t eaten yet either so he threw one in here for you.”

Bas snorts but takes it with a thankful nod. “He’s not wrong. Thank you.”

As the hallway begins to fill with students, the three of us step into class together. The familiarity of routine settles over me like a soft blanket. I climb the stairs and take my seat on Maya’s right while Bas and Liam engage in a ridiculous game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who gets to sit on my other side. Bas wins and Liam grumbles under his breath about cheaters as he takes the last seat in our row while Bas sits next to me, a handsome smirk on his face. Shaking my head at their antics, I pull out my notebook and try to focus on what Professor Stone is saying. During the lecture, I doodle mindlessly in the margin of my notes, half-listening, half-lost in thought.

By the time classes end for the day, the sun is dropping lower in the sky and the courtyard is buzzing with pre-weekend energy.

Bas slings his bag over his shoulder as we walk out of the building. “You heading back to your dorm?”

“Yes, she is,” Aubree answers for me. “You’ve had her long enough. It’s time you learned how to share.”

“I know how to share,” Bas huffs indignantly. “I share her with my three best friends.”

“That’s not the same as sharing her with us. You still get to see her when you’re sharing her with them,” Aubree tips her head towards Liam. “Not us. We don’t have to share on our night.” She sticks her tongue out and I can’t help the laugh that bursts free.

“It’ll be fine. You can live without me for one night,” I tease. “Besides, you have your own guys’ night planned, right?”

“Trust me, I’d much rather have Rachel night than guys’ night,” Bas grumbles.

“You get Rachel night tomorrow. After you win your game.” I wink at him, thinking of the first after-game Rachel night. The way his eyes flame tells me he’s remembering that night too.

Liam raises a brow. “You sure you don’t want us to walk you over there?”

I shake my head. “No, I’ll be fine. I’m with Maya and Aub. I’m not alone.”

Neither of my mates appear happy with that, but they don’t push it. I don’t know how they always know when to push me and when to step back but I thank the fates every day for giving me such understanding mates.

We cross the quad slowly, taking our time. Lucas spots us from a distance and waves, jogging the last few feet until he can throw an arm around my shoulders.

“You trying to sneak away without saying goodbye?” he teases, squeezing me briefly.

“I knew you’d find me,” I say with a smile. “Since you’re here now, consider this my goodbye. I’ll see you tomorrow after the game.”

Derrick joins us a second later. “You sure you’re good, Emerald? We really don’t mind walking you to where you’re going.”

I nod, hugging him. “I’ll be fine. You guys go enjoy your dinner and whatever it is you’ll be doing for ‘boys’ night’. I’m sitting with your parents again tomorrow, so I’ll see you then.”

“Text us when you get there,” Bas says, voice low.

“I will,” I promise.

---