Page 3 of Stroke of Fate

Living by myself will take some getting used to, and I’m slowly adding personal touches to the place.

My new bedroom walls are stark white and bare, and I make a mental note to work on this room first. A pop of color would brighten it up and give it some character.

It’s nothing like the soft creams of my bedroom back home, but I don’t need it to be. It’s also about half the size, and the dresser barely holds all the clothes I brought, but I’m making it work.

Like the rest of the apartment, the furniture is minimal but in far better condition than I expected—thank God for small miracles. I was skeptical when I read online that the apartments came furnished, especially since it’s not a new building. But it’s clean and, more importantly, a blank page in my story.

And that’s exactly what I want—a fresh start—an opportunity to create new memories that aren’t intertwined with Hunter and our past.

“I know, but I’m glad we had one last summer together before you left me,” Pia says. Despite the tease in her tone, there’s a lingering sadness I’m all too familiar with.

I know she’s happy for me, but Colorado isn’t exactly a car ride away from California.

“You’re still coming up for my birthday weekend, right?” I ask, needing something good to focus on so I don’t lose it and start bawling over the phone.

Although my birthday is still three months away, I’m excited. It falls on Halloween weekend, and we’ve been planning this for a while.

“Absolutely,” Pia confirms. “I’ve already started working on my parents, so when I book my flight, they won’t have any reason to object.”

Muffled voices filter through the line before I can reply.

“Ugh, I gotta go,” Pia says, returning to the phone. “Tia needs my help with something.”

Pia has three younger sisters, and it’s not unusual for one of them to knock on her door mid-conversation.

“Okay, tell her I say hi.”

“Will do. She’s already asking when you’re coming back to visit.”

I smile at that, but it’s her next words that make my heart squeeze tight.

“Proud of you, Care Bear. Call me this week.”

With a promise to do just that, we end the call.

I feel better and lighter even after our conversation.

And damn proud of myself too.

This is one giant leap into the unknown—completely out of character. My stomach churns with excitement and anticipation for what tomorrow might bring. But my gut tells me that despite my fears, I am making the right choice, so I hold on to that.

It’s the fresh start I never wanted but desperately need.

Huh, maybe Pia is onto something about having a positive mental attitude.

2 | LEVI

“Damn, it felt like Coach was trying to punish us for those measly few weeks we got off in the summer,” Mack groans, leaning his forearms against the elevator wall and arching his back to stretch his muscles.

I grunt in agreement, my own shoulders stiff under my shirt. It was nice to get a break from the constant grind of early morning swim practices, but now that summer vacation is officially over, we’re back at it.

So, Mack wasn’t kidding. Coach really was out to kick our asses this morning. And considering it was the first official swim practice of the season, we were all a little rusty.

“Got my shoulders stiffer than my morning wood,” Mack mumbles, standing upright again as the elevator dings and the doors slide open.

“Does everything with you have to involve your dick?” I groan, following him out into the hallway.

“I don’t see the ladies complaining.” He smirks over his shoulder.

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