Page 58 of The Pass Protection
“That’s what you have to say for yourself?”
Whipping around, I fling my arms out. “What do you want me to say, Grant? The three of us were, in fact, watching a movie since our fourth roommate is having a study session in the main room.”
“Then why didn’t you answer your phone? I called and texted.” Grant places his hands on his hips, and now he resembles our father so much.
Walking over to my nightstand, I reach down and hold up my phone. “Because it was on the charger.”
His nostrils flare as he slowly nods his head. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” My eyebrows raise as I stare back at him.
He runs his fingers through his hair. “I just worry about you. This semester has been a lot more hectic than I thought it would be, and we haven’t had the opportunity to spend any time together.”
“I appreciate you wanting to look out for me, but I’m not a little girl anymore.” He starts to interrupt, but I hold my hand up. “But thatdoesn’t give you the right to come in here and accuse me of sleeping with your teammates.”
Even though Iamsleeping with one of them. Guilt swarms in my stomach as the words taste like bile slipping from my lips.
He sighs, glancing around my room. My eyes track his, and I pray there isn’t any sign of Crew in my room. We’ve been careful not to leave things behind, and since I don’t have social media anymore, I don’t have to worry about slipping up and posting something.
“How about this,” I start, approaching my brother. “We find a time in the next week to spend time together, just the two of us.”
He tips the corner of his lips up in a soft smile. “I’d like that.”
Eating the space between us, I throw my arms around him. “I love you, big brother.”
“I love you, little sis.”
With a final squeeze, I break our hug and playfully punch him in the arm. “Wanna go kick the guys’ ass in NBA 2K23?”
“Oh, fuck yeah.”
A wide grin slides over my face as Grant tosses his arm over my shoulder and leads me out of the room
Jett: Happy 21st, little bro!
Saylor: Happy 21st! Drink up for me!
@saylor-riggsby has tagged you in a photo
@ctueaglesfb has mentioned you in their story
@qboyd31 has tagged you in a photo
The blaring sound of my alarm has my arm swinging to the side to grab my phone. Sliding my thumb against the screen, silence falls over the room. It’s Monday morning, and my body is not ready to start this week. The team had a tough away game against a scrappy opponent. We kicked it into gear during the second half and pulled out a forty-two to seventeen victory.
Stretching my arms in the air, I tilt my head from side to side before rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Tossing the covers off my body, I sleepily leave my room and go to the bathroom I share with Bret. We arrived at the apartment yesterday and found Bret on a cleaning spree. Music blared from her speaker, and all of the windows, including the sliding glass doors, were open. She insisted she didn’t want our help, and my body was too sore to argue.
Scanning our shared bathroom, I notice all of her items are missing from the counter. Everything is tucked away in its place. It’s very unusual for her to put her things away. As much as my chaotic mind strives for order, I don’t push her on the state of our bathroom. Instead, I let her do what she wants since it’s her space too.
Pulling open the drawer to grab my toothbrush, I find a sticky note sitting on top. Gripping the yellow paper, I read over her handwriting as a yawn breaks free.
I smile as I read over how she signed the note with the nickname I gave her. Tucking the paper in my pocket, I reach for my toothbrush. As I brush my teeth, I can’t help but think about how crazy this school year has been.
Bret showing up at our doorstep was not something I would have imagined happening, especially because she’s our new roommate. As frustrated as I was that she showed up and lied about her name—okay, she didn’tlieper se, but she definitely withheld information in our friendship—I’m thrilled she’s here. This year is challenging with the pressure of football and classwork, not to mention the homesickness that hits me in waves, but having Bret here has been a saving grace.
Even with her dark past and an asshole ex who caused unnecessary drama in her life, she isn’t letting it ruin her. Thegirl is always wearing a smile, cracking jokes, and leaving a trail of warmth wherever she goes. She might not see it, but I sure as hell do.
Opening the bathroom door, I scratch at my chest hair and stumble into the living room, still half asleep. My feet trip over each other as I take in the living room. Between the coffee table and TV stand are piles of inflated balloons. Turning toward the dining table, I find a big cutout photo of myself jumping in the air for a pass. A construction paper sign is taped to the image, saying, “21 and ready to tackle the booze!”
