Page 9 of The Pass Protection
Getting up from my bed, I head out to the quiet apartment. Flicking on the TV, I turn on Sports Center to fill the noise while I get everything set up for game night. I remember Grant telling usthat he and his sister used to have epic video game battles so I know she can play.
In the kitchen, I pull down napkins and paper plates before grabbing the tote in the pantry, which is full of junk food. Is it the best thing we should be eating tonight? Nope. But desperate times call for Doritos and Red Vines.
Once the supplies are gathered, I drop them off at the coffee table before walking to Harris’s room. With a quick knock, I wait for him to answer.
The door swings open, and Tyler stands scowling in front of me. “Roommate video game tournament in fifteen minutes.”
Tyler goes to protest, but I stop him. “We need this. She needs this. C’mon.”
With a deep sigh, I watch as he finally accepts. “I’ll be right out.”
I nod before going to Bret’s room. I can hear music playing softly from behind her door, and my heart hurts at the fact that she feels like she needs to hide away. Rapping my knuckles against the wood grain, I wait again for my roommate to open the door. It takes her longer to come to the door, but when she finally opens the barrier separating us, my eyes widen as I take in her appearance.
My eyes trail down the woman standing before me. Her olive-tanned skin is fully displayed. Scanning up her legs, I take in the muscular calves and thighs only someone who works out possesses. I stifle the groan when my eyes lock on the tiny navy boy shorts she’s wearing before my blatant perusal climbs her tight stomach. Are those abs peeking out? Her arms are folded across her chest in annoyance, but I can’t help myself. I’m obsessed with her.
Her naturally plump lips are the perfect shade of pink but are set in a firm line. I trace the curves of her face with my eyes and land on the bright green eyes that magnetize mine.
“Are you done? Or would you like to take a picture?” she snaps, and I can’t fight the sly smirk that spreads across my face.
“Is a picture an option?” I ask, leaning my forearm against her doorframe. I’m six foot five, and Bret stands more than half a foot shorter than me, hitting me around my chin.
She surprises me back, gently slapping my stomach as we both laugh.
“Oh my gosh, Crew. You’re terrible.” It’s brief, but I take in the smile that warms her face. It’s like a curtain falls, and her face hardens. “Did you need something?”
“Yeah, roommate video game night is starting.” Just like with Harris, she starts to interrupt me, but I stop her. “Don’t even, we’re all doing this, and your brother has let it slip multiple times that you kick ass at gaming.”
She bites down on the corner of her lip, and I know she’s trying hard to keep from smiling. With an eye flutter, she turns, tossing out, “Fine. Let me change.”
Stepping away from her door, I will myself to head to the living room where Tyler and JP are waiting. The apartment is bathed in a golden hue as the sun starts setting on our last night of freedom. Tomorrow starts a new school year, and this weekend is our first game. The summer went by too fast, and with all the new tension since Bret arrived, I knew we all needed a fun night. A night where we can relax, steal a couple of cars—on Grand Theft Auto, of course—and veg out before our chaotic schedules have everyone running in opposite directions.
Sinking onto my spot on the couch, I adjust the pillow underneath my elbow until I’m at the maximum level of comfort while still being able to handle the controller. Opposite me, JP tosses me a controller while Harris gets situated in the corner of the sectional. Somehow, thethree of us have worked out our positions on the couch, and each of us has dubbed those positions our spots. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Bret leave the solace of her bedroom in a pair of loose-fitting fleece shorts that resemble cutoff sweatpants and a longer sports bra.
We all must be staring at her—I know I am. I can’t keep my eyes off her—because Bret pauses her steps as she quirks an eyebrow at us.
“What? You guys can parade in your shorts and no shirt. Well, so can I.” She pauses, her gaze never leaving ours. “Anyone have a problem with it?”
“N-no,” Harris splutters.
Bret nods while mumbling, “Good,” as she takes her spot between Harris and me. Tyler stretches his hand to her, holding the extra controller. With a hesitant sigh, she takes it from him, and I watch as she brushes her fingers across his skin. She shifts awkwardly on the couch, her stiff body moving back and forth as she tries to find a comfortable position. The cushions do nothing to alleviate her uncertainty as she worries her lip between her teeth.
What I’d give to take a peek inside the mind of Bret Addison Campbell and figure out who in their right mind could hurt such a beautiful person.
“Dammit!” JP yells from the couch. “Why am I always the one being chased by the cops?”
“Maybe because you drive like you just stole a car—oh wait, you did. Right in front of them, dumbass!” Bret retorts, chompingdown on a Red Vine.
Harris nudges her shoulder as he laughs at her sarcasm. We’ve been playing GTA for the past hour. Pizza and Doritos are long gone, and so is the ice that froze the mood in the apartment.
“Don’t worry, JP, I’ll hire you legal counsel when you get your ass thrown in jail,” Harris adds.
Bret clicks away on her controller, her eyes never leaving the screen. “You’ll be the only one able to afford legal counsel, Mr. Next Number One Draft Pick.”
With a glance so he doesn’t crash, Harris flashes his gaze toward the raven-haired beauty who is currently kicking our asses. Grant said she was good, but I didn’t think she was this good. Maybe we should be concerned about how well she navigates all these heists.
“You mean that?”
She looks over at him, her eyes softening as a subtle, earnest smile spreads across her lips. “Of course I do. Your accuracy and arm strength are one of the best in college football. And your work ethic and football IQ are both out of the world.”
