Out in the End Zone (Out in College 2)

I set my hand on the doorjamb and assumed a badass bouncer pose. Truthfully, I had no idea what I was doing now. I had zero interest in rustling lovers out of a borrowed bedroom, but it seemed almost cowardly to let Mitch deal with Chelsea’s badly behaved guests alone. This wasn’t his fight either.

Okay, fine. The truth was I didn’t want to leave him. Not until he told me more about his mystery project. I wanted all the titillating details, I mused, glancing backward when someone bumped my shoulder.

Fuck. Not again.

“Hey, Evan. Are you sure you want to go in there? They’re a bit preoccupied.” Amanda gave me a pretty pouty look I might have found interesting under other circumstances. Like A—if she wasn’t Derek’s ex and B—if she wasn’t interfering with whatever adventure I’d embarked on with Mitch.

“So I heard. Well…I didn’t actually hear but everyone else did,” I clarified.

Mitch rolled his eyes and knocked again. “Rory? Rory, it’s me.”

The knob twisted and then the door slowly inched open. A bare-chested, tattooed muscleman I assumed was Rory stepped into the light. “What are you doing here?”

He reminded me of a military badass with his camo-print pants, super short brown hair, and copious ink. He was my height but more muscular. I didn’t think I’d ever met Rory, but Mitch obviously knew him well. There was something in the way they looked at each other that was very…familiar.

Mitch lowered his voice when he spoke. “You have to leave.”

Amanda tugged at my elbow and gave me a meaningful look and hooked her thumb. “We should go too,” she whispered.

No way. I wasn’t going anywhere. I was too fascinated by the silent conversation happening between Rory and Mitch. It was weird as fuck and very interesting. Were they lovers?

The door flung open and a wild-eyed brunette with smeared mascara and red lipstick stormed into the hallway. She wore an unbuttoned red plaid men’s shirt that exposed her lacy black bra over her short, tight jean skirt. And she held a pair of high heels in one hand like a weapon. Next to the half-dressed man, it was easy to piece together the story. There was a fight, angry sex, and now…I had no clue. But I wanted to grab a chair and some popcorn and see what happened next. And I wanted to be sure Mitch was okay. The air was tense and unfriendly.

She bared her teeth and growled menacingly. “Oh, my God, Rory! I should have known. You just wanted to make him jealous, didn’t you? I hate you. Stay away from me, asshole!”

“Jenna, stop!” Rory yelled.

My football training kicked in. I operated on instinct. Protect and shield. Of course, my job on the field was to protect the quarterback and keep the ball safe, but I supposed the same applied to an angry woman making a break from the guy who’d pissed her off. I stepped in front of Rory, barring his way, then motioned for Amanda to go after Jenna.

“Leave her alone,” I said sharply.

“Who are you?” Before I could respond, Rory turned to Mitch with a frown. “Are you fucking this guy?”

“Yes,” I growled a half beat before Mitch said, “No.”

Mitch gaped at me in surprise, then stepped between us. He spoke in a voice so low, I wouldn’t have heard if I wasn’t standing a foot away. “Why are you doing this? It’s over. You know it.”

“No,” Rory whispered. “I miss you. I…please just—”

“Stop. Just…go home. Please,” Mitch replied sadly.

The ensuing standoff was intense. Especially for an outsider desperately trying to figure out what was going on.

“I don’t have my truck,” Rory said before rounding on me. “Who is he? He’s not good enough for you. He’s not going treat you right. I can tell and I—”

“I’ll call a ride for you,” Mitch replied before turning to me. “Would you mind making sure Jenna gets home okay? I know she’s with Amanda but—”

“Are you sure?” I stepped backward when he nodded, intending to launch into action but I stopped in my tracks. “Don’t disappear. I want to talk to you…babe.”

Mitch narrowed his gaze at the unexpected endearment, then inclined his head and turned away.

Fuck, this was strange. They didn’t go together at all. Mitch was willowy and elegant and vaguely effeminate while Rory was a muscle-bound meathead. He looked like the kind of guy who picked fights in bars for kicks. Or a schoolyard bully. Nope. I couldn’t see it. Or maybe I just didn’t like it.

I paused at the end of the hallway and glanced back at them. And immediately wished I hadn’t. Mitch held Rory’s hands while the bigger man bent his head in what looked like regret. They appeared to be deep in conversation, and I could only imagine it was one of those painful “it’s really over” chats. I should have walked away, but something rooted me to the spot. Yes, I was stuck on the incongruity of them as a couple, but I was also drawn to the emotion between them. It felt heavy…but real. Their connection fascinated me. It allowed me to let go of the physical differences and witness an intimacy that frankly made me…jealous.