The Troublemaker

“Bullshit. You know this goes from here up to Ellis, right?” Mav asks. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it started in Ellis.”

“Sketchy bastards,” Dylan says.

“I’m surprised you didn’t go to Ellis,” Rodney says to me. “You transferred from NYU, right?”

“Yeah, and I don’t have a death wish.”

“You believe all those rumors?” That’s Dylan.

“About the missing girls and the secret societies?” I blink. “Uh, yeah.”

“You believe them?” He glances at Mitch, Maverick ,and Rodney, who all nod.

“I have a couple of friends in secret societies up there,” Maverick says, then shoots me a look. “Don’t get any ideas because I’m not giving you any names.”

“That’s fine.” I laugh. “I wouldn’t want them anyway. Like I said, I value my life. I have enough anxiety without having to worry about getting kidnapped and killed.”

“Fair point.” Mav slaps his legs as he stands up. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“What do you have going on right now?” Mitch asks.

“Rocky’s at the park and practice is canceled for me too so I figured I’d go practice with her.”

“Soccer too, huh?” Dylan says. “You’re just good at everything with a ball then?”

“Yup. Especially these two.” Mav grabs himself with both hands. I shake my head as we all laugh. He smiles and straightens. “Sorry, Mist. They just don’t stop trying me, you know?”

“It’s fine.” I shrug a shoulder. “I’ll walk out with you.”

“You’re leaving too?” Mitch asks.

“Yep. I have to catch up on homework before I go to work.” I flash a smile. “Bye, guys.”

Mav and I walk out of the apartment talking about our impending trip. He wants to go visit Jagger and I want to go visit my sister.

“You’re okay with this assignment? Having to see my brother all the time?”

“Yeah.” I sound as surprised as I feel. Mitchell’s and my relationship is something we’ve never openly discussed with anyone. As far as I knew, only my sister was privy to that information, but it makes sense that his brothers would know as well.

“Okay, because if you need other UNC athletes to follow around, you know where you can find us.”

“Thanks, Mavy.” I kiss his cheek when he leans down to say goodbye and I walk into the apartment next door.

Chapter Sixteen

I’m exhausted from yesterday’s overwhelming shift at the coffee shop, and even more exhausted from my mind running all night. I was fully intending to sleep in, but when I hear the doorbell, I immediately know it’s time for the morning run. Not today, Mitchell. It’s what I tell myself over and over as I brush my teeth and get a robe, and what I greet him with as soon as I open the door and find him on the other side of it, dressed in workout shorts and a T-shirt that I can tell he turned into a muscle tank top.

“What do you mean not today? Yes today.”

“No. I’m tired.” I yawn. “Like seriously tired.”

“So am I.”

“I’m not the athlete. You are.” I let go of the door and walk away, not even bothering to stop in the kitchen to make myself coffee. I am not going today.

“So?”

“So, I’m not the one getting paid for my NIL or whatever.”

He chuckles behind me. “Nice. I’m not either. I already told you, it’s not official yet.”

“Just as well. I’m not going.” I climb back into bed, robe and all, and pull the comforter up.

Instead of leaving, he walks to the other side of the bed and plops down with a sigh.

“Seriously?” I turn on my side and look at him.

“Your bed is comfortable. More comfortable than mine.”

“Take it up with your parents. Didn’t they furnish these apartments?”

“Yep.” He yawns, eyes closed. “Maybe we can take a nap and run when we wake up.”

“Maybe you should go run by yourself. I’m not interested.”

“I’m not interested in running by myself.”

“Well, you have two roommates.”

“Nope.” He opens his eyes and meets mine. “I want you to go with me.”

“How’d you get in my bed anyway? I didn’t invite you.”

“You want me to leave?”

“Not really.” I shrug. “As long as you don’t try anything stupid.”

“And get kicked out for good?” He chuckles. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

I wait for him to close his eyes and then I do the same. It’s comforting having him here. Very reminiscent of that summer we shared together, the one that changed everything between us.

Chapter Seventeen

Past

Misty

There was a knock on the door, quickly followed by the sound of the doorbell, that woke me up from a nap. I yawned as I got out of bed, pulling the long, thin robe closed. I was wearing short shorts and a tank top underneath. It wasn’t like I was in lingerie or naked, but still. Through the peephole, I saw Mitchell Cruz. My eyes widened. I hadn’t seen him since last year, and as I opened the door, I swore he’d grown at least a foot taller. He grinned as I came into view, and my heart stuttered.