Chapter 26

" A nd this…" Wren's phone camera scrolled across the square, "is the Trevi fountain. Obvi." She flipped the view back so that Lila could see her face again as she wandered to find a place to sit down in the busy square. From her vantage point sitting on her bed, Lila was delighted to see that Wren looked serene and happy. Spain, Greece, and now Italy had been treating her friend well. Thank heavens for technology so they could FaceTime each other.

"It's beautiful, Wrenny. We'll have to go back together someday."

"Trust me, bestest, I've already planned our itinerary."

"I'd expect nothing less." Lila grinned. "I'm impressed you've been able to travel so much and do school at the same time. I need my summers at least partially off to recover."

"That's because you get 4.0s in college like that's normal or something," Wren snorted. "Some of us are fine with Bs. They get degrees, after all."

"Fair point."

"Besides, it's actually easier in a way, because we're seeing all of the art and architecture we're studying in real life. Ionic columns are a lot cooler once you've seen them at the Parthenon, you know?"

"You mean the ones at the admin building on campus don't do it for you?" Lila teased.

"Dammit, I miss you," Wren sighed.

"Same. But I'm proud of you. I think the distance is just what you needed."

Wren looked pensive for a minute. "How's Knight doing?"

Lila rolled her eyes affectionately. "I could grab him and you could ask him yourself, you know."

Wren blushed. "I actually talked to him yesterday. Because that particular conversation was long overdue."

"And it went okay?"

Wren nodded. "I don't know how, but I have this calming feeling that everything is going to work out the way it's supposed to." She smiled at her friend. "The letter idea was a good one, Li. My first one back was an apology for everything after Jock Jam, which made it easier to start talking again."

"You were going through a lot, which I think Knight understands, but I think it's nice that you acknowledged what happened. He might look like he's super tough, but the man is a marshmallow inside," Lila mused. "In the best of ways."

Wren nodded. "That's one of the things I like about him. Before yesterday, we'd been FaceTiming a bit. Obviously, there's a lot to say, you know? A lot's changed since that night."

"I know. I'm trying to be here for both of you without inserting myself. But I think that since there are obviously some strong feelings there, you need to both put aside your insecurities and talk it out so that you can figure things out.

"Even though this is all big and scary, and frankly life-changing, I have a good feeling about your future. Even when one or both of you is acting ridiculous."

"Speaking of ridiculous… How are things with your new bestie, King? You realize I still want to cause him some bodily harm that may or may not involve handing his balls to him in a paper bag, right?"

"Again with the shockingly violent and shockingly specific maiming scenarios. Are you listening to murder podcasts again?"

"Guilty." Wren raised her hand. "But stop avoiding the question."

Lila raised a shoulder. "Things are fine. He's been coming around more and hanging out with the guys. I already told you that he gave me a damn fine apology." She shifted to uncross her legs. "So we're doing the friends thing. It's a relief, actually, to know where he stands."

"Mmhmm."

"Seriously. He's made it abundantly clear that he just wants to be friends. So I'm not overanalyzing everything like I did before." Lila started to ramble. "Actually, it's better, you know? I don't have to worry about what's going on if he doesn't text me back or wonder if we're done or wonder if he's with someone else. It's a delightful place, the friend zone."

"Aw, babe. You're still feeling feelings, aren't you?"

"Trying to stop," Lila mumbled.

"I hear that," Wren replied solemnly.

"We're quite the pair. Even with thousands of miles between us."

"Best friends for life. Soulmates forever."

"And ever."

After hanging up with Wren, Lila meandered downstairs. Bear was having breakfast with Demarcus. They'd just decided to upgrade their relationship from self-proclaimed "fuck buddies" to boyfriends, and they were sickeningly adorable. Hell, they'd even styled their cornrows in the same exact pattern in preparation for the season.

"Morning, boys. Heading to conditioning soon?" Football had started back up for her roomies, so they were gone a lot more.

"Yup," Bear answered, sliding a coffee her way. "Cashew milk and sugar, right?"

"Okay, you are officially my favorite this morning." She took a contented sip and sighed.

"Working today, Lila?" Demarcus asked.

"Closing." Both Demarcus and Bear's eyes lit up at the prospect of being fed. "And yes, I'll bring you two food."

"What about for your big bro?" Knight sauntered in, shirtless, hair still mussed from sleep.

"There will always be food for you, my friend."

"Appreciate that." He headed over to the fridge as Bear and Demarcus headed out.

"Don't you have practice with those two?"

He shook his head. "Defense is doing three-a-days. Offense is just doing two-a-days. So I'm good for another couple of hours."

"That sounds positively terrible, especially in this heat."

"Eh, it's all worth it for the six-pack," Knight joked as he patted his flat stomach.

"I mean, all of those abdominal muscles are a definite perk for sure."

Knight laughed and angled his head toward the carton of eggs that he'd just grabbed. "Want an egg?"

"Sure, thanks," Lila said as she settled into one of the barstools arranged around the kitchen island.

"Toast?"

"Yes, please. With lots of butter."

They sat in companionable silence while Knight worked, not speaking until they were halfway into their breakfast.

"So our new roommate is moving in tomorrow," Knight said casually. Like it wasn't kind of a bombshell.

Lila swallowed the bite she was chewing. "So that's actually happening? I kind of expected there to be a line of applicants and an extensive interviewing process. I was also kind of selfishly hoping I'd have a bathroom all to myself for the rest of the year. I'm so spoiled now," she teased with a whine.

"Sorry, Li. Our landlord, aka one of Bradley U's biggest donors, won't allow such a desirable room to remain empty. Especially not when an athlete wants the slot. So unless you want to pay double rent…" He winked at her feigned shudder. "But, trust me, he's been thoroughly vetted by Bear and me. He'll be on his best behavior as far as you're concerned. You'll always be safe here, Lila."

"Thanks. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous. But honestly, living with you guys has been so much fun and so much easier than what I had to deal with last year. And I can still walk around in my underwear during the summer because you're both not sexually attracted to me. So it's a win-win." She gestured down to the longline bralette and matching boxer brief–style bottoms she was currently wearing.

Knight laughed. "I'm sure our new roomie wouldn't mind if you kept that up."

"I mean, it's the same as wearing a bathing suit, so honestly, I don't know why some people are so weird about it. My own parents included. Like, you should have seen their faces when I told them I was living here. You'd think that we were having orgies every night or something." She laughed and rolled her eyes.

"Orgies just sound exhausting," Knight replied with a smirk.

"More exhausting than practicing 37 times a day?"

"Oh definitely. For reasons we will not get into right now, because then we'd have to get into feelings and how I'm only emotionally equipped to handle one woman at a time."

"How refreshingly non-cliché of you to desire monogamy in spite of being one of the most desired and sought after males on campus."

"What can I say? I'm just full of surprises."

"Indeed. I'm assuming our new roommate plays some form of sports ball?"

"I feel like it's okay for you to admit that you enjoy watching sports now, Lila. At least when it comes to football and soccer," Knight chuckled. "Hell, you even learned the rules and everything. And yes, new roommate plays…sports ball. Yeah, we'll go with that for now."

"Well, at least there will be something I can talk to him about, then."

"I think you'll get along just fine." Lila couldn't quite identify the cause of the gleam in Knight's eye and decided to redirect the conversation.

"So, abrupt subject change. I just got done talking to Wren…" At the mere mention of her, Knight Patrick blushed. Actually blushed. "And I'm just happy to hear that the two of you are talking, and I feel hopeful for what's to come. Obviously you're both crazy about each other, and I have every confidence that once you all process some things, you'll be able to work everything out."

"I think we're getting there," Knight said, shifting uncomfortably.

"And you're okay now that you know?"

"I'm…still processing. But I'm more than okay. I think I might be at a better place than I've been in a long time."

"And you're feet-over-ass in love with her."

His smile in response was tentative but also really tender. Lila almost felt the need to fan herself because of all of the love vibes wafting her way.

"Good. I love you both, so I'm here if you need to talk or process or whatever, but only if you ask me to. I'm fine to sit on the sidelines and watch this beautifully budding love story unfold before my very eyes." She punched his shoulder lightly. "Besides, I think you're both at a place now where you can hash things out on your own. And that's all I'll say about that," Lila finished with a wink, and Knight visibly relaxed.

She cleared their plates and put them in the dishwasher then returned to her friend and kissed the top of his head. "I'm going to hit the bookstore before it gets super busy. Have fun trying to not puke your guts out at practice."

He swatted at her playfully, and she headed upstairs to get dressed.