Chapter 12

Present day…

Mo

"Another one."

Hunter squats in front of me, his knees shaking to the point of concern. Sweat drips down his forehead as he pushes the barbell back up to standing.

We make eye contact in the mirror and I can see the desperation in his eyes.

"Another one."

Hunter grunts but does as he's told, lowering himself back down like a man on the verge of death. I can see some of his teammates watching through the mirror, each of them wincing as Hunter's knees bow inward.

Stepping forward, I calmly help Hunter re-stack the barbell and as soon as the weight is off his shoulders, the sophomore collapses to the ground in front of me.

I glance down at the sweaty body heaving on the ground, "That was enough for today. Go stretch and then you can hit the showers."

"Yes Coach." Hunter barely lifts his head as I walk away.

The rest of the team is huddled around the bench press, watching one of the new defensemen push the barbell above his chest.

"C'mon, Preston! You can do it!"

Nico cheers as the rookie does another rep and Wes helps him re-stack the barbell. I watch, unimpressed, as the co-captains hand out back claps and high fives to everyone around.

"Great job, guys. Remember to drink lots of water on your rest day tomorrow."

Wes gives the group a dimpled smile while Nico mimes taking shots behind him. Chuckles go around the room and I feel a smirk tug the corner of my mouth.

"And don't forget to help out with move-in this week. It will go towards your volunteer hours."

Nico steps forward and whispers something in Wes' ear. The co-captain laughs and the smirk falls from my lips.

"Practice dismissed. Keep your eyes peeled for any struggling freshmen!"

Wes gives everyone one last wave before he grabs a cleaning rag and starts wiping down the equipment. I let the team funnel out of the performance room before walking over to Nico and snatching the cloth out of his hands.

"Captains are supposed to be the leaders of the team. Not the cheerleaders." Crossing my arms, I give him a pointed look, "And you should be home resting. Not wasting your energy on rookies who can barely bench two plates."

"Concerned for my well-being, Maurice? I'm touched."

"It's not your well-being I'm concerned about."

Nico's dark eyes dance with amusement, "You sure about that?"

My brows furrow as annoyance pounds through me, "Positive. The only reason you're on this team is because you are a somewhat decent goalie. If your body is out of commission, there's no point in even competing for the championship banner this season."

The words are harsh but Nico's grin remains solidly in place.

"Last time I checked, my body was in working order. But I'd be happy to let you take a closer look." His gaze flicks to my lips and my irritation spikes.

"Do you not take anything seriously?"

"Only serious things." Nico grins, giving me an obvious once-over, "You on the other hand, don't have that problem."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He raises an eyebrow, the scruff on his jaw noticeably thinner than it was a few days ago.

He must have shaved since we made out.

For some reason, the thought irritates me.

"To put it bluntly, you walk around with a stick up your ass. The only time I have seen you loosen up is when you are either drunk or horny." He smirks, "Both of which were thanks to yours truly."

Closing the distance between us, I lean forward until our noses are almost touching. Nico's eyes go wide, his eyes darting between my face to the few stragglers still roaming around the performance room.

"Don't get the mistaken impression you're something special, Montez. You aren't the first guy to get me drunk and you certainly aren't the last. And as for that kiss in the locker room the other day?"

Letting my eyes drop to his lips, I watch the grin slide off his face, "It was unmemorable. Which is exactly how your reign as team captain is going to be."

I regret the words the second they leave my mouth, but I'm sure as hell not taking them back. Dropping the cleaning rag into the bin, I turn and walk away before I see the hurt cross Nico's face.

"I thought it was you!"

A small body tackles me from behind, the familiar squeal immediately easing the tension from my shoulders.

I laugh, wrapping my arms around Stella, "I would have thought you sleep in now that Ellsworth doesn't have to train at this hour."

Hearing a deep chuckle, I look up and find Cody watching us with a smile.

"Your sister has a problem with sharing gym equipment so we have to go before the morning rush."

Stella pulls away and gives me an exasperated look, "Why would anyone think they can use the pull-up bar when I'm in the middle of the circuit?"

I tilt my head, "Did they know you were using it?"

She huffs, "How could they not? I had used it during the last four rounds."

Cody coughs, "Stel, most people only do four rounds."

Turning to her boyfriend, my sister narrows her gaze, "Whose side are you taking, Ellsworth?"

He grins, "Yours, of course."

"That's what I thought." Adjusting her topknot, Stella turns her attention back to me, "Want to join us for breakfast? We were just headed to the cafeteria."

I smile, "If they have protein shakes, lead the way."

Falling in step beside them, I take the chance to look around my old university. Not much has changed, Taber's limited budget was never anything impressive, so the overall structure and classroom layout appear to be the same. The only difference I can see are the event dates printed on the colourful posters hanging from the wall.

"You know, I heard a rumour the other day."

Tearing my gaze from the Punk Rockers banner hanging off the music hall's doorframe, I turn to see Stella grinning at me.

Cody snorts, "It's all she's been talking about for the last two days."

Stella ignores him and gives me a bright smile, "I heard that a certain lacrosse goalie might be into you."

"Really."

She slaps my arm, "I get enough sarcasm from Lou, I don't need it from you too."

Cody looks at me quizzically, "You don't seem surprised."

My mind flashes back to the groping session that went down in the locker room the other day. I lied when I told Nico our make out was unmemorable. The memory of his hands running down my bare chest and his tongue in my mouth is something that's been hovering over my head like a persistent storm cloud.

Always in control. Typical.

Clearing my throat, I shove the memory and Nico's words to the back of my mind.

"Montez has made it very clear what he wants from me."

Stella gives me a sly look, "Maybe you should go for it. Nico has quite a bit of experience under his belt."

I ignore her as we hop in line behind a group of girls also waiting to order, the short spandex shorts and team t-shirts making it easy to guess they came from the university's volleyball court. A few of them cut glances my way, giggles rising up from the group when I give the tallest one a wink.

Stella rolls her eyes, "They are way too young for you."

I give her a pointed look, "They are probably the same age as Montez."

She waves away my comment, "Nico is mature for his age."

Cody laughs, "Not sure about that one, Stel."

I give my friend a nod, "Exactly."

The line shuffles forward and we place our orders. Reaching for the largest protein shake on the counter, I find a receipt with a number waiting for me.

Cody grins, "Good to see some things don't change."

Stella shakes her head with a sigh, "And here I was hoping some things would."

I don't say anything as we make our way over to a table, leaving the receipt untouched on the counter.

You and me both.

Nico

I fucking jinxed it.

Hiding my grimace behind the stack of moving boxes in my arms, I try to keep my voice as upbeat as possible, "It could be worse, Lace. You could have your brother as your roommate."

"I guess."

Lacey looks sullen as we place the last of her stuff on the Styrofoam mattress this university calls a bed. Thankfully, I'd thought ahead and purchased the necessary 4-inch mattress topper so my favourite girl wouldn't wake up crippled tomorrow.

Not that her sleeping arrangements are the biggest concern right now.

Pulling up my dance party playlist, I hit play and start pulling random items out of the boxes.

"Seriously though, you need to tell Wes the shower karaoke has to stop. I haven't been able to nap since we moved back in."

Lacey giggles and starts to sway to the music, her willowy body becoming more relaxed with each Latin beat.

"I'll remember that the next time we get into an argument."

I grin, taking her hand and twirling her around the room until more laughter eases the ache in my chest.

"I'm always happy to provide blackmail material."

We keep dancing until the song fades into the next one. Lacey sighs, slowing to a stop and tucking her head under my chin.

"She hates me, Nico."

I wince, "Hate is a strong word. Dislike might be more fitting."

"Trip always talks about how amazing her roommate Stella is. How am I supposed to have a good university experience if I'm trying to hide from my roommate the whole time?"

She blinks up at me, those beautiful green eyes identical to those of her brother.

"You've only had one interaction. There's lots of time for roommate bonding." I flinch when a bang hits the wall separating the two dorm rooms.

"TURN DOWN THE MUSIC OR I'M CALLING HOUSING SERVICES!"

Lacey looks at me in panic and I give her a weak smile, "Roommates are overrated. Ditch this depressing dorm and move in with Wes and me."

"I'M CALLING THEM RIGHT NOW!"

Marching over to the adjoining wall, I bang my fists as hard as I can.

"This is Enrique, you tasteless snob!"

Silence ensues and I hear Lacey stifle a laugh behind me. Giving her a victorious grin, I pump my fist just as the door swings open.

Oh shit.

Green hair and piercings occupy the doorway of Lacey's new bedroom and it takes all my willpower not to throw myself out the window. The girl's leather jacket screams fight me and the amount of eyeliner she's got smudged under her eyes probably costs more than my monthly food budget.

"What did you say to me?"

Narrowing her eyes, Lacey's new roommate looks like she's about two seconds away from pummelling me. And if her septum ring is anything to go by, this freshman has a much higher pain tolerance than I've ever had.

"Babe, you were disrespecting Enrique Iglesias."

"Who?" Cecelia's brows furrow as if she thinks I'm still the problem. Just as I"m about to launch into a lecture on culture appreciation, a loud gasp echoes from the dorm's living room.

"Have you never heard Hero before? Or Bailando?"

Cecelia frowns as Wes comes walking in, his timing as impeccable as always.

"That's not even English."

He grins, popping those dimples for all their worth, "That's what we call culture. My good friend Nico here actually speaks Spanish fluently." Wes throws me a wink, "He'd be happy to teach you. Just say the word."

My best friend is a cruel man.

I smile painfully at the Enrique hater, "Translator and part-time linguistics instructor at your service."

She ignores me, studying Wes with curiosity. If I didn't know better, I would say there was even a spark of interest in those blue eyes…

"Are you single?"

I choke on my tongue, coughing and laughing to the point of needing an ambulance.

Lacey grimaces, "That's my brother."

Cecelia cocks out a hip, "So?"

Wes looks at me in panic but I'm already on fire control.

"I'm afraid that fine man over there is happily cuffed. Should that status change however, you will be the first to know."

I give her a big grin, ignoring the death glare Wes is sending my way.

What can I say? Karma is a bitch.

"Deal."

Cecelia nods, her eyes lingering on Wes before heading back to her room. The second we hear her door close Lacey lets out a snort.

"Thanks for being the peace treaty, Wesley."

Wes groans, covering his face with his hands, "That was wrong on so many levels."

I grin, "But now Lacey has a conversation starter and incentive for good roommate behaviour."

She smiles, walking over to flick her brother on the nose, "We all know Trip isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Stop being a drama queen and help me unpack."

"Yes ma'am."

Picking up the closest box, Wes rips off the top and starts stacking books on Lacey's desk. I follow suit, returning my attention to the box in front of me. I smile as I pull photographs out of the box, clips from Lacey's childhood and our teenage adventures filling me with warm memories.

"Do you want to hang or fold your shirts?"

Lacey sighs dramatically, "Always hang, Wesley. That way they don't get wrinkled."

"You know, there is this wonderful invention called an iron."

I grin, listening to the familiar sibling banter as I empty out Lacey's stash of memories. A flash of orange catches my eyes and I feel my grin falter as my fingers wrap around the pill bottle rolling around the otherwise empty box.