Chapter Twenty-Seven

I look down at my watch and see that I have a little while before I need to meet Peyton. Veering off the path, I head toward the coffee shop to get a caffeine fix. The air is crisp as I walk across campus. The season is changing, and before I know it, we will have snow on the ground.

I hear a familiar laugh and look up and see Kellan waving goodbye to a group of guys.

"Kellan," I say, getting his attention.

It makes my heart clench when his smile falls when he sees me.

I come to a stop in front of him and force a smile. "Hey, how are you?"

"I'm okay," he says coolly.

"Good. Great."

He sighs. "What do you want, Grace?"

"I was hoping you had some time and we could talk. It's been a minute since we've seen each other."

"Yeah, and who's fault is that?" he sneers.

"Kellan," I say harshly.

His jaw clenches. "Sorry."

"Look, I was heading to the coffee shop to grab a drink. Would you like to join me?"

"I'm actually on my way to class."

"Oh yeah, sorry, I should have known."

Kellan's face softens. "How about I send you a message later this week and we can figure something out?"

I nod and offer him a smile. "I'd like that."

"Cool. I'm going to go." He points down the sidewalk behind me.

"Sure. Have a good day," I say as he passes by.

I groan when he's out of hearing distance. That was painful, even for me. I don't know what I was hoping to get out of that conversation, but it wasn't that. Shaking my head, I continue down the path and make my way to the coffee shop.

"Hi, what can I get you today?" the barista asks when I walk up to the counter.

"Hi, can I get a large white chocolate mocha, please?"

"Of course," she says as she rings me up.

After I pay for my drink, she gets to making it while I look around the coffee shop. I wander over to the display of glasses and check them out. Some of them are cute, but nothing that I need to buy.

"Here you go," she says, getting my attention.

"Thank you," I tell her as I take my cup.

I head out the door and head toward the library to meet Peyton. The walk across campus goes by quickly, but by the time I get there, I can already feel my cheeks are red from the temperature. The heat hits me like a warm hug as I walk into the library.

I make my way up to our usual spot and take a seat. As I drink my coffee, I pull out my phone and see a text from Clay.

Clay: Hey, I hope you're having a good day.

Me: It's not too bad. How's yours going?

Shockingly, he responds right away.

Clay: It would be better if you were with me.

I roll my eyes as I type out a response.

Me: You're ridiculous. Are you looking forward to guys' night tonight?

Clay: I am. It's been a while since we've all hung out outside of hockey.

"Hey, sorry I'm late."

I look up and see Peyton coming to sit down across from me. "All good."

She smirks. "Tell Clay hi for me."

"Who says it's Clay I'm texting?"

She scoffs. "Please, the smile on your face gives you away. Now tell loverboy you have to go and give me attention."

"Yes, ma'am," I tease as I look down at my phone and type out the text.

Me: Peyton just got here and told me to tell you hi. I'll talk to you later?

Clay: You can count on it. Have fun and tell her hi.

"Done," I say as I slip my phone into my bag. "How was class?"

"Fine. I'm ready for the semester to be over, that's for sure."

"I feel you."

"Are you going home over winter break?"

I frown. "Honestly, I hadn't even thought about that. Are you?"

She shakes her head. "No, I'm staying and working as much as I can."

"How is work going?" I ask as I take a drink.

"Well, a customer last night told me he would pay big money to watch me dance on a stripper pole and take my clothes off," she says, making me choke on my drink.

I start coughing, trying to clear my throat. "I'm sorry, what?"

"You heard me." She nods. "He's not wrong. I'm sure I could make a hell of a lot more if I stripped, but I was born without rhythm, so honestly, I'm doing everyone a favor by keeping my clothes on."

I shake my head. "You're ridiculous."

"So you tell me," she quips.

"Hey, are you wanting to live in the dorms next year?" I ask her randomly.

Peyton cringes. "No, but I don't really have any other choice. Places around here cost too much. Why, are you thinking about leaving me already?"

I start shaking my head before she's even finished asking. "Not at all. I love living with you. I was just thinking if you wanted to move out, we could start looking for a place now."

"We would have to have a couple more roommates for me to be able to afford it," she says thoughtfully.

"I'm sure we could figure something out."

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I'm asking. Either way, I want to live with you next year."

"Aw, it's like you like me or something…" she coos.

I hold up my hand and make a small space between my thumb and pointer finger. "Just a little bit."

She perks up. "Hey, what are you doing tonight?"

I shrug. "Nothing. I figured I'd hang out in our room. Clay is having a guys' night with the guys."

"How about you and I do the same, but in our room? Watch some movies, drink some wine, and eat junk food. How does that sound?"

"I'm game, but how will we get the wine?"

She waves a hand through the air. "There's a senior on our floor who will buy for anyone underage for a ten-dollar tip."

"That's a hell of a business model," I muse.

"Right? Anyway, why did we even meet up here? It's not like we're going to actually study."

I laugh. "I have no idea. Do you want to head back to our room and get started on girls' night? I think I have some face masks we can use too."

Peyton places a hand over her heart as she stands. "A girl after my own heart. Let's go."

I stand, and she weaves her arm through mine. As we walk out, I rest my head on her shoulder. I really did luck out when they placed her as my roommate.

"All right, let's get this started! I ordered burgers and fries for all of us, and they will be here soon," Brett says.

I cringe. "Burgers aren't on our diet."

Brett levels me with a look. "It's okay to have a cheat meal once in a while, you know."

I raise my hands. "You're right."

"I usually am," Brett boasts.

Beckett rolls his eyes. "That's because we let you think you are."

Wyatt walks into the room and pauses when we all turn to look at him. "What?"

"We were just wondering if you were actually going to join us or if you were going to hide out in your room tonight," Beckett tells him.

Wyatt rolls his eyes and takes a seat on the other side of the couch from me. "What video game are we starting with?" he asks.

"Two versus two, first shooter?" Beckett says.

"Works for me," I say as the other two nod.

Beckett points at me. "You're on my team."

I raise my fist, and he bumps it from where he's sitting while Brett gets the controllers.

We load into the game and start playing. When Wyatt kills me and I wait to respawn, I reach over and cover his eyes, giving Beckett the opening to take him out.

"Get off me, dick," Wyatt mumbles.

"Sorry, all is fair in love and war," I joke.

The match ends right when the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it." I toss the controller down on the couch and get up.

I walk over to the door and open it. "Hey, man."

"Hey, I have a delivery for God?" he says, his voice full of confusion.

I roll my eyes as Brett busts out laughing behind me. "Yeah, that's us."

"Here you go," he says as he hands over the bag.

"Wait, I need to get you a tip," I tell him as I reach into my pocket.

The kid continues down the steps. "You already tipped me, God. Have a good night."

I shut the door and go back to the couch and set the bag on the coffee table. The guys reach forward and start pulling food out of the bags.

I look over at Brett. "God? Really?"

Brett shrugs as he pops a fry into his mouth. "I thought it was fitting where we're a house of hockey gods."

"Cocky much?" Wyatt mumbles as he takes a bite of his burger.

"Not cocky, confident," he tells us.

"This season is going well so far," Beckett says.

"Better knock on wood. I don't want you to jinx us," I tell him.

Beckett looks right at me and knocks on the coffee table. "Happy now?"

I roll my eyes. "Smart ass."

"You know, speaking of hockey, that's something we haven't done yet this year," Brett says.

"What haven't we done?" I ask as I unwrap my burger.

"Have a team bonding night," Brett says.

Wyatt nods. "Coach hasn't done the team building day either."

"I honestly forgot about that. Do you think that's something I should plan as captain?" I ask.

The guys shrug.

"How the hell should I know?" Wyatt says.

"Maybe. I mean, it couldn't hurt right?" Brett says.

Beckett nods. "The team gels pretty well for the most part, with a few exceptions, but there is always room for improvement."

"I'll talk to Coach," I tell them.

"Have you thought anymore on the draft? Are you entering this year?" Wyatt asks.

"Damn, you're chatty tonight. I like it," Brett teases him.

Wyatt flips Brett off as he continues to eat.

"Still undecided," I tell them.

"You have time," Beckett says.

"I know. Can we change the subject, though? I don't want to think about hockey right now."

Beckett nods. "Sure."

"Thanks. How have you guys been?"

Wyatt shrugs. "Can't complain."

"Livin' the life," Brett tells us.

"I'm good," Beckett says.

"That's it? Nothing new going on?" I ask as I crumple up my wrapper and toss it into the bag.

"Just school and hockey," Wyatt says, and the guys nod in agreement.

"Come on, I'm sure I've missed something. Brett, has Emery turned you down again?"

Brett's jaw clenches. "This is guys' night. No women allowed."

I look over at Beckett and he raises a brow.

"All right, my bad," I say, holding up my hands.

"More video games?" Beckett asks.

"I'm in," I say as Wyatt nods.

"I'm going to grab a drink, I'll be back." Brett jumps up and heads toward the kitchen.

"I didn't mean to piss him off," I mutter quietly.

"He's fine. Don't worry about it," Beckett tells me.

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and pull it out. I can't help but smile when I see a text from Grace. When I open it, I see a photo of her and Peyton sitting side by side with green shit on their faces.

Grace: Much needed girls' night. Thanks for the idea.

Me: Looks like you're having a good time.

Grace: We are. Are you guys?

"Is that Grace?" Beckett asks.

I nod. "Yeah, she and Peyton are doing a girls' night and sent a photo."

"Let me see," he says as he leans forward in his chair.

I lean over the arm of the couch and show him.

He frowns. "What the hell is that on their faces?"

"A face mask or some shit, I think. I've seen Cora do it before."

Brett walks back into the room. "Are you guys ready?"

"Hold on, let's take a picture real quick," I tell them.

Brett raises a brow. "For real?"

"Yes, now all of you get in here," I tell them.

Beckett sighs as he gets out of the chair and walks around so he's behind me with the guys. I turn on the front-facing camera and snap a quick photo.

"At least you got my good side," Beckett mutters as he goes back to his chair.

I shoot the photo off to Grace.

Me: We are.

Grace: Good, I'm glad. We're about to start another movie, so I'll talk to you later.

Me: Have fun.

"Put the phone down, James, and let's do this," Brett says.

I slip my phone into my pocket and pick up the controller. "You guys are going down."

Brett scoffs. "In your dreams."