Chapter Two

Reed

Sweat beads on my brow from practice as I enter the house. Finding it empty, I use my T-shirt to wipe my forehead and bound up the stairs two at a time.

I smell her floral scent before I see her. Our eyes connect briefly when I peer into her room, taking in her space for the first time.

I try to ignore the pang in my chest. Her smile reminds me of the night we first met. Her light brown hair is pulled away from her face, with a few strands loose near her temples.

"Looks like you got settled in quickly." I lean against her doorframe, arms crossed in front of me.

Her eyes drift to my chest, tracing my forearms down to my stomach before she catches herself and her gaze snaps back to mine.

It's on the tip of my tongue to urge her to continue, but I don't. She just moved in, for fuck's sake, and the last thing I want is to push her away. Not when I finally have her close to me.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about that damn dimple on her cheek and those forest-green eyes. The light smattering of freckles dot her nose and disappear as they spread across the apples of her cheeks.

"Yeah, I have some time to waste after class, and it bugs me to still have everything in boxes." She sighs, glancing around the room. "I feel better now that it's done."

She has a small accent chair tucked into the corner, with a blanket casually draped over the back. A small TV mounted on the wall has paintings hung on either side. Judging by the array of colors, paintbrushes, and other art supplies on the cart near her desk, I assume they're her own work. On the opposite wall, above her bed, string lights dangle with photos clipped to them. The colors and prints are varied, bright and bold, yet they all seem to fit together perfectly.

Tatum catches me checking out her space and turns before giving a nonchalant shrug.

"I know it's not much, but I don't need a lot either. Ya know?"

I nod. "No, no, I like it." I smile. "I mean, I know we don't really know each other, but I feel like it fits you. It's cozy."

Her bed is positioned against the wall connecting to mine. Not much will separate us, and I suspect that thought will keep me awake as I toss and turn, struggling to find sleep. Sleep has never come easily to me. I mentally note to use my headphones on nights when gaming becomes my escape to tire my eyes. You'd think after long practices, I'd be worn out, but when night falls, it becomes nearly impossible.

My eyes trace over every corner of her room, absorbing all the little details about Tatum Pierce. Something about her draws me in, making me want to peel back every layer to understand her deeper.

What brought her to Braysen? Why do I get the feeling she's running from something?

"How are you doing with the move and living in a house with four other guys?"

She shrugs. "It's not so different from growing up in a house with four guys coming and going all the time. My cousin, Owen, practically lived with us growing up. When you add in Beckham and Hayes, it's similar to being here."

She has a point.

"Well, my offer still stands. If you need somethin', you know where to find me. Knock or shoot me a text."

She smiles, one of the first genuine smiles I've seen from her. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, though."

I tip my head, and she waves as I step into the hallway and head into my room. My initial plan was to come home, shower, and then grab something to eat for lunch.

I glance at my wall, imagining her just on the other side. Aside from my jersey framed on the wall and a sign one of the dance team girls made for homecoming last season, my room is bare—just my bed, my computer, and not much else.

I don't need much.

Those thoughts hit home for me, too. When I moved out at seventeen, just six months before finishing high school, all I took was my schoolbag and the clothes on my back.

Everything I have now I got because I busted my ass. I wasn't lucky with parents who cared about school or sports. If I wanted to get out of that hellhole, I had to do it all by myself.

Coach Ferentz attended one of my games during my senior year, and I guess he saw something in me that night because it wasn't long after that they offered me a scholarship. When I told Darren the news, he insisted that I go. It was my ticket out of that place.

I've fought tooth and nail to put in the work and prove to Coach Ferentz and the rest of the team I earned it.

Dropping my gym bag on the floor, I unzip it, pull out my dirty clothes, and toss them into the hamper. I grab a clean towel and a change of clothes and head out into the hallway toward the bathroom.

I fight and fail not to glance over at her room again. This time though, her bedroom door is closed. There's no missing the pang of disappointment in my chest.

Twenty minutes later, I'm jogging down the steps, feeling better after washing off the sweat from the brutal practice we had this morning. The stakes are even higher this season after last year's championship win. We already have a target on our back, especially with Beckham transferring to Braysen and all the drama surrounding Hayes.

Tatum sits on the couch, absorbed in her phone. I don't have a chance to overthink it when the door swings open and my roommates stroll in.

"Why the hell did you take off like the devil was on your ass after practice?" Beckham chirps, his footfalls heavy behind me.

"I didn't realize I needed permission from you about my coming and going," I retorted.

Hayes smirks and shakes his head. "We talked about grabbing lunch, but I guess you didn't hear us."

I shrug. I did hear them, but I didn't feel like sticking around to wait. If he suspects why I was in such a rush to get home, he'll start asking questions, and I'm not spilling anything until I figure out why Tatum's here.

Especially not with her brother's warning ringing in my ears, telling me to stay away from her. Not that I give a shit what he says or thinks.

Beckham disappears to his room to drop his bag, reappearing a moment later. I follow him into the kitchen, away from everyone else.

"So when were you guys gonna talk to me about our new roommate?" I ask, pouring a cup of coffee into a mug and taking a sip.

It's cold, and I wince, trudging over to the sink to pour it along with the rest of the contents in the decanter down the drain.

"Why? Is there a problem with her staying with us?" Beckham questions, his voice dropping low, not wanting her to overhear our conversation.

I tilt my head slightly, trying to play it nonchalantly. "I mean, I guess it just came out of nowhere. We've been living together now for two years. Even with all of you damn near tying the knot with your girlfriends, it's only ever been us."

His brows furrow. Great, now he's going to think I have a problem with her being here when that's not the case.

I held my hand up between us. "That's not what I meant. I'm just surprised it all happened so quickly. I don't mind her moving in."

"Okay, then what's the big deal?"

"Nothing. You know what? Forget I said anything."

He studies me for a long moment, and I realize whatever brought Tatum to Braysen, I won't get it out of Beckham.

I guess I can't be mad, though. If I told him something I didn't want shared, at least I know he wouldn't be repeating it to anyone sniffing around with questions.

Like I said, it's not an issue. I'm just trying to dig deeper into the mystery that is Tatum.

Beckham stalks past me into the living room, and I hear him say, "Lucy, I'm gonna shower, and then I'm picking up Hallyn to take her to the mall. Do you need anything?"

I follow him and stop when she glances over, seeing me standing there. She seems to weigh her decision before she gives a nod.

"I have a return I've been meaning to take back, so yeah, if you don't mind me tagging along with you and Hallyn, that'd be great."

"You got it." He nods. "Give me twenty, and I'll be ready."

We lock eyes as he passes by, heading toward his room. It's clear he's now suspicious of me and why I've been asking about her.

Colter and Hayes disappeared to their rooms, leaving me alone with Tatum once again.

I don't know what to make of her relationship with Beckham. They seem close, and his protective demeanor makes me question if there's more to their story. Maybe they have a history.

Still, he's with Hallyn, who doesn't seem bothered by Tatum living here. Although Hallyn wasn't with us when we went to Rixton for spring break, Tatum hit it off quickly with Ava and Everly.

Tatum tracks me as I walk into the living room and settle onto the couch across from her, flipping on the TV. I rarely hang out here unless I'm watching a movie or playing video games with my roommates. But now that she's here, I guess that's changed.

"The next time you need a ride, just ask. To the store, class, wherever."

I try not to look over at her, but when she doesn't respond, I stop channel surfing and give in once more.

"I appreciate it, but you don't have to look out for me or take care of me."

My brows deepen. "I don't have to do anything. I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to either."

She studies me and nods slowly.

"Listen, I know we don't know each other well. You have a closer relationship with Beckham, so I get why it's no big deal for him to offer. I'm just saying you can ask me too."

She chuckles. "You do remember how I said he's like a brother to me, right?"

I nod, and when the silence falls over us, she breaks eye contact and pulls out her phone again.

"Well, for what it's worth, I have no interest in being another brother, but I will be your friend. So if you need anything, you just let me know."

Her face warms, a rosy blush highlighting her cheeks. She drags her lip between her teeth and dips her chin slightly.

"I could definitely use a friend right now."

If she needs a friend, then I'll be the best damn friend she'll ever have.