him without an underlying hint of playfulness, and this tells me what he’s about to say is serious.
“You once told me I was important to Mason so that made me important to you.” He tucks fingers underneath my chin. “Well, Short Stack…the sentiment works both ways.”
Overcome with emotion, I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his middle in a hug, hard enough for him to let out an “Oof.”
“Love you, T,” I say into his chest where my face is buried, still holding him tight.
His chin drops to rest on top of my head as he returns my embrace. “Love you too, Kay.”
I hope he has a birthday in a month I already wear a ring for. I’m running out of fingers, and I get the impression Trav is going to be a member of my “family” who wouldn’t be happy not being represented.
When we finally pull apart, he flicks the brim of my hat. “Now go be your nerdy self and get to class. I’ll see you at the house tonight.”
Due to NCAA regulations, the football team is only allowed to have fifteen practices in the weeks leading up to their bowl games. I plan on taking advantage of any extra time I can spend with Mase and the guys, but the reminder of tonight—or more the conversation I plan to have—dims some of the good humor I was feeling.
#Chapter23
UofJ411: Long live the #FootballQueen #WelcomeBack #CasanovasGirl
*picture of Kay walking on campus*
@Simono9311: What’s it been, a week? #TimelineUpdate #CasanovasGirl
@Smalltown_booklover: Aww…look. She has a hat that matches @CasaNova87 #Twinsies #CoupleGoals
UofJ411: Don’t you two look cozy #BromancePrivileges #CasanovasGirl
*picture of Trav with his arm around Kay*
@Sparksandmoonlight: Is this some kind of love triangle? #DoesCasanovaKnowAboutThis
@Summerlynn83: I’ve always thought these too seemed a little too “close” #IfYouKnowWhatIMean
@TheQueenB: #SharingIsCaring
#Chapter24
Finals is the only time the Alpha Kappa house doesn’t have that air of…well, a frat house. During both the week leading up to and the week of finals, there aren’t any parties held there. A number of our brothers are athletes, and it is crucial we manage to get passing grades to maintain eligibility.
With the demanding schedule that comes along with being a student athlete, keeping up with academic requirements can be a constant struggle.
The first time Coach Knight caught me sneaking out to get my pregame kiss from Kay, it was the realization that she was the reason he didn’t have to hound my ass over my grades that kept me from running suicides until I puked.
It’s why our group is currently spread out all around the den of the AK house. The room used to be my favorite at the frat, but since the night Kay was hurt, I haven’t been able to bring myself to hang out in here without seeing her crumpled on the floor, blood forming a puddle around her head.
I have to actively shake my head to rid myself of that image creeping its way to the forefront of my mind. Precious seconds pass before I’m able to blink it away and focus on the actual scene in front of me.
Em and Grayson are back to quizzing each other with flashcards now that she’s returned from taking a phone call. Quinn’s head is bent toward CK, close enough for her ponytail to brush him any time she lifts her face to ask him a question. Alex, Noah, and Kev are all pounding away on their laptops, and Bailey—though I’m not sure how I feel about it—is here, highlighter running over the pages of the textbook spread across her bent knees.
My girl is the only one missing. If she hadn’t sent me a text earlier saying she had to take care of a few things before she came over, I’d be worried as hell. Though it would earn me both an eye roll and Kay calling me out for being an overprotective caveman, I wouldn’t have hesitated to go to her dorm to check on her.
Her agreeing to let us move our study session to the AK house was a feat in and of itself. She already had a general dislike for anything fraternity life, but it still being unclear how Liam and his cronies gained entry during the party makes it exponentially more uncomfortable for her to be here. My gut may be trying to convince me otherwise, but the fact of the matter is, it was a frat party with hundreds of people crammed inside the mansion. It would be easy for someone to slip in without notice.