On Thin Ice

Book 1: Ice Kings

by S. Rena

Genres: Multicultural & Interracial Romance; New Adult Romance; Polyamory Romance; Sports Romance

Synopsis

God of Malice meets Pucking Around in this spicy hockey romance where one girl becomes the obsession of three university hockey players.

I only have one shot to make a life for myself, and more than just my future is on the line. My baby brother is still back in the dump I escaped from, still living in a house of cigarette butts stuffed in beer cans and slurred arguments. So now that I've gotten to Sovereign Kings University, I have to make it worth it. I'll keep my eyes down, ignore the rich kids’ taunts, and graduate.

At least that was my plan before I busted the knee of a hockey player. Having possibly ruined the team’s chance of a championship, I'm now the target of the players. The golden boy captain, Alexander, is the ringleader of the popular students. Every day Kane—the tall, dark and perpetually pissed-off defense—finds a way to humiliate me. Yet, being painfully ignored by the huge, reserved goalie they call Mountain may just hurt the most.

When the players aren’t making my life a living hell, these three are twisting me up inside with desire and glimpses of the real them. But can I risk losing my heart to one hockey player—let alone all three? I’m certainly in for a long, hard season.

Release date: April 14, 2026

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Print pages: 384

Sample

Goodbye.

God, that word fucking sucks.

“See you later, little bro.”

Desmond clings tighter to my legs without answering.

I’m never good at saying the G word. The only people I held dear left, never to return. I won’t do that to Desmond, but I have no idea when I’ll return.

Standing in the doorway of this run-down house, I tell myself that this goodbye is only temporary. The paint is chipped and peeling. There are holes in the walls, some from water damage, others from fists. The carpet is stained, and there isn’t a single piece of furniture that doesn’t have a tear in it somewhere. No matter what, I’ll be back for him… for us.

“Don’t leave me, sissy,” Desmond pleads. I give him a squeeze and lean down to rest my chin on the top of his head, fighting back tears. I hate that seeing me walk out the door frightens him like this.

We’ve lost so much… first our mom—our lifeline—and now it must feel as if he’s losing me, too. We’re the only good left in our fucked-up world. One day, he’ll realize that I had to leave for him. I have to do what’s needed to save him from this dump. Even if it means the first step is damn near abandoning him.

I lift his head, forcing him to look at me. Tears stain his beautiful brown cheeks, and his chest heaves with each sharp inhale.

“Look at me, Des. I’ll be back.” I suck in a breath, blinking back my emotions. Being strong for him is the only thing that matters.

Who am I kidding? I also need to be strong for myself. Otherwise, I won’t make it in the real world without him. Since I was twelve, and he was only two, we’ve been holding each other when the nights felt like they would never end. Especially the nights that Gary, Des’s father and my stepfather, decided to take whatever anger he had from the day out on me after having too much to drink.

My eyes land on the bike leaning up against the tree. A small smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I think about how happy Des was when I gave it to him for his birthday last year. I saved every penny I made from babysitting other kids in the neighborhood. With Gary finding my stash every other month and using my money to feed his vices, it took me almost two years. But the look on my brother’s face was worth every sacrifice.

“I have to do this so that I can come back for you.” I keep my voice down, barely at a whisper.

He sniffles and dries his face with the sleeve of his shirt. “You promise?”

I force a smile. “What do we say?” I watch his shoulders rise and fall in rapid succession. “Through shadows and storms—”

“It’s you and me forever.” Desmond swallows, nodding as if to remind himself.

“That’s right. I’ll only be on the other side of town, but I’ll call and come to see you every chance I get. You just need to be strong for me. Can you do that?”

“Mm-hmm.” He nods again, his breathing finally settling.

“I know you can.” I kiss his head and hug him some more.

“Hurry up and close my damn door,” Gary barks.

Desmond flinches as I peer up over his head at Gary without breaking our embrace. His tall frame stands there menacingly, a beer in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other. He seethes, staring at me with nothing but hate in his heart. A monster that poisons everything in its presence.

That stops with us. I’ll free Desmond from this hellhole if it’s the last thing I do. Luckily, he’s never made Desmond the subject of his physical torment. No, this asshole reserves that for me. Just like he did Momma, up until the day she left this earth.

That’s the one thing keeping me sane. There’s no way I could leave if I thought he might hurt Desmond. Gary may not have laid a hand on Des, but that doesn’t stop the yelling or the nights where he’d show up with no dinner but had enough money for a six-pack.

I turn my attention back to my brother, refusing to let Gary take more from me than he already has. So, with another peck to Desmond’s head, I lean down to whisper into his ear. “Be brave. And go to Evan and Mrs. Holmes if he gets too upset.”

I hate this, but I know it’s for the best.

The sound of a horn blares outside. Reluctantly, I back away. The tears I fought so hard to keep at bay pour down my face, and I don’t bother to wipe them.

I drag my luggage out the door. With a quick look back, I pass my brother a tight smile.

“I love you, little bro,” I choke out, my heart pounding.

“I love you, too.” He sniffles.

Gary has lost his patience. “That’s enough, dammit. If you’re going to leave, get the hell out.”

My teeth grind together as I bite back the words I want to say to him. They would be useless and would only give him what he needs to justify his actions. Not that it takes much to set him off these days.

I won’t give him that satisfaction.

I shake off the anger and step away from the doorway. Walking toward the small passenger bus, my eyes fall on the name stamped on the side in bold, gothic script. SOVEREIGN KING’S UNIVERSITY. This is it. My chance to make something of myself for both our sakes. Momma would have wanted it that way.

When I reach the end of the driveway, the driver is waiting by the luggage compartment. He’s a tall Black man with streaks of gray peppered throughout his hair, reminding me of my late grandfather. He smiles at me, but I can’t find the strength to return the gesture. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. I allow him to take my luggage, and I sling my small backpack over my shoulder before climbing the steps of the bus.

It’s empty except for two other students. One is in the first seat with her eyes glued to the book in her hand. The other is in the middle with his head up against the window. Both are in their own world, hiding within themselves from everything around them. A behavior I know too well.

As I move through the aisle, I can’t help but wonder what brings them to SKU. Did they also miraculously receive a scholarship to the most prestigious university in the county?

The guy glances at me and smiles. “Hey. I’m Xavier.”

I tip my chin. “Sam.”

“You transferring in, too?”

I nod.

“Cool. Maybe I’ll see you around.”

I don’t bother answering. He’s being nice, making small talk so that the twenty-minute ride across town isn’t so awkward. And it’s nothing against him. I’m just not interested in making friends, even with cute guys with freshly styled locs and warm eyes.

I settle in and peer out the window as the bus pulls away. Before long, all the houses with overgrown sidewalks and assorted trash on their lawns whisk by until there’s nothing but open roads and fields of grass. Still focused on the world outside, my mind wanders, thinking about these past eight years of pain and neglect. And for what? Because my mother fell in love with a man who turned out to be nothing more than a nightmare?

One day she decided death was better than living another moment with him.

That same day, I was forced to grow up before I was ready. To become a parent to a child who wasn’t mine. I’ve spent most of my life trying to convince myself things weren’t as bad as they were. But none of that matters now.

This isn’t the time to dwell on the past. I may be arriving at SKU a semester behind, given that my initial scholarship application was denied, but I’ll bust my ass and prove that I deserve to be there. Scholarship or not. The only thing that matters is moving forward… and then doing everything in my power to get my brother out.

The ride to SKU is quiet. Peaceful. Something I’m not used to. The sounds of Melanie Martinez flow through my headphones, and I let myself zone out while listening to the lyrics.

Opening the messaging app, I tap on a thread with my best friend. The first friend I made when we moved in with Gary. We were eleven at the time, and when none of the other kids could be bothered to talk to me, Evan swooped in. He’s always had my back from day one, and when Mom died, Evan helped me through. Now we’ll be worlds apart.

Sam: I’m going to miss you, bestie.

I hit send, and a second later, he replies.

Evan: I know.

I laugh.

Evan: Love you, babes. And remember, you’re a badass.

A smile parts my lips, his words speaking life into me. As we pull off the main road, the entrance to the university looms up ahead. I sit up straighter, my heart pounding as I take in my surroundings. Students walk along the sidewalk, some with backpacks, others carrying books. A group of girls stands near the fountain laughing.

I imagine myself there with them, getting to live my life the way I want to—the way I deserve to.

The bus comes to a stop, and we get off to gather our things. The driver hands me my two suitcases and duffel.

I meet his gaze. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Good luck.”

I nod and turn to face the quad.

A wave of nervous energy washes over me, a numbness that pricks its way through every limb. Historic buildings tower over me, their weathered stone architecture a reminder of this university’s age. I can’t help but stare in awe, my gaze moving from one end of the campus to the other. The grounds are perfectly manicured, with lush green lawns and flower beds.

It’s beautiful, even more so than what I saw online. And suddenly, I’m reminded of how out of place I am here. The unfamiliar opulence reflects the fact that I’m from a different world. I don’t come from a big, happy family or have a rich daddy to fund all my needs. While my peers have been rocking Prada and Fendi since infancy, I’ve learned to use my creativity to upcycle vintage clothing. No one bought my way into this school, and I damn sure don’t have a legacy that ties me to this place.

I shake away those thoughts, square my shoulders, and inch toward the central part of campus. My two suitcases and duffel bag weigh me down, but I press on, ignoring the pain in my arms and the stares from the students passing by. They probably had help from loving family members while moving into their dorms at the beginning of the school year.

I focus on the path ahead, doing my best to navigate the crowded sidewalk. Every few seconds, I have to dodge someone who isn’t paying attention. And each time I do, I stumble, nearly dropping my bags in the process.

After a while, I give up trying to avoid them, bumping into people who turn to give me nasty looks. I’m not winning any friends yet, but I like it this way. The fewer people I have to talk to, the better. The strap of my duffel bag digs into my shoulders, and the broken wheel of one of my old suitcases scrapes against the concrete.

And as my luck would have it, others notice, too. Their faces tell me what I already know… that I’m not welcome here. It’s in the way they look at me. How their eyes linger just a second too long. And maybe I don’t. I don’t know what it feels like to live with an excess of money instead of bruises. To not be broken.

I ignore them because, frankly, I’ve got enough on my plate to worry about. But one particular group of people catches my eye. Students are in a circle near the steps of the main building. The girls are all smiles, their eyes focused on the boys standing in front of them.

They’re wearing navy blue jackets like a badge of honor, the hockey team’s logo stitched on the back. That red and light blue armored knight is easily noticed. SKU is known for its D1-level sports teams, but the hockey team is their pride and joy. Given that they’ve won the last four championships, it makes sense. I only know that because Gary, along with many of the people in this town, sports the team’s jerseys as if they’re gods. The fandom here is almost cult-like, and I’m the odd woman out when it comes to how ritualistic the people of this town are when the season rolls around.

There’s an air of authority around the athletes, and it’s clear they command respect. It’s evident not just from the way they carry themselves but also from how everyone seems to hang on to their every word. I can’t say that I blame them. They’re fine as hell—too fine, if you ask me. It’s apparent that the three of them are friends, but they couldn’t seem more different.

The blond guy is clearly the ladies’ man of the group. His cockiness is evident in every movement, from the way he leans casually against the railing to the confident tilt of his head. He’s got that classic look, a mix of polished elegance and raw masculinity. His olive-toned skin glows in the sunlight, and his perfectly styled hair highlights the sharp angles of his chiseled jaw. He’s old money meets magazine cover sex symbol, but it fits him.

I’d bet everything I own—not that I own much—that he’s the king of this campus. Or one of them, at least. The way he engages with the girls—it’s all calculated, designed to draw them in and keep them hooked.

And it’s working. They lean in closer, their eyes wide with desire, laughing at his jokes—probably even the ones they don’t find funny. It’s as if they’re under a spell. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and from the looks of it, he’s loving every minute of it.

I slide my gaze to another—an absolute mountain of a man—and can’t help but focus on how beautiful he is with his strong jaw and smooth, tawny brown skin. His long, black hair is in a single braid that falls over his broad shoulder. But it’s the way his T-shirt hugs his thick, muscular frame under that jacket that truly holds my attention.

In addition to his powerful arms and a wide chest, there’s something about his presence that does it for me, a quiet intensity that sets him apart. Despite his commanding physique, he doesn’t seem as involved as his friend. He’s obviously utterly uninterested in the poor girl trying to get his attention. His eyes focus on his phone, his expression one of mild boredom.

The girl finally moves away, but he doesn’t glance up. It’s as if he’s in his own world, unaffected by the attention and happy to let his friend be in the limelight. He’s not here to impress anyone, and from what it seems to me, he doesn’t need to.

And then my eyes fall on the last guy, and my heart stops.

It’s him…

The only boy I’ve ever connected with… aside from Evan.

When my mother first attempted to take her life, in the psychiatric ward, that boy was there. We were alike or, at the very least, we bonded over the shared trauma of loving someone through their mental demons. He was a few years older and my first crush.

He was kind when the world was cruel and got me when everyone else failed, when nothing felt right in the world. He made me laugh and made sure I ate. When Gary caused a scene, he shielded me. Mature beyond his years, he made dealing with my mother’s attempt easier to stomach. New emotions grew in me like flowers in a barren land.

But it all ended when Gary forced Momma to check out and closed that door forever. Sometimes, I wish she would have fought harder to stay the course with her therapy. Maybe then I wouldn’t be doing life without her.

It’s been years, and if I’m honest, I never expected to see him again. We were young and had no way of keeping in contact. We weren’t old enough for emails back then, and Gary and Momma could never seem to keep a landline on at home.

So that was it, and I often wondered what became of him.

Everest.

My skepticism has been at an all-time high since I received the scholarship. Knowing someone here makes me feel less alone going into this new journey. Maybe things won’t be so insufferable after all.

He stands out from the rest. His stance is rigid, his shoulders tense as he stares out at the crowd. Then, his gaze shifts, and suddenly, he’s looking right at me.

His eyes trail the length of my frame before meeting mine again. A small smile meets my lips as I stop to give him a half wave that immediately falters when he doesn’t return the sentiment. He only stares at me coldly—angrily, I might even say.

Confusion knits my brow.

Realistically, he probably doesn’t remember me. I don’t know why, but it stings. Why would he remember that sad little girl? I’ve outgrown the barrettes, and he certainly looks nothing like the scrawny boy who loved anime and superheroes.

Now he’s Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. A certified pretty boy, that’s for damn sure. His preteen acne is gone, and he has the smoothest light brown skin I’ve ever seen. The cornrows have been replaced by a tapered fade on his curly, dark hair.

His jaw looks like it’s been cut from glass and molded into pure perfection. I remember the soft flecks of green in his brown eyes and wonder if that’s at least the same. He’s filled out, every muscle evident beneath the fabric of his shirt. He’s solid, not as buff as his big friend, but solid all the same. And the way he stands, with his legs apart and arms crossed, gives off serious Big Dick Energy.

Back then, he was the kindest person I knew, yet the guy I’m staring at seems everything but. Nevertheless, there’s this invisible pull that is making it extremely difficult to look away. His gaze is intense, almost as if he’s challenging me. It’s as if it’s some sort of game of who will blink first.

Turns out he wins because I nearly run into someone.

“Watch where you’re going,” the guy seethes.

I stumble back a bit, then quickly regain my balance. “Sorry.”

He grumbles something under his breath and storms off. I shake my head, somewhat thankful for the distraction. Everest doesn’t remember who I am, and that could be a good thing. The thing I need least right now is to find myself caught up in a childhood crush with some hot hockey player.

Hell, I don’t even like hockey.

“Ready for the championship, Kane?” Vanessa asks, batting her eyes and fishing for attention.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say unenthusiastically, then pull out my phone.

“I can’t wait to see you play. You always crush it,” she continues, stepping closer to me. But I ignore her, much like I have every day since the start of the season. She’s not a quitter; I’ll give her that. Don’t get me wrong, she’s bad as hell with perky tits, long curly hair, and a fat ass. And I certainly remember what her mouth does—but that’s as far as it’ll ever go.

She and every other girl here are the same… puck bunnies looking for their label of WAG one day. They can miss me with that. I have bigger things to worry about, things that none of them will understand, so there’s nothing she or anyone else can do for me. Unless they can solve all my problems and make them disappear, I’m good.

Vanessa eventually gets the picture and turns her attention to Alex. I smirk because he thrives on the love we get around campus. With a new girl in his bed every other night, I’m sure he can fit Vanessa into the roster.

The sad thing is, she’ll wait. They always do. As long as they can attach themselves to the hottest player with the best chance of making it big, they’ll do whatever it takes. Including letting us run through them whenever and however we see fit.

Play a sport on this campus, and you can pretty much have your pick of the litter. And the better you are, the more pussy you get. There’s barely a chick at SKU that the boys and I haven’t had, save for the nerds and rejects.

Except for maybe Mountain. He’s all respectful and shit, staying to himself and keeping his focus on the game. Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I’ve seen him smile. It’s scary how focused he is. His ability to set aside all the bullshit and hone in is why he’s one of the best damn goalies I’ve ever seen on the ice. He’s big and burly, which makes it easy for people to assume he’s slow. But then the six-foot, two-hundred-pound fucker will block your shot before you even realize it.

If anyone is good under pressure, it’s him. No matter how aggressive the girls get, he’s got nerves of steel. He’s the complete opposite of Alex, the biggest man whore you’ll ever meet.

Which is fitting. You can tell a lot about a person by the position they play.

While Mountain is guarded and dependable, preferring to stay in the background, Alex is a charming motherfucker. That and the confidence he possesses makes him the perfect center. He’s quick on his feet and can read people better than anyone I know.

Meanwhile, I earn my reputation of being as ruthless off the ice as I am on it. I hear all the shit the other students on campus call me: aggressive, scary, and rude as fuck. All perfect traits for a defenseman. I’ve been told I’m unapproachable more times than I can count. You’d think that would steer the bunnies away… It doesn’t.

And while getting my dick wet is always fun, that’s the last thing on my mind right now. With only three games left in the season and NHL scouts dropping in, all I’m trying to focus on is the game.

Well, trying to, at least.

Lately, I’ve been distracted, and it damn near cost us our last game. The fucked-up part of it all is there’s no reprieve. Nothing can make this better, and I’m reminded every damn day just how unfair this world is. The corrupt remain untouchable, poisoning everything in their path, while the people they hurt suffer in silence.

I glance at my phone and open the email from my mom’s doctor. For what feels like the millionth time, I read the single paragraph as if maybe the words will change this time. But they don’t. It makes me angry every time her doctor tells me that she’s spiraling and needs her meds adjusted or that her account is past due because my asshole of a father likes to make us beg for help.

He’s the reason she’s in that place. He’s the reason everything about my life is so royally fucked.

“So I was thinking maybe we can hang out,” Vanessa proposes. Damn, this girl doesn’t quit. Her eye for Alex was short-lived. “It’s been a while. I figured we could catch up.”

I open my mouth to tell her I’m not interested, but I’m distracted when I hear the bus screech at the end of the sidewalk and three passengers step off. The new students are easy to spot with their wide eyes that try to take it all in.

It’s like this every semester. A bunch of kids from the inner city with big dreams and a scholarship come from different backgrounds but somehow always seem the same. Damn near carbon copies of the batch from the previous season.

Then I take in the last girl, and every muscle in my body tenses.

Sam?

It’s not her… it can’t be.

But the closer she gets, the clearer I can see. It’s been nine years, and the dorky eyeglasses have now been replaced with large, stylish ones that accentuate her face. She’s no longer the little pipsqueak who followed me around the hospital.

She’s all grown up, and the way those tattered jeans fit on her, every guy with a heartbeat will see just how filled out she’s gotten. Her outfit sticks out among the crowd, a sore thumb next to the Gucci loafers and Prada backpacks. She’s just a simple pair of jeans and an old Adidas hoodie, but it works for her.

She drags behind her two large suitcases and a duffel, and something tells me that’s all she has with her. Why else would she take the bus instead of being dropped off with all her things?

If the pinched brows are any indication, she’s lost. I take her in as she glances between her phone and the buildings. She looks innocent, a feeble fawn in a den of lions.

She’s also the only other person who knows about my mom. Not even my best friends know what I’ve been dealing with all these years. I never wanted them to, and I did everything possible to keep it that way. I never invited them over to play video games or watch a movie. It was easier when I started playing hockey. All the practices and games made it so that I was rarely at home anyway. And if we wanted to hang out, we did it at Alex’s place since he had an entire game room in his house.

But now, with her here, they could find out. And once they learn about my mother’s condition, it’ll lead to more questions that they could never know the answers to.

I struggle to tear my gaze away, but it’s dragged back against my will. Our eyes lock.

Her face shows shock at first; then she waves. I don’t respond. I stare at her, my mind racing a mile a minute. Her sweet smile slowly gets pulled down into a frown, and I force myself not to care.

Her face twists into a grimace, and I know it’s because of me. It’s for the best. I’m not the guy she used to know. My world is dark, and she needs to be far away from me.

But right now, she’s close enough that I can’t help but notice the small details about her. Like the way the halo of tight, dark curls frames her face. Or how flawless and soft her golden-brown skin appears from here. Her expressive, almond-shaped eyes are framed by perfectly arched brows, and her full, glossy lips add to her allure.

Hell, she even looks like she smells good—like vanilla and cocoa butter or some shit. And even though she’s wearing glasses, they don’t hide the sadness in her stare.

For a brief second, I want to know how she’s been. But then I remember I don’t care—at least, I’m not supposed to—about her or any of the other students on this campus.

“Think they’re freshmen?” Alex’s voice slices through my consciousness. I don’t even bother looking at him. Instead, I continue to watch Sam as she turns and walks away. I shrug. She’s only two years behind us, so she would be a sophomore, but I agree anyway.

“Probably. They usually are.”

He nods in agreement. “That’s true. Are you ready for the new semester?”

“No.” The word comes out more like a growl than an actual response, but he gets it.

“Yeah, well, neither am I, but at least we have some fresh meat to play with.” He smirks and wiggles his brows suggestively.

I roll my eyes at his antics. If there is one thing you can count on when it comes to Alex, it’s that he never misses an opportunity to make things about sex. It’s how he’s always been, and I doubt he’ll ever change.

Not when every girl on campus throws herself at him. And who could blame them? He’s the golden boy and captain of the hockey team. Not to mention, his father runs the school.

“Have fun with that,” I tell him, not bothering to hide the lack of interest in my voice.

“Oh, come on, Kane. Don’t act like you won’t be trying to get a piece, too. Last time I checked, you were pulling just as much ass as I was.”

I shrug, unsure how to answer him because he isn’t wrong. We both ran through our fair share of women last year, so I can see why he’d assume that nothing had changed.

But it has. At least for me.

I’ve spent the break trying to figure out who I am outside of this life I’ve been handed.

“Seriously, bro, what’s up? You’ve been a little off lately.”

I suck in a breath, glaring at him for not letting this go. The truth is, shit changed for me, and he can never know why. I can never truly let him in because that would mean blowing up everything either of us has ever known. It would mean ruining lives and reputations. It would mean my mother no longer gets the care she needs.

It could mean the end.

So while it may disappoint my best friend that chasing ass isn’t on my priority list, he’ll just have to take it as it is.

“I’m fine.” My gaze lands on the girl again, and everything stills for a beat. “Look, man, I appreciate the concern, but I’m good, okay? Whatever happens between me and these girls, or lack thereof, is my business. So how about we focus on what’s important, huh?”

“Yeah, and what’s that?”

“Winning the championship.”

He grins. “Fair enough.”

Thankfully, he turns his attention back to the girls. Unfortunately, I know that’s not the end of it—it never is with him. But a win is a win.

I glance over at Bryden, or Mountain, as we call him. He’s been standing a few feet from us with his back turned. If it isn’t about hockey or schoolwork, Mountain wants nothing to do with it. And that includes girls. It’s one of the many reasons the team thinks he’s weird.

But in reality, he’s probably the most normal out of all of us.

“What about you, Mountain?” Alex pries. “Do you plan on getting any this semester? We have fifteen weeks left before college is over.”

Mountain glares at him. “Why are you so concerned with where the rest of us put our junk?”

I laugh. Mountain rarely engages, but when he does, it’s always hilarious.

“I’m just saying. This is prime time, and there are way too many girls around to not be getting some.”

“That may be true, but unlike some people, I have nothing to prove.”

Alex nods, knowing his friend is just teasing him and seemingly satisfied with Mountain’s answer. Even if he did care, he couldn’t do much about it. Everyone knows Mountain does whatever he wants when he wants, and no person on this campus could convince him otherwise.

“Well, now that I’ve killed your little peer pressure campaign, I’m going to go. I have things to do tomorrow, and I’d rather not spend my night listening to you two.” Mountain pats me on the shoulder and walks off.

I use this chance to get lost. “All right, man. I’m out, too. See y’all at the crib.”

“Yo. Where are you going?” Alex asks with his hand out at his sides.

“Away from you, Captain.”

When I finally make it to my dorm, the sun is setting. My keys rattle in my hand as I struggle with the lock, but after a few seconds, it fin