Page 111 of Running Winter

Finally, we were in a cab, and thankfully the AC was cranked up high.

I couldn't bear being hot, so I was glad the driver was on my level. He insisted on pointing out the sights and telling us his best celebrity spots. I lost interest after a while and only perked up when we pulled up to UCLA.

Chase was as organized as ever and led the way to the dorms. Our stuff had been shipped over in advance, and I was pleased to see my stuff piled up neatly outside of our room.

"As long as the condoms made it," I chuckled, checking through the bags humorously.

Chase didn't respond. He simply unlocked the door.

Gah.

The room was relatively small, with two single beds pushed into the two corners of the room. A dresser stood by the far wall, and two desks sat at the end of each of the beds.

"If you think you're bringing girls back here every night—" Chase warned as I rolled my eyes.

"Fingers crossed, bud. Nah, I'll be sure to give you a night off now and then."

"How come your stuff has arrived, and mine hasn't?" Chase scowled, helping me drag my bags into the small room.

I kicked the door shut behind me, jumping onto the bed closest to the window.

"Dunno. I'm taking this bed," I declared as Chase frowned at the bags on the floor.

"For fucks sake," he muttered, as a sharp knock made him turn to the door. "I need my things. This better be it—"

I ignored him, but I whirled around when I heard a familiar voice.

"Your luggage, Mr. Fallon?"

"Rayna?" he whispered as Rayna jumped into his arms.

She wore a cute UCLA hoodie and a tiny white skirt that made me wish I were him for five minutes. Her legs wrapped around him, and I shook my head in disbelief.

Wait; had Rayna moved here for Chase?

"The fuck, Ray?" Chase muttered in between kissing her, and I noticed he was choked up.

Rayna was crying too, but her smile said it all.

"I had to get my flight last night so that I could be here before you," she explained. "I wanted to surprise you!"

Chase kissed her again, and I wondered if they were going to fuck in front of me.

"Um, guys, can you cool it down a tad?" I sighed, wondering if I could get out without seeing something I shouldn't.

Neither of them paid any attention to me as they gazed at one another, speaking so softly and quickly that it was barely audible.

I watched Chase and Rayna for a moment, and I realized that what they had was genuine.

Moments earlier, Chase had looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and now he looked like he ran the world.

I smiled before walking up to them both and pulling them into my arms.

"You little fucker, you could've told me," I muttered, kissing Rayna on the head.

Rayna grinned, kissing me back on the cheek before snuggling into Chase's arms.

Chase’s smile couldn’t get any bigger.