Page 20 of Close Knit

“This is team housing.”State the obvious much?

“And apartment 3E is my family’s property.”

“Since when?”

“Since I was born! What is your problem?” She looks even better in the daylight, nose wrinkled and nostrils flared.

My limbs are too heavy to move. I’m completely blowing this. We were never supposed to see each other again.Fuck. Has she seen the livestream leak? Is she another person who’s gotten a rush from my own public humiliation?

Okafor exits the common room. “Hastings, you two know each other?”

“We don’t,” I bite out.

“He’s right.” She frowns. “At least, I have no idea whothatis.”

Her words cut deeper than I expected.

“Ma’am, I’ll need a signature for the couch,” a voice interrupts. The delivery guy walks past me to her.

And I do what I did at Overton last season—I run.

I slip out the door and past my car, sprinting without direction. Far from the Lion’s Lodge, Daphne, and the team.

You’re a fucking loser.Rossi’s voice echoes in my head. My soles slam on the ground, my body burning from the inside out.Look at Hastings, running like a little bitch.

This is a cruel joke.

The night we shared, the freedom she gave me—it was all a lie. Now, nothing else matters.

Coach Thompson won’t care about my issues. I have to go back.

I have to fix this, or I’ll lose everything.

Chapter 5

Daphne

@BoundAndBoodUp:Will u b teachin us how2 make that sweater u wore in last video

“I will absolutely have a video tutorial for the Euphy Sweater on YouTube by the end of the month,” I say, reading through the rest of the comments on tonight’s regularly scheduled knitathon.

@StitchinKitten:Is this knitting retreat part of your Yes Year?

@KnitTheFUp:Can’t wait for your knitting retreat!! Your struggles with anxiety are so relatable and I hope to give you a hug in person

My gaze narrows, trying to make sense of some of the comments.Retreat?

@KnitflixAndChill:Where is the retreat going to be? The article didn’t say.

Oh, my goodness. Holy freaking moly.

The article!

THEARTICLE. My eyes splatter with shock.

I forgot about my interview with theStone Timesalmost two months ago. The reporter hasn’t reached out since, so I figured they scrapped the piece.

I shake the confused expression off my face.Just smile and wave like you know what’s going on, Daphne. Smile and wave.

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