Page 81 of Blitz'd

Me: gonna be away. b safe

Russ: Always am. See you in a few.

I don’t know why he texted me when I’ll see him at practice, though he probably just heard about it and wanted to ask before he forgot.

My mind wanders to what I have planned, wondering if it’ll even work. I mean, it should, right? Like my dad used to say, it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission. I’m optimistic my plans will unfold how I want them to. If not, well…

Class is dismissed twenty minutes later, without me knowing what the fuck was going on. Oh well, I can look through the SparkNotes and get the gist of it.

I want to go back to my room and take a nap, but Russ and Oakley catch me as I’m walking across the quad and make me join them in the caf. We shoot the shit for a little while before we have to get ready for practice. It’s nice being around them, as I’ve been isolating from everyone after seeing the state of Kerian’s face. I wasn’t good company, thinking about putting my fist through a wall or getting Luca to use his computer skills to find Kerian’s dad so I could pay him a visit. It would have been reckless, finding a rich asshole and beating him to a pulp. It would have ruined everything I’ve worked hard to achieve, but I didn’t care. I would have done it for Kerian and not regretted it for a second.

That’s how I know I’m in love with that asshole. No matter how much I cared for someone, I wouldneverrisk my future for them. No one but Mom and Colson. No one but the people I love. Seeing Kerian beat up had me seeing red, ready to toss it all away with both hands just to have the satisfaction of seeing his father’s blood run down my fist and his face swollen beyond recognition.

Fuck, Kerian is rubbing off on me. I am not violent, but it seems when someone fucks with him, it pushes me over the edge.

Practice is tiring as fuck, but productive. We have a game next week, but Coach took it easy on us because of our last win.

After I shower and tell Russ to have a good weekend, I hurry back to my room to pack a bag. Luca watches me as I rush around the room making sure I have everything I’ll need.

“You’re only going home for a few days,” he says, motioning to my overflowing bag.

I stuff a pack of brand new underwear inside and, with effort, zip it closed. Looking at my roommate, I smile and shoulder my pack. “I know. Don’t party too hard this weekend, yeah?”

His cheeks turn red as he pulls his knees to his chest. “I won’t. I’ll… I’ll be out, but no parties.”

I turn to him and really look at him. He looks… different. Not bad but… I can’t explain it. Like he has a secret he doesn’t want to tell me.

“You okay?”

Wide brown eyes meet mine. “Yeah. I’m good. Why… why wouldn’t I be?”

I shrug, adjusting the strap of the bag onto my shoulder. “You look different. Less… rigid? Like your shoulders are all loose and shit. You been getting laid, Luca?”

His cheeks darken as he ducks his head. “No. Nothing like that. I’m not doing anything. Going to class. You know me.” His nervous chuckle seems even more out of place than his relaxed form. Something is up with him, that’s for sure.

“When I get back,” I say, waiting until he meets my eyes to continue talking, “we’re going to hang out. Just me and you, okay? It’s been a while.”

Luca smiles, pushing his hair back from his eyes. “I’d like that. How are you and Kerian doing? He hasn’t been over all week.”

I smile, rubbing the back of my neck. “We’re doing good. I’m going to go see him now.”

He nods, smiling. “Have fun this weekend.”

“You too.”

I rush out of the room and go to my car. I smile as I slide behind the wheel. When I was sixteen, my mother tossed me the keys of my dad’s old car, telling me not to have sex in the back seat and become a teen dad. He passed away when I was ten, and his car was the one thing I wanted that he left behind. It wasn’t anything fancy, but he taught me how to change the oil, change a tire, top up my fluids, and he taught me basic car-safety. It was almost like my father would have wanted me to have it.

The smile slips from my face as I once again think about Slade’s beat-up face, the bruises he got from his dad.That fucking asshole.

I push thoughts of bruised faces and split lips from my mind as I head in the direction of Meridian University.

Twenty minutes later, after spotting Kerian’s car in the parking lot, I take the stairs up to his apartment two at a time. I knock on the door, excitement and nerves dancing in my belly. I probably should have texted Kerian before I showed up unannounced, but again, I’ll ask forgiveness, not permission.

He opens the door, a look of confusion crossing his face. His jaw shows no sign of bruising, though there is still a small split in his lip. I have to swallow my rage before I smile at him.

“Why are you here, Dimples? You ever heard of calling first?”

I take him in, from his bare feet, gym shorts, and oversized shirt. It’s not a GQ outfit by a long stretch, but he looks fucking edible. Comfortable and relaxed. Like being out from under his father’s shitty influence has done wonders for him. He looks lighter, almost happier… if Keriancanbe happy.

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