Page 46 of Rules of the Game

Me: Did they tell you what happened?

Misty: Hot plate Mr. Noodle disaster.

I huffed out a breath, not even bothering to figure out how that led to that big of a fire.

Me: You staying with your parents?

Misty: Yuppers.

Misty: Are you staying with Lucas? Please tell me you’re staying with Lucas. You should have seen the way he came in to rescue you.

I refused to remember just how safe I felt in Lucas’s arms or the way he’d shown up exactly when I needed him.

Me: Don’t start.

Misty: oh, don’t worry. We’re having this discussion when we get back to the dorm even if I have to pin you down to do it.

Misty: I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.

Might as well rip the Band-Aid off.

Me: I maybe, sorta, kinda know four of the guys.

Misty: Who???

Me: Jax, River, and Alex.

Misty: You’re lucky I like you or I’d never forgive you for holding out on me.

Misty: It was the posters wasn’t it?

Me: they may have had something to do with it.

Misty: Fair.

Misty: See you soon.

Me: Hey.

Misty: Yeah?

Me: thank you for staying with me.

Misty: Girl you scared the shit out of me. Probably lost five years of my life.

Me: Sorry.

Misty: There’s an easy way to make it up to me.

Me: Already got us tickets for the opener.

Misty: I just totally squealed. Stay in touch, k?

Me: Will do. Let me know if you hear anything else.

* * *

Five kilometers into my run, sweat dripped down my neck, over my shoulder blades, and into the black fabric of my sports bra. My legs burned, and a sharp pain dug into my lower stomach, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other.

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