Page 23 of Exposed on the Blue Line

All the girls stare at me as I let out a loud groan, sounding like a banshee in heat. I’m just as surprised to hear it and even make sure it wasn’t someone else.

This is what Luca does to me. He gets under my skin, and I feel him crawling all over me.

“Which girls do I have today?” I take the names from Renna and do a roll call. “Get your sneakers on. We’re going for a brisk morning run!”

Penny and Callie jump in the golf cart we borrowed from the school for the week with me driving. The flowers are also in tow.

“Aw, this is sweet,” Penny coos before I rip the card from her hand.

“Callie, do you still have that marker?” Earlier we marked the girls with a color so we know who’s in what group and there’s no switching.

We ride over as the pledges run briskly behind us and I feverishly take the red marker to write over the words on the card.

It’s still early. The sun barely has risen, shining an orange glow on the large colonial house. Making it look peaceful and innocent. I stop right in front of the Hockey House, letting the pledges catch up.

“Jemmy,” I call out to the lead girl in the group. “Place these on the doorstep.”

She laughs as she glances at the card before taking them. I’ll get her for that laugh later. We have to finish their run and get them set before going to class. Each day the girls have a new shirt to wear that lets everyone, including ourselves, know they’re pledging Delta Nu.

As she places the flowers down, the door opens to Alex Briggs, a sophomore and center on the team, and none other than Luca comes up behind him. I was hoping more would see them, but as long as he gets my message, the two of them are good enough.

They’re dressed and ready for a morning run in black Drexton Hall Husky shorts and sneakers. Luca’s wearing a tight running tee shirt that shows everything.

Every divot of his hard six pack and his big juicy pecs push against the thin fabric. His blonde waves are held back in a high man bun with a ridiculous bright pink scrunchy. Not that I’m paying attention or care. I really don’t care what Luca looks like.

“Carnations?” Alex picks them up first. “Really?”

They watch us as we wait for Jemmy to return. Delta’s leave no woman behind.

I look back to see Luca read the large word “NEVER” I wrote over his note. He looks disappointed, but his playful little smirk is the last thing I see before driving away.

I fucking hate him.

I walk with Jemmy, making sure I can torture her in some way.

Her shirt says “Delta Nu’s Personal Bitch” and the back says “Owned Property.” It’s degrading and wasn’t my idea, but it was the worst shirt we had, and I was heated after her little snicker.

Since then, she’s been following me around and apologizing.

“I laughed, because I saw your note to him. It was great! Really. You’re an inspiration.” I must give her the most confused look, because I’m anything but an inspiration. “I don’t know what he did to you, but you’re not taking any of his shit. That to me shows strength.”

I didn’t realize this girl was a talker, otherwise I wouldn’t have walked with her.

“My mom was in an abusive relationship when I was a kid after my dad left. It took her a long time to stand up to him. I believe her last straw was when he smacked me for spilling milk on his shoe.”

I stop to really look at her. I hate these stories of women getting abused. It’s a big reason I’m majoring in social work. That and the kids that suffer because of it.

“Not that he did that, but to see you stand up for yourself is inspiring.”

“Luca did not abuse me or anyone for all I know. You understand that, right?” She nods quickly, understanding what I’m telling her. “He’s just been a thorn in my side for years now. Like an annoying puppy. Physically harmless, but extremely annoying.”

I don’t know why I’m defending his ass. Being accused of physical abuse as a potential professional hockey player is serious stuff. I’d never wish that on anyone that didn’t deserve it, especially if it wasn’t true. Even if that happens to be Luca.

“But sometimes adorable,” she says with a grin that quickly disappears. “Sorry. I completely understand.”

I bend down to tie my shoe before we keep walking and feel a large presence looming over me as he blocks the sun. I take in a deep breath and can feel the breeze from the west coast of his scent, and I know. I know who it is without even looking up.

Jemmy tries to warn me, but she’s obviously too late.

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