Chapter 18
Gage
I was fuming-practically frothing at the mouth. My blood felt like it was boiling, every nerve under my skin vibrating with the urge to storm straight into that goddamn cabin, rip the door right off its hinges, and drag Gabriella and her little lookalike crew out into the cold. Let them sleep outside for a change. Let them lie there on a hard bench, feel the bite of the night air, hear the sounds of the forest creeping closer. Let them see how they liked staring up at the stars when the wood beneath them turned colder by the minute.
Instead, all I could do was clamp down on my temper-barely-and drag Bree with me toward our cabin. My jaw was locked so tight it ached, my mind churning hard enough to make me dizzy. I kept running through the same questions: how long had she been sleeping outside? Had she been kicked out the moment she arrived, or was this some recent stunt Gabriella had pulled? And why in God’s name hadn’t she told anyone?
She was stubborn as hell about me not saying a word, that much was clear. But the thought of her lying out there night after night made my gut twist.
Reluctantly, I let go of her hand, the loss of contact grating against my already frayed patience, and moved to the window. I tapped-no, pounded-against the glass, the quick, sharp rhythm enough to cut through the sound of laughter spilling from inside. Slowly, that laughter died away.
Bree stood just behind me, and I didn’t need to turn to know she looked like a deer caught dead in the headlights. I could practically feel her tension radiating off her in waves. And me? I was seconds away from putting my fist straight through the window.
Caleb appeared first, brow furrowed as he squinted out at me. The way the light hit the glass meant he probably couldn’t see much beyond his own reflection, but he slid the window open
anyway.
“What-”
I cut him off before he could finish. “Take this,” I barked, shoving Bree’s things into his hands without an ounce of ceremony. Pillow. Cover. The bag that had been tucked under that pathetic excuse for shelter. All of it had been sitting outside, her whole world crammed beneath a goddamn bench like it didn’t matter.
Caleb scrambled to get a grip on everything, muttering something under his breath.
Then Kenneth drifted over, peering out with that ever-present smirk tugging at his mouth. His gaze slid past me to land on Bree, and the smirk sharpened into something that only made my blood run
hotter.
I glanced back at her just in time to catch the flush creeping into her cheeks, her shoulders curling
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in on themselves like she could somehow make herself smaller. Her eyes darted to Kenneth, wary, almost guarded, and it made her look so out of place-like she’d been dropped into a room she didn’t belong in.
“Squat down,” I said, shifting so I stood directly behind her.
Her head snapped toward me. “What?”
“Squat,” I repeated, keeping my tone even. I didn’t want her thinking I was angry with her. Because this? This wasn’t on her. My fury was aimed squarely at the vipers next door, and the list of ways I was going to make them regret it was already building in my head. Morning run? They could take the lap twice. Bootcamp drills? I’d test every ounce of grit they had. And when Gabriella tried to play in lacrosse… well, let’s just say I’d be gunning for her.
Bree hesitated for a heartbeat, then bent her knees, her soft sweatpants stretching just enough to make me notice how good she looked from behind. Not the time.
I crouched down too, close enough to feel the warmth radiating off her, and leaned in. “Trust me,” I murmured, my voice low as my hands slid beneath her thighs. “I won’t drop you.”
Before she could argue, I straightened, lifting her clean off the ground. Her startled squeal cut through the night air as her arms shot up and looped around my neck, clinging tight. I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my mouth-she was holding onto me like she actually believed I’d keep her safe.
She wasn’t heavy. Not to me. Bree was all curves and softness in a way that made my hands itch to linger, but compared to the tackles I took every day on the field, she weighed next to nothing.
“Feet up,” I instructed as we reached the window. My voice carried the edge of command I knew they’d listen to. “Help her out,” I told Kenneth, who was already reaching for her.
I made sure to steady her, my hand guiding the back of her head so she wouldn’t smack it on the window frame. Once she was safely inside, she stepped away from Kenneth immediately, her posture tense, her eyes flicking to the floor.
I turned, grabbed the window ledge, and hauled myself up in one clean motion. My feet hit the floor, and I took in the sight of Kenneth, Miguel, and Caleb exchanging looks that were more curious than anything else.
“Bree’s staying here tonight,” I said, my tone leaving zero room for debate. I felt her gaze flick up toward me, but I didn’t waver. “Actually, scratch that-she’s staying here indefinitely.”
“What?!” Caleb’s eyes went wide as he stared between us.
“Cool,” Kenneth drawled, leaning back with that same lazy grin. “I don’t mind a cuddle partner.”
Miguel shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. “Man, no offense, but if Derek finds out, he’ll have your
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them in turn.
Sweep over calIT UI
“Gage,” Bree’s voice came soft, tentative. She stepped forward, her brows pinched. “I don’t want you to get in trouble for me.”
“I’m not gonna get in any trouble,” I said, offering her the closest thing to a smile I could manage.” You just worry about yourself.”
She nodded, her gaze dropping again, her arms crossing over her middle like she was trying to hold herself together.
“Miguel,” I said suddenly, drawing his attention. “You wouldn’t mind switching beds, would you?”
He had the bunk underneath mine, and to be honest, if I was going to share a goddamn single bed
with Bree, I’d rather only have to drop a foot or two than roll off the top and break my neck.
“No probs, man,” Miguel grinned, already swinging himself up to the top bunk like it was no big
deal.
I grabbed his pillow and cover, tossing them up to him, and he lobbed mine down in return. I took
my time arranging things-Bree’s pillow went right beside mine, tucked closest to the wall, and our
covers spread next to each other so there wouldn’t be any awkward wrestling with blankets later.
Not that I’d mind if she rolled into me in the middle of the night.
Behind me, I heard Caleb’s voice drop into a whisper. “Are you okay, Bree?”
I clenched my jaw hard enough I could hear my teeth grind. Of course he’d take that opening, swooping in with the concerned tone like he was auditioning for the role of her white knight.
“I’m-I’m okay, Caleb. Thanks,” she murmured, and even without looking I could hear the
embarrassment in her voice.
I turned, catching her eye before holding out her duffel bag-the only one she’d had stashed outside. “Here. Go occupy the bathroom for a while. Don’t worry about taking too long-Ken here spends half an hour in front of the mirror making sure every lock of hair is perfect.” I threw her a grin, hoping to lighten the mood and drag her attention away from Caleb’s puppy-dog eyes.
“Are you sure?” she asked, taking the bag carefully, like she wasn’t convinced she had the right to
hold it.
“Sure thing,” I said, pushing a little extra warmth into my smile. I wanted that spark she usually gave me back on her face.
“Thank you,” she said softly. A small smile tugged at her lips before she started toward the bathroom. She paused just before the door, glancing at all of us. “Thanks to all of you.”
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“No problem, chica,” Miguel said with an easy smile, throwing her a quick salute. She blushed and disappeared inside, shutting the door behind her.
“Cap, listen,” Kenneth said as soon as she was gone, stepping forward, “while I’m all for you having a great summer, I’m not getting kicked out because of her.”
“They threw her out of her hut,” I said, my voice low but sharp enough to cut. “She’s been sleeping outside on a f*****g bench. What would you have me do? Just leave her there?”
“f*****g Gabi,” Caleb groaned, dragging his hands down his face.
“Exactly,” I said. “So here’s the deal-she sleeps here tonight. Tomorrow I’ll talk to Derek, see if we
can move her somewhere else. But I’m not letting her spend another night outside when there’s space right here.”
Kenneth nodded, clearly liking that plan better than smuggling her in for good. But Caleb’s gaze flicked toward the bed I’d just set up, then back to me.
“You know,” he started slowly, “we could just… share. It’s not much space, but if we sleep head-to-foot, we could make it work.”
Miguel let out a short laugh from the top bunk. “Let Cap sleep with the girl, Caleb. Come on, man- it’s not like they’re gonna do anything.”
Caleb shifted uncomfortably, his eyes cutting toward the bathroom door before landing back on
my bed. “Has she even said she wants to sleep with you?”
I crossed my arms, raising a brow at him. “If you want, Caleb,” I said, drawing out every word, “we
can ask her. See who she’d rather sleep with-you or me.”
Kenneth’s grin spread wide. “Oh, snap. You’ve both got a thing for the same girl, don’t you?”
“She’s damn fine, so I get it,” Miguel said, already settling down.
Caleb leaned back, arms crossing over his chest. “I say we ask her.”
“Ask me what?”
Her voice cut through the air, and I turned. My brain short-circuited for a second. Her blonde hair
was pulled into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, her glasses gone, and she was wearing soft
shorts and a loose t-shirt that hung just right on her frame. She had no idea the kind of torture she
was putting me through.
Caleb straightened, suddenly looking like he’d lost his nerve. Me? I stayed right where I was. I already knew the answer. If Bree had to choose between him and me, she’d pick me.
“Where you wanna sleep,” I said, my voice steady as her brows furrowed. “With me or with Caleb?”
Her eyes widened a fraction, flicking between the two of us. Without her glasses, she looked
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softer, younger-like those frames gave her a seriousness that was missing now. And God help me, the blush creeping across her cheeks only made her more tempting.
“I mean,” she started, pointing to the bed I’d just made, “my stuff’s already there, so… it’s not because-” She broke off, flustered. “It just makes sense, right?”
That was all I needed. I grinned, the rush of satisfaction warming my chest. My girl would rather be
next to me.
“Then it’s decided,” I said, letting the smile show. “I’ll go get ready too.” Brushing past her, I shot the others a look. “No one say anything inappropriate. Act like f*****g adults.”
I shut the bathroom door behind me, gripping the sink and taking a slow breath to keep from actually doing the victory dance running through my head.
