“Mercer!”
Tucker clasped hands with me while Rhett eyed me coolly. I eyed him right back.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages,” Tucker said. “What are you doing for the break? Heading home?”
“Yep. You?”
“Same ole. But let’s not slack on our training,” he said. “Two regattas left, and the season is ours.”
“Oh,physicalactivity has never been Orion’s problem,” Rhett said. “Mental exertion, on the other hand…”
Tucker frowned. “Huh?”
“But I envy you, Orion,” Rhett continued. “To never be burdened withoverthinking.”
Weeks ago, his insults would’ve gotten under my skin. Now, I smiled brightly, showing all my teeth.
“Well, Calloway, it’s not as though thinking has enriched your personality.” I cocked my head. “How’s the family business going? Still bringing in a steady pipeline of souls down below?”
Tucker snorted. “Damn, Mercer.”
I beamed and chucked Tucker on the shoulder. “Happy Christmas, gents. See you next year.”
I continued down the hallway, just able to make out Tucker saying, “What the fuck was that all about?” and Rhett’s muttered reply.
Not that I gave a shit. Tucker’s first and foremost concern was sweeping the regattas, and Rhett knew it. He wasn’t about to jeopardize that by saying something that might make a crewmember—me—quit. Not when we had the best team CHA had had in years.
I left the campus humming Myles Smith’s “Stargazing” all the way to Atlas Hall.
“You were right there all along,” I sang as I keyed into my and Easton’s dorm. I found my roommate on the couch, laptop on his lap, a duffel bag at his feet.
He glanced at my dopey grin and rolled his eyes. “You get worse every day.”
“Insufferable, aren’t I?” I said and flounced into the chair across from him. I pulled out a small gift-wrapped box that had been burning a hole in my jacket pocket all day.
Easton eyed the box. “What is that?”
“Her Christmas gift. I’m taking her out tonight to ask her—” I burst out laughing at Easton’s shocked expression. “I’m asking her to come with me to the UK for the holiday break, you knob. And the ring isn’t the ring you think it is.”
He shook his head. “You never can tell these days.”
I gave his bag a nod. “Where are you off to?”
“Somewhere my parents aren’t,” he said, snapping his laptop shut and standing up. “Right now, actually.”
I stood up too. “Well, happy holidays and safe travels—” I made to give him a hug, but he ducked out of reach. “Oh, sorry…”
“No, it’s fine,” he said quickly, looking away. “I…don’t like to be touched.”
“Apologies, mate. I should’ve asked.”
“All good. I gotta go. Have a nice time.” He shot me a smile. “Hope she says yes to yourproposal.”
Easton gave a small wave and a half-hearted smile, and then he was gone. Worry swooped in. He was so young, and there was no doubt in my mind that his avoidance of his parents and being touched were connected. I ran for the door and peered into the hallway, but it was empty.
I half wondered if he was going to come back.
***
