Page 11 of Coastal Runaway

I knew that we weren’t going to get anywhere like this. I wasn’t going to get any answers and she was going to continue to shut me out. I leaned away from her and let her walk away. I watched as she pushed off the wall and sauntered down the hallway with a confident sway in her hips. She seemed completely unfazed.

After using the bathroom, I found Nolan and Aiden chatting up some ridiculously hot blondes by the fire pit. I made my way over to the boys and didn’t interact with Keegan for the rest of the night.

When a third girl joined the group and sat on my lap for the remainder of the party. A few times, I noticed Keegan staring daggers at the new girl who was glued to my side. At that moment, I knew that I would do more than just get drunk on Keegan’s laugh this semester. At that moment, I knew that nobody else would have the fire that I craved in a woman quite like Keegan Kelly did.

And at that moment, I knew I was completely fucked.

If I thought I was fucked before, I was unprepared for the sight of Keegan walking into the kitchen every morning that week in different variations of a cheerleading outfit. Keegan had filled out in the time we hadn't spoken, and it was noticeable.

New fantasy unlocked.

She barely looked in my direction since I moved in, let alone spoke to me. I still couldn’t help but compare her to the girl who used to know all my secrets. The girl that I knew would never be seen as a cheerleader, but I’d be damned if this newfound confidence didn’t suit her— and it was hot.

Today marked move-in day for most of the student body at CCU but the Kelly siblings moved in earlier this month due to most of them being student athletes. As student athletes, they were required to attend a week-long training camp to start the new semester on high note. I learned it was called “Athlete Training Week” and it traditionally ended on move-in day with a pep rally on the quad hosted by the athletics department.

I was brewing a pot of coffee when Keegan and Maeve came walking into the kitchen in their matching uniforms. They wore a white, long-sleeve cropped tops with the school logo stitched into the chest. They paired that with white pleated cheerleading skirt and white sneakers. I had to consciously keep my eyes averted because while my brain was aware that we had reasons not to like Keegan Kelly, my dick came to life every time we were in the same room.

“Are you coming to the rally later, Luke?” Maeve asked for the sake of politeness. While I was pretty sure that Maeve was privy to all of the brutal details of that night, she had been making an effort in the last week to not let it affect our relationship.

“I was thinking about it,” I said, addressing only her, “I want to check out campus and scope out where all of my classes will be.”

“You’re going to love it! Campus is so beautiful. Maybe we can give you a tour this afternoon.” Maeve bubbled, practically jumping for joy.

A scoff came from the other side of the kitchen as Keegan was filling up her travel coffee mug. “Come on Maeve, we're going to be late.” She grunted, walking past me without a glance.

“I don’t even get a kiss goodbye? Honestly, that's just rude.” I snickered to ease the tension. She paused, turning to meet my stare. I shot her a wink and sly smile. Her cheeks pinked momentarily before she schooled her features back to a cold glare. She dramatically rolled her eyes and walked out the front door.

Interesting. Maybe I still affected her more than she was letting on.

I turned to Maeve, “Thanks for the offer but I think I’ll be okay.”

Maeve just giggled, shaking her head. She stopped to give me a light kiss on my cheek before following her icy sister out the front door.

five

Keegan

three years ago

“You guys are seriously so disgusting.”

I looked down my nose at my brother and his best friend while they openly ogled Kiara Brighton, all legs and beauty as she laid out by the country club pool. She was arguably the most popular girl at our high school and boys literally drooled when she walked by.

And the worst part?

She was so. Freaking. Nice. It was sickening how someone could be so self-aware, and well-endowed, at the same time. She was the varsity squad head cheerleader, but also the president of three charitable volunteer organizations. I would kill to flutter through life like she did: stunning yet selfless.

“Mind your business, Keegs. You wanted to hang out with the guys so hold your judgment or find someone else to bother,” Nolan said with a dismissive hand wave in my direction.

“Yeah, be careful, your jealousy is showing again,” Luke added with a smirk.

“Why would I be jealous of someone that is probably going to peak in high school?” I sassed as my brother as Luke burst into a fit of laughter at my expense.

“Because, Keegs, she is gorgeous and has every guy falling at her feet. And well… you don’t,” Nolan shrugged as if he didn’t just land a punch to my gut.

Nolan and I may have been born on the same day, but that was really where our similarities ended. Nolan was tall, standing at 6’2”, and had the most charming smile. My outward appearance screamed cliché nerd: big glasses, frizzy hair, baggy clothes and all. On a good day I was only 5’5” with boobs that were… nonexistent.

The only things that my brother and I really had in common were bright green hazel eyes and our affinity for sports. Nolan was the captain of the varsity football team and I was on the executive board of the school gymnastics club.