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“Dude,” Austen says, gesturing at the screen. “That fourth-quarter choke was literally insane.”

I turn to Cameron. “This is Cameron,” I say, keeping my voice casual. “He’s at Hayworth, but I knew him at St. Silas, so we go way back.”

Austen, who’s the tallest of the group at six-four, reaches out and claps Cameron on the shoulder hard enough to make him stumble. “I’m Austen. Nice to meet you, man. Any friend of Luc’s is good people.”

Cameron’s voice changes when he responds. It drops lower, rougher. “Nice to meet you, Austen.”

Alex and Matt introduce themselves next, and Matt, always kind, says, “That’s a long-ass drive from campus. You want a beer?”

“Here,” Alex says, already handing Cameron one from the cooler sitting on the floor. “It’s not the good stuff, but it hits different when you’re this far from civilization.”

Cameron looks relieved. He opens it immediately and takes a few gulps.

“Looks like you guys have been here for a while,” I say, surveying the mess of cans and food wrappers.

Austen grins. “Not too long. We made good time with the flight and the drive from the airport. Your boy Billy picked us up. He’s low-key the best. Told us stories about you the whole way here.”

I groan. “Oh God, what did he tell you?”

“That you used to be scared of the woods,” Alex says, smirking. “Said you cried the first time your dad took you hunting.”

“I was like eight,” I protest, but I’m laughing despite myself.

“Is it cool if I take the same room as last time?” Alex asks.

“I’ll bunk with you again,” Matt says to Alex.

“Yeah,” I say. “Liam can bunk with Austen.”

Cameron’s eyes look worried for just a second, but he hides it well by turning his gaze toward the hallway that leads to the bedrooms.

“I don’t think Cameron will mind sharing a room with me. Cool, Cam?” I say as casually as I can, nervous that they’ll hear something in my voice that will give us away.

“I don’t mind,” he says in a neutral tone.

“Good,” I say, letting out the breath I was holding.

I walk toward the kitchen island. The common space is huge and open, with a full kitchen that takes up one entire wall. Industrial stove, double ovens, a fridge big enough to hold a week’s worth of food and beer for a dozen people. “Where’s Billy?” I ask.

“Billy went to get food,” Matt says. “Your dad called him like an hour ago.”

“Oh good, I’m starving.” I open a beer and hold it up. “Cheers.”

I chug it, and I can feel myself slipping into my old persona. The rough and arrogant good old boy who just wants to have a good time. The version of me that exists here, in this place, with these people.

I glance at Cameron, wondering if he’s disappointed. Maybe it was a mistake bringing him here, to let him see this part of me.

But then Cameron opens a beer and chugs it too. He burps when he’s done and slams the can down on the counter.

Austen whoops, clearly already drunk. “Let’s go, baby!”

Matt laughs and tosses Cameron another beer. “You’re gonna fit right in, man.”

“So what’s the plan for tomorrow?” I ask, settling onto one of the barstools.

“Your dad wants us up at dawn,” Austen says. “Said the hogs are most active early morning.”

“Did he give you the safety speech yet?” I ask.