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Liam looks like he's struggling to hold back a laugh. "Yes."
Marshall playfully gasps, "But you always ask me for advice."
Liam chuckles. "And then I ask Lincoln what he thinks."
Marshall is taken aback. "No."
"Sorry to say, but it's the truth," Liam confirms.
I can't help but giggle at the absurdity of their conversation.
"Sutton, I thought you were on my side!" Marshall teases.
I join in with a grin, "Team Liam for life."
Marshall, appearing a bit disappointed, pauses, distracted by something. "Did you guys hear that?"
I shake my head no, while Liam asks if it's the sound of a car door closing. Marshall stands up, his excitement evident as he bounces on his feet.
"I think Linc and Ro are back," he declares.
I sit up, letting the blanket fall into my lap. I had wondered how I would react in this moment, and the answer is clear. I'm ready to slip out the back door.
A tiny part of me wants to see Lincoln, but another part knows I'm not emotionally prepared to handle the situation with any dignity.
Liam can see the panic in my eyes, and he rises to help me pack my laptop and textbooks into my backpack. He gives me a reassuring smile as he zips up my bag. "Back door?" he asks.
I nod and scramble to find my boots, my heart pounding. I throw my head back and groan when I realize they're sitting next to the front door.
Stopping Liam from slinging my backpack over his shoulder, I point to my sock-covered feet. His reaction is immediate. "Fuck," he mutters.
I lower myself back down to my spot on the couch and cross my legs, ensuring I don't accidentally give Liam an unintended show. I adore skirts, but sometimes I just want to "man spread" and not worry about someone catching a glimpse of my underwear.
Lincoln casually walks into the living room and stops at the other end of the couch. "Hey, Liam. Did you eat—" He halts mid-sentence when he notices me.
Ronan, who's also taken notice of the situation, breaks into a creepy smile. Then, following Marshall's example, he hops over the back of the couch and sits a little too close to me. Why can't these boys just walk around the couch like normal people?
"Who do we owe for this lovely surprise?" Ronan asks, nudging me with his elbow, hinting at some joke I might be missing.
Liam interjects, "Me."
"What were you guys doing?" Lincoln inquires.
I push my curls back behind my ears and tilt my head to get a better look at Lincoln. Gathering my resolve, I respond, "An assignment."
My voice comes out softer than I intended, but speaking loudly is not my natural default.
Lincoln seems lost in thought.
I stand up, causing Ronan to startle, and Liam to step back. Clearing my throat, I say, "I should probably get back to the dorms. Leia has been texting me nonstop."
Ronan perks up at the sound of Leia's name. "Did she say anything about me?" he asks, his tone hopeful.
I'm genuinely puzzled. Why would Leia say anything about him? Am I missing something?
I give him a questioning look. "Uh, no. Sorry?"
A smile never leaves his face, but I can see disappointment flicker in his eyes. "Yeah, well. It's all good," he assures me.
