Page 90 of Campus Heat

Cam clutched his chest. “That was beautiful.”

Lucas bowed theatrically. “An award-worthy performance.”

Eventually the song dissolved into laughter and applause, and someone started another round of cards. This time it looked like spades. Malik leaned over to watch the play like a referee, which was something they obviously needed. But that didn’t last too long either. After three games, he stretched and got up.

“I’m bored with watching you idiots cheat.”

“I don’t cheat!” Lucas defended himself automatically.

“You’ve been cheating the whole time,” Dylan scoffed.

Malik ignored them all and wandered down the aisle to the back of the bus. I noticed his approach and straightened slightly. Malik stopped beside our seats and rested one of his arms on the top of the chair.

“What’s going on back here?”

Jenna looked up curiously. “Oh, not much, just peace, quiet, and emotional stability.”

Malik nodded thoughtfully. “That must be nice.”

I gave him a warm smile. “Are you tired of babysitting the sharks?”

Malik let out a heavy sigh and sank down on the seat in front of us. “Girl, you have no idea. Lucas actually tried to invent a rule that he called ‘bonus kings.’”

“Is that not already a thing?” Jenna mocked.

“You should try explaining something to him that doesn’t fit his narrative. It’s like trying to teach physics to a two-year-old.”

He glanced between the two of us and instantly noticed that something was out of place. I should’ve known it would happen, but on some hidden level, I was slightly relieved.

“So what are you guys doing back here? Just judging us?”

“Pretty much,” Jenna said with a nod.

I laughed. “Mostly we’re just trying to survive the singing.”

Malik gave me a wide grin. “Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”

I gave him a killer look, and his smile faltered almost as quickly as it arrived.

“You weren’t the one who was singing,” I pointed out.

He pointed at his chest defensively. “I was their emotional support.”

“That’s not the same thing,” Jenna said.

Behind him, Lucas leaned into the aisle and looked in both directions before spotting Malik.

“Yo! Malik! Get back here; we need a witness. Dylan’s trying to revoke my three-of-a-kind.”

“Do you see what I have to put up with?” He pushed off the seat. “Enjoy your peace while it lasts.”

I watched him walk off, and then, despite myself, my eyes drifted back to Ethan. He was laughing at something Cam said, and his head tilted back slightly. For a brief second, I felt the familiar warmth he stirred in my heart, but then he glanced back. Our eyes met and his smile faded almost instantly, then he looked away like I was something toxic.

I quickly turned my attention back to Jenna and pretended to be very interested in her pretzel bag. A knot formed in my stomach and instantly tightened. A few minutes later the driver announced that we would be stopping for food, and everyone cheered.

The diner sat just off the highway. It was a low brick building with a faded red sign and a gravel parking lot. Nothing spectacular or memorable, but it would do. The bus hissed loudly as the doors opened and a rush of cold air assaulted our senses. I stepped out, and for just a second I was reminded of the time Ethan and I were stranded.

With a deep breath, I pulled my jacket tighter. The team spread out around me, stretching their stiff legs and groaning dramatically.