YOU'RE ON,

❝  before  my  dad  ——    before  he  died  ,  we  had  a  tradition  ,  i  don’t  know  when  it  started  ,  but  presumably  when  i  was  a  baby  ,  but  after  every  single  game  we’d  wait  .  my  mom  and  i  ,  wait  and  wait  and  wait  ,  until  the  area  was  empty  ,  not  a  sound  ,  not  a  soul  .  ❞   eyes  flicker  back  to  him  ,  coasting  the  way  his  hand  presses  the  wheel  ,  the  new  ,  almost  icy  water  breeze  catches  a  wayward  tendril  ,  before  settling  back  on  his  face  as  a  slow  smile  breaches  her  mouth  .  ❝  and  then  my  dad  would  drag  the  pair  of  us  on  to  the  ice  ,  in skates  and  play  his  favourite  song  of  the  week  ,  month  ,  whatever  .  it  didn’t  matter  whether  he  won  the  game  or  they  lost  ,  our  tradition  stood  .  he  used  to  say  it  was  because  there  was  two  places  he  belonged  ,  the  ice  and  with  us  .  ❞  there’s  a  furrow  of  brows  after  she  stops  .  a  sort  of  melancholy  dripping  into  features  despite  the  smile  that  lingers  .  layla  was  lucky  ,  luckier  than  most  to  have  what  she  had  ,  but  that  didn’t  stop  the  sting  of  it  all  .

“ you cold? ” keenly aware of how the autumnal chill nips at her features, how the incessant breeze tousles her hair, how the icy spray settles upon soft, flushed flesh of her cheeks at each dip of the vessel's bow, and he's consumed with the need to shield her from it. prefrontal cortex allotted no time to catch up to ache, free hand hastily reaching behind his neck, gray - name embroidered hoodie coming off in one smooth motion. cold air immediately bites at the exposed flesh of his toned forearms, but boy barely notices, tossing cologne - soaked fabric into her lap. “ put that on. ” though, that doesn't suffice the necessity. “ and c'mere. ” invitation comes with movement then, hand leaving the wheel long enough to gesture toward himself, toward the space between his arms and the place atop his right thigh. a casual motion outwardly that somehow feels anything but internally.

OFF CAMPUS 1.04 "The Breakup"

heart  flutters  in  a  way  that  has  her  cringing  ,  internally  of  course  ,  the  drop  of  his  hand  leaving  the  skin  prickled  with  the  cool  air  ,  almost  like  it  was  regaining  the  flow  of  blood  .     ❝  i  don’t  blame  her  ,  honestly  .  ❞     femme  muses  ,  wind  whipping  through  already  messed  curls  .  she  follows  quietly  ,  slinking  into  the  plush  leather  seat  next  to  his  .  elbow  meeting  the  back  of  it  as  her  cheek  falls  to  hand  .      ❝  you  live  a  wild  life  ,  champagne  on  a  boat  that  won’t  go  amiss  ?  ❞     she shakes  her  head  ,  she  can’t  help  it  .  wide  eyes  blink  slowly  ,  watching  him  in  a  way  that  she  can’t  explain  .  drinking  in  the  way  he  sits  ,  his  posture  ,  the  way  the  soft  sunlight  catches  against  his  skin  .  immediately  thankful  for  the  way  dark  sunglasses  shield  her  gaze  . 

🏒 : gaze remains on beauty now adjacent to him, lingering on curve of physique against cream leather until she's fully settled, only pushing the throttle forward to ease them away from the dock after. “ yeah, me either . . there was this one summer he randomly hit us with a ' alright, we're all going out on the water together . . ' me, gi, mom, the whole damn family . . that should've tipped me off, because we never did shit like that. turns out he needed pictures of the whole happy, wholesome family man bullshit for some lame brochure for his campaign and nothing says it like forcing your wife and kids to smile on a boat named your mistress. ” recollection earns mirthless laughter, sound trickling into nothing as the realization that he's said too much seeps in, jaw clenching as eyes cut instantly from water ahead to her. “ uh shit . . i don't know why i just told you that. that's not usually how this goes. ” he stretches own arm closer, the shift of the vessel causing tips of digits to graze her arm. “ wild is one word for it. your turn, though. tell me something. ”

the energy within the house is contagious, but so is the energy that's radiating off a potentially already intoxicated grier. someone that always feeds off those around him, it didn't take much for a smirk to make way onto his face or the vibration to begin rushing through his body, as though a light was switched on. he slithers into the spot next to grier once he's bounced onto the floor, chuckle exiting between lips. “ a fucking please would be appreciated. ” he teases, taking the tiny plastic cup into his possession, brow raising as he holds it up, waiting for a cheers. “ don't be a pussy and cheers me, you dick. ”

🏒 : “ bro, i don't beg. ” limb still slung around the other's shoulders, squeezing tightly before releasing hold, grin that's spreading across lips then immediate and obnoxious, signature kind that meant trouble. “ you defensemen are so fucking needy. ” clinks his own plastic to other's, knocking it back with zero pause, zero indication that the liquid burns on it's way down. “ and that's captain dick to you. ” playfulness clear  in  tone of  voice. “ another? first one's just a warm up. ”

"yes, you have. many times. so much that i've cried into my pillow about it." as usual, though, it's evident that reed is just talking shit. "congratulations, bro. at least your hockey skills are a lot better than your mixing." he winces slightly as the beverage lingers on his taste buds. "what the fuck is in that?"

🏒 : “ aw, bro, glad to know i was the last thing you thought about before going to sleep, many times. ” lengthy digits sprawl against other's pectoral in mock - sincerity, patting once, twice. “ dude, it's a shot. if you need a chaser, you really just need to man up. ” seldom one to let up on banter, knocking back his own additional shot. “ fuck if i know, some vodka we picked up from the corner store. fucking disgusting is what it is, but it gets the job done. ”

she  talked  herself  into  it  ,  only  to  talk  herself  out  of  it  and  then  back  into  it  again  .  she  stared  at  his  texts  for  an  ungodly  amount  of  time  ,  fingers  tapping  against  her  own  thighs  before  she  did  something  she  never  does  .  she  threw  caution  to  the  wind  with  a  fuck  it  .  she  moved  like  she  had  a  plan  ,  she  certainly  did  not  have  a  plan  at  all  ,  gathering  a  bag  of  things  ,  and  changing  .  she  moved  fast  ,  almost  as  if  she  was  excited  .  and  she  was  so  thankful  her  roommates  were  out  as  she  practically  ran  out  the  door  .     ❝  well  ,  couldn’t  leave  you  hanging  .  ❞     her  hand  still  in  his  as  she  spoke  ,  fingers  pressed  into  palms  as  brows  rose  slightly  above  the  rim  of  her  sunglasses  ,  the  sharp  of  canine  dug  into  her  lip  slightly  .   

🏒 : pressure of digits against his palm makes him lose whatever flippant remark he'd lined up, gaze dropping briefly to their joined hands. “ welcome aboard, princess. ” once steady on deck, he releases, refusing to acknowledge the ache of his skin after having to disconnect. “ this is the mayor's mistress . . dad named it that, mom fucking hates it. ” dismissive shake of his head as he makes way toward the helm, settling comfortably into the genuine leather of the driver's seat, one limb draping across the back of it while the other rests against the wheel. “ there's beer in the fridge, if that's your thing. a bottle of dom pérignon in there somewhere, too. my parents won't miss it, make yourself comfortable. ”

🏒 : “ you heard me. ” said in jest, of course. blond would never truly disrespect girl before him, soft spot for her rang true. still, he cannot stifle the laughter that leaves him the second her face contorts into disgust. “ that's a good sign. ” grin upon his lips only widens then, gently nudging her arm with his elbow. “ don't know. don't look at me like that, though. i'm just the handsome messenger. take the shot, nat. ”

🏒 : “ water . . uh, got it, i can do that. ” skull nods in response to request, hand digging around an iced bucket for what seemingly was the sole bottle. he triumphantly plucks it out moments after and shakes off the excess liquid before handing it over to her. “ you doing alright? ”

" excuse me ? " summer gasped dramatically , though the grin tugging at glossed lips completely ruined any attempt at sounding offended , the shot already in her hand before he'd finished speaking . " i don't appreciate being literally bullied by my birthday twin . that's against the rules of sharing a birthday " brown hues narrow playfully at him , a finger jabbing at his chest . " especially when this win was probably because i brought my half of the gemini magic tonight . you're welcome , by the way " and without another second of hesitation , the blonde tossed the shot back , features immediately scrunching at the burn that hit her throat . " that's fucking disgusting " she complains , a dramatic cough to emphasis her distaste . and yet somehow , despite her reaction , she was already reaching toward the counter for another . " one more ? because destiny clearly wants us to celebrate together . "

🏒 : “ summs — ” bass in vocals drawl out over incessant bass of song blaring through speakers presently, “ my girl, bullying is crazy, you took the shot outta my hand before i even finished. ” laughter escapes column of his throat, digits catching her wrist, feather - light, to prevent a second attack to his chest. “ alright, alright. i'll give you some credit. i could feel your gemini, birthday twin magic working on me from the stands, so thank you. ” releases his grasp then, cerulean hues watching in amusement as the offered shot dissipates, “ there she is. fuck yeah, pour it up. it would be so rude of us to ignore destiny. ”

she’ll  maintain  ,  that  as  she  moved  through  the  throng  of  people  that  she  wasn’t  looking  for  grier  monroe  ,  she  refused  to  acknowledge  that  ,  because  she  wasn’t  .  but  that  didn’t  mean  she  wouldn’t  find  him  ,  she  moved  slow  ,  up  the  stairs  ,  looking  for  another  bathroom  ,  and  thanks  to  her  brother  residing  in  said  house  ,  she  knew  a  few  things  .  but  maybe  that  was  her  mistake  ,  thinking  that  she  wouldn’t  be  found  .  she  was  .

“ you stalking me now, angel? ” moniker rolls of tongue no delay, a sharp scoff sounded beside him, the girl who'd ceased to exist, now staring at him in disbelief, and before he knew it, cold liquid splashes across face, empty solo cup dropping to his floor as she storms out, slamming the door behind. unphased, he utilizes the fabric of his t - shirt to wipe his face, realizing it was liquor soaked then, he pulls it over his head, and simply tosses it in layla's direction. chooses to unceremoniously fall onto bare spine on his mattress after, eyes trained on the ceiling as he exhales a frustrated sigh. “ better things, huh? knew you wouldn't stay away. ”

🏒 : “ dude, your parents made bets on me? how is your mom, by the way? still hot? ” grin spreading across his lips in his signature, shameless way. “ right, man, sorry, i should've bought you dinner first or something too, right? ” although said in jest, he's never been the gentlemanly type. “ the court of lovelace law, ” repeats in mock - serious tone. “ your honor, i'd like the record to show that the defendant is making shit up again. ” his free palm held up to show innocence. “ hey, hey, relax, i'm not questioning you. i just had to make sure you didn't forget how i like it. ”

....................the  way  his  lips  form  around  her  name  distracts  her  ,  eyes  flickering  between  them  and  his  eyes  ,  chin  tilted  upwards  out  of  need  .  a  need  to  remain  focused  ,  not  distracted  by  him  and  yet  ,  she  can’t  help  it  .  she’s  deeply  distracted  .     ❝  that  sounds  a  lot  like  missing  me  ,  monroe  .  ❞      voice  whisper  light  ,  as  if  it  meant  something  .  it  can’t  mean  something  ,  but  that  doesn’t  settle  the  odd  ache  lodged  between  her  ribs  .      ❝  because  believe  me  ,  there  are  plenty  better  things  to  be  doing  than  you  ,  hanging  out  with  you  .  ❞

🏒 : opts to lean back only a fraction, smug smile remaining glued to lips, pure self - satisfaction, tinged with genuine amusement, something irresistible about a girl seemingly immune to his usual ruse. “ whatever you say, layla. ” blue holds brown, her eyes rich and warm, gathering glow of fluorescents instead of merely reflecting it, catches himself watching them longer than was polite, searching their depths for reasons he couldn't quite name. “ if you change your mind .. and you will, come find me. promise i'll make you eat those words. ” gaze clings to hers a moment past this means nothing, before he's adjusting the strap of his duffle and turning on his heel. “ later, angel. ”

sloane  looks  up  at  him,  words  calling  for  a  roll  of  her  eyes  all  in  good  fun  "  congratulations  or  whatever  they  say,  "  she  teases  "  you're  lucky  your  game  was  first.  "  gaze  follows  him  as  he  gets  down  "  did  you  really  need  to  be  on  the  island  ?  that  feels  a  little  dramatic.  "  she  takes  the  shot  solo  cup  from  his  hands  "  charming.  "  sloane  jokes,  as  she  brings  the  cup  closer  to  his  "  i'll  always  take  the  shot,,  you  should  know  this,  monroe.  "  she  smirks,  bumping  the  cups  together  before  bringing  it  up  "  first  win  of  the  season,  baby.  "  she  yells  before  taking the  cup  to  her  lips  and  downing  the  shot.

🏒 : “ WHAT? sorry, can't hear you from up here. ” taunting, of course, until his feet are returned to the ground again. “ you don't score a game winner and celebrate like a normal person. that's not how legends are made. you might wanna write that down. ” easy, cocky grin forms upon his lips, limb around shoulders tugging her closer teasingly before tapping his own cup against hers and tipping it back. “ don't want to alarm you, rosen, but i'm off to a pretty historic start .. if you're lucky, i might just show you my projected stat line for this season later. don't wanna ruin your night, though. ”

𝗇𝗂𝖼𝗈’𝗌   𝗅𝖺𝗎𝗀𝗁   𝖼𝖺𝗆𝖾   𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗒,   𝗌𝗐𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗈𝗐𝖾𝖽   𝖺𝗅𝗆𝗈𝗌𝗍   𝗂𝗆𝗆𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒   𝖻𝗒   𝗍𝗁𝖾   𝗆𝗎𝗌𝗂𝖼   𝗍𝗁𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀   𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁   𝗍𝗁𝖾   𝗁𝗈𝗎𝗌𝖾.   the   kitchen   looked   like   a   disaster   zone.   teammates   crammed   shoulder   to   shoulder   around   the   island,   somebody   yelling   from   the   living   room,   somebody   else   already   starting   a   chant   that   made   absolutely   no   sense.   the   first   win   of   the   season   hung   over   everything   like   electricity.   bright.   reckless.   the   kind   of   night   that   made   bad   ideas   sound   excellent.   he   glanced   at   the   shot   being   shoved   into   his   hand,   then   back   at   him.   “   brother,   you’ve   been   standing   on   that   counter   for   ten   minutes.   at   this   point   i’d   take   the   shot   just   because   i’m   worried   about   what   happens   if   you   don’t   get   your   way.   ”   grinning,   he   knocked   it   back   before   he   could   think   twice   about   it.   immediate   regret.   his   eyes   squeezed   shut   as   the   burn   hit,   one   hand   pressing   dramatically   against   his   chest.   “   holy   shit.   ”   a   cough   escaped   him.   then   another.   “   that   tasted   like   jet   fuel.   ”   the   complaint   lasted   all   of   three   seconds   before   he   was   laughing   again,   knocking   his   shoulder   into   the   other   guy’s.   “   get   me   another   one.   we   won.   ”  

🏒 : brother not by blood, but by bond. by something built, forged in cold rinks, long seasons, and the unwavering certainty that the guy beside him would always have his back. “ that's what i call leadership, deluca. ” cannot stifle the loud, hysterical laughter that billows at the other's reaction to poison of his choice. a chorus of ' woo's! ' soon erupting around them as their shoulder's collide, blond's palm clapping against his unintentionally hard enough to rock him sideways even after. “ there he is, that's the champion mindset. ” his torso twists, snagging another shot from a passing teammate, a freshman, then shoving it into brunet's grasp. “ fuck yeah, we did. undefeated season coming our way, bro. i'm manifesting it, it's destiny, or whatever the fuck that shit is summer says. ” presses his own plastic cup to his, then tips the liquid back into his mouth with ease. “ seriously, man, you were a beast out there tonight. ”

" so proud of you, little bro! " gianna replied, a small smile appearing on her lips. it was no surprise to find the eldest monroe at this party, not only because she had the privilege of having her younger brother on the hockey team, but she also could never resist a good party. " do i even wanna know what's in this? " she asked, chuckling a bit, but taking the drink nonetheless. " like if i do end up taking it, is it going to fuck me up so bad i don't remember anything tomorrow night? "

🏒 : proud. such a simple thing, yet it gives him pause, only evident in the slight tightening of his jaw. blond had spent years chasing those words from their patriarch, sister offering it so easily. “ thanks, gi. ” sincere in tone, but shakes his head without delay, ridding self of whatever that word stirred up. “ better to not ask. ” mirroring sibling replies, meeting shared blood's chuckle with one of his own. “ probably, but that's the beauty of it. you know i won't let anything happen to you. ”