Crossroads (Book Three)

Chapter 5

Lyla

Will. Friggin'. Brody. How is this even possible? When I met his steely blue eyes coming down the stairs earlier today I was at a loss for words. I hadn't seen him since grade twelve graduation. It was like seeing a ghost. It's strange to grow up with someone your whole life, see them every single day and share your life with them and then one day you just never speak or see them again. Until they turn up on your boyfriends front step.

The three of us are in Shawn's car now, on the way to campus for my track meeting. When I woke up from my nap with Shawn about an hour ago I had discreetly texted my group chat with Paige and Rachel letting them know the scoop.

The chat had blown up with dozens of questions. Both the girls knew Will as well from Harringinton, we had all been good friends. The girls had always teased me about Will, assuring me that he was in love with me throughout high school. But we were never more than friends, we never crossed that line.

Not that I had ever really wanted to. There was a time in grade eight where the idea had popped into my head. Will had hit puberty and started to grow taller than me and appeared somewhat dreamy in my eyes. But that lasted all of a week and I decided we were better off as friends and didn't try to make any move nor did I ever say anything to him about it. It was filed away in my memories as a momentary school girl crush.

There's tension in the car now I could cut with a knife thanks to Shawn and Will. They had both insisted on driving to the meeting tonight and thus ensued a very awkward debate at the house before we left. I ultimately put an end to their little pissing match by deciding Shawn would just drive since he knew his way around campus. To anyone else watching their interaction, it may have seemed completely innocent, but I could detect the slight edginess to Shawn's voice.

It was easy to see that Shawn was not thrilled with his new roommate situation. I can understand where he is coming from partially, but he has no need to worry or be upset. There is literally zero romantic history between Will and me. I reach across the front seat and grab Shawn's hand. He glances over at me and finally smiles as I rest our hands on the centre console. Will is in the backseat and so far the ride has been silent, but I can't handle it any longer.

"So, Will, what were your first two years out east like?" I ask.

"They were great. It was a great school, beautiful campus and amazing track program. I just missed home I guess was the major downfall. So I reached out to a few colleges around here and Oakridge offered me the best scholarship and transferred all my credits over so I don't have to make up for anything extra."

"What program are you in?" I ask, genuinely curious. When he left for college he had still been undeclared as to what he wanted to study.

"Pre-med," he responds.

"Really? That's awesome," I say as I turn to look at him in the backseat and smile. I feel Shawn squeeze my hand and I turn back to face the front.

"So, how did you guys meet?" Will asks, referring to Shawn and me.

"Well, we officially met on my first day here last year," I start and I smile over at Shawn as I remember our first encounter. "I was in the office to get my schedule and dorm assignment set up when I dropped all my paperwork on the floor. Shawn here was kind enough to help me collect everything. Then after that we ran into each other a few times on campus. He eventually invited me to come watch one of his hockey games and I guess after that we just couldn't seem to get enough of one another."

Shawn looks over at me and winks, flashing me his cocky grin with his dimples I love so much.

"Wait," Will says. "You're dating a hockey player?"