Chapter 13 Get 5 ) Monday came way too fast . Got up early , threw on skinny jeans , this cute white and navy button down , and my fave flats . Wanted to look put- together but not try hard , you know ? Orientation was supposed to take forever , but then Id be free till classes started next week . On my way to campus , I thought about everything thatd gone down since 1 got here . The guys had backed off after that thing with Ethan , but now they were being weird like , creeper level staring weird . Found a spot in the parking lot and booked it to the cafe to meet Rachel . Shed already blown up my phone twice cause I was running super late . Emily ! Rachel waved from inside . Spotted her with two other girls and headed over . Sorry Im late . Traffic was brutal got stuck at that light for like four cycles . Dropped into the seat next to Rachel with a sigh . She slid over this coffee shed grabbed for me literally my hero . After sitting through that traffic nightmare , I needed this bad . Oh my god , this is heaven , I moaned . The other girls cracked up . Emily , meet Bree and Sophie . Brees a sophomore , Sophies fresh meat like us . I waved hi , trying not to look like a total mess wiping foam off my face . Nice to meet yall ! You too , sugar ! Bree had that sweet Georgia drawl . Rachel says yall are Georgia peaches too . Small world ! Thats wild . What about you ? I asked Sophie . Cali girl , she grinned , rocking that whole surfer girl vibe with her blonde hair and green eyes . Definitely not used to all this instead of my beach life . We were all cracking up , sharing stories when orientation kicked off . We 4.1 % ter 13 Get 5 > #Menu stuck together during the campus tour . Holy crap , Sophie stopped dead . Who are those snacks ? Followed her eyes to see Ryan , Logan , and Dylan rolling up in this massive truck , hanging with their crew . I straight up groaned watching the girls practically drooling . Those would be Emilys new housemates , Rachel smirked . Bree and Sophies heads whipped around so fast . Hold up youre living with the Four Horsemen ? Bree looked shook . How Peven ? Horsemen ? I laughed . Theyre just my stepmoms godsons . Trust me , theyre more annoying than anything . I wouldnt mind … Sophie grinned , making us all lose it . Oh my gosh , TMI ! Come on , Mady smirked , you cant tell me you havent thought about it . Theyre total knockouts . I mean , yeah , Id had thoughts , but no way could that happen . Plus , they couldnt stand me . Maybe , but were like oil and water . Whos like oil and water ? came this smooth voice behind me . The girls eyes went huge , and Bree nearly choked trying not to laugh . I did this mental eye roll before turning around of course , Ryan and Logan . Logan standing there with that smirk while Ryan waited for an answer . All of us . You , me , everyone . Ethan made that pretty clear . Ryan sighed , flashing this smile. Dont believe everything you hear . Yeah , right . I said , super sarcastic , motioning for the girls to keep walking . No way was I letting them mess up orientation . They always got me flustered , making me think things I shouldnt . I had goals , you know ? Career plans . Didnt need this drama . 3.98 % 13 Get $ > • Menu Emily , youre so- Rachel started , then cracked up . Next thing I knew , I was upside down over Ryans shoulder . Oh my gosh , put me down ! I yelped , totally caught off guard . Something weird happened when he touched me like electricity . Mustve felt it too cause he tensed up , then suddenly I was against the building wall . His hands on my waist had my heart going crazy . He looked intense , bre athing hard . Ryan … I whispered , super confused . Ryan ! Logan called out , and Ryan made this weird sound in his throat . Ryan , whatre you doing … His eyes met mine and whoa . Golden rings glowing in them . Like , actually glowing . What even was he ? Ethan had those same gold flecks . Ryan kept getting closer , and I thought he was gonna kiss me , but instead he buried his face in my neck , breathing deep . Cant be … Cant be what- He cut me off , pushing away . Felt weirdly empty without hí m there . Ryan … Logans warning tone again . Ryan looked totally confused , like he was coming out of a trance or something . He shook it off and bolted to the truck . Logan shot me this sorry about that look before chasing after him . Turned back to the girls Bree and Sophie looked freaked , but Rachel was living for it . Oh my god , that was SO HOT ! Rachel was practically bouncing , still watching them leave . Not gonna lie she wasnt wrong . You good ? Bree asked quietly , stepping in front of me to block my view . Um , yeah … Im fine . Watch yourself with them . Especially Ethan . Bad stuff happens . Ge15 > Menu Talk about cryptic . Wanted to ask more but she took off toward the dorms . No clue what she meant , but it was definitely weird . Like , yeah , the guys were intense , but dangerous ? Please . Then again , my judgment with guys wasnt exactly stellar . Its why I kept to myself back home less chance of getting in over my head . Even if every part of me wanted to get in over my head with them … In "Cross My Heart and Hope to Die" by CrushReel, Zoe Hale takes a daring step by marrying Ashton Cross, a man under suspicion for her sister's mysterious demise. As their relationship evolves, hidden truths unravel, intertwining love and suspense in this captivating romance novel. Exploring the complexities of loyalty and deception, the story delves deep into Zoe's quest for justice while navigating the unexpected twists of her heart. The enigmatic bond between Zoe and Ashton unfolds against a backdrop of secrets and revelations, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each turn of the page. 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