Collisions

Sienna’s breath fogged the air as she stepped out of the dormitory. The crisp morning chill bit at her cheeks, but she welcomed it. It was better than being trapped in her room with nothing but her thoughts to keep her company.

She tightened her scarf and adjusted the strap of her backpack. Today was going to be a long one—three classes back-to-back, a shift at the campus bookstore, and then an endless night of catching up on assignments.

As she walked across the courtyard, she caught sight of the rugby team jogging toward the field. They moved in perfect synchronization, their laughter and banter cutting through the morning quiet.

Her eyes found Luca instantly, as if drawn by a magnet. He was at the front of the group, his breath visible in the cold air, his dark hair damp from sweat. He didn’t look like he belonged in a place like Ridgecrest either, but not because he was out of place.

He owned the space.

Sienna tore her gaze away, her stomach twisting. She couldn’t let herself get distracted. People like Luca Deveraux didn’t look twice at girls like her—not really. And even if they did, it was never for the reasons you’d want.

Luca was trying not to think about her.

He focused on the pounding of his feet against the ground, the rhythmic thud that matched his heartbeat as he pushed himself harder, faster. But it didn’t help.

The memory of Sienna Hayes kept intruding, slipping through the cracks of his resolve. The way her eyes had flashed when she snapped at him in the library. The quiet determination she carried like armor.

She was different.

And that was dangerous.

“Deveraux, pick it up!” one of his teammates shouted, clapping him on the shoulder.

Luca grunted and surged forward, his muscles burning as he pushed himself to the front of the pack. He couldn’t afford distractions—not now, not ever.

But even as he pushed her from his mind, the pull of her lingered, tugging at him like an undertow.

By lunchtime, Sienna was ready to collapse. She grabbed a sandwich from the dining hall and found a quiet corner of the quad to eat.

Her head was pounding, and the weight of the day felt heavier than usual. She rubbed her temples, willing herself to focus.

“Rough morning?”

The voice startled her, and she looked up to see Luca standing a few feet away, his hands shoved into his pockets.

She frowned. “Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people?”

He smirked. “Only the interesting ones.”

Sienna rolled her eyes, but her heart skipped a beat. “What do you want, Luca?”

He sat down on the bench beside her, far too close for comfort. “Maybe I just wanted to say hi.”

“Well, you’ve said it. You can leave now.”

Luca chuckled, leaning back as if he had all the time in the world. “You’re feisty, you know that?”

“Do you enjoy annoying people, or is it just me?”

“Just you,” he said with a grin.

Sienna stared at him, her irritation warring with a flicker of curiosity. Luca Deveraux was a walking contradiction—a perfect storm of arrogance and charm, confidence and chaos.

But she didn’t have time to figure him out.

“Look, I’ve got a lot of work to do,” she said, standing up. “So if you don’t mind—”

He caught her wrist, his touch surprisingly gentle.

“Sienna.”

Her name on his lips sent a shiver down her spine.

“What?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Luca’s dark eyes searched hers, and for a moment, it was like the rest of the world faded away.

But then the mask slipped back into place, and he released her.

“Nothing,” he said, standing. “See you around.”

He walked away, leaving Sienna staring after him, her heart racing.

She didn’t know what game he was playing, but she wasn’t about to let herself get caught up in it.

Later that night, Luca sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the photo on his desk.

It was an old picture, taken years ago—a family portrait of him, his father, and his mother before she died. Before everything went wrong.

He picked up the frame, his fingers brushing over the glass.

Sometimes he wondered what his mother would think of him now. Would she be proud of the man he’d become, or would she see through the facade?

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

“Luca, you coming out?” one of his teammates called.

“Yeah, give me a minute,” he replied, setting the photo down.

He stood, grabbing his jacket as he pushed the memories aside.

There was no room for the past in his life. Not anymore.