Tomorrow night is the last playoff game, the one that will determine if the boys go to the Championship, so we all decided to have dinner together at my house.

We’ve been talking football, going over their game plan, for the last twenty minutes and apparently, our sports talk isn’t entertaining enough for Mia because she takes the first opening she can and changes the subject to what to do after.

“Shawna’s having another party,” Mia informs us, her eyes flitting between Nate and me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Nate go still. “Yeah, and she’s gonna keep having parties until the main attraction is open for rides,” Austin says, earning a laugh from me.

“Seriously, Nate, put the girl out of her misery already,” Parker adds, grinning.

Nate frowns at his plate. “I’m not interested.”

“Why not?” I ask. “She can’t be that bad. She’s got a nice ass and she’s pretty. Kinda got a Rachel Bilson look going on. Girl next doorish, but she’s got a bit of crazy.” I tear off a piece a bread and pop it in my mouth.

While the others laugh, Nate turns his frown on me. “Like I said,” his eyes tighten around the edges, “I’m not interested.”

Mia scoffs from her side of the table. “Not anymore,” she mutters into her cup, looking away when Nate’s eyes flash to her.

And suddenly it all makes sense.

“Oh, my God!” I laugh. “She’s looking for seconds, huh?” I ask, bumping his shoulder playfully.

The table shakes and everyone freezes when he jumps to his feet. Looking down at me with hard eyes, his jaw tightens. “I am not. Having. This conversation with you.”

My head pulls back as my brows climb. “Uh…” I cut quick glances at the others. “Okay?”

His nostrils flare before he drops his chin to his chest on a curse.

Not a second later, Austin pops up. “Dinner was awesome, Lolli, but we better head out.” Walking around the table, he slaps a hand on Parker’s shoulder. “Big game tomorrow and all.”

I nod, half-focused on what he said, half-wondering what the hell Nate’s problem is.

“You need some help cleaning up?” Nate asks, looking everywhere but at me.

I can’t help but laugh at his weirdness. “Thanks, but I got it.”

Parker leans in and places a chaste kiss to my temple. “Thanks, Lolli Bear.”

“Your welcome, Hero.” I give him a one-armed hug.

Austin gives me a quick hug, before wrapping an arm around Mia’s shoulder. “Bye, Lolli.” He salutes me on his way out, Parker hot on his heels, leaving Nate standing in front of me.

His chest inflates as his strangled gaze finally returns to mine.

I tighten my lips to keep from grinning. “You alright?”

A deep sigh leaves him, and he nods, heading for the door. Pulling it open, he murmurs, “Goodnight, Kalani,” and walks out, without looking back.

And I’m left standing here wondering why I expected more.

The second the door clicks shut, I dig my fingernails into my palm to keep from opening it again, pulling her in my arms, and biting down on that buxom bottom lip of hers until she begs me to stay.

Once I’m seated in the Hummer, I let out a frustrated sigh. “Fuck.” Running my hands down my face, I drop my head against the headrest.

“Interesting evening,” Austin teases, from the seat beside me.

Not at all shocked to see him sitting there, I put the truck in reverse and pull out of the driveway. “Where’s Parker?”

“Told him to take my truck home.” I glance at him, and he grins. “Figured it best if I rode with you instead.”

He’d be right. I was one hut away from choking Baylor’s ass out for putting his lips on her. Again.

“So, what’s up, man?” Austin shoves my shoulder. “Let’s hear it.”

“I fucked Shawna.”

Austin howls in laughter. “Shit, I didn’t think it happened yet. Thought for sure she’d get you tomorrow, though.” He grins. “Guess that’s done with now, huh?”

I frown at the road ahead of me.

“Wait. You’re thinking about going at it again?” He hits the dash on a howl. “Damn-”

“What?!” I cut him a glance. “No! I didn’t plan to the first time. I…” A groan leaves me.

“What?”

I look at my best friend. If I can be real with anyone, it’s him.

“I threw up after,” I tell him, as we pull up to Parker’s house.

A grin starts to grow on his face, but when my expression doesn’t change, his lip lowers back down. “Alright,” he urges me on.

“When I left Kalani’s house last weekend, Shawna called.” I shrug. “Figured, why not. Nothing else to do.”

Austin nods.

“It was fine at first, but then she kept rubbing on me and her catcalls were fake as shit, and I… Fuck, I don’t know, man.”

“Sure you do. Out with it.”

My hand comes down and smacks the steering wheel. I turn back to him and narrow my eyes. “Don’t give me shit.”

Austin lifts both hands, letting me know there’s no judgment.

“It felt…fucked up, wrong. I was disgusted with myself after.” My stomach starts to turn at the thought. Shawna was desperate and…easy.

“That’s new, huh?” He tries to keep his tone neutral, but I’ve known him long enough to know when he’s tripped the fuck out.

I nod.

“Was it Shawna ... or …?”

That’s the million-dollar question.

“I don’t know, man.” I rub the back of my neck. “I have a feeling it has absolutely nothing to do with Shawna and everything to do with-”

“Your dark haired, blue-eyed wonder?” he too eagerly supplies.

I nod my head, looking out the front window. “Yeah. God,” I huff on a laugh. “I sound like a chick.”

Then it dawns on me what he said.

My.

I look over to find him grinning like the fool he is. “My wonder?”

“Dude. You pissed on her the second you seen her at school.” He laughs. “She’s yours, man,” he says, before shrugging. “She just hasn’t figured it out yet.”

“Hmph, yeah, no shit.” I roll my shoulder so it doesn’t lock up on me, then I ask him something that’s been bugging the shit out me. “You think Parker plans on making a move?” I ask, glancing at Parker’s house. “They seem real close.”

Too close.

“Man, get out of here with that shit. Parker’s your friend, and yeah, maybe he and Kalani started some friendship before we all started hanging out and all, but he sees it. Shit, everyone sees it but you two.” He laughs. “You guys got some serious something brewing between you. I mean, look, you’ve barely had your hands on her, and you already can’t stick your dick in anyone else without getting sick.”

When I glare at him, he laughs even harder, reaching over to shove me. “I’m fucking with you, dude. Chill. But, seriously, you don’t need to worry about those two.”

When he sees I’m unconvinced, he nods.

“Trust me, Baylor knows it’s a loss.” His voice is adamant. “A helluva loss,” he finishes, looking out his window.

I put the truck in gear. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He nods and hops out.

Right before he shuts the door, he pops his head back in. “Go home, Nate.” He holds eye contact until he knows I’m catching his drift. Once I nod, he heads for Parker’s door.

As soon as I get home, I strip down and lie back in my bed. Pulling out my phone, I text Kalani.

 

Me: you were right.

 

She responds a minute later.

 

Kalani: I usually am.

 

I smile at her response. Only Kalani wouldn’t care to ask what about. I like that. I take a deep breath and type out my next text.

 

Me: I slept with Shawna.

 

Kalani: ha! I knew it! Ten points for me…

 

I frown at my screen.

She texted back instantly. What the fuck’s up with that?

She didn’t even need a few seconds of contemplation? Of rereading my message and processing her thoughts, or feelings of whatever the fuck girls normally do in this situation?

She was completely unfazed by my admission, like she expected it. That, or she just doesn’t care.

I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Unsure of what else to say, I end the conversation.

 

Me: Night, Kalani.

 

Kalani: Night, QB.

 

Tossing my phone on the bed beside me, I turn and groan into my pillow.

She doesn’t care I hooked up with Shawna. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t bother me.

That thought alone is the confirmation I’ve been waiting for, everything I need to know.Things become instantly clearer to me in this moment.

I smirk into the darkness. “Game on.”