Page 18 of Cheap Shot

We pulled out our phones and rotated saving our contacts, then started putting our stuff away. I pulled my backpack straps over my shoulders and was almost to the door when Jen caught up to me.

“I know you’re probably really busy, but if you ever want to get together to study, let me know.”

“Oh, I’m not that busy.” I almost laughed. If she only knew how much time I spent alone in my room.

“Really?” She cocked her head and looked past me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Bryce and Chris watching us while May stood to the side, looking at her phone. “Do you want to come get some coffee with us?”

Of course I did. This was the first invitation I’d had to do anything since the party with Emery.

“Yeah, sounds good.”

She grinned, and we met up with the others before heading outside. Bryce led the way to a coffee cart between two buildings. There wasn’t a line, so we were able to order quickly and find an open table in the shade.

“So, Haley, what’s your story?” May asked before blowing on her steaming drink.

Having all of them watching me put me on edge, but I forced myself to relax. This was what people did. This was how you made new friends.

“I’m a sophomore, but I transferred here this year from a school in New York. I haven’t declared a major yet, but I’m thinking about marketing or maybe teaching.”

Chris nodded but didn’t speak. I looked around the rest of the table, waiting for someone else to go. “What about you guys?”

“Oh, we’ve all known each other since last year, so we’re boring.” Jess waved me off. “How do you like West Penn?”

“It’s only been a week, but I like it so far.” My knee bounced under the table, a nervous habit I couldn’t kick.

“Do you play any sports?” Bryce asked.

“No, I’m not coordinated enough.” I forced a laugh. “Do any of you?”

They all shook their heads. Was this whole conversation going to be so one-sided?

“Where are you guys from?” I asked, hoping to get them talking.

“Ohio,” May replied.

“We’re from a suburb of Philly,” Bryce answered, for himself and Chris.

“I actually grew up not too far from here.” Jen rested her elbows on the table.

“Cool, how did you all meet?” I asked, hoping to get them talking.

“We bonded last year in our biology class. It was hard, but we survived together.” May smiled at the others.

“We started a movie night tradition,” Bryce spoke up. “Every other week we get together. You should come.”

“Yeah, if you’re not too busy.” Jen grinned, a little too widely. I felt like I was being set up for something.

She was making me nervous, but it was probably all in my head. “I haven’t met very many people yet, so that would be great.”

“Oh, I just thought you’d be spending a lot of time with your brother and going to his games and stuff,” she mentioned nonchalantly, but with the way the other three seemed to lean in, I got the feeling they’d been waiting for this moment.

My stomach knotted, making me regret the afternoon caffeine.

“If you want people to go with you, you can call us.” She flashed a bright smile. “We can hang out and maybe meet up with him and his teammates after.”

Was that why they asked me to be in their group? They wanted a connection to Ethan and his friends? How did they even know we were related? Clarkson wasn’t all that uncommon of a last name.

I checked my watch and jumped up. “Oh sorry, guys. I forgot I was meeting someone. See you later.”