Page 63 of Unforgettable Player

“So, how do you like being home? Missing California yet?”

Definitely not missing California. I put on a fake smile and sip my beer before answering. “Nah. It’s good being home, but I’ll be happy to leave for the sun when the weather gets bad here.”

Brad nods, taking a sip of his beer.

Am I really talking about the weather? What did we talk about before I left for school? We were eighteen, so it was probably juvenile shit. Some girl we were dating—or wanted to date—or the scores of last night’s Islander’s game. How many friends do I actually have who I can have a real conversation with outside of Eli?

“How’s Heather?” I ask.

I try to listen while he talks, but I can’t stop looking into the arcade for Elliot. Where the fuck is he?

We’ve almost finished our beers. I’m about to stick to my plan, suggest we go somewhere else, when I spot my sister’s curly hair in the crowd. She turns around and laughs at something someone says. That’s when I spot Eli. My heart instantly starts pounding and my palms get unbearably sweaty.

He looks sexy as fuck in his glasses, his hair styled so it’s messy, but in a cute way. He runs his hand through it a little self-consciously as he walks beside Scout, glancing at the games and wearing a tight smile.

They’re with a group of people I’ve never seen before. I didn’t know Scout had friends outside of Elliot. Are they Elliot’s friends?

A guy with a douchey haircut puts his hand on Elliot’s shoulder and smiles at him in a way I recognize. He’s looking at Elliot the way I look at Elliot.

Is this Cute Bookstore Guy? Is he going out with him again?

“Is that Scout?” Brad asks, following my gaze. “Wanna go say hi?”

Yes, I want to go over there and get between Eli and that bookstore jerk. But I’m not even supposed to be here. He made it very fucking clear he wanted to keep things casual. I turn back to the TV and try to tune into the sports highlights.

“Nah, you know what she’s like.”

Brad laughs. “Don’t tell her this, but she scares me.”

“She’s all bark.”

“I don’t know, she definitely tried to bite me once when we were kids.”

Before I can down the rest of my beer and get out of there, Brad winces. I glance over my shoulder. Scout and Elliot are heading our way. Brad bumps my shoulder sympathetically.

“Looks like we don’t have a choice.”

I note my sister’s scowl as she approaches us. It makes my heart sink. I don’t want my baby sister to hate me. I know hooking up with her best friend isn’t exactly gonna rectify that. Extra reason why I should get the hell out of here.

But then Bookstore Guy puts his hand on Elliot’s shoulder again, like he fucking owns him, and my stubborn ass stays where it is.

“What are you doing here?” Scout asks when she gets close to our table.

I nod to the TV. “Watching the highlights and having a beer. What are you doing?”

“We’re gonna hang out before we go to a gig later.”

“Hi, Scout,” Brad says.

Scout turns her glare on him and he shrinks.

The group they came in with have spread out, some of them heading to the bar, a couple hanging back to watch the exchange. They all look like scruffy art students. They’re in band tees and ugly cardigans. One guy has his hair in a curly mullet. A girl who looks like she cuts her own bangs introduces herself as Ophelia.

“Who’s this?” Ophelia asks.

“This is my brother,” Scout says.

“Do you want to join us? We could really use another pair for air hockey.”