Page 67 of On His Team

He laughs quietly and pushes through the door at the bottom of the stairs.

Outside, the cold hits hard enough that I’m shoving my coat back on, and Rowan laughs watching me pull it on.

I walk beside him across the courtyard.

“You should’ve warned me about turnover time.”

“That would’ve been helping.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

He laughs again.

My phone starts buzzing in my pocket.

Mara.

I answer. “Mara.”

She says, “Birthday party.”

There’s music behind her.

I pull the phone away and look at the time.

“It is three-twenty on a Tuesday,” I laugh. “Whose birthday?”

“Drew’s.”

That explains more than it should.

“Faulkner?”

“Yes. Twenty-one. His roommates have apparently decided birthdays follow no recognized calendar or work schedule, so people are already here.”

I glance at Rowan. He’s walking beside me with his hands back in his pockets.

“Mara, I have class tomorrow.”

“We all do. Come for an hour. Mila’s coming.”

I say, “I’m not drinking.”

“Whatever, G. Just come!”

“Fine,” I shout. “Send me the address.”

“I love you.” She hangs up.

I lower the phone.

Rowan looks over. “Mara?”

“Obviously.”

I tuck the phone into my pocket. “It’s Drew’s birthday. There’s a party.”

“On a Tuesday?” he asks.