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“Tell you what, how about a little wager of our own. You win and I’ll stop busting your balls about whatever is happening between you two, but if I win, I get to take Hadley out on a date.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I say, ignoring the way my skin heats at his challenge. “I’m not going to let you—"
“You’re on.” Cole’s words rattle around my skull.
He took the bet.
“Don’t I get a say in any of this?”
“No,” they both snap in unison.
With a low groan, I hop up on the stool trying to process how I feel about this. It’s obvious Conner is trying to push Cole into admitting there’s something between us, but will Cole really let Conner take me out?
And if he will, what does that mean for us?
Gah.
These boys drive me insane.
Just as they’re about to start, Cole pauses, digging out his cell phone. He checks the screen, frowns, and then shoves it back in his pocket.
“Problem?” Conner asks.
“Nothing that can’t wait.” He drops the ball onto the table and the two of them begin to battle it out. Conner scores first, making Cole bang his fist against the edge of his table. But he quickly recovers, taking the next two points.
“Oh, you think you’re so fucking slick, Mr. Football Hotshot,” Conner taunts as he twists and pulls his players.
The ball sails past Cole’s defensive line and into the hole. “Fuck,” he grits out, raking a hand through his hair.
“Final point wins. I’m coming for you, Hadley, baby.” Conner winks at me before dropping the white ball in the center.
My heart gallops in my chest as I watch them duke it out. One boy wants to win the right to keep his secrets, and the other wants to win the right to... date me.
But it’s a ruse. It has to be. Conner doesn’t like me like that, he can’t.
I can’t deny that part of me wants Cole to lose though, just to see what he’ll do.
Conner takes a shot, cussing when he misses. Cole quickly capitalizes, methodically working the ball up the table to take his shot. “Yes!” he yells when the ball sails into the hole.
Disappointment wells in my chest.
“Ahw, don’t look so glum, Hads.” Conner shoots me a knowing smile. “There’s always next time.” He says the words as if he expects I’ll be around a lot.
It shouldn’t fill me with so much hope.
But it does.
Because I came to Sterling Prep with no one in my corner, just a boat load of regrets and bad memories.
“Hey.” Ace and Remi reappear. Her hair is windswept and her lips are swollen, and I’m pretty sure Ace has a hickey on his neck.
“Good time?” I smirk at her and she flushes.
“We... uh, that new game was pretty good.”
“Oh, I’m sure it was an excellent ride.” Conner snorts.
Cole is quiet again, glancing discreetly at his cell phone. His expression darkens and then he stiffens and says, “I need to go.”
