AllFreeNovel
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Nash: Semantics. And we’re all older than the both of you, so shush Baby Bea.
Gray: What about Marcus? He’s a solid choice.
Harlow: Na he’s fucking Sarah on the dl.
Nash: Fucks sake.
Maverick: I’m leaving this group. Don’t add me in again, or I’ll put itching powder in all your clothes Nash.
Beck: Ow is the little baby not enjoying our conversation? What a shame.
Rolling my eyes, I lock my phone again, shoving it in my bag as Professor Johns wraps up the lesson. I don’t know what has Maverick’s panties in a twist . . . it can’t be the idea of me going on a date. Right?
We agreed. One night. Then back to normal.
Though I’m not sure what our normal is anymore.
I grab one of the work packets from the professor’s outstretched hand, thanking him before I make my way into the busy hallway. Football jerseys are worn everywhere today, the excitement of tonight’s away game palpable in the air.
Maisie meets me outside, leaning against the door of my car, a duffel bag tossed at her feet. Her football jersey is a couple sizes too big, and I know if she turned around, I’d see Nash’s name and number plastered on the back.
“You know, for friends with benefits, you and Nash are very couplelike,” I say, pulling my keys out and unlocking the car. She tuts, grabbing her bag and shoving it into the trunk next to my waiting one. Throwing in my backpack, I slam the door, hopping into the driver’s seat before bringing the engine to life. “I’m just saying. You’re wearing his jersey, that’s practically wifey level in their world.”
“Please, I’m just being a good friend. Supportive and shit.” She puffs her chest, closing her door and fiddling with the aux until some cheesy pop music is playing through the car. Funnily enough, despite my taunts, I believe her. But I won’t lie and say their dynamic isn’t confusing.
“I’m going to need you on satnav duty,” I tell her, ready to pop the car in gear when the passenger door behind me opens.
Harlow slides in the back, tossing a bag on the seat beside her and slams the door. She mumbles an apology, flicking her gaze between Maisie and me. Unsurprisingly, Maisie wears the same befuddled expression that sits on my face.
“Aren’t you supposed to be riding with the boys?”
Scrunching her nose, Harlow looks out the window, her eyes narrowing. “Yes. But Beck is an asshole. So I’m coming with you.” Maisie chuckles while I shift into reverse.
“If that’s okay,” she rushes out, a grimace on her face as she meets my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Probably should have asked before diving into the backseat, huh?”
“Probably.” I shrug, pulling out of the spot and starting toward the main road.
Honestly, my reservations about the girl have long gone. The night we went out, it became very clear she and Maverick aren’t anything but friends. That much I learned the minute she blurted that she’s had a crush on Beck from the first day she saw him.
Instead of jealousy and frustration in her presence, I’m finding I like her. She’s not like the cheerleaders I knew back in high school, and she’s easy to talk to. She’s slipped into my and Maisie’s friendship as though she’s always been there and it’s nice.
The drive to Redland takes about two hours, and by the time I’m pulling up to the hotel, the girls are hyped. Unfortunately, I don’t feel that same rush, knowing I will be spending a night locked in the same suite as Maverick.
It’s a large suite, sure, with several bedrooms—courtesy of Nash’s dad. He complained about having to stay in a motel with the rest of the team, so his dad agreed to put us up in one of his hotel chains, provided Nash promised to win the game. I’m not sure how that’s a promise he can make, but he did, and here we are.
The boys wait in the lobby, excitement on their faces as Nash checks in. Beck grabs Harlow’s bag, ignoring the curses she flings his way as she tries to tug it back. Whatever is between those two is not something I’m eager to get into. Not when my own situation is as complicated as it is.
Nash grabs Maisie’s bag next, flinging an arm over her shoulder and tugging her to the elevator with him, whispering into her ear as she drops her head back on a laugh.
Well, this will be a great weekend with the grumpy twins, and the couple that aren’t a couple.
Repositioning my bag on my shoulder, I tip my head back, staring at the glass chandelier on the ceiling. This place is overly opulent with its marble counters and greenery positioned strategically around the room.
With a sigh, I follow the direction they went in, stopping when a hand wraps around the strap of my duffel and pulls it gently from my arm. My eyes lift to Maverick, who offers me a small shrug before walking away.
“You coming?” he calls when I don’t follow, my feet frozen to the floor. Now that the others have escaped in one elevator, it’s just Maverick and me, and I’m not sure how to be with just him right now. “Incoming in five, four, three—”
Forcing myself to move, I stumble, grabbing his arm to steady myself as I reach the doors. A shockwave rattles through me, images of touching him in different ways flickering through my mind. “You’re giving me whiplash.”
