I sigh and get back into the conversation with my jogging buddies. “I’ll start looking for a new apartment. Either a small studio I can afford on my own, or maybe I’ll find some other people who have a spot open.”
“Football Frat will have a few spaces.” Nix winks at me, her grin wicked and playful.
I laugh. “Football Frat is for football players.”
She makes a “Mmm” sound in her throat. “But wouldn’t it be delicious living there?”
Wiggling her eyebrows, she teases me some more, and once again I have to remind her that one, Tyrell is not an option, and two, he won’t even be there.
“He’s graduating soon, and then he’ll be moving back to Texas, so just stop already.”
“Okay, okay. But I still argue that he’s the hottest guy on the team, and the fact that he’s not even anoptionis insane to me.” Nix pouts, her expression so cute that I have to nudge her with my elbow and laugh again.
Seriously. How many times do I have to explain the situation to these guys?
“Where are you going tonight?” Tobin glides into a redirect, and I can’t decide if I’m grateful or not.
My housing problem is getting me down, and talking double dates with Tyrell is a definite pick-me-up, but… are they just going to hassle me all over again?
“I think we’re heading for that diner with the awesome milkshakes?”
“Oh yes! I love that place. Eat Your Faves.” Nix smacks her lips together. “Get the loaded fries. They are the best!”
Tobin, on the other hand, wrinkles his nose like one of us has just dropped a stinky fart. “Why are you going there? It’ll be full of college students.”
“Uh, news flash.” Nix looks up at him. “Three of themarecollege students.”
“Yeah, but it’s so unromantic. You go to that diner for study purposes or an unhealthy sugar kick. You don’t go there for a date.”
“Plenty of people go there for dates,” Nix argues. “And for afirstdate, I say it’s perfect. Pressure-free and fun.”
Tobin still looks unimpressed. Thank God Nix is here so I don’t have to try and justify this choice on my own. It was actually my suggestion. I keep hearing people talk about thesemilkshakes, and I felt like french fries and milkshakes sounded like a good, safe, fun option for a double date.
Tyrell has never met the girl I’m bringing. She’s a friend of a friend of Nix’s, and apparently she’s really nice.
I haven’t met the guy Tyrell has lined up either, but he’s promised me he’s not an athlete and is big into music. The guy plays guitar and is one of his teammate’s younger brothers or something.
I hope tonight goes well.
Although, even if it doesn’t, it’ll still be fun to hang with Tyrell again.
And speak of the devil.
My lips quirk as I glance across the field we’re walking beside and notice him running. He’s chasing a little toddler with blonde curls who’s holding a football and laughing so hard she can barely stay on her feet. Probably because Tyrell is not the only one trying to catch her.
She lets out a squeal as he makes a dive, so obviously missing her on purpose. He rolls on the grass and she runs around his head, still giggling away while another guy with messy hair growls and tries to catch her.
“Go, Zoey Bird. Go!” a Black girl shouts, beckoning the cute blonde toward her.
Oh wait, that’s Nylah Jones. Tyrell and Jolie have told me all about her.
Actually, Tyrell’s told me about every person on this field. I’m sure of it.
As my ambling steps fizzle to a complete stop, I stare across the grass at what has to be the Football Frat family.
Wow. No wonder Tyrell loves these guys so much. You can immediately feel how tight they all are, watching the way they laugh together while these big, tough players try to simultaneously entertain and shield Zoey.
It’s freaking adorable.
