The girls exchanged a look.
“Since Danny-boy doesn’t have an NIL contract yet, he gets to pitch in a little extra to cover his share,” Finn said with a smirk, and I flipped him the bird. “When you get one with the tire shop, maybe we all can snag a discount, and we’ll let you eat with us for free.”
As we threaded our way through the throng of people filling the bar, I snagged T’s hand. When I gave hers a reassuring squeeze, she returned it, and I grinned.
Some girl in front of me must have thought that grin was for her because she said, “Wow, you’re even hotter up close. Wanna join us?”
I had no idea who “us” was considering all the people squished together talking, laughing, and trying not to spill their drinks. Still, one thing my roommates had drilled into me since I moved into the house was to be nice to fans in public.
“Another time. We’re headed out.” I tugged T up beside me and slipped my arm around her, pulling her tight to my side. “But you have a good night,” I said to the girl.
For a second her face fell, but as I maneuvered T around the group, I saw the girl’s face light up again. Guess Bax must’ve been directly behind us. Who knew? Maybe he’d have a date for Tarvi’s party after all.
On the sidewalk outside the pizzeria, I sucked in some air. Navigating a crowd of excited football fans in a bar was not for the faint of heart, especially as someone who’d contributed to their happiness. At least T’s expression was more bemused than terrified, which boded well for how I wanted our relationship and the rest of the season to go. I needed my girl to play along with this side of the game too. I’d set a bad tone in high school. So far in my first college season, I’d been working my ass off to set a better one. Hopefully, she saw that.
“It’s kind of crazy hanging out with local celebrities,” Zoe said as she sidled up beside Tarvi.
“After your show next week, you’ll be a local celebrity too,” Taryn said. “Who will I hang out with then?” She accompanied the words with a flicker of a smile, but I heard everything she didn’t say.
“What happens next week?” Tarvi asked.
“Zoe has a lead in the university production ofRent. After people see the show, she’s going to be a star too.”
Tarvi slipped his arm across Zoe’s shoulders. “Better and better and better. It was fate that brought you here tonight.”
She winked up at him and slid her arm around his waist.
He tossed his keys to Finn. “Take my car. I’ll ride with Zoe, make sure she finds the house okay.”
Finn snagged Tarvi’s keys from the air with a scowl. “The party’s on Jock Street. Everyone knows where that is. The noise coming out of the house will clue people in about which of us is hosting tonight’s bash.”
“Has no one ever told you never to assume?” Tarvi asked. “Come on, Hollywood. Let’s go have some fun.”
Zoe beamed at him. As they headed up the block, she called over her shoulder, “See you at the party, Taryn.”
“Brat.” Taryn gazed after her. “Now I don’t have a choice.”
Tightening my arm around her, I said, “You always have a choice.”
?Chapter Twenty-Three
?Taryn
Islid into thepassenger seat of Danny’s Mustang and buckled myself in. When he sat there staring at me and not turning the engine over, I said, “What?”
“You were unusually quiet at dinner. And tense.”
I blinked at him.
“I’m serious, T. If you don’t want to go to this party, we can spend a quiet evening at my place or your place—whichever you want.” His voice was low, his expression serious.
“Danny. You came off the bench to shine on that field today. Everyone wants to congratulate you. I don’t want to deprive you of that.” I shrugged. “Besides, your friend Tarvi seems like a great guy, but I can’t leave Zoe alone like this. I mean, chances are she’s gonna run into people she knows at this bash, but what kind of friend would I be to ditch her because of some weird sense of déjà vu?”
“It’s probably selfish to want you to go to this party with me after the way I fucked up the last time I took you to a party. But how else can I prove I’ve grown up—that this thing between us is real?”
When his voice cracked a little on that last part, I had to do the right thing: force my insecurities aside to give him the chance he was asking for.
“You’re only a game or two away from winning the conference championship, and so far you haven’t partied once with your teammates because of me. Maybe it’s time for me to grow up too.” A chuckle escaped me. “With the way your friend Bax talked to that football groupie, it’s probably safe to say your teammates aren’t much like Derek Watson.”
