Joe snorts. “You’re welcome to my sloppy seconds. Clueless virgins are not my thing anyway.”
Thor and a couple of the guys from the team arrive at that second, and their timing is perfect because I’m about to go nuclear on the dumb jock.
“Don’t start shit with the football team, dude,” Thor whispers as my mates literally drag me out of the room, haul me across the kitchen, through the living room, and upstairs. The others disappear as Thor shoves me into his bedroom. “I heard what he said. Hemsworth is a fucking prick, and I told the guys to throw him out, but do not get into it with him. Garner is already gunning for your ass. Don’t make an enemy of the entire football team.”
“He can’t speak about her like that.” I grab fistfuls of my hair, still all wound up.
“I’m shocked he did. We double-dated with Joe and Astrid when they were together, and he seemed cool.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, by the way.” It comes out harsher than I meant.
Thor snorts. “Dude, if you’d asked, I would’ve told you, but you said it’s not like that with Astrid.”
“It’s not.”
He belts out a laugh. “That’s clearly not what her ex thinks.”
“I didn’t want to let Astrid down when she let him believe that, but we’re just friends.”
“Friends with benefits?” He quirks a brow.
“It’s like you don’t even know her.” I run a hand over my shirt, tugging it down and smoothing out the wrinkles.
He sobers up. “I do, which is why I’m saying this. Don’t fuck Astrid around, Callan. Either make her yours or make it clear she’s in the friend zone.”
“I don’t need to clarify it with Astrid. She knows we’re just friends.”
He leans against the wall. “You burst into the mudroom and started throwing punches like a jealous boyfriend. Dude, you need to get real with yourself and make your mind up.”
He’s not wrong. “Fuck.” I scrub a hand over my jawline. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” A heavy sigh leaks from my mouth. “I don’t do this, and I don’t need the drama.”
“Everyone is going to think you’re hooking up now.”
“I’m well aware.” I roll my shoulders to loosen the tension cording them into knots, as an idea forms in my mind. “It might work to our advantage, though,” I add, sinking into his desk chair.
“I’m not following.” Thor frowns, crossing his feet at the ankles.
“I need to get Ana and the rest of the cheerleaders off my back. If they think I’m with Astrid, they’ll back off.”
Thor chuckles. “Some might, but to others, it won’t be much of a deterrent. It’d be an even bigger challenge and not one they’d shy away from. These girls want to dig their claws into you. It’s clear you’re going places, and they want a seat on that ride. Ana has dollar signs shining in her eyes every time she looks at you.”
“She’s already got a QB boyfriend.”
“Garner is decent, but I doubt he’ll make the big league. You, on the other hand…”
“Nothing is guaranteed with me.”
“You’re a surer bet.”
“All the more reason to let them think Astrid is my girlfriend.” I wonder if Astrid would agree to fake it. She doesn’t need distractions this year either, so she might be up for it. As long as I can cure myself of the pull I feel every time I’m in her company, this could be a perfect win-win for both of us.
“Dude, you don’t want blue balls the whole of senior year.”
Damn. He’s right. From what he’s just said, I doubt I’d have any trouble getting pussy when I need it, but if everyone thinks I’m dating Astrid, it would be considered cheating, and I couldn’t do that to her.
A knock on the door steals my response. “Thor,” Astrid calls out through the door. “Is Callan with you? I need to speak with him.”
Thor eyeballs me, and I nod.
