“Easy. Sixty nine.” He replied so fast I snorted. He caught my eye, and we shared a laugh for a good thirty seconds before he stepped closer to me. “So, your friends were looking at me like I was your show and tell.”
“Right. Ignore them. It’d be easier,” I said, my shoulders sagging. “They were just...it’s not often I’m friendly with guys like you.”
“Like me.” He frowned and picked his hat up off his head before running his fingers through his hair. God, it was so thick. I wanted to touch it, feel how soft it was.
I cleared my throat, my stomach sinking at his expression. “Hockey player, sorry. Not… not that there’s anything wrong with you. You’re perfect. Perfectly fine.” Sweet mother, I was embarrassing myself. “I just don’t associate with hockey guys. Ever.”
He narrowed his eyes just a bit. “Because of your dad.”
“Yes.”
“And you think I’m perfect.”
“Shut up.” I swatted at his arm, and my touch lingered for just a moment, but we both noticed. I dropped my hand like he caught fire and stepped back. “I meant that you’re just… ugh.”
“I’m teasing you. Fletcher. It’s so easy.” He grinned at me again, the absolute joy radiating from him like a sun while I was a measly planet. My heart thudded against my ribcage just as the game host announced a one-minute warning. “Get ready to lose,” he said, the tone right between flirty and competitive. I chose to assume he just wanted to win because my brain would catch fire if I thought about him flirting with me.
“You get ready,” I said, sounding like a total idiot. “Game on, Reiner.”
* * *
Our team got third place. The next round was all geography which was another weakness. Quiz in our Pants won the gift card this week, and Michael’s team, Let’s Get Quizzical got second. We groaned at the point totals, but if I were honest with myself, seeing Michael’s face was worth it. He looked gleeful as both our tables finished our drinks and started walking out of the trivia bar. Mona stayed right next to my side, and the second Michael was in reach, she held out her hand.
“Hey there, I’m Mona, this one’s best friend.”
“Hi, Mona,” Michael said, his smile slipping into the charming guy I saw that first night. “You made a great choice in friends.”
“I really did. I appreciate you acknowledging it.” Mona introduced Kellie and Lilly as I stood there, watching my two worlds collide. It wasn’t as catastrophic as I imagined it’d be.
A jock and some nerds. Proud nerds, at that.
“This is Freddie the Fourth and his brother, Camden, and cousin, Kyle.” Michael put a hand on Freddie’s shoulder. “This big guy is my roommate and brought me here. I’m glad he did though. Say, I can’t wait to cash in on our bet.”
“Oh, what bet?” Kellie asked, her already too-wide eyes growing by the second.
“She has to take a photo with the school mascot at the home game Friday and do the pose I tell her.”
“Hey, that wasn’t part of the deal,” I said, already imagining him making me do some dumb hand gesture.
“Shouldn’t have lost then.” His eyes flashed with amusement, and I stuck my tongue out at him.
He laughed. “See you Friday, Fletcher.”
It was a simple statement, but my entire body warmed like it was a personal invitation. I met his gaze and said back, “You sure will.”
He left with his friends, and right as they turned the corner, my roommates lost it in a flurry of giggles.
“Oh my god, he’s so hot.”
“Did I see tattoos?”
“I’d sit on his face any day of the week.”
I laughed with them, but it was Kellie’s comment that stuck with me throughout the night.
“He looked at you like you were a snack. You don’t stand a chance, Naomi. Might as well accept you’ll bang him soon.”
CHAPTER NINE
