Jessicahadturned me into this distrusting, angry dude who couldn’t enjoy the summer before my senior year, and it wasn’t fucking fair. I needed to avoid this feeling, burn some energy to settle down before I tried to sleep. Sleeping or working out were the two things that helped me not think, well, those and then the little bit of helping Mack.
Speaking of…
She grinned maniacally as she came back to where I was, her eyes lit up and her hands waving in front of her chest. “Oh my god, oh my god. I did it. I did it, Dean.”
“Yeah?” I almost smiled. She was so damn happy it was hard not to mirror that. “Seemed like you did alright then, Mallinson.”
“My heart is racing. Wow, that was more nerve-wracking than a soccer game. How sad is that?” She cackled. “I’d rather face down our rivals than approach a guy at a bar.”
“The field is where you feel the most at home, the safest. I’m the same.”
“Yeah, I imagine you are.” She smiled, this time smaller, like we had a shared secret. “Thanks for letting me practice. There was no way I could’ve done that cold turkey. Nope. No way.”
“Happy to help.”
“I get to hold my head high as I return to the table. Thanks to you. Oh hey, wait.” She scrunched her nose, leaned onto the bar, and repeated the question she’d practiced earlier. “Can I buy you a drink, as a thank you?”
“You’re a dork.” I laughed. “I’m good though.”
“I tried. Look at me though, throwing around pickup lines like it’s no big deal. I’m growing!” She raised her hands, the movement causing her shirt to ride up and show off her very toned stomach.
Lust hit me again. The second time that night.
“Well, if you don’t want a drink, come join us.”
“I have an early day tomorrow, so I’m heading out. But Mack,” I paused, unsure what I wanted to say. I couldn’t exactly thank her for helping me laugh or distracting me from myself. She stared at me, lips parted and a half smile on her face. So open. So trusting. “Be careful with these challenges.”
“Sure.” She frowned and studied me for a beat before waving. “Have a good night, Dean. See you around.”
She walked away, leaving me alone and feeling like I upset her. I paid my tab, eyed my group of friends and sister all laughing and hanging out, and hated how alone I felt. It was time I got my shit together, but I didn’t know where to start.
Tomorrow. I’d figure it out tomorrow.
CHAPTER
THREE
Mack
There were very few times I agreed with Vee when it came to finances. The girl was wild and came from wealth, so spending money was easy for her. A hobby, almost. So for her to suggest we meet up at the football house instead of a bar to come up with list ideas a few days later, I almost didn’t believe it.
I nervously chewed my lip, thinking about who else lived at the football house.Dean.I hadn’t seen him since the bar, not that I would’ve. We circumvented each other whenever we were in the same room, and while he’d been kind to me at the bar, he wasn’t… he didn’t do that. It was small chatter usually, where I tried not to tell him he was sexy, and I’d talk about the weather.
Making this list at the house, where he could hear? My nerves were in overdrive. I felt embarrassed. He had to think I was lame to have a checklist of adventure. He didn’t have a list. He always lived his life to the fullest in every sense of theword. But I didn’t want to spend money at a bar,andCallum was there.
Mack: Okay, heading out soon.
Soccer camp finished an hour ago, so I showered off the sweat and sunscreen. My farmer’s tan was out of control. When I removed my socks, they looked like they were still freaking on. It’d been that way forever, and I eyed my foot, wincing. Super not sexy to have feet that were so pale and white they could guide a plane to land at night.
I usually didn’t get dressed up for anything, but I planned to wear something nicer than my workout gear.Is that trying too hard?
Did I secretly want Dean to see me and look me up and down? Did I hope I saw a flash of interest in his eyes? It was foolish. Ugh. He was Lo’s twin brother, a total womanizer, and never committed to anything besides football.But a fling with him would be fun…
“Shut up, brain.” I rubbed my temples, annoyed at myself, and opted to wear a simple black sundress sans bra because it had a built-in one and it was summer. I threw on my High-top Chucks and tied the laces around my ankles. Mascara was my armor, and after two sprays of my perfume, I walked toward the football house. It wasn’t too far since Lo wanted to be close to Luca.
Maybe it would be a good thing to be there. Xavier would be home, taking up Lo’s old room, and Oliver. They’d be great to try things with, plus, they were easy to look at. The one rule that wasn’t established with the playbook waswhoI did the challenges on or with. It would be too restrictive. As long as I kept that caveat in there, I could use the guys I was sorta comfortable with to knock some challenges out.
There was a light summer breeze, and I closed my eyes, smelling the fresh cut grass and rain in the air. I smiled,absolutely loving this combination. I was a summer girl, through and through. No pumpkin-spiced, fall loving for me. I was all summer showers, barbecues, swimming parties, and days at the lake. Fourth of July was my favorite holiday, and the smell of mosquito repellent and sunscreen brought me joy.
