“You didn’t have to. You’ve got that look.”
“Now who’s reading too much into things?” Kade smirks, then grows more serious. “Look, man, all I’m saying is that if Garrett’s comment got under your skin, maybe ask yourself why.”
“There’s nothing to ask.” I grab my water bottle and take another long swig to avoid continuing this conversation. “Chey’s like a sister to me.”
Even as I say it, something doesn’t sit right. Cheyenneisn’tlike a sister to me—not in the way Genna is. Our relationship has always been different.
More like ... I don’t know. Just different.
Kade opens his mouth like he’s going to say something else, then seems to think better of it. Instead, he just nods. “If you say so.”
“I do say so.” I sit back down on the bench, suddenly needing to change the subject. “Anyway, I need to focus on moreimportant things. Like what prank I’m going to pull on Chey this Thanksgiving. Last year, I put a fake spider in the mashed potatoes, but I need to do better than that.”
“Maybe you should just try to enjoy Thanksgiving andnotmake it torturous? I mean, your mom probably doesn’t enjoy cleaning up after you two.” He gives me a look that reminds me too much of a father.
I shrug. “Everyone loves our pranks.”
“Do they?” Kade chuckles. “Or doyoujust love them? I feel like you spend more time on the prank than enjoying your family.”
“Nah,” I counter. “That’s justhowI enjoy my family.” I let out a laugh as Kade shakes his head at me. I know he’s a lot of fun, but it takes a lot to keep up with me. I’m like the epitome of fun.
Except to people like Garrett.
Garrett doesn’t seem to be able to understand that Cheyenne and I have been pranking each other since we were kids, me being a few years older than her. I still remember the first time Genna invited Chey to our Thanksgiving dinner. It was because her mom had to work a nursing shift at the hospital. At the time, I couldn’t understand whyanyonewould willingly work on a holiday—but now I know it’s because her mom was stretching every dollar to provide for Chey, and the holiday pay covered the gaps.
Needless to say, Chey’s been a fixture at our holiday gatherings ever since.
“Did you see that tabloid article with you and that Shelby girl?” Kade’s question comes out of left field, and suddenly, I’m trying to remember who he’s talking about—but I don’t want to be a jerk...
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Didn’t see the article though. I’m sure all the ladies of the internet are trying to figure out if I’m still single. I love it when they all go crazy.”
Kade doesn’t look remotely enthused. “Does it not bother you though? That the whole world thinks that you’re the biggest playboy on the team?”
I shrug, grab my bag, and sling it over my shoulder. “Nah, not really. I mean, first of all, it’s not like I do anything other than flirt and hang out. I’m not like ... arealman hoe.”
“The people reading and writing these articles don’t know that,” Kade points out. “I just don’t know how you’re ever gonna find the right one when you’ve got that kind of reputation. That’s a tough one.”
“I’ll be fine, Santos.” I smirk. “At the very least, I won’t be lonely...”
“Maybe you just don’t understand the value of finding your person,” Kade mutters, leading the way out of the gym. “There’s something really special about havingonegirl that you get to spend the rest of your life with. I think that’s way better than flirting with a thousand different women.”
“I guess.” I don’t give his view that much thought. I mean, I get it. Finding some special woman sounds like a great plan and all, but the last time I had a serious girlfriend was back in high school. After nearly a year together, Jessica left me cold.
That is a type of pain that I do not care to repeat.
Actually, Iwon’trepeat it.
I follow Kade out to the parking lot, the November sun beating down on me. It’s a fairly warm day, and I don’t even need a jacket as we make our way across the parking lot. His truck is parked right next to mine, and with a bro kind of nod, we go our separate ways.
I start up my black F250, the radio immediately blasting a country song. I jump in my seat and reach for the knob, turning the volume all the way down.
Kade whips out of the parking lot beside me, and I chuckle at his quick departure. It’s a freaking miracle I even got him to work out with me today, given that he’d rather spend all his time with Ella.
The thought of them sends a pang of something in my chest. I brush it off.There’s nothing good that comes with settling down. When people settle down, they stop having fun.I remind myself of that as I pull out my phone and scroll to the browser, looking up information on Thanksgiving pranks.
It’s completely a cop-out not to come up with one on my own, but honestly, I need something to blow her mind. She nearly always has the more creative prank, whereas mine aretypically more destructive. My mashed potato volcano three years ago, powered by a leftover firecracker from the Fourth of July, might not have been the most creative...
But it definitely made the biggestboom.
