Ava didn’t even notice my hesitation, or she chose to ignore it. “Yeah, I think you’d enjoy a night with the girls, no lurking Devils, and I want to get to know you better.”
She did?
“Why?”Subtle, Quinn.
“You’re important to Jett, you’re his best friend, Jett’s important to me, and I think you and I, well, we got off on the wrong foot, and despite that, you still went out of your way to smack our heads together.” Ava nudged me gently with her shoulder. “I think you’d be a good friend to have. And plus, I think you need a night out listening to country rock and letting loose.”
“You thinkIwould be a good friend to have?”
“Maybe?” Ava grinned at me impishly. “And I’m legit awesome to have as a friend. I don’t judge, I forget secrets, and I punched Gray Santo and lived to tell the tale.”
My giggle was so ridiculously girly that if I had been an observer, I would have rolled my eyes. “Jett told me,” I said as I regained my composure. “I would have given anything to have seen it.”
“They had me pressed between them like I was the meat to their sandwich.” Ava scowled. “Cocky bastards.”
“They are,” I agreed. “They have to be.”
“Because they’re Devils?” Ava asked me curiously as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if she were cold, despite her lightweight jacket and the warmth still in the air.
“No, because they’re athletes. Their mindset is already switched on to being the best and winning. Sometimes they forget they can fail.” My smile dimmed, and realizing I had sobered the mood, I closed my textbook. “So,” I said with bright cheeriness, “country rock, not my first choice, but I like live music. I’m in.”
Ava’s worried frown at my earlier words cleared as she beamed at me. “Really? Yay!”
With a slight tilt of my head, I searched her face. “You thought I would say no?”
Ava pulled her sleeve nervously before lifting her shoulder in ahalf-shrug. “Honestly? I wasn’t sure.” Standing quickly, she picked up her book bag. “But I hoped you would say yes. We’ll pick you up. Seven?”
“Sounds good.” I nodded in acceptance, and with a wave, she said goodbye and headed to her last class of the day. Picking up my own stuff, I headed to the Sport Sciences building. I had time to work on my spreadsheets and notes for my assignment. Doubting myself was not new to me, but I still felt self-conscious when I texted Jett.
Me:Ava asked me to go see her friends band tonight
Jett:She never told me, where?
I hesitated. Did I tell him, or did I just ask if he had a hand in it?
Me:Did you ask her to ask me?
Jett:Why the fuck would I?
Jett:Did you say no?
Jett:Queeny?
“Jesus, calm down,” I muttered as I replied.
Me:You’re right, why would you? Sorry, guess I’m not used to your hookups being friendly
Jett:Get used to her, she isn’t going anywhere
Me:Good
Pushing my phone back into my purse, I headed into the study rooms. I settled into a secluded booth before setting my work on the desk and getting headphones. Selecting Shaman’s Harvest, I put their albums on shuffle and concentrated on my work.
Two hours later, I was packing back up and contemplating dinner. Checking my phone, I had a message waiting.
Gray:Girls night?
It was unlike him to text like this. Debating whether I should reply or ignore him, I opted for the easier option.
