“She also told me you couldn’t keep your eyes off a certain tutor.” He grins wider.
“I think I’m going to have to have a talk with my bestie. She’s giving away all my secrets,” I mutter.
“Your secret's safe with me.” He chuckles.
Brody and I have a weird past. We used to be buddies, playing on the same team, but then everything happened with Ellie, and I hated the man. Then things worked out with Ellie,and he earned his way back to my good side. We’re not besties, but we’re close enough.
I look around, making sure no one else is listening, before I lean in, lowering my voice. “Keep an eye on Mickey,” I warn him. “If I’m going to get kicked off this team, it’s not going to be because of my grades. It’s going to be because I beat his ass for saying things he shouldn’t.”
Brody’s eyes grow dark. “Is he fucking with you?”
“Not me.” I shake my head.
He nods his head in understanding.
“I won’t stand by and watch him be a bully.”
“Neither will I.”
I get dressed in my gear, and we all head out to the field.
My eyes find Blake immediately, and I can’t help the smile on my face. He looks up, eyes finding mine, and I lift my hand in a wave. He gives me a small one back before darting his eyes away.
“Dude. You brought him here? How did you manage that?” Brody laughs.
“He kind of brought me to his place last night.”
“Wait, did you two hook up?” Brody raises a brow.
“No.” I shake my head. “Nothing like that. He took care of me, made sure I got there safe. Not sure how I ended up at his place and not dropped off at home, but I didn’t ask.”
“You’re so fucked.” Brody laughs. “You have it so bad for this guy.”
“Don’t remind me.” I groan.
“I say go for it. He’s cute.” Brody shrugs.
“Keep your eyes off my man,” I say before thinking.
Brody’s face turns wicked when I don’t correct myself.
“Don’t worry. He’s not my type. I like them to be able to throw me around in the room.” He winks.
“Who are you kidding? We both know Jax is a puddle of mush for you. You’re the one throwing him around.”
“You’re not wrong.” He laughs, clapping my back before going into assistant coach mode.
Practice goes on, and well, it’s pure hell. I ran over to the bushes three times to puke. Thankfully, when the coach asks what's going on with me, Brody covers and says I’ve got the flu.
Coach tells me to go home, but I insist on staying.
“Here.” Blake’s by my side, holding out a water bottle as I dry heave, everything in my stomach already gone.
“Thanks.” I take it from him and take a few sips. “Why did I do this to myself?” I groan, closing my eyes.
“I don’t know. You tell me,” Blake grumbles.
“You are officially in charge of making sure I’m always the sober friend.”
