Me: And I’m free tonight. Want to get something to eat?
Ginny: Okay. But we can’t be seen together.
Me: My place. Chase is going out to a club with a teammate. He’ll have the truck. Do you have a car? If not I can get you a Lyft over.
Ginny: Got a car. Message me the address. What time is Chase leaving?
Me: Let's meet at 8. I’ll order some tacos.
She shoots me a thumbs up and I make sure to send her my address. I even tell her to message when she arrives and I’ll come out and meet her.
I’m so lost in messaging with Ginny that it catches me off guard when we pull up in front of Max’s dorm.
“I’ll be back to get you at seven.”
“Sounds good. See you later Chase. Bye Carter.” I open the door and get out, giving a friendly see ya later, before getting into the passenger seat. I hold my question until we pull away, not once taking my eyes off of Chase.
“What?” he barks before I even utter a word.
“Are you sure you’re just friends, because that almost sounded like two people talking about having their first date?” I give him a stern glare as I wait for his answer. If the answer is yes, then it looks like I’m going to end it before it begins. Chase belongs with Blake and Ginny. Not Max.
He rolls his eyes before groaning. “There's nothing going on. He’s just a fucking friend. A teammate. We’re hangingout. Nothing more.” He grips the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles go white.
I know he’s pissed and as much as I want to push him for more answers, to know why he’s even entertaining this not-a-date that very much is one, I decide to keep my mouth shut.
The longer I’m quiet, the more time I have to stew about it. I bite my tongue until I can’t anymore.
“So, are you going to dinner and then the club? What time are you coming home? Are you going to crash at his dorm?” I ask.
“What’s with the third degree?” His brows furrow together as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel.
“Just curious.” I turn my head and stare out the window, the music from the radio filling the space as I think about my date tonight. Well, she doesn’t know it’s one, but I plan to fully mix some pleasure with business.
Chapter 12
Chase
“I’m heading out!” Ishout as I shut the door to my room. Carter steps out of his room, a towel wrapped snugly around his hips while another one is tossed across his shoulder, his hair still dripping with water.
“What time do you plan to be home?” he asks, and I raise my brow at the question.
“Not sure. Why?”
“Just wondering. You are coming home, right? Not planning to spend the night with Max, or to go home with someone else.” He leans his body against the doorframe, trying too hard to sound casual as he lifts the towel around his neck and begins rubbing it vigorously against his wet hair.
“I’ll be home.” I shake my head and continue down the hallway, not wanting him to ask more questions. I don’t know why he thinks there’s something more with Max than just friendship. Even if I did have an attraction, I couldn’t act on it. My heart is still so fucked up by Blake and Ginny, it wouldn’t be fair to him or me.
Once I’m in the truck, I send Max a message to let him know I’m on the way. We’ll have dinner, then go to this club that he’s excited to go to. Me, I’d rather be at home moping, flipping idly through the channels on the television while I try to not think about the man who consumes my every thought. Trying to wear a brave face and smile, while still making sure to not play like shit today was exhausting.
I turn on the radio and head out onto the highway. I tap my fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the music playing through the speakers. Before I know it, I’m pulling up in front of his dorm, unsure exactly of how I made it there and praying I didn’t run a red light.
I’m about to turn off the truck when I see Max stepping out of the building with a huge grin on his face and making his way over to me. His shaggy brown hair hangs down, covering his eyes, just before he pushes it away.
He gives me a goofy smile before opening the door and climbing in the passenger seat. “Fuck, it’s cold as hell.”
“Well, it is winter and there’s snow on the ground,” I reply with a smirk.
“True. I’m hoping I find a tall, muscular hottie to keep me warm tonight. Now that I’m comfortable coming out, I’m ready to start dating. I’m just not sure if I want to find someone to be in a relationship with, or date around for a while.”
