Not that it’s fair of me to be upset. He couldn’t bring me to the event even if he wanted to because Cam would be there. Plus, we haven’t even had the exclusivity conversation yet, so I still don’t know what we are. Every time I try to mention it, I chicken out.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just wondering if Brinley would be there,” I reply.
“It’s her sorority, so probably,” he shrugs before turning back to the tv. “If you want, I can cancel my date and bring you.” There’s hope in his voice that he’ll have a reason to let down that girl.
“No, I don’t want you to cancel your date.”
“I can talk to the guys,” he continues. “Maybe one of them can bring you. If you want, of course; I know this isn’t really your cup of tea.”
I feel my heart begin to race. A public event, with Declan, in front of my brother. Longing stares. Fidgeting limbs. A mistake waiting to happen, but maybe we could sneak off and make out in a janitor's closet. It’s always been a goal of mine.
“Zeke’s going solo,” he begins. “Or Jeremy, but I don’t think he’s itching for a date.”
I wait, but he doesn’t say Declan’s name.
“You mean out of everyone, Zeke’s going solo?” I laugh, pushing for information he doesn’t know I want.
“Yeah,” he says. “Fletcher brings Tatum to all hockey events. Brooks will bring Olivia; I think Jaxon is bringing this girl Sadie. She’s in the sorority.”
I make a mental note to check in with Brinley about Jaxon bringing one of her sorority sisters.
“And Declan’s going with Mollie.”
I feel like I’m gonna be sick. My mouth goes dry, and I try to blink away the tears.
“Mollie?” I cough when I hear the crack in my voice.
“Yeah, I guess she asked him, and he said sure. Plus, it’s her sorority, so he probably thought it’d make sense.”
“Yeah, makes sense.”
“Are you okay?” he questions, but I turn back to the tv.
“I’m fine,” I lie. “You’ve just made me miss my favorite part of the movie. We should rewind it.”
I bite my lip to choke back the tears, but unfortunately, they rush to my eyes. I take a breath and try to forget about the conversation.
Maybe I should’ve had the exclusivity talk after all.
Ididn’t sleep last night. I just stared at my phone, trying to decide if I should call Declan.
Not to mention that every time I closed my eyes, I saw her hands running over his body. His lips were on her skin. She was giving him everything I wasn’t ready to.
“What’s up?” Brinley asks before she’s even in the booth. She shimmies out of her winter coat before sliding into the booth across from me.
“I’m going nuts.” I sigh. “I need you to tell me it’s all in my head.”
“If what’s in your head?”
The bell on the door dings, capturing our attention as we see Maia and Tate walking through the door.
“This better be good.” Maia sits next to me and Tate across from her. “This is my day off, and I didn’t plan on stepping foot in this place.”
“You sent the group chat like thirty messages.” Tate pulls off her coat. “I thought you were dying until Brinley clarified that you’re just dramatic.”
“You calledmedramatic?”
