“That won’t be hard.” I shrug. “We know plenty of people wanting to get out of the dorms.” A bubble of excitement grows in my chest as I picture us living in this place. I’m so ready. I know I’ve only done one year in the dorms, but still! A house just off campus! This is going to be epic.
“I’ll post in the team group chat and see if any of the guys want to join us.”
I narrow my eyes. “Who?”
“Not sure.” His shoulder hitches. “Maybe Cash. He’s funny.”
“Ew, no.” I grimace. “I’ve seen the guy bite his toenails. That is so not happening.”
“Okay, so who should we ask, then?”
“Nix?” I suggest, but Darian pulls a face. I lightly slap his chest with the back of my hand. “What’s wrong with Nix?”
“She’s like a pit bull. Or a chihuahua. The ‘I might be tiny but I will bite your fucking hand off’ kind.”
I snort with laughter. “Only if you corner her. And it’d be nice to have another chick in the house.”
He rolls his eyes, scratching his jawline, which is the exact same shape as our dad’s. There’s no hiding the fact that they’re blood. He really took after our Hispanic father, whereas I scored most of my mom’s features. “Black and beautiful,” Dad always tells me. At least I got that part right.
I swear, if I didn’t look like my mom, I don’t know what Dad would think of me. I definitely don’t fit his profile of what a typical girl should act and sound like.
“We have to ask Sawyer.”
“Obviously,” I murmur, my brain running with possibilities. I don’t really want to suggest anyone from my team. Not that I don’t love my teammates, but I wouldn’t want to live with any of them. I’d much rather live in a house full of guys. That’s way less complicated. And yes, I did suggest Nix, but she’s the exception to the rule. I didn’t grow up with friends who were girls. I’ve always gravitated toward the guys. They’re fun and easy to be around. I’ve always related better to them.
But Nix is special.
I can’t even tell you why.
We just met last year and clicked.
And I wouldn’t mind living with her. It’d be fun.
Now we just need to think of two other people to fill the spaces.
“What about Enzo?” I ask.
Darian wrinkles his nose.
“What’s wrong with Enzo?”
Seriously! My brother is so freaking picky!
He shakes his head, and I start laughing at him. “Are you still pissed that he got to that girl before you did? The boy’s got game.”
Darian’s black eyebrows dip into a sharp V. “The boy got lucky.”
“Very lucky.” I snort.
Darian lightly shoves me, but I catch myself before I fall. Pinging right back, I punch his arm, then yell when he grabs me and tackles me to the ground. Our usual play fight ensues, and he’s about to face-plant me into the grass when our mother calls from the front door.
“Enough.” Her voice is quiet but firm. “Dinner’s ready. Let’s go.”
Darian shoves my face into the lawn as he stands, so I stick out my foot to trip him up when he walks toward the house.
He snickers and jumps out of the way before falling over.
The guy’s light on his feet. Dammit.
