Page 22 of Off Sides

He gives me a quick little mischievous grin. “You planning to go out after the game?”

I shrug—that’s usually the expectation. From my parents. From other people at school. I used to go to every party, especially during football season. I was one of the kings of this team—but it all changed last year. And I haven’t been back since my royal fuckup.

“I doubt it.” I start walking again toward our trucks, and Jonah keeps up with me. “What about you?” I try to sound as casual as I can—but the thought of him going to those parties . . . I don’t really know how I feel about that. Worried about him being there by himself, even though I know he can handle it. He’s strong, there’s no doubt about that.

Shields and Adler have taken to teasing him more and more, but he just lets it slide right off him. I actually can’t tell if it bothers him at all.

“I don’t know,” he says casually. “Maybe I can talk you into going with me.” He shoots me a wink, and dear God, I’m glad I’m near my truck so I have something to lean on when my knees start to buckle.

Jesus fucking Christ, I need to get it together. I am not this fainting, swooning guy. It’s ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous, but something about that gesture—those golden eyes twinkling so playfully toward me . . .

It does something to me.

“Yeah, not happening,” I say, but honestly, it’s almost hard for me to get it out. Denying him anything doesn’t seem to be my strong suit anymore, and we just met. I hate to think about what he could get me to agree to if we spend much more time together.

Which is why I need to push him away. Why I’m certain I will because this cannot happen. I can’t give in to him. Even if all he wants to do is be my friend, I can’t.

“Why not?” he asks, unbothered as he opens his driver’s side door but doesn’t climb in.

“I don’t know if you’ve realized it, but I’m not exactly popular around here.” I leave off saying more because I don’t want him to ask me why that is. I don’t trust myself not to tell him.

He shrugs. “So we’ll go and have fun together. You’re pretty popular with me.” He doesn’t wink this time, but he does make his eyebrows dance in a joking manner. But the way he says it also tells me he isn’t joking.

“I can’t go to one of those parties,” I say, dropping my voice low and actually having a hard time with the slight disappointment I see on his face. I don’t like that at all.

But he recovers quickly. “Okay. So how about you come over after the game and we hang out? You could even stay the night if you want to.”

My throat goes instantly dry, and I’m sure my face shows just how freaked out that suggestion makes me. He wants me to stay the night? With him? And he’s . . .

And I’m . . .

Nope. No. Can’t and won’t go there. I’m shaking my head so much, I barely even notice that he’s walked away from his door to stand right in front of me, carefully placing a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. You can say no to anything. I won’t be upset.”

My heart races, and a cold sweat moves over me. I hate being like this. I try to swallow, but it physically hurts because my throat is so dry. I open my mouth to speak, but he gives his head a little shake and my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“I just meant it’ll probably be pretty late, and we can definitely get lost playing Fortnite.” I smile at that and don’t miss the relief on his face.

“Uh, yeah . . . but I’ve seen your bed. No way we’re both fitting in there.” And honestly, I should not have said that because now I’m thinking about us sharing a bed and . . . nope.

He laughs. “Well, we could sleep in the living room. Play on the PlayStation 5 with the big TV. The couches are really comfortable too. I’ve slept there a few times myself after playing so late I couldn’t get my lazy ass to go the few feet to my room.”

I smile, thinking about how into the game he gets. “Okay.” I think it shocks us both stupid, and we just kind of stare at each other for a moment before he gives me the world’s largest smile.

“Cool. I’ll tell Jenna you’ll be staying tomorrow. I bet she’ll go over-the-top with snacks.”

“Oh, she doesn’t have to go to any trouble . . .” He stares at me silently, telling me to shut up, and I laugh. “But she will.”

He nods with a grin. “She will. She’ll be excited. See you tomorrow?”

I nod. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

He drops his hand from my shoulder, and goddammit, I miss it. He walks to his truck and climbs inside, giving me a quick wave before starting it up. I do the same and then make the drive home, dread sitting deep in my gut.

Dread that’s always there after school, at least it has been, except for this week when I’ve gone home with Jonah. I know they’re going to ask questions about where I’ve been though.

And they can know everything that goes on in this town, if they want to. So there’s really no point in lying to them. Fuck my life.

I park on the street in front of my house and then force myself to go inside, seeing Curtis first. He of course has to put me in a headlock and mess up my hair because he finds it hilarious to greet me that way. I don’t push him away, though, because that would only lead to a fight that I don’t have the energy for and then a lecture from at least one parent about how I need to show respect to my big brother. Yeah, no thanks.