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“That’s what I said!” My voice goes up an octave. “He’s the slowest guy on earth,” I tack on.

We both chuckle and smile awkwardly at each other until a beat passes between us.

“Wasn’t he going to drive you home?”

Shit. I forgot that part. Sebastian and I planned to run a quick errand after the game, which is why he and Calvin drove separately today.

“Oh, no, I was planning to take the bus home tonight,” I lie. Well, it’s technically not one since that is what I plan to do now.

“Liar,” he says, calling me out. “I’m happy to bring you home.”

“It’s out of—”

“It’s barely out of my way,” he cuts me off, reading my thoughts again.

How annoying.

Calvin and Sebastian live a few short blocks from the stadium, and I live a few blocks farther from them, maybe two miles at most between our buildings.

“If you don’t mind…” My voice drops off.

“I don’t.” His voice is strong and sincere.

I offer a half smile in return as I tug on my purse and follow him out of the facility to his Jeep in the players’ lot. He opens the door for me, and, shit, is this the first time anyone has done this for me that I’m not related to?

I try not to dwell on that fact as I hop in, and he does the same a few seconds later and starts up the vehicle.

The sky is dark but clear. It’s past nine at night, and a yawn escapes me. Watching football games live in the stadium both invigorates and exhausts me at the same time. I don’t know how that’s possible.

“Tired?” he asks as he pulls away from the stadium.

“Yes, and no.”

“I feel the same way.”

“I’m exhausted, but I know I’ll never be able to sleep now.” I sigh.

“I can never fall asleep right after a game, even if it’s a late one,” he admits.

“My brother doesn’t have that problem.” Sebastian falls asleep everywhere, sometimes even in meetings with me. I’ve heard he’s done similar in the locker room, especially when there’s game footage involved. Sometimes I worry he might get traded, especially spreading himself so thin between football and the foundation.

“No,” Calvin says with a knowing chuckle. “He does not have that problem.”

He turns his attention back to the road, and the air shifts into something weird.

Why did I bring up my brother?

I mean, this guy is his best friend, so why not? He knows him best, but for the first time, I want him to know me better, too. I don’t want to be Sebastian’s annoying sister who always needs help.

We’ve been texting for the last couple of weeks, but I still don’t know a lot about him.

“Where did you play college football?” I ask.

He quirks his eyebrows, but then adds, “Texas.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you are from the South.”

“I’m not. I’m originally from Denver.”