Page 44 of Easy Out

I was busy working through my own issues and adjusting to college life. Koa checked in daily with Sydney and reported back to Nash. He was constantly sharing stories about how happy Sydney was with her roommate and the fun they were having together.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to put two and two together. The same girl helping Sydney flourish and come out of her shell is mi brujita.

Lauren never spent time with us. Not even when she reached sister status with Syd. Honestly, I think that’s what made their relationship solid. Lauren was never interested in getting anything from Sydney other than her friendship.

“Good to know.”

“You callin’ dibs, cowboy?” Wyatt asks.

“I’m not calling anything. I like her and want to get to know her better.”

“In what way?” Wyatt asks suggestively.

“Has anyone ever told you you’re a pervert?” Koa ribs on Wyatt. I would be lying if I hadn’t thought about all the ways I would like to get to know Lauren.

I haven’t stopped thinking about her toned legs and how good they would feel wrapped around my waist. Lauren is thick in all the right places.

The photo I just stole from Koa isn’t helping cool the heat flowing through my veins. That’s not what fuels my desire to spend time with her, though.

It’s just her. It’s everything I already know about her and everything I’ve yet to learn.

“I’ve been called a number of things. That may have been somethin’ I’ve heard before. It’s also not the worst thing I’ve ever been called either,” Wyatt jokes, earning laughs from his audience.

“I never thought you would ever be the settling down type. Have you ever had a girlfriend before?” Nash prods. Koa lifts his gaze to mine. He’s the only one who knows why I’ve stayed single.

All the guys know about my speech issues growing up, but they don’t truly understand how much it affected me. Nash and Wyatt don’t know I never felt confident or deserving of a girlfriend because I didn’t think I would be able to talk to them.

Who wants a guy like that? What will Lauren think about me when I tell her everything?

“No. I haven’t,” I admit.

“I don’t blame ya. This cowboy will be maintaining his membership to the local hoedown for the foreseeable future,” Wyatt boasts without an ounce of shame.

“Dude,” Nash groans. “I don’t even know how you pull all these girls with that eyesore of a haircut.” Nash tugs on one of Wyatt’s curls.

“What’s wrong with my hair? Whatever. I ain’t cuttin’ it. This hair won us the championship last year. Deal with it.” Wyatt did pitch a no-hitter and had ten strikeouts in a row with that hair. You can’t mess with superstition.

Koa gets up and grabs a few beers from the fridge. He passes each of us one. I nod a thank you.

“How are you going to handle Lauren?” Koa asks.

“No idea,” I tell him.

“We could help,” Wyatt suggests.

“I’ll pass.”

“In what universe are you helpful with getting a girl?”

“You literally just admitted I pull in a lot of girls, Nashville.”

“To sleep with. Not to date. There’s a difference.”

“I could get a girlfriend if I wanted one.”

“Alright, you two. Let’s stick with the problem at hand,” Koa suggests.

“Let’s not. I don’t need help with Lauren. I’m going to let it ride and see how it plays out. Right now, we’re getting to know each other for our assignment. Lauren may not even be interested.” Wyatt guffaws.

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