Page 75 of Easy Out

“Is Matt still helping him?”

“How can you even mention that losers name?”

“Because he’s irrelevant to me. Matt’s the kind of guy who believes his good looks give him a free pass.” I’m sure there are girls who are cool with his aggressive approach. They are happy to be on the receiving end of his affection. I was at first. I’d never been flirted with like that before.

But then I realized that a dirty couch at a frat party was not where I wanted to have my first kiss. Matt got angry when I rejected him. He called me a tease. Maybe I was. I didn't waste time thinking about it. I fought him off and ran back to Sydney.

“Did Hart tell you what happened in the cafeteria last week?”

“He didn’t,” I answer, looking at the man in question. Hart easily fields the ball and throws it to first base. He did seem edgy when he came with me to dance practice last Thursday, but he didn’t mention anything about Matt.

“I went to grab a piece of chocolate cake and ran into Hart and Koa.”

“You do love your chocolate cake.” Syd narrows her eyes at my insinuation.

“Rude. As I was saying. I went to get a piece of cake. We were making plans for a game night when Nash and Matt showed up. Matt heard your name, and the next thing I know, I’m telling him you’re Hart’s girlfriend, and the guys are in his face. Hart threatened him and everything.”

“That. Is a lot to unpack." Hart makes a diving catch and flicks the ball to second base. Our eyes snare on each other. He gives me a quick smirk. I roll my eyes. Yeah, yeah, you look hot out there throwing the ball around. “What did Hart say when you said I was his girlfriend.”

“What do you think?”

“Nothing.”

“Got it in one. But that’s Hart for you.”

“He wouldn’t deny it in front of Matt,” I remind her. I clock Syd staring at me in my peripheral. “What?”

“I don’t think Hart would deny it, period. You should have seen how feral he was telling Matt to leave you alone. It was hot. It could have been a scene in one of my books.”

“He shouldn’t have done that. Matt is harmless.”

“Matt should shut his mouth.”

“Do I want to know?”

“It wasn’t bad. He said he liked your fighting spirit.” I scoff.

“I bet he does.” The guys move around on the field. I’ve lost track of Hart. “Game night?” I ask.

“Hart suggested spending more time with Koa and Wyatt to get to know his friends. I guess Koa is a little unsure about your intentions.” Why is everyone so worried about Hart? What do they think I’m capable of?

“I offered to host a game night at the dorm.”

“You’re cool with that?”

“Koa is my friend. He is Nash’s friend. Something I am reminded of daily. That won’t ever change. So yes. I’m cool with hanging out with him. I might even invite Seth.”

“Are you sure that is a good idea?”

“Lo, I’m moving on. If Koa, can’t handle it, he can damn well do something about it.” Okay then.

“Game night should be interesting in more ways than one. Sign me up.” I smile at her.

However, the idea of getting to know Hart’s friends makes me itch. I’ve just gotten used to opening up to him. It’s just more people with more questions that I won’t want to answer. I still need to tell Sydney everything. Hart has been encouraging me to do it, but I don’t want our relationship to change.

I like Sydney knowing the independent woman who showed up at Newhouse three years ago. Not the sad and lonely girl who didn’t have anything but bad memories.

“Can we talk about you calling him James?”

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