Page 55 of Return Policy

“Really?”I wonder why she didn’t text us herself.

“Yeah, she said something about helping Nash.”

“Oh, okay.”

“So it looks like I’ll be riding with you guys.” She readjusts the bag on her shoulder. “Maybe we can get Elijah to play carpool karaoke.”

“Oh, God.” I let out a hearty laugh. “I’d pay money to see that.”

“How’s five bucks sound?”

“You get Elijah to do carpool karaoke, and I’ll give you ten.”

She smirks. “Deal.”

We get to the parking lot and throw our stuff in Elijah’s truck bed. I round the back and see Andi hauling herself into the passenger seat as Sage comes up next to me. “Girl, she even stole your spot,” she whispers before going to ride with Julian.

I sigh, then open the back door and slide in.

As promised, Elijah willingly participates in carpool karaoke. All Andi has to do is play “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” by Kenny Chesney, and he puts on a full show without hesitation. It’s hilarious and adorable, and I can’t help but feel disappointed at the fact Andi knew exactly how to trick him into it. I slide ten dollars into her hand when we get out of the car, and she tells me to keep it.

We’ve just downed our ginormous pizza slices from Lazy Moon, and the boys are demolishing a pitcher of beer. I tried to distance myself from Elijah by sitting on the outside of the booth, but somehow he ended up directly across from me with, of course, Andi flanking his side. Theo’s to my left, and I’m choosing to make the best of it by enjoying his company. He’s a shameless flirt, and I haven't stopped laughing the last hour.

Currently, he’s retelling all of Elijah’s most embarrassing sexcapades, and I think Elijah’s three seconds away from throwing all Theo’s shit out their dorm window.

“And the worst,by far, was when Elijah hooked up with a girl who had a surprise piercing.” Theo lets out a deep, throaty laugh before taking a sip of his water, and my eyes flick to Andi.

“Hey,” she says, putting her hands in the air, “don’t look at me. My lady parts are piercing free.”

“And your tits?” Theo asks her.

“You told him?” Andi asks, glaring at Elijah. “Seriously?”

Elijah purses his lips without replying, avoiding eye contact with everyone as he sinks lower into his seat in an attempt to disappear.

“Anyway,” Theo says, returning to the story, “Elijah was screaming from his room for me to come get him untangled from the poor girl.” He throws his head back, laughing, and Elijah’s lips quirk upwards as his jaw ticks. “They were stuck, and I had to literally cut his bush free.”

“Well, now I know why you’ve always been so good about manscaping.” Andi laughs towards Elijah. “I’ve never seen a guy with such an excellent grooming regimen for their dick.”

“Okay, that’s enough,” Elijah says, leveling Theo and Andi with a look that would have me folding in on myself but only makes them laugh harder.

“That’s hilarious.” I giggle, although there’s a familiar buzz under my skin.

“It was.” Theo nods, and Andi throws her arm around Elijah’s shoulder.

“Come on,” she says looking up at him. “Be a good sport.”

Elijah narrows his eyes down at her and smiles sarcastically. “Don’t encourage him.”

“I still don’t understand how it happened.” Theo shakes his head. “That would never happen to me.”

“Oh, really?” I smirk with raised brows.

“Yep. I’m a professional.” He waves a hand along his muscular body. “I know exactlywhatto putwhereto make sure she’s screaming inpleasurenotpain.” He arches his brow at Elijah on the last word.

“I bet you do.” I laugh.

“You can never have too much practice.” He winks.

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