Page 39 of The Trade

“Yeah, it was fun,” Jade chimes in, her smile so genuine it fully shatters my resolve.

“Anytime,” I say, my eyes fixed on the contours of her face. As she turns to follow behind her roommate, my hand extends almost of its own volition, gently swiping the side of her arm. “Have a safe drive.”

Her eyes widen before she gives me a tight nod, lips curling into a subdued smile. “Will do.”

Once the final echoes of the night have faded and the last of the guests have cleared out, I beeline to my roommate. My mouth opens, and I blurt out the first thing that crosses my mind. “Trade’s off.”

“What?” His tone is shocked, confusion pulling at his brows as he stares up at me.

“The Trade’s off the fucking table, as in, I’m not trading Jade. She’s officially off-limits,” I say, my tone brooking no argument. “And you can repeat that to anyone who might give a shit.”

He flashes me a dubious look. “Are you joking?”

“Does it look like I’m joking?”

“Alright, dude.” He holds up both hands in a pacifying gesture. “I got it, okay? Jade’s off-limits.”

My nostrils flare in triumph. “Good. I’m glad we’re clear.”

“You do realize that pretty much destroys any hope I had of pulling off a trade, right?” He folds his arms across his broad chest. “Shan wouldn’t willingly go home with anyone other than you. She’d feel too guilty.”

“You’re right, she wouldn’t,” I concede. “And that’s not my problem.”

His sigh is almost painful, a gravelly groan rumbling deep in his throat. “Fine, but you’re cleaning my gear for at least two weeks next season.”

“Fine. Whatever you want.”

He shoves me lightly with one hand. “So, you like her, huh?”

“What?” I play ignorant, rubbing my shoulder dramatically.

“You like Jade . . . enough to call dibs on her,” he reiterates. “You planning on asking her out?”

“I don’t fucking know, man.” A sigh slips past my lips. “Even if I wanted to, I barely have time to breathe right now. My grades are in the fucking toilet, there’s training camp this summer, and next season is gonna be hell before the draft.”

“Your call. But remember, if you don’t make a move, someone else will. And that’s not even considering the banquet,” he adds, a crease forming between his brows. “You weren’t the only one checking her out tonight.”

A tight knot forms in my stomach, a dark cloud of dread casting a shadow over me. “Who?”

“Miller was asking around, trying to find out if she’s single.”

“That little fucker. He was running his mouth about how hot she is earlier.”

“Can you blame him?” He lets out a disbelieving laugh. “She is hot.”

“I’m well aware,” I snap, the heat rising in my voice.

“Dude, cool down.” He claps me on the shoulder, but his attempt to soothe does little to calm the frustration bubbling inside me. “Just think about what you really want.”

“Alright.” I manage to swallow past the knot in my throat. “I will.”

Later that night, as I’m lying in my bed—restless, unsettled—Cam’s words continue to echo in my mind. He’s got a point. If I don’t make a move on Jade, it’s only a matter of time before someone else does.

But would it even make a difference if I did? Who’s to say she’d be interested in a screw-up like me? A jock with subpar grades, a guy who’s got no business being with someone like her.

Despite my doubts, I grab my phone and fire off a quick text, truly testing the limits of my mental stability.

West

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