Page 1 of Offsides

CHAPTER ONE

Eli

I hit pause on my game, scooping up my phone from the seat next to me and glancing at the screen before answering. “Hey, man. What’s up?”

“Dude. I know you said you didn’t want to come, but you should get down here.” Jackson’s voice vibrates with laughter over the background noise of karaoke night at Neon.

His girlfriend Autumn texted him earlier and let him know she and Dani were going out for a girls’ night—just the two of them since their other roommates, Ellie and Piper, aren’t back from Christmas break yet—and he decided to crash it.

I told him not to and that I wanted no part in butting in on a girls’ night. Of the two of us, I feel like he should know better than me about that since he grew up with a single momandan older sister. EvenIknow that the only reasons worth interrupting a woman’s girls’ night is death or dismemberment. Or maybe I realize that more because my mom was the only woman in a family of men—my dad, my younger brother, and me.

Regardless, there was no way he could convince me to go along with him. His girlfriend might seem all sweetness and light, but if you cross her, she’ll cut off your nuts and hand them back to you with a smile. I prefer to keep my nuts firmly attached to my body, thankyouverymuch.

But his laughter and command to come anyway? Now I’m curious.

Standing, I stretch my arms overhead. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“You need to come see Dani.”

My whole body stands at attention, blood rushing south. I mean, I knew she’d be there. This isn’t actually a surprise. But why do I need to come see her?

Concern grips me, though. What if I need to rescue her? Maybe there are douchey guys making life difficult for her. Autumn’s safe since Jackson is there, but since Dani doesn’t have a guy with her … “Is something wrong? Is she in trouble?”

Not that Dani really needs rescuing. She’s a complete badass. But we all know that drunk assholes don’t handle being told no very well. And even the most badass women need backup sometimes.

Another chuckle from Jackson. “No, no. She’s … fine. Just … come see for yourself. I promise it’ll be worth it.”

“Alright. I’ll head over.”

“Hurry, though. I promise, you don’t want to miss this.”

Glancing down at my sweatpants and old high school football shirt with a hole in the armpit, I figure I should probably change.

In my room, I strip everything off and pull a fresh pair of jeans out of my drawer. Lifting my arm, I give myself a quick sniff test. Eh, not the greatest. No time for a shower given Jackson’s insistence I hurry or else I’ll miss something, but I can at least swipe on fresh deodorant. My hand hovers over the new sweater my mom gave me for Christmas, but given that I’m going to a bar, I opt for a steel gray button down instead. Chicks love it when I roll the cuffs up to my elbows.

Shoes, jacket, wallet, keys, and I’m out the door.

* * *

I move through the crowd at Neon, my jacket slung over my arm, searching for Jackson, largely ignoring the hot chick on stage belting out some older girl-power breakup song that I’ve heard a few times, something about starting a fight.

“Eli!” Jackson barks out, and I turn, moving to a table closer to the stage where he’s sitting with Autumn, her chair pulled up close enough so they can touch each other, both of them facing the little stage. “We weren’t sure you’d make it in time.”

Confused, I look at Autumn, who gives me a wide grin, then looks meaningfully at the stage.

I glance at the stage for a second, a defensive smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “If you’re suggesting I go next, that’s gonna be a no.”

She rolls her eyes and smacks her palm lightly on the table, but it’s Jackson who answers. “Dude.” There’s that laughter in his voice again. “Pay attention. Look at who’s singing.”

Returning my attention to the stage, I take in the girl with long, black wavy hair wearing a shimmery tank, a tight little skirt, and strappy heels, a crystal dangling between her tits. She’s pretty. Definitely my type. But I don’t get what the big deal is.

Autumn cackles. “He doesn’t recognize her. And she calls you her best friend.”

Blinking hard, I swear I almost swallow my tongue, because that’s when it hits me what they’re on about. “Dani?” I croak.

More cackling from Autumn. “She’s been rocking up there all night. Thought you might like to see her shine.”

I drop my jacket on one of the chairs, my hand hanging onto the back to hold myself up, because holy shit.

---