Page 30 of The Midseason Fakeout

“I’m good,” I promise him. The fact that West thinks that makes me feel better. I don’t trust his judgment with relationships at all, so now I know I’m completely safe. “Listen, you know where the water is?”

He nods toward the rear door. “The back porch.”

I clap him on the back in thanks. “You seen Farmer?”

“Not here as far as I can tell.”

That’s good news, I muse to myself. Cade doesn’t know his limitations, and I need my guys in tip-top shape while I prove to Coach I won’t disappoint him again.

Luckily, I’ve realized my limits. I’m not drinking at all until the end of the season. No alcohol. No staying out too late. Plus, with Bailey as my cockblocker, I’m practically guaranteed an easy ride for the rest of the season.

Nothing but football, football, football.

I open up the rear screen door and remove two waters from the plastic case. The door shuts behind me while I make my way through the crowd. West has joined Kenna and Bails. He stands there while Kenna sashays next to him. It should look awkward as fuck, but it works for those two.

“Hey, Angel,” I whisper in her ear before offering her the water.

She grabs it eagerly. “Thanks…” she hesitates, narrowing her gaze while she stares deep into my eyes—her new thing is trying to figure out a nickname that I’ll accept, “you player you.”

“You’re awful at this,” I answer with a laugh.

“You’re the one who wants some ridiculous nickname. I just want to call you Aidan. For the love of girlfriends everywhere, do I have to be creative all the time?”

She winks at me, and Kenna and West laugh.

“He’s a handful, huh?” Kenna asks. “I figured he would be. You know, my friend Sydney and him had a barely there fling.” She peers away. “I told her not to go there.”

“Ha-ha,” I sneer. There was a little something between Sydney and me, but I eventually chalked it up to mutual attraction. She was fun to hang out with. We had some laughs. But in the end, none of it went anywhere. We’re still friends, though.

“She was smart then,” Bailey jokes.

“You say that,” I tease, yanking her into my side. She jumps, trying to save her water bottle from getting crushed between us before turning toward me, gaze narrowed like she’s attempting to stare me down. Unfortunately for her, she just looks like an angry puppy. Nothing threatening whatsoever.

I know what’s so attractive about Bailey now. It’s this innocent, girl next door vibe she has. Before, she was so put together. It looked like she was a doll that you didn’t want to mess up. Now that she’s chilled out, though, I can picture her wrapped up in my tousled sheets.

Not that I should picture any of those things.

I squeeze her ass, and this time, she doesn’t react when I do it. “You’re lucky to have me.”

“I know,” she says softly. A moment passes between us that’s all too real, as if our façade went up in smoke and all that’s left is the two of us.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. “So, how are you enjoying your first college party?”

Bailey steps away. “Cliché.”

“Oh, totally,” Kenna agrees. “Drunk people, fights, people hooking up upstairs. We’re one huge stereotype here at Warner University.”

That being said… “I hope they saved us a room upstairs then.”

Bailey looks at me in feigned shock, clutching a string of pearls that aren’t there. “Oh God, I would never.”

I grin. Her words sound like she’s accepting my challenge. I’m pretty sure I’ve actually seen her in pearls before, and that girl would never end up in a dirty room at a frat house. “I don’t know,” I say for everyone else’s benefit. “I think everyone’s first college party experience should end with a moment upstairs.”

“Or maybe you’re just another horny football player,” Kenna tosses at me.

“Touché.” I smile at her. “But if I’m a horny football player, then Bailey is a horny football player’s girlfriend. Needs must be met. Deeds must be done.” I walk toward Bailey with a playful grin.

She edges out of the way slightly, amused. “What?”

---