Page 34 of Let You Love Me

“I couldn’t agree more,” I say, chewing on my lip.

Gabby’s forehead crinkles, her eyes narrowing as she crosses her arms over her chest and asks, “So, whatdoyou want from her, then?”

“Wait,” I say as a thought occurs to me. “Do you want me to put in a good word for you with my father? Is that what this is about?”

After all, he had gotten in trouble with him, hadn't he?

“What? No!” Teagan flinches before shaking his head. “Listen, I know we barely know each other, so I won’t take your question personally, but let me just tell you now, I amnotthat guy. I’m not a user. I wouldn’t ask you to do that, and something tells me you wouldn’t even if I did.”

He’s not wrong.

“But I don’t give up easily. And you seem pretty cool.” He bumps my shoulder like we’re buddies. “I just thought we could be friends.”

“Friends,” I say, like I don’t understand the meaning of the word.

“Yeah.” He grins, and when his dimples pop, I want to stick a finger in one. “You know, a person who someone talks to and maybe even admires in a non-sexual way? Someone you hang out with for fun?”

“I know what friends are,” I snap, even though I might not have much time for them. “What I don’t understand is why you’d want to be friends withme.”

Wow. What a winning endorsement, Lane. Way to sell yourself.

Teagan’s brows rise. “Well, after I realized you’re clearly uninterested in me, I decided it was probably best to heed your father’s warning. But it’s hard to meet cool people outside of football, and I just figured, why not? I like you. You’re funny and cute and I could do worse.”

“Wow. Sign me up,” I say, my tone dry while Gabby chokes on a laugh again.

Teagan rolls his eyes. “I don’t mean it like that. I’m a freshman, remember? The new guy on campus.” He shrugs. “You seem like a pretty cool chick, and I could use a friend.”

I stare at him like he’s a new breed of animal.

“And there’s only so much testosterone I can take before I need a break from it, you know?” He screws up his face. “It would be nice to have a chick around whom I can talk to and hang out with when I have time. So, what do you say?”

All I can think is,he used ‘whom’ properly. If anything, that’s reason alone to be friends.

“What do I say?” I stare at him for a moment, at a loss for words.

“Yeah. You can never have too many friends, right? So, is it a deal?”

Beside me, Gabby hip bumps me. “Yeah, bestie, what do you say?”

I frown over at her before I return to the intense cerulean blue of Teagan’s eyes, unsure of what game he’s playing. “I don’t know. I barely have time for the friends I do have.”

“You’re talking to a division one football athlete, remember? And I’m currently in-season. Time is not an asset I have either, so you’re not alone.”

I hesitate, mostly because I can’t think of one good reason to say no.

What does one more friend hurt? It’s not like I’m making him any promises, and he seems completely genuine. My gut tells me Teagan Nichols is a good guy, despite whatever went down with my father and the team.

“Come on, Lane,” he says when I don’t answer right away. “I’m not asking for a proposal here. I’m just asking to chat here and there when we see each other on campus. Maybe we could study together. Talk before practice or grab a coffee occasionally . . .”

Gabby shoots me a pleading look. “Damnit, I have to go or I’m going to be late.” She steps forward and wraps me up in a hug, whispering, “If you’re crazy enough tonotwant to jump this boy, you better at least be friends with the poor guy.” She pulls away, and I hate her a little when she winks and says, “If you don’t, I will.” She offers Teagan a little wave goodbye before she disappears into the building.

When I focus back on Teagan, I purse my lips. “And what if I say no?”

“I’ll ask again tomorrow.” He grins.

I huff. “Are you always this persistent?”

“When it comes to things I want.” His eyes glitter, and my stomach clenches.

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