Page 87 of The Love Playbook

“There are probably about a million reasons why, but we’ll go with the most important, which is that now he knows who you belong to.”

A trickle of fear at the hint of a relationship slithers through my veins, clashing with anger. “And, pray tell, who the hell do I belong to?”

“Me.Duh!Again, starting to question your intelligence here.”

“We are not a couple,” I point out.

“Not yet.”

I press a hand to my forehead, reminding myself to breathe. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I’ve been called worse. By you, no less. See? We’re making so much progress. Besides, don’t act like you haven’t been secretly wearing my hoodie every night and thinking of me.”

I glance down at the gray Griffins football hoodie and my mouth drops.How did he . . .?

I swear to god, if Samantha squealed, I’ll shave her head in her sleep.

My free hand fists into a ball as I clear my throat. “So, what did he say when you gave it back?”

“What did who say?”

“Chris! What did Danger say when you gave it back?”

“Sorry, geez.” He chuckles. “I don’t know. He saidthanksand that was the end of it.”

“Oh,” I say, slightly disappointed that he didn’t care. Not that I’m still interested in him. Chris’s mouth wiped him completely from my mind, but still . . . it doesn’t hurt to feel wanted.

“That’s all? Just . . .thanks? He wasn’t upset or anything?” I ask.

“Of course that’s not all. Are you insane? The dude wants you.” Chris growls, like the thought pisses him off, and I can’t help but smile a little at the thought. “But if you think I’m going to sit here and talk about another dude with you, you’re wrong.”

I roll my eyes, wishing he could see. “Fine. Whatever. At least that explains why he gave me the cold shoulder in class the other day.”

“Damn right, he did. The dude is smart, values his life.”

“What exactly did you say to him?” I ask, truly curious.

“Just guy stuff.”

I snort. “Whatever. What are you doing right now?”

“I’m still in the locker room. Just finished showering before I head to catch the guys for dinner.”

My mouth turns dry at the thought of Chris standing in the locker room in nothing but a towel, water dripping down his chest. “Mm-hmm. That sounds nice,” I murmur.

Chris chuckles, and I admonish myself for being such a dork. “What about you?”

I grunt. “Dinner with my father.”

“Oh, right. Forgot that was today. Have fun?” he says like it’s a question, and if the image of Chris in a bath towel didn’t get me heated, the fact he realized spending time with my father isn’t necessarily something I’m looking forward to does.

“Yeah, I’ll try.”In between begging him for money for my mother, even though he’s already given his fair share over the years.“I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” I add.

“Hit me up after,” he says. “We have to leave at the ass crack of dawn for our game tomorrow, but maybe I can stop by and see you.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll do that,” I say, biting my lip and glancing at the clock.

If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late.

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