Page 82 of Love at Second Down

There’s a beat of silence as the realization sinks in before Jace and Chris bump fists while my mind spins. A whole week stuck in a hotel during a blizzard with Avery. No classes. No practice schedules pulling us in different directions. No double dates or her working at Java the Hutt or worrying about stealing her attention.

Just her and me.

My heart rate picks up, and it has nothing to do with the upcoming game. This is my chance—ourchance—to figure out what’s happening between us without the usual distractions.

“I guess this blizzard has its perks, after all,” Chris says, looking as happy as a pig in shit as he commences eating.

“For some people, maybe,” Brandon grumbles with a scowl.

“Hey, it’s not my fault your girlfriend couldn’t come.” Chris grins between bites.

“Tate’s not my girlfriend,” Brandon says, shooting him a scathing look.

“Riiiiight,” Jace drawls. “Listen, it’s not our fault your ‘special friend,’” he says, making air quotes with his hands, “couldn’t come.”

“Whatever. While you assholes are hanging out with your girls, or whatever the hell you are,” Brandon says, waving a hand at me, “West and I will hang out, maybe try to pick up some chicks at the hotel pool.” He slings an arm over West’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “Isn’t that right, Stone”

“Good luck with that.” Jace snickers. “We all know when we’re not training or doing whatever shit Coach is having us do in the mornings, West’s nose will be stuck in a book all week.”

Brandon glances over at West who just shrugs.

“Fucking nerd,” Brandon grumps while Chris and Jace laugh their asses off.

“What’s got you all quiet?” Jace nudges me in the side. “You with us, man?”

I blink, coming back to the conversation as I focus on my friends. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“About?” West asks, eyeing me.

“Avery,” I admit, not bothering to hide it. These guys are my best friends. They already know anyway, so they’ll give me shit about it either way.

“Shocker.” Chris rolls his eyes.

“She showed up at our place before we left,” West tells them with a smirk.

I shoot him a look to shut up, then grab a plate and start adding some eggs and fruit, ignoring the knowing looks they’re all giving me.

“So, what’s the status there?” Jace asks.

“It’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always?” Chris smiles. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

“I’m welcome?” I say, arching a brow.

“Yeah. For getting you two back together, or whatever it is you’re doing.”

I nearly choke on my spit as I reach for the eggs. “You arenotthe reason we’re talking again.”

“I’m absolutely the reason you’re talking again, or did you forget I’m the one who set you up on that date?”

“Oh, you mean the double date I explicitly asked you to ensure Averywasn’ton?”

“That’s the one.” Chris snaps his fingers and points. “If I remember correctly, you ended the night by sucking face. So, yeah, you’re fucking welcome.”

“He has a point,” Brandon chimes in.

“No. He doesn’t have a point. The only reason Avery was even on that date was because you forgot to tell Charlotte to exclude her.”

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