Page 83 of Love at Second Down

“So?” Chris shrugs. “Haven’t you ever heard the expressionall’s well that ends well? Well, I’d say it ended pretty fucking well.”

I stare at him for a moment, torn between reaching across the table and strangling him or laughing.

“So, are you gonna tell her?” Brandon asks, leaning against the buffet table as he stares at me.

I pause, a piece of toast halfway to my plate as I glance over at him with a frown. “Tell her what?”

“That you’re still in love with her, dumbass,” Chris says through a mouthful of pancakes.

“I’m not—” I start to protest, but the words die in my throat because I can’t even convince myself, let alone these guys. “I don’t know what I am,” I say, even though I know it’s a lie.

The truth is, I never stopped loving her.

“Maybe not, but it doesn’t change what you’re feeling here.” Chris taps the center of my chest before I swat his hand away with a scowl.

“Whatever you’re feeling,” Jace says, clapping a hand over my shoulder, “it’s probably best to lay low and keep things under wraps, at least until after the championship.”

I nod, seeing the sense in it as West agrees. “Smart.”

“Agreed.” Brandon nods. “The last thing you need is for things to go south before the big game.”

Chris purses his lips before he says, “You’ll have plenty of time to explore whatever’s between you once you’re back on campus.”

“And if we’re here for a whole week and I fuck up?” I ask, thinking of the hold she has on me. Something tells me keeping Avery at arm’s length now that we’re on better terms will be easier said than done.

“That’s where we come in,” Chris says, slinging an arm around my shoulders as he glances around at the guys. “Consider us your personal babysitters for the week. We won’t let you within a foot of Avery alone.”

Later that day, after film review and a session in the hotel gym, Coach gets the official word that Monday night’s game is postponed, and after spending the afternoon on pins and needles and pacing the confines of our hotel rooms, the guys and I are already stir-crazy.

“He’s giving us the night off with a warning to stay focused and be on our best behavior,” Chris crows after he reads the group text out loud.

“Best behavior sounds a lot like no women,” Brandon says, eyeing us.

“Don’t be a Bitter Betty, Brando,” Chris chides.

“I’m calling Brynn right now,” Jace chimes in, already on his phone.

Brandon shakes his head like our friends are a lost cause, which is fair. I’ve thought the same thing for a while now.

“Fine,” he grumbles. “But, remember, no funny business for you.” He points a finger at me. “We need you at the top of your game.”

“Agreed. Tread lightly with Avery,” Chris calls out, lifting his phone to his ear, then crooning, “Hey baby,” at the sound of Charlotte’s voice.

I roll my eyes. “Yet you and Jace will be all over Charlotte and Brynn.”

“Uh,yeah,we’ve earned it, bro. We figured our shit out. But you, my friend,” Jace says, drilling me with a finger to the chest, “need to figure out yours.” I open my mouth to speak when he adds, “And a hotel in Houston isn’t the time or place to do it.”

I scoff. “So, am I supposed to pretend she’s not here?”

“No,” Chris says, hanging up the phone without missing a beat. “Just keep it cool. PG. A good friends-who-like-each-other-but-are-afraid-to-cross-the-line vibe is perfect.”

“And how am I supposed to do that?” I ask as we exit my room out into the hall.

“I don’t know, ask Brandon.” Chris smirks, and Brandon flips him the bird.

“For the millionth fucking time, I don’t have a thing for Tatum.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Chris hums while the rest of us laugh.

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