Page 56 of Captured Love

21

SELENE

Iplop down onto Hailey and Jade’s couch, sinking into the pile of plush pillows. Hailey walks into the room, and I immediately jump back up again. “Are you sure you don’t need any help with the snacks?”

She waves me off with a grin. “Nah, I've got it covered. You just relax and get ready for the game.” She disappears into the kitchen, leaving me to settle back onto the couch.

Jade emerges from her room, arms laden with Red Wolves merchandise. “I found the perfect gear for us to wear.” She softly tosses a t-shirt at me.

“You have a lot of Red Wolves gear.”

Jade snorts. “Wilder keeps finding a way to give me more shit. Don’t ask me why because I don’t know either.”

I hold up the t-shirt, a white shirt with a dark red wolf logo. “Pretty sure this counts as a bribe at this point.”

Jade shrugs, setting the rest of the gear on the coffee table. “If it is, it's the lamest bribe ever. It's not like I need seven different foam fingers.” She picks one up and waggles it in my direction with mock enthusiasm. “Go team!”

I laugh and slip the t-shirt over my head. It's a size too big, but the soft cotton feels comforting. “So you're not a fan?”

“I support them,” Jade says diplomatically, sitting down next to me. “But I'm not about to paint my face and scream at the TV or anything.”

“Yet,” Hailey calls from the kitchen, and I can hear the smirk in her voice. “I think Wilder is determined to turn her into the biggest Red Wolves fan there is.”

“Are you dating him?” I can’t help but ask.

Jade’s eyes widen for a second, before she relaxes. “Dating him? Who Wilder? No. Nooooo.”

I raise an eyebrow at Jade's exaggerated denial. “You sure? I mean, he is pretty cute. And all this free merch...”

Jade crosses her arms, leaning back into the couch with a huff. “We're just best friends, girl.” She gives me a pointed look, then softens. “Not that it would be a bad thing if we were, you know. He's a good guy. Well, for the most part.”

“But?” I prod gently.

Jade shrugs one shoulder. “But nothing. It's just... complicated when feelings get involved. Easier to keep things simple.”

I nod, understanding more than she knows. My own situation with Knox is anything but simple, especially with us having phone sex last night.

Hailey returns from the kitchen carrying a tray loaded with chips, dip, and various finger foods. “Alright, feast your eyes on this spread.” She sets it down on the coffee table and takes a step back, hands on her hips, as if admiring her own handiwork.

Jade wastes no time digging in, and I follow suit, though more cautiously. “This looks amazing, Hails.”

“Thanks,” she says, sitting down next to Jade. “So, are you excited for the game?”

I hesitate. “Yeah, totally,” I say. “Not really. Isla is way more into this type of thing than I am. And it’s too bad she’s at the game taking photos instead of here with us now.” Not to mention that her father is also the coach of the Red Wolves.

“She'll have amazing shots, I'm sure,” Hailey says with a shrug. “And don't worry, Selene. We'll ease you into it. Watching with friends is way more fun than doing it alone. And I’m saying that from experience because I wasn’t into this until Levi and I started dating.”

“That’s true. In fact, she didn’t like him just because of his celebrity status on campus,” Jade chimes in.

Hailey rolls her eyes, and I chuckle. I appreciate their optimism. It’s not that I dislike sports; it’s just that I don’t have the same passion for them. Well, I’ve never tried so maybe there will be something there.

I settle back into the couch cushions as Hailey flips on the TV, navigating to the sports channel broadcasting the game. The pre-game commentary drones on in the background as we chat and munch on snacks.

“So, Selene,” Jade says. “What's going on with you and Knox?”

I nearly choke on a tortilla chip. “What? Nothing. Why would you think there's something going on?”

Jade and Hailey exchange a knowing look. “Please,” Jade says. “The tension between you two is thicker than Hailey's seven-layer dip.”

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