Page 22 of The Riley Effect

Damn, are my feelings for Ivy real?

I scoot toward Marcus and Byron, hoping to avoid the busty redhead, whose hand keeps moving up my thigh.

Last semester if Evelyn’s hand was close to my dick, it was a sign that she was ready to go. We had a nice routine down. We would find the other when we were ready to leave the bar. We would take some shots and then head back to my place.

For the first time, I’m just not feeling it.

I check my phone again and there aren’t any new texts.

Thirty minutes later—when Evelyn is in the bathroom—Marcus gets a phone call from Indy saying she is done with practice and will be at our place in an hour after she eats and finishes some homework.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Marcus asks above the rim of his pint glass.

“How much do you love me?” I ask him. I let out an exaggerated sigh when he doesn’t answer me. “I was hoping you would help me set up a double date. You and Indy, me and Ivy. Something really relaxed, like a movie date at our place.”

Marcus just stares at me for what feels like a lifetime, and now I’m questioning if double dates are just something that happens in movies. I wouldn’t know because I just went on my first real date last weekend.

I would love it if Ivy would come hang out on a random Wednesday or thirsty Thursday, and as she gets to know the guys, I think she will. I have a hunch I’ll get to know her personality better in a setting where she is comfortable with her surroundings. Indy and Marcus provide that.

The longer Marcus is silent, the more sweat rolls down my face.

Without saying a word, Marcus takes his phone out of his pocket and pulls me toward him so the two of us are shown in the screen’s reflection. Indy answers the phone as she puts her robe on, and I scream.

“I’m so sorry, Indy. I didn’t realize you’d be naked.” It comes out so fast I’m not sure she understands what I’m saying.

She just motions her hand toward the screen, telling me she is perfectly okay that her boyfriend’s best friend almost saw her naked. And it doesn’t seem like Marcus really cares, either. Now I’m wondering what kind of freaky shit they are into.

“Hey, babe.” Marcus starts before blowing Indy a kiss. “Jay was wondering if you think Ivy would want to come to our place this weekend and watch a movie. Kinda like a lowkey double date.”

Indy lets out a squeal so loud that all the other conversations that were going on at our end of the table stop, adding ten more sets of ears to our conversation.

“We will be there.”

“Shouldn’t you ask Ivy first?” I keep my voice low, hoping my new audience won’t hear.

14

Ivy

“I. Am. Not. Going.” I punch out each word, so maybe Indy gets the message.

She’s dragged Lola into the living room so now it’s officially two-on-one.

“Your scrimmage is Saturday. Friday night, you’d just be here hanging out watching movies anyways.” Lola reminds me. She’s sitting in the chair across from the couch. All she needs is a pen and clipboard and we are prepared for our therapy session.

“What if I have other plans?” I mutter.

Indy ignores my poor attempt at a joke. “We’ve had the same pregame routine since freshman year, Ivy.”

“Well, you said I need to live my life on the edge this year and I’ve been doing that. It doesn’t mean I have to switch up my pre-game routines and it doesn’t mean I suddenly have time to date.”

“That ass-grabbing I saw on our front porch didn’t scream casual to me.” I want to reach across the couch and slap the smugness off Indy’s face.

Deep down, I know she’s right. That wasn’t a drunken kiss from a date you hope never to hear from again. His lips were sure and dominant but also tender and sweet. Jalen’s kiss was toe-curling, life-changing. And that’s why it can’t happen again.

I’m waiting for one of my roommates to say something as I roll the napkin I used with my dinner between my palms. Another thirty seconds pass in excruciating silence, and I can’t take it anymore.

I throw my napkin onto my plate on our coffee table and take a deep breath.

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