Page 32 of Necessary Roughness
“Or a smoke signal,” Logan said cheerfully. “Whichever outdated mode of communication you want to use.”
“I’m glad someone else thinks her flip-phone is ridiculous,” Bryson said.
“A-fucking-men,” Logan replied.
They gave me a final smile, then started to leave.
“Wait!” Jayden said. “We were going to hang out and watch a movie with Sloane, but something came up and we can’t stay. Why don’t you two stay and keep her company?”
“They don’t need to do that…” I said, shooting my friend an alarmed look.
“I’m always down to chill with a movie,” Logan said with a wide grin. “What movie?”
Jayden balked for a moment, then blurted out, “Die Hard!”
“Die Hard?” Knox asked.
“It’s one of Sloane’s favorite movies,” Jayden explained. “She puts it on whenever she’s stressed.”
“Bro. I fuckingloveDie Hard,” Logan said.
Knox was focused on me. “We don’t want to impose. We should leave you alone…”
But now that they were here, standing at my door, I felt the pull of their combined charisma. They were fun to be around. Iwantedto hang out with them, to get to know them a little better. Maybe that would banish the nervousness I felt about our arrangement.
“You’re not imposing,” I found myself saying. “Stay. This is too much soup for me to eat alone.”
Bryson and Jayden gave me quick hugs. “You three have fun. But nottoomuch fun.”
I gave Jayden a final glare before they slipped into the hallway.
Logan snatched the bag out of my hand. “Fuck yeah. Soup party. Where do you keep the bowls?”
“I’m actually not sure,” I admitted while Logan began searching.
Morgan slowly came out of her room and approached us. She gave me a pointed look.
“I’ll put them on the spreadsheet,” I reluctantly said. “If you’ll graciously allow me to retroactively add them.”
“I suppose it’s fine,” Morgan replied curtly. “This time.”
“We need to see your student IDs,” I told the two football players.
They could tell from my tone not to ask questions. Knox handed me his ID, which Morgan quickly snapped a photo of.
“I don’t have my ID on me,” Logan said.
Morgan stiffened. “All students are required to carry them at all times. How do I know you’re a student, and not someone trying to break in and steal all my stuff?”
Logan tapped on his iPhone for a few seconds, then held the screen up to show Morgan. “Here’s the college website.” He tapped another button. “Here’s the athletic page.” More taps. “The football roster. Here’s my headshot. Logan Hunter, number seventy.” He glanced at the screen, then furrowed his brow into an intimidating scowl to match the headshot.
Morgan pursed her lips, and I was certain she was going to complain, but fortunately the Chinese food delivery guy chose that moment to knock. She retrieved a spoon from the kitchen, then disappeared into her room.
“Spreadsheet?” Knox asked.
“Don’t get me started.”
“She was super weird last Thursday, too.”
