Page 50 of The Pass Protection
I could see myself living there.
A ding sounds through the speaker, interrupting my thoughts. Turning off the nozzle, I step out of the shower and wrap my body in a fluffy navy towel. One thing Crew and I seem to share is our love for the color navy.
There’s a text waiting from in the ‘Bestie Babes’ group chat.
Chloe: We’re here, girl!
Me: Coming!
Glancing at the clock, I realize I was in the shower for way too long. Leaving the bathroom, I jog across the floor and unlock the door.
“Damn, now that’s my kind of greeting,” Brynn jokes as she takes in my towel-covered body.
Holding the door open wider, I gesture for Brynn, Chloe, and Macy to come in. “Sorry, I lost track of time.”
“We’re a little early,” Chloe says, slipping out of her sneakers and placing them beneath the entryway table.
I follow the girls into the apartment after I lock the door behind us. “Oh, I invited our friend Savannah. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind,” I say, shaking my head. “I met her at the party last weekend.”
Chloe places bags down on the dining table while Macy pulls out a chair. Brynn takes the opportunity to peruse the apartment, poking her head into the guys’ rooms. “I’m going to throw on some clothes.” I gesture over my shoulder. “You guys make yourselves at home.”
“Be careful what you wish for. I told her to make herself comfortable in my dorm one day, and the next thing I knew we were moving in together,” Macy jokes.
“Ha. Ha. You’re so funny.” Brynn rolls her eyes. The three of them have such a fluid relationship with their playful banter and insidejokes. I’m really thankful that they decided to take me under their wing. Leaving the room, I dig through my clothes until I pull out an oversized CTU football hoodie and athletic shorts. The girls are all in comfortable CTU clothes, which is perfect for our night in to watch the game.
Back in the living room, bowls are spread across the table. Glancing inside, I find tortilla chips and taco dip, sliced vegetables and veggie dip, and a white mixture that reminds me of the icing from Dunkaroos with bear-shaped crackers next to it.
“Holy shit, this spread looks amazing. You did not have to do all this.”
Chloe turns her head from where she’s sitting on the couch. “It was seriously no big deal.”
“And the guys told us to not let you cook so…” Brynn’s words trail off as she shrugs.
Chloe tosses a pillow at Brynn. “Don’t be rude to our host.”
“Oh please.” Brynn adjusts the pillow onto her lap. “Bret’s one of us, which means she’s fully subject to all of the asshole comments.”
My heart warms at her compliment of being part of them. “I mean, I was going to order a bunch of appetizers when I ordered wings.” Moving around the girls, I find an open spot on the couch to settle down on. Placing my legs underneath my body, the cushions mold around my bent knees as I relax into the nook between the backrest and armrest.
“Let me call Steve at The Eagles Nest. He’ll make sure to bump our order so we get it before the game. I assume you want it delivered?”
I shrug. “It doesn’t matter to me.”
“Make sure you get garlic parm for me, please,” Macy requests.
Chloe glances up from where she’s typing away on her phone. “I want to try their luau barbeque.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“It’s a new sauce. I guess it’s like a barbecue sauce with hints of pineapple.”
I scrunch my nose. “I’ll pass on that.”
“Oh my gosh, please tell me you’re a pineapple girl.”
“Like by itself. Not on pizza or in cottage cheese like my mom.” I shiver at the thought.
