Page 24 of Shut Up and Score
But Luke just waves them over as if they’re old friends. Which, I guess, they are.
“Smoothie run?” Ty asks, falling into step on Luke’sother side. “You trying to get all that glitter out of your bloodstream?”
“Iamthe glitter,” Luke says with a wink. “This is Micah, by the way.”
Ty gives me a nod. “Hey, man. Good footwork today.”
Will chimes in. “That fake-out on Colton was nice.”
I blink. “You saw that?”
Ty grins. “Whole sideline did. Guy looked like he swallowed a whistle.”
Luke lets out a laugh-snort. “Tragic.”
I don’t say anything for a second, just studying them. Waiting for the shift—that moment when the friendliness turns cruel, or forced, or curious in the wrong way. But it doesn’t come. They’re just…guys. Talking. Being decent.
Will shoves his hands into his hoodie pockets. “You in the dorms?”
“Yeah,” I say slowly. “Portman Hall.”
“No way. Same. We’re on the second floor—north side.”
“I'm south. First floor.”
“Cool, cool,” Ty says. “If you ever want in on Mario Kart night, Luke’s our reigning champ.”
“Because youcheat,” Will mutters.
“Idrift,” Luke corrects him primly. “There’s a difference.”
They’re bickering now, back and forth in a rhythm that clearly runs deep. And it’s weird—how easy it would be to feel on the outside of it.
But Luke throws an arm casually over my shoulder and says, “Micah’s joining us tonight.”
I stiffen. “I didn’t?—”
“Youare,” he says, grinning. “Come on. You deserve to destroy these two inRainbow Road Revenge.”
Ty chuckles. “Bring it on, man. Just don’t pick Waluigi. Will gets twitchy.”
“It was one time,” Will mutters.
And just like that, I’m walking with them, Luke’s arm still casually draped over my shoulder, as if we’ve always done this. Like I haven’t spent the last two years building walls so high no one could evenseeme, let alone touch me.
I let out a breath and nod.
“Okay,” I say. “But I’m picking Waluigi.”
Will groans. Luke fist-pumps. “Yes! We are going to destroy them.”
The smoothie stand is one of those pop-up carts that always smells like frozen fruit and syrup. There’s a tiny chalkboard menu with names likeBerry Beast ModeandGreen Guts Glory, and the guy working the blender looks like he’s either high or deeply spiritually fulfilled.
“Berry Me Alive,” Luke says dramatically, leaning on the counter with a wink like he’s ordering a martini.
Will snorts. “You always get that one.”
“Because it’s delicious,” Luke replies, then turns to me. “Get whatever you want, by the way. First round’s on me. Unless you pick something with kale, in which case we’ll be having words.”
