Page 57 of Topping the Jock
“Curiosity.” He shrugged. “I also wanted to reach out and tell him I was sorry for high school. But I chickened out last minute.”
“And you think he’s hot?”
He snorted. “I love women, but I’m not blind. I can admit when a guy’s attractive.”
“What would you say if…” I licked my lips, hesitant to continue. I didn’t need anyone’s approval but my own for what I wanted to do with my life, but it would be nice to have my best friend’s support.
“Spit it out, M.”
“I like Quinn,” I said in a rush. “More than just a fling.”
“Okay.” Zane looked lost. “Why are you saying that like it’s a bad thing?” He leaned forward on the table and grabbed a crab rangoon off the plate in the center. “Look, M. You’re not the same kid from high school. Cliques and all that shit doesn’t matter now. If you wanna date Quinn or whatever, do it. It would be good for you to settle down. I mean look at me.” He motioned to himself. “Married with a kid. Go after what you want. Damn the rest. If Quinn makes you happy, don’t drag your feet and let him know.”
A shaky breath left my lips. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding it.
“He doesn’t feel the same,” I responded. “It’s just sex to him.”
“How do you know?” Zane dipped the crab rangoon into sweet-and-sour sauce and shoved the whole thing into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out as he chewed. “When I first met Court, you remember how I was. I denied I felt anything for her, and we casually hooked up. Next thing I knew, I was in love and buying her a diamond for her pretty finger.”
“Quinn’s not in love with me.”
Zane pointed at me. “Yeah, but hecouldbe. Eventually. All I’m saying is, people hide shit. He might feel more for you than he lets on. Let’s face it, you aren’t exactly the ideal match for him. You made his life hell for years. Can you blame the guy for being a little reserved around you?”
“Fair point.”
Zane heaved a sigh. “Fuck, man. We’re getting old. We used to sit around talking shit to each other and laughing at fart jokes, and now we’re having grown-up conversations about relationships and shit. What the fuck happened?”
I laughed. “Remember when Wes ate a bunch of burritos, got drunk at your house, then shit himself? He said it was like hot lava coming out of his ass.”
Zane had taken a drink and choked, barely putting his hand up in time to keep water from spewing all over the table. When the waitress brought over extra napkins, the two of us started laughing like two teenagers.
We might’ve been adults now, but some things never changed.
After lunch, we went back to his house, and I visited with him and Anton for a while. Courtney cast glares at me from across the room. If looks could kill, I would’ve been six feet under a long time ago. Her attitude toward me was mostly unwarranted, but given the fact that Zane had been with me when he’d cheated on her, I couldn’t say it was completely unjustified. I should have done more.
“Don’t stay away so long next time,” Zane said, walking me to the door a few hours later. “I miss your punk ass.”
“I miss you too.” I hugged him. “Maybe you can come see me sometime. It’s been a while since you’ve been back to Blue Harbor.”
“I’d like that,” he said, bending down to pick up Anton, who had followed us to the door.
“Ty-ty.” Anton reached for me, and I stepped closer to hug him goodbye.
“Bye, Montgomery,” Courtney said, appearing next to Zane. “Drive carefully.”
Zane smiled at her and slid an arm around her small waist. She still hated me, but it was progress at least.
By the time I got home that evening, it was after nine o’clock. I watched a show on Comedy Central before getting into bed and scrolling on my phone. A new notification popped up on my social media:Quinn Beck sent you a friend request.
Up to that point, we had messaged back and forth, but we hadn’t actually been friends. And now he was requesting me. I was glad I was alone right then because I grinned like a moron as I hit Accept.
A message came right after.
Quinn:I still don’t like you.
Damn. How was it possible for a person to make me smile so much?
Me:I know.
