Page 11 of Scoring the Player
“I heard about the video.” She makes a face. “A girl in class tried to show it to me. Like I want to hear some chick say how much she wants to get with my brother.”
Dahlia’s not just some chick, but I don’t correct Holly.
Lucas, on the other hand, is happy to spill all the details. Including my many failed attempts to talk to her.
Holly leans forward, taking in every word. When he’s finished, she turns to me with a shit-eating grin. “Wait, let me see the video again. I didn’t realize this wastheDahlia. The infamous girl who runs away from you. She’s practically a legend in my book.”
I shoot Teddy a look. I’ve never mentioned Dahlia to my sister, which means he has. He’s the only one I’ve confided in over my many failed attempts at talking her up.
My longtime buddy just shrugs. “She was worried there weren’t any girls left that didn’t find you charming and irresistible.” A smile tugs at his lips. “I was happy to correct her.”
I flip him off while draining the rest of my beer. Lucas and Holly are huddled up rewatching the video. I squeeze my eyes shut like that is going to drown out Dahlia’s words. Normally I’d be fucking delighted to hear anyone talk about me like that, but knowing it’s just surface-level has me thinking back to Bethany and all the things she said when we were together.
Holly interrupts before my mind goes too far down that black hole. “I can’t watch anymore. If she’s as shy as you say she is, then I feel awful for her. I would have died if something like this happened to me before Teddy knew how I felt.”
“Are you saying you had conversations like this about me?” Teddy slides a hand onto her thigh. Holly blushes and leans into his touch.
That’s my cue to kick Teddy in the shin. He grimaces, but he also doesn’t move his hand.
“I wasn’t quite that eloquent.” Holly motions toward the phone. “But yeah.”
My leg bounces. “I talked to her. She’s embarrassed, but she’s okay.”
“She said those words?” Holly doesn’t look convinced. I’m not sure I am either, but I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.
“More or less.” I shrug. “She doesn’t like me, not like you’re thinking.”
My roommates and sister share a look like they’re all in on some joke together. Holly laughs first, then the other two join her.
When she finishes laughing at my expense, my sister says, “She may have said that she doesn’t like you to save face, but she absolutely does.”
“No, really. I asked her to come out tonight and she blew me off again.” Fuck it. I’m ready to party. Standing, I glance at Lucas. “Ready to head to The White House?”
“Already?” He checks the time on his phone. “It’s early yet.”
When I head for the door, he slowly gets to his feet. “Yeah, all right.”
Teddy and Holly stay behind. I already know from talking to Teddy at practice that they’re staying in tonight.
“Hey, Felix?” Holly stops me before I can slip out of the house. “I don’t know Dahlia, but I’d be willing to bet that the reason she blows you off has more to do with her than you.”
“Meaning?”
“If you’re really into her, then you’re going to have to try harder than you usually do.”
5
DAHLIA
I takemy giant bowl of popcorn and soda to the living room, ready for a night in by myself, but when I see my roommates spread out on the furniture in comfy clothes I pause. “You do not need to stay home just because I am.”
“Oh, please, we’re not leaving you alone tonight.” Violet looks offended that I’d think otherwise. She scoots over to make room for me on the couch between her and Daisy. It’s early still, but they should be upstairs, trying on outfits and fixing their hair and makeup. I know the routine. Two to three hours before going out is prime get-ready time.
“I’m fine,” I say for what feels like the millionth time today.
“If that’s true, then you are way tougher than me,” Daisy says. “I would die. A viral video and then getting trapped in an elevator?”
“Same.” Vi wraps her arms around my shoulders and squeezes lightly.
