Page 88 of Thrown for a Loop
A laugh bubbles out of him, and I’m not ready for the way it changes his face. Suddenly he’s nineteen again, and we’re teasing each other on the rooftop under the summer sky. “I was just trying to find you one last out.”
“I don’t need one,” I declare. “Besides, I’m aterribleliar.”
He looks away sharply. “I’m aware.”
Great job, Zoe! Way to make it awkward.After all, I’m the one whose great ideas got us in trouble all those years ago.What we need is a getaway…
Urgh. The silence stretches for a moment until I try my guacamole, which I’ve been saving for last. “Oh my God, this is amazing.”
“Isn’t it?” He looks up and I get a flicker of a smile. “Marnie feeds half the team. DeLuca says he might as well just marry her, it would be cheaper.”
I laugh, because that sounds like something DeLuca would say. And because it gives me a glimpse into Chase’s personal life—hanging out here on the penthouse floor with his buddies,discussing their access to overpriced guacamole. “He lives in that unit?” I point toward my left. “And Tremaine is on your other side? You must have some incredible parties up here.”
“That’s been known to happen,” he says, the corners of his mouth quirking. “Usually at DeLuca’s place. He has a higher tolerance for chaos than me. I don’t like people in my space.”
“I’m in your space,” I blurt out.
He studies me with cool blue eyes. “So you are. Now what about costumes?”
Right. Back to business. “Unless you have ideas, I’ll handle the costumes. If you trust me to make you look studly and not silly.”
“Do your worst, Zoe. I’ll leave it in your hands.”
“I’ll need your measurements. Waist, inseam, shirt size.”
“Whatever you need.”
We work out a couple more details. A few minutes later, though, he sits back in his chair, our plates empty already. And we’ve run out of jamboree details to discuss, too.
Our little meeting is over, and I don’t want to overstay my welcome. So when Chase pushes back his chair, I ferry our glasses to the kitchen and ask if I can help clean up.
“How about I walk you home instead?”
“That’s nice, but you don’t have to.” I pace across his swanky living room and grab my coat.
“I’d feel better knowing you got home safely,” he says, grabbing a coat out of a closet that’s camouflaged into the wall. “You’re new in town, and it’s dark now. Besides, I can pick up some OJ at the bodega.”
“Chase, I’m a big girl, and it isn’t late.”
“It’s on my way,” he says.
“Really? Do you know where I live?”
He frowns. “Okay, no. But how far could it be?”
He’s right. Which means he’ll realize how unnecessary this is. “Fine. If you want to walk with me in the cold for five minutes, I won’t argue.”
“Glad to hear it,” he says, pulling his keys out of an elegant glass bowl on a hutch beside the door. “Ready?”
“Yep.”
When Chase opens his door, though, DeLuca is standing in front of the door to his unit. He’s got two cases of beer under one meaty arm, and he’s fishing for his key with his free hand. “Oh, hey, guys! Great to see you two getting along again.”
Are we, though?I can only imagine what he thinks I’m doing here. “It was time for a planning session!” I say quickly. “And enchiladas.”
“Ooh!” He brightens up. “Can’t wait to see what Marnie left in my fridge. Hey—I got people coming over later to watch Brooklyn versus Boston. You should join us, Zoe.”
For a half second, I feel a blip of joy. Being nearly friendless in a new city makes for lonely evenings. But then reality sets in, and I remember that I can either be a Legends coach or be their fun friend who shows up for the party. I can’t be both.
