Page 71 of Quarterback Sneak
Evie
We step out into the bright sunshine, and her arm is still linked through mine. So, when she turns back around to face the two guys following us, she takes me with her. “We’re going to lunch, not a shady neighborhood. We’re fine; we don’t need the extra muscle.” I hide a smile at their matching scowls, especially when she makes a shooing motion with her hand. She whirls around, practically dragging me with her. I look over my shoulder and meet Zane’s intense gaze for a moment before I turn back around. “All right. I admit it; I have zero idea where we’re going.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “You could have fooled me.”
“Well, I love my brother, and Reid’s a great guy, basically like a second older brother, but they’re a bit much when you just want to have girls’ time.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” I’m sort of teasing but also curious.
“Yes. I want to get to know the girl my brother is smitten over.”
I feel my face heat even as I give her a wry look. “Smitten?”
She nods enthusiastically. “He really is, and my brother has never been into a girl before. So I really want to get to know this girl that has all his attention.”
“I think you might have the wrong idea about your brother and I. He’s been really nice to me and all, but—”
“Whatever you’re trying to talk yourself out of, stop right there. My brother is into you, like all the way. You can do withthat as you will, but I’m being honest.” She looks over at me. “He’s not the kind of guy to jerk your emotions around; he means this.”
I look away from her, because I believe her. And that scares me. “It’s in here,” I say, nodding at the building in front of us. We walk inside and make our way towards the Panda. It doesn’t escape my notice that several guys take notice of her as she walks past, but she doesn’t seem to even realize it. I have a feeling Reid might have a hard time next year when she comes here to school.
A few minutes later, we find a table and sit across from each other with steaming boxes of Chinese. “I haven’t had this in so long. It’s soooo good,” she moans. I smile and take another bite, feeling much the same way. She practically inhales her food, and it makes me smile. There’s something about her that’s so wholesome and real. “All right.” She throws her napkin on the table. “Tell me about you.”
Her question takes me by surprise. “What do you want to know?” Before I can answer, twin shadows fall on our table.
Riley looks up with a scowl. “Why am I not surprised?”
Zane grins down at me and drops a white box of food on the table next to me before settling in beside me. Because he’s so big, his leg brushes against mine. But when he makes no move to pull away, I don’t either. I’ve already decided there’s something really comforting about being near this guy, and I really need that right now. Reid settles in next to Riley, but she barely pays him any attention. “So, Evie, just pretend these big guys aren’t here. Tell me about you,” she urges, repeating her earlier request.
I push the noodles left in my box around. “I’m from Colorado,” I start.
“Ooo, I’ve always wanted to visit there. Tell me what it’s like.”
I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “I’m from the Loveland area. It’s a great area that’s a mix of new and old.”I try to think about what she’d be interested in. “We’re not far from the Rockies. It’s low humidity, and the nights are cool, even in the summers. We have really nice outdoor parks, and lots of good shopping and restaurants.”
“Name some,” she urges.
“Well, we have Panda.” Her eyes light up. “In-N-Out.”
Riley practically bounces in her seat. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to try a burger from there. When I come visit you; we can go there.”
Some of the lightness in the conversation dips. “I don’t live there anymore. I just moved here a few weeks ago.” I give a small laugh, that’s a little forced. “I’m still adjusting to calling Florida home.”
“Why’d you move here?”
That question has been causing me such grief lately, and yet, when she asks it with nothing but interested curiosity, I find myself wanting to tell her. I take a moment to consider my words. “My mom and I have been on our own for a while. She finally decided to cave and come live with her brother, who’s been begging us for years to come live with him. I guess with me going to college, and realizing she was going to be alone, she decided now was the time.”
“What happened to your dad?” Riley asks with her eyes trained on me.
“Riley,” Zane interjects.
Riley doesn’t take her gaze from mine. “What? She’ll tell me if she doesn’t want me to ask.”
“My dad doesn’t know the meaning of the word faithful,” I tell her without looking up. “I think by maybe the third or fourth woman over the years, my mom finally decided to end things with him. It was a long time coming.” I look up, expecting to see pity in her eyes; but I see her eyes alight with...not pity, that’s for sure.
“Well, if you decide to track him down and toilet paper and egg his house, I’m your gal.” She reaches out to fist bump me, and I can’t help but laugh.
My smile is genuine. “I’ll let you know if I need your assistance.” I feel a weight slide off my chest. This group knows about me, the real me. They know my past and my mess, and they’re still okay with me. There’s a small pat on my leg, and I look down to see Zane’s large hand on my leg for just a moment. When I turn to face him, his eyes are full of compassion and something else I can’t quite place.
