Page 64 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

"I um..."

Connor turned around and handed me a bottle of beer.

It would have been weird if I hung out in my room. Especially when I had skipped out on poker night. "Okay." I grabbed the beer, walked around the couch, and sat down between Connor and Rory.

Rory turned on the game and then put his arm behind me on the couch, without touching me.

Jackson looked back and forth between us again instead of turning toward the game. Jackson smiled at me. "Okay, I just have to ask. Is something going on between you two? Because you know I hate feeling like I'm out of the loop. And Keira's basically part of our group now. If two people in our group are hooking up, I feel like everyone in the group should know."

Rory moved his arm off the couch behind me. "Keira's not really in our group. She hasn't even had the induction yet or anything."

Connor laughed.

"Yeah, that doesn't really answer my question," Jackson said.

"What is the induction to your group?" I asked, hoping to change the subject.

"There isn't really..."

"You have to blow one of the group members," Connor said, cutting Rory off.

I could feel my face blushing. Haven't I already been inducted then?

"I knew it," Jackson said. He clapped his hands together but missed slightly. It seemed like he had already had a few beers before coming over.

"Whatever, guys. You all just admitted that you're gay," I said.

"No, we just tricked you into admitting that you and Rory are hooking up," Connor said. "Obviously original members don't have to do the initiation. Just new female members. So really just you. And maybe we should change it to blowing two group members." He raised his eyebrow at me.

I pushed his shoulder. "But you didn't trick me. You already knew," I said.

"Damn it, Rory. Why do you always tell Connor everything before you tell me?!" Jackson said.

Rory started laughing. "Calm down, Jackson. I'll tell you first next time."

Next time?

The only noise in the room was from the T.V.

Next time that he hooks up with me? Or next time as in a new girl? I felt sick to my stomach. He must have meant next time he hooks up with me. There was no way he meant with the next girl he hooks up with. I knew we hadn't talked about what we were, but I didn't think he was going to move on that quickly. And why would he say that in front of me if he meant a different girl?

Connor cleared his throat.

"Connor!" I almost yelled, trying to change the subject. "I actually thought of the perfect girl to set you up with. I was good friends with her in college, but we kind of lost touch when I moved to Philly. But she just moved here, so I texted her this afternoon and told her all about you. And she really wants to meet you. Maybe if you're lucky you'll get to induct her into the group."

"Oh, wow. Okay. I can't argue with that. Actually that would be great. I was about to sign up for Tinder or something. It seems like the same girls have been at the bars every time we go."

"Grindr?" Jackson asked. "I'm on that."

I laughed. Wait, is Jackson actually gay?

"You do know that Grindr is like a gay version of Tinder?" Rory asked.

"I meant Tinder. I'm on Tinder." Jackson turned toward the T.V.

What the hell is happening right now? "Let me see your phone," I said to Connor, again trying to change the subject.

He handed it to me. I quickly added in my friend's number and tossed it back to him. "Her name is Julie. And I happen to know she's free tomorrow night. So yo

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