“Look, whatever. Like I said, that’s not the issue. I just think—we’re moving way too fast,” I say.
“Way too fast? Come on, Addie. Wearing my jersey tomorrow is not a big deal.” He rolls his eyes.
To me, it feels like a huge deal. The problem? I don’t want to wear Liam’s number. Not when there’s another boy whose jersey I’d much rather wear.
But I can’t sit around and wait for him forever either.
“Maybe next week,” I say to Liam, my tone vaguely pleading. “Tomorrow’s game isn’t a real one anyway, right? It doesn’t even count.”
“You’ve been talking to Callahan too much,” Liam mutters. “Fine. Next week. I’m going to hold you to it.”
God, I hope not.
“Okay. See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” He steps forward, grabbing hold of me and pulling me into his arms. I have no choice but to hug him, and while it’s brief, it feels like—a lie.
Liam is not the boy I want to hug.
“Bye, Addie. See you tomorrow,” he says after he lets go of me.
“Bye.” I watch him head for his truck before I slip into my car, slamming the door and exhaling loudly as I lightly bang the back of my head against the seat. Dinner was a disaster. Liam was a jerk, I really don’t like his friend Danny, and Marcus isn’t that great either. The only person who came through was Emma, and she hasn’t done that in a while.
I don’t want to have that kind of experience again. I also don’t want to give Liam another chance.
He’s definitely not for me.
ELEVEN
BECK
I show up on campus, fighting the dread that wants to sweep over me. Hoping like hell a certain someone isn’t wearing Liam’s jersey. When I spot Addie with her friends at the school entrance, I can see she’s wearing a navy Badgers T-shirt. Not a jersey, like her friends Emma and Tori have on.
The relief that surges through me nearly has me sagging.
Dom slaps me in the arm with the back of his hand as we make our way through the parking lot. “Happy Friday, asshole. Looks like your girl isn’t wearing Snatcher’s jersey.”
I can’t help but chuckle. Dom always calls Liam, Snatcher, and it makes him furious, which only eggs Dom on. “She’s not my girl.”
Yet.
“Uh huh.” Dom pauses, but only for a moment. “Speaking of your girl, how’s Sasha?”
“She’s definitely not my girl,” I say firmly. “And she blocked me on everything, so I have no clue what she’s up to. Not that I care.”
“I’m sure she did block you, considering who she’s been posting with lately.” He sends me a look. “You want to know?”
I consider his question and realize it won’t bother me if she’s with some guy. I’m over her. I’ve been over her for a while. “Lay it on me.”
“Jayden Mansfield,” he admits.
“Her ex?” I’m kind of surprised. I had no idea they were still in contact with each other. “No shit?”
“Yeah. Guess they’ve been hanging out all week—hanging all over each other too.”
“Girl moves fast,” I mumble. Back with her first love, I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m sure she’s already had sex with him. That’s great. Good for her.
Fuck. Not that I care, but she didn’t even hesitate in getting back together with him. She didn’t mourn the loss of our relationship one bit.
I’ve got no room to talk. I’m not mourning it either. Hell, I’m already plotting how I can get with Addie.
“I don’t think Sasha liked being rejected by you, but fuck her, man. She sucks. Forget her.” Dom inclines his head toward the three girls we’re quickly approaching. “Focus on that girl instead.”
“I don’t know—” Dom punches me in the arm with what feels like all his strength, making me wince. “Ouch, damn it. What was that for?”
“I’m tired of the doubt, Callahan. You’ve been tripping over that girl for years. As long as I’ve known you, you’ve had a thing for Addison Douglas. Well, bro, your time is now. Fuck worrying about ruining your friendship with her, or with Liam. He didn’t give a shit that you like her. Why should you give a shit if he likes her?”
“I don’t give a shit.” I rub my arm where he hit me, the fucker.
“You definitely give a shit about her, and if you guys end up together and eventually break up, who cares about the friendship? We’re graduating this year. You might never have to see her again, if that’s your choice.”
Why does the idea of never seeing Addie again make my gut clench?
“Make a move, son,” Dom continues. “At the party tonight. After our scrimmage.”
“What party?”
“Marcus is having a party at his house. His parents are out of town for the entire weekend and his older brother is supplying the booze. We’re all pitching in money to help cover the cost. You in?”
“Marcus never mentioned it to me,” I say, my gaze snagging on Addie and never wavering. That shirt fits her tight. The fabric stretches across her tits, making them look bigger than normal.
Or are they just that big? Damn.
“Don’t be an ass. You’re invited. So was Addie.”
“How do you know this?”
“Tori told me. And speaking of…” Dom turns up the decibels, striding toward his newfound girl. “Ladies. Victoria.”
He wraps her up in a hug and she squeezes him tightly, her arms around his middle. “Victoria? Really, Dominic?”
“We sound very official with the full names, don’t you think?” He releases his hold on her to shift her to his side then slips his arm around her shoulders. “Looking good in my jersey, Victoria.”
Her cheeks turn pink. Tori is cute. Average height. Long, golden brown hair. Warm brown eyes. A sprinkle of freckles across her nose and an engaging smile. She’s looking up at Dom as if he can do no wrong and I wonder what that’s like. To have a girl look at you as if you’re her absolute favorite thing.
I may have been in a relationship with Sasha, but I don’t remember her ever looking at me like that.
“Hey, Tori. Emma.” I focus all of my attention on Addie. “Adds.”
They all smile at me and say good morning. I tear my gaze from Addie to speak to Emma. “Where’s Marcus?”
“Picking up Liam. I guess his truck broke down last night.”
“Again?” The truck used to belong to his dad and it’s in bad shape. It’s given him trouble since he started driving it, and the repairs cost too much for him to afford.
“Yeah, Marcus said the truck is a piece of shit,” Emma says, casting an apologetic glance toward Addie. As if she’s talking bad about the guy Addie…
Likes?
Please tell me it isn’t so. She’s not wearing his jersey, which is huge. If she really liked him, that jersey would be on her, no matter what.
“It is a piece of shit,” I readily agree. “He’s made it work for him for a long time. Since sophomore year, when he first got his license.”