eyes a mess. “I can’t believe this is all over some nerd girl Chi-O—who crashed our party with her friends.”
“Leave Charisma out of this. Don’t even go there.” My tone is clipped.
A few tense moments pass until finally she takes a big breath and stands. Her fists clench as she glares at me. “You know what…she doesn’t want you or you’d be with her.”
She does want me. I think.
But I don’t need anyone.
I stand up from the couch. This convo is done. “Don’t text me anymore, Dani.”
“You’ll miss me, Blaze, you will. You liked having me around, and I don’t give up that easy,” she says slyly, but I don’t reply.
Without looking at her, I walk out and head to the kitchen. Dillon is there splayed out like a rock star at the bar, a girl on either side. Pushing Charisma and Dani out of my head, I listen to him retelling that big play he was in.
“You better stop lying to those girls,” I say with a grin as I approach. “We all know who the star of that game was—me.”
He hoots and slaps me on the back. “Just the man I was talking about. Ladies, I’d like you to meet Blaze Townsend.” He waggles his eyes toward the two girls. “These lovelies are from the Furry Kitty Kat down the road, townies stopping in for a little college action.”
He elbows me as one of them giggles and rushes over to me. She’s got long brown hair and a shit ton of makeup on.
“I’m Lola,” she says, batting those lashes up at me.
“Nice.”
Her hand rubs my shoulder. “Wanna go downstairs and dance?”
Uh, no.
“Nice to meet you. Excuse me, I need a drink.” I subtly set her aside and take a few steps away to grab a glass of water from Theo. I rake my eyes over him, remembering the appreciative looks he gave Charisma. He hands me my water.
I gaze at him over the rim of my glass. “Hey, remember that girl from your graphic design class tonight? The one who talked you into drinks earlier? She had two girls with her.”
His face gets tight. “Yeah. Nice tits. Played me right into her hands.”
My nose flares as my temper rises. Easy, Blaze.
“If you recognize her in class, don’t give her any shit about it.”
He blinks and looks surprised. “She your girl?”
Is she my girl? No. We’re just…friends who can’t stop torturing each other.
“She’s a nice girl, and I don’t want you giving her a hard time—got it?” I lean in a little over the bar so the dude can read the intensity on my face, catch the glint in my eye.
He holds his hands up. “Right on, man. You got it. She’s kinda scary anyway. I wasn’t planning on it.”
I turn back and face Dillon and company. How soon can I tell him I’m ready to go? I eyeball the door and consider walking home. It’s not that far. Damn. He’s going to suggest I start seeing a shrink if I don’t pick up a girl and act normal soon.
Ryker appears at my side, eyes on me. “Hey, asshole. Haven’t see you in a while.”
Yeah. We’ve been missing each other at the gym.
I exhale and nod, glad at least that our little spat seems to have blown over.
I lift my water. “Sorry for before with Cedrick. I should have texted you and apologized. I wasn’t thinking and—”
He shakes his head. “No need. I shouldn’t have sprung him on you like that without a heads-up. We could have had a plan. My fault. Next time we’ll be ready for him.”
I nod at his optimism. “Next time.” Odds are, no scout is going to pop back into the field house, but I’m happy for him. He deserves being the number one pick. “I’m proud of you, man. You’re gonna take over the world.”
“Whatever.” He grins sheepishly and looks around the room, taking in the crowd. “Have you seen Penelope? She said they were coming here but she’s not answering her texts. Thought I’d surprise her.”
“Margo got tossed.” I tap my leg. “Pretty sure Penelope and Charisma left.”
“Ah.” His gaze goes to Dillon and the girls hanging on him. He’s got his head buried in one girl’s chest, and the other one is playing with his shaved head. Ryker looks back at me. “You gonna get a piece of that or let him hog it all? He’s an animal.”
I shake my head. I’ve already had the girl I wanted tonight.