The Jock by J.L. Beck Page 0,43

friends.”

“Have you ever been just friends with a girl?”

The question makes me laugh. “No, but I’ll make an exception for you, Nerd.”

I still can’t believe I agreed to be just friends with Blair, but I know it’s the right thing to do. When I told Murphy about it, the fucker laughed so hard, he fell off the couch.

He’s still catching his breath from his laugh attack when he asks, “So, the bet is off?”

“Yes, it’s off,” I confirm. “We’re just friends.”

“And explain to me how that is supposed to work exactly.”

“Same way, we are friends. Just switch you out with a girl.”

“But I don’t have a vagina. She does.”

I snort. “Congrats, you know basic biology.”

“If she’s a friend, same as the guys, then you’re gonna invite her to the party tonight, right?”

Swallowing down my annoyance, I shrug. “Sure, why not. We can just hang out if she wants to.”

“Why don’t you text her now and ask?” He pushes. Asshole.

“Fine.” I take out my phone and start typing. I don’t want him to call my bluff.

Me: Hey, want to hang out tonight? There is a party at a friend’s house. Me and the guys are going. Wanna tag along?

She answers almost immediately.

Nerd: Last time I went to a party, some douchebag hit on me. Had to pour a beer over his head to get rid of him.

Me: Sounds like a real prick. I’ll make sure he doesn’t show up again.

This time it takes her longer to answer. I can imagine her sitting in her room, biting her lip, trying to decide whether to go or not. Part of me hopes she says yes, and the other hopes she says no. I’m a greedy fucker. I don’t want my friends to meet her or get to know her, but she needs to get out, and I’d love to be the guy to take her to a party, to watch over her and make sure nothing bad happens. I’ll be her wingman.

Nerd: Okay. I’ll come.

Me: Cool, we’ll pick you up in an hour.

“She’s coming with us,” I tell Murphy.

“Great! Let’s go pick her up then.” He grins from ear to ear.

“Great,” I echo his word, keeping my voice flat, so he doesn’t know how irritated I am. He knows this is a front, that I definitely don’t want to be just friends with her.

“You sure you don’t like her as more than a friend?”

“Positive.” I try to convince him, gritting my teeth.

He nods, seeming to finally believe me.

Great, now I only have to convince myself.

15

Blair

Stepping outside the dorm, I shiver as brisk air blows up my dress. I’m already regretting wearing it. It’s nothing sexy. A simple summer dress and sandals. It’s the cutest thing I could find. Smoothing a hand down the front, I hope it looks okay. I hope I look okay. Along with the dress and shoes, I applied some light makeup, nothing crazy or eye-catching. I feel different, and a smile pulls at my lips.

I can’t believe I agreed to go to a party with a guy as friends! It feels wrong.

Cage’s truck is already parked up front when I walk down the stairs and onto the sidewalk. He’s leaning against the side casually with his hands in his pockets, watching me approach with wary eyes.

Is he regretting inviting me already?

“Hey, you.” He gives me a tight smile and opens the back door for me. “You look nice.”

“Thank you,” I climb into the backseat, and find someone sitting up front. I guess I should’ve realized that when he opened the back door for me.

“Hey, Blair.” The guy in the front twists around so he can see me. I remember seeing him around, but I’ve never actually talked to him. “I’m Murphy, Cage’s best friend.”

One look is all it takes for me to know Murphy is very much like Cage. Athlete, handsome, cocky. So arrogant you want to punch him in his junk.

He’s got dark hair that’s longer on top and shorter on the sides, and his eyes are like two pools of soft amber. It’s hard to tell, but I think he’s a little shorter than Cage, though he’s built like a brick house just like his best friend.

Devilishly handsome, I bet girls shimmy out of their panties when he smiles at them.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

Cage shuts the door behind me and walks around the truck to get into the driver’s seat. As we pull away from the dorm and head further into town, a bad feeling