The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,15

serious relationship, but I worry as soon as I bring them around to hang out with Tanner, they’ll start acting weird, or worse, it’d put a wedge between me and him. We’ve never had serious relationships at the same time. Would we double date? I can’t picture it.

I glance over at my best friend, hoping he’ll ease my mind, but he shrugs. “Maybe.”

I lean my head back against the lounge chair and shut my eyes.

“Hey, look at me.”

I open my lids to find Tanner has sat up and swiveled his legs around so he’s closer. “Screw everyone else. You’re my person, and if Amelia can’t understand that then it’s already doomed to fail.”

“Tanner—”

“No, I’m serious.”

“I know, but I don’t want to be the reason you and Amelia don’t work.”

“Tonight was my fault. It’s on me.” He grabs my hand and squeezes. “Got it?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Now, help me figure out how I’m going to make it right with Amelia.”

“Oooh, I love when you screw up and we get to make big gestures.”

“We?”

“We both know I’m the brain of the operation, you’re just the pretty face.”

“You think my face is pretty?” He tilts his face side to side showing off with a smug smile.

“We don’t have time to feed your ego and come up with a plan.”

“Good point.” He stands and helps me to my feet. “We need food.”

“I’ll order pizza, you start making a list of things she likes.”

7

Tanner

The sound of the TV and the end credits of the movie wakes me. The side of my face sticks to the leather couch as I try to sit up. Sydney’s using my ass as a pillow. She groans and then her big, brown eyes meet mine.

“I love that movie. It’s my favorite.” Her voice is thick with sleep.

“Obviously.”

“Shut it.” She sits tall and rolls her neck. She’s so freaking gorgeous. It hits me at the weirdest times. Years ago, when it was clear Sydney and I were going to be just friends, I made the decision to stop looking at her like that and enjoy what we had—an awesome friendship. I know that sounds like it would be hard, but when it came down to it, I knew it was either see her as a friend or lose her.

I couldn’t bear that. I mean who else would stay up half the night coming up with a list of ideas to smooth things over with Amelia? Still, sometimes, it just hits me that my best friend is a knockout.

I wince as I hear Amelia’s disappointed voice in my head. I’m not sure anything Sydney and I came up with will work. It isn’t the first time that I lost track of time and accidentally blew her off to hang with Sydney.

Still, Amelia is great, and I want to make it up to her.

“I’m going to bed. Are you coming?”

Sydney’s eyes briefly flit over my bare chest. “I’ll sleep down here. It’s fine.”

“Come on, don’t be silly.” I stand but she doesn’t budge.

“I was thinking while I was sleeping—”

“You were thinking while you were sleeping?”

“Hush.” She closes her thumb and fingers on her right hand to mimic a shushing motion. “I was thinking, maybe we should stop hanging out so much or at least not do things I know will make Amelia uncomfortable.”

“What?”

“We’ve always said, screw everyone else. If they can’t deal with it, it’s their problem, but maybe it should be our problem.” Her face is stoic and dead serious which makes something in my chest ache. “We’re going to be apart this summer anyway. Maybe it’ll be good for both of us. Amelia is nice and I want you to be happy.”

“Hanging out with you makes me happy. You’re my best friend.”

“Same.” She stands and wraps herself around me. The top of her head comes up just under my chin and I tuck her in close and breathe in her shampoo.

She pulls back first with a big smile. “So, I’ll sleep down here.”

I scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder. “Don’t be dumb. The plan obviously has to start tomorrow. No one makes a plan and executes it on the same day.”

She laughs as I start toward the stairs. “Fine, but I’m sleeping on the floor.”

“Whatever you want, babe.”

The next morning when I wake up, Sydney’s already gone. I grab my phone and read her text.

Sydney: Have a great summer. Don’t forget the roses for Amelia!!

After showering and loading up my car, I get on the road. It’s only about