On The Rebound (Steinbeck U #1) - L.A. Cotton Page 0,74
into it tonight.”
“They did?” My heart raced in my chest.
“Yeah, at the bar.”
“Oh.” I didn’t know want to say to that, so I kept my eyes forward and kept walking.
“Don’t you want to know why they were fighting?” Josie caught up to me.
“No, I really don’t.”
“Okay.” She shrugged, tucking herself against my arm. “Brad wants me to meet him... but I’m scared.”
“Scared?” I stopped to look at her.
“What if he never wants to tell the team about me?” Her eyes flickered with dejection. “I mean, it’s fun and all now. I enjoy being with him and we have a good time together, but all the sneaking around? I’m not sure I’m cut out for that... and I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Joel.
She meant she didn’t want Joel to get hurt.
“Has Brad said he doesn’t want to tell the guys?”
Josie shrugged, averting her gaze.
“Josie?”
“He doesn’t want my brother to find out, which means keeping it from everyone else. Zach knows, but since you and Zach have been sneaking around—”
“We haven’t been sneaking around,” I corrected her.
What Josie and Brad had, and me and Zach had, wasn’t the same.
Not by a long shot.
Her cell bleeped again.
“He must really want to see you.”
“I guess.” Josie chewed her bottom lip. “So you think I should do it?”
“I don’t think it’s for me to tell you what to do, Jos. But weren’t you the one who told me I was worthy and not to let any guy make me think otherwise?”
“Ugh, you’re right. You’re totally right. I’m going to tell him I want us to come clean to Joel. Do you mind if I bail? A bunch of them are at the frat house.”
“Be safe,” I said. “And text me when you’re back so I know you’re okay.”
“I will.” Josie leaned in for a hug. “I know things didn’t work out with you and my brother, but I’m really glad he bumped into you that day.”
“Yeah.” I smiled warmly. “Me too.”
We reached the split in the path that would take her to the team’s frat house, and me onto the dorms.
“See you tomorrow,” I said.
“Unless you come with me and see if a certain baller who shall not be named is there.”
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Especially if Zach and my brother had been fighting.
“Okay, you sure you’re okay walking back to Abrams?”
“Yeah, it’s like a two-minute walk. Go. Find Brad and enjoy... well, whatever it is that you two do.”
She grinned. “A girl never kisses and tells.”
“That’s not what you said earlier.” My brow rose and she chuckled.
“Night, Calli.”
“Night, Josie.” I took off down the path.
I really hoped Brad didn’t break Josie’s heart. He seemed to be into her as much as she was into him, but the team had rules, and to go against the rules would be to go against the team.
I’d almost reached Abrams when I heard male laughter. Instinctively, I picked up my pace. Until I saw the two guys round the corner and froze.
“Calli?” Zach gawked at me.
“Uh, hey.”
My eyes instantly went to the bruise kissing his eye. He noticed and ran a hand through his hair. I didn’t know if he was trying to distract me or if he was nervous.
But that was silly. Zachary Messiah didn’t get nervous.
“Hey, I’m Maverick,” the other guy said after a few painfully silent seconds. “Let me guess, you’re the sister.”
“Calli.” I blushed, trying not to read too much into the fact he seemed to know who I was.
“Nice to meet you, Calli. I’d say this one has told me all about you, but the guy is like a closed book.”
“Tell me about it,” I murmured, lifting my gaze to Zach again. He looked exhausted, his hair damp and skin glistening with sweat.
“What have the two of you been doing?”
“Maverick was putting me through my paces on the court.”
“On a Friday night?” I didn’t even know the gym was open that late.
“I have friends in high places.” Maverick winked. For a campus legend, he wasn’t anything like I expected. “What are you doing out here all alone?”
“I... uh...” Crap. I didn’t want to drop Josie in it. “I was out.”
“Out?” Zach finally spoke, although it was more of a growl.