Page 29 of One More Dare
Riley laughs from across the room. “Since when?”
“Since always,” I feign offense, playing into the ribbing. “You guys just don’t notice because you’re idiots.”
“Nah, we notice, Captain. We just love to give you a hard time,” Decker corrects.
“Right.”
“What Decks said,” a few of our teammates echo.
“Alright, alright, get ready for practice so we don’t show up late and earn extra running,” Ren, one of our senior captains, pipes up.
I finish getting ready then head out to the field to start throwing the ball around with Nathan while we wait for practice to start.
“You good, man?” I ask, realizing that he’s been quieter than usual and didn’t interject in the locker room conversation at all. We’ve been friends since freshman year, Cam and I lived a few doors down from him, and his roommate wasn’t on the team so we spent most of our time together. He’s one of my best friends, and I’d like to think I know him pretty well, but lately he’s seemed a little distant. I’m not sure what to do about it.
“Yeah,” he insists firmly, so I drop it.
After we pass the ball back and forth for a few minutes, Coach blows his whistle and practice starts. It’s a decent distraction for me, but for some reason, Porter is still in the back of mymind. I just saw him yesterday, and I don’t want to be overbearing, but maybe he’d want to just hang out tonight. I’m not sure what excuse I could come up with… or if I’d need one. Maybe I can just ask.
I could see if he wants to get dinner with me and the guys after practice. Or just me. The last thing I want is for them to tease him the way we’re all used to doing with each other and make him feel like he’s being ganged up on. I’m not easily intimidated, but even I think I’d feel a bit overwhelmed being around a group of guys who know each other well. It’d be like throwing him to the wolves, and I’m not about that.
Besides, I think hanging out with him alone would be more fun.
I hope he’s free tonight.
“Carter,” Coach barks. “You wanna wake up?”
“I’m awake,” I respond automatically, but shit, I definitely was not paying attention. I need to stop thinking about Porter. It’s strange how I can’t seem to get him off my mind.
Practice drags, Coach is definitely pushing us, and it’s exhausting me just like I’d hoped. Instead of letting us leave when we finish our half-field scrimmage like we normally would, he puts us on the line to run sprints. By the time we’re done, my practice jersey is sticking to me, and my mind is blank with exhaustion as I work to catch my breath.
Fuck, that was exactly what I needed even though it sucked big time.
We head back toward the locker room, and the guys are already yelling about food.
“Wings?” Bryce asks. “I’m starving.”
“Always down,” Decker agrees.
Cam slings an arm around my shoulders. “You coming?”
“Yeah,” I respond automatically. Shit. I’m so exhausted, I forgot I’d wanted to make plans with Porter. I reach into my bagand grab my phone to send him a text. Who knows, maybe he has plans anyway.
Will
Are you busy tonight?
I start taking off my gear, tuning the guys out and waiting for my phone to buzz.
Porter
Depends. Are you inviting me to something and if so, what’s the thing? Then I’ll let you know.
I break out into a laugh at his bluntness, not caring what my teammates might be thinking. If they were in my position they’d be laughing too.
“Oh my god,” Cam says, and I can just tell it’s pointed at me. “Look at you.”
“What?” I snap, but it comes out riddled with amusement.
