Page 25 of Play For Me

Cade snorts. “Babe, my room is right next to yours. You were definitely stomping.”

I stuff half an egg roll into my mouth, trying to buy some time. I’m not sure why, but I don’t really want to talk to my cousins about what happened at practice today. Maybe it’s because I know the girls will give me a hard time about thinking Sol was hot at that party. Or maybe it’s just the mention of my injury that has my stomach clenching.

But they’re all still waiting when I’m finally done chewing, and I know if I brush them off, they’re just going to get moreinterested and insistent. One of the downsides of being such a close-knit group—you really don’t get to keep many secrets.

“They’re bringing in grad students from the athletic training program,” I tell them. “To help us with training and rehab.” I shrug. “They do it every season.”

Vega narrows her eyes. “And that equates to you being in a pissed-off, stompy mood?”

I sigh. “They made a big deal out of the student trainer they assigned me. Apparently, they even gave him a smaller work load so he could really focus on rehabbing my injury.” I stab violently at a crab Rangoon with my chopstick. “Just sucks that they think I need extra work.”

Cade reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. “Hey, I think we can look at this like a good thing,” he says. “It’s obviously important to them that you’re in the best shape possible.”

“Of course they want you in amazing shape,” Vega agrees. “You’re the most kickass player on the team. They’re not going to win shit without you.”

I manage to stifle an eye-roll. I was out the second half of last season and they did just fine. But I know Vega is just trying to hype me up, so I don’t say that.

“There’s something else,” Ash says, his eyes on my face. “Something else is bothering you.”

Stupid annoying, overly perceptive cousin.

“Ooh, do you not like your student trainer?” Violet sits up straighter.

Cade laughs. “Oh, God. Please, Ceece, don’t tell me it’s someone you beat up or something.”

I throw my hands up. “Why does everything think I’m constantly getting into fights?”

“I mean.” Vega stares at me for a long moment. “You kind of are?”

I huff and return to my food.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Cade sounds gleeful. “You totally did something to this poor student trainer. What was it? You got into a fight over a parking spot?”

“Maybe she got annoyed that they were breathing too loud in the library so she stole their textbooks,” Violet says, laughing.

“Or maybe this person hit on her and she punched them in the gut for being disrespectful,” Vega suggests.

I glare at them. “I didn’t do anything to this guy, okay? If anything,Ihave reason to be mad athim.”

Vega’s face lights up in a way that just screams danger for me. “Ahim, is it? You didn’t mention this student trainer was a guy.”

Ash makes a face. “Please tell me he isn’t one of your hook-ups.”

“Your many,manyhook-ups,” Vi corrects, and I lean over to smack her leg.

“Don’t slut shame,” Vega sing-songs. “Just because CeCe enjoys the occasional one-night stand doesn’t mean we don’t love her.”

“Occasional,” Cade snorts. “Good one, Vega.”

I glare at him until he shifts over a few inches, probably realizing that he’s within kicking distance of me.

“I did not have a one-night stand with this guy. I barely know him.”

“But you said you had reason to be mad at him,” Ash points out.

“Come on, Ceece,” Vega whines. “Just tell us.”

“Tell us, tell us,” Cade starts to chant, hitting his hands rhythmically on the coffee table.” God, sometimes having cousins as best friends is the worst.