Page 21 of Best Things in Life

“You’re up. Good,” I say.

“Nate? What’s wrong?”

“Why would you think there’s something wrong?”

“Why else would you call—especially at this hour on a day off?”

“You have a point. But in this case, there’s nothing wrong. In fact, everything is bomb. Because you’re coming to the BMOC homecoming brunch, so save up your appetite.”

“I am? Sweet. I’ve heard it’s FDF.” She pauses. Fucking Delicious Food? “What’s the catch?” she asks.

I stifle a laugh. “The catch is you get to spend a scintillating evening with me at the homecoming dance. I’ll pick you up at eight.” I hear her fumble the phone. “Unless you already have a date.”

“Shit, did you just ask me to go to the homecoming dance with you? On the day of—”

“It’s not like that,” I say. She blows out a breath.

“Good. I was going to go alone after I check in at the studio for postgame edits. I’m not sure eight will work. Besides, don’t you think it will be a little awkward since we’re not… you know… hooking up? Right?”

“No. I mean you’re right. No hooking up. This isn’t a date, I swear. We’ll go as friends. It’ll be cool. We’ll have each other’s back.” I pause a beat to dead air. “We both have to be there.” I pace around my room with my phone to my ear feeling like I’m negotiating for prenup terms in an arranged marriage.

“As long as we’re clear that this will not include any extracurricular activities,” she says.

“You’re so good for my ego,” I say. “Clear as ice.” She laughs. “We can have Dooley chaperone if it’ll make you feel better.”

“Don’t worry. I trust you. I haven’t felt any sparks and believe me, I wish I did. I figure it’s the same for you.” I nod though she can’t see me.

“I wonder why that is?” I say. “What fucked-up kind of universe this is where cupid’s lust bow is so random and mean-spirited.” She laughs again.

“Keep sweet talking me like that and I might change my mind about you.” We both laugh because we both know it’s not happening.

“You’re a first for me, Summer. You’re the first girl I can say I have a true nonsexual friendship with.” She snorts and I agree to pick her up at nine. It’ll be a late entrance, but not too late. Coach and Bane will be there to see me and as long as I show, neither of them can complain.

What I didn’t mention to Summer is that I can’t stop thinking about kissing Sarina last night. Because I know Sarina and I know she would never have let me kiss her if she had strong feelings for Bigs. She would have slapped me across the face so hard I’d still be reeling. I saw her do it once in high school to a guy who barely pecked her on the cheek when they were dancing. I was across the room and she refused to talk about it, said she’d taken care of it and he would never touch her again. Said she was mine and he needed to understand that.

I’m worried that whatever Bigs and Sarina have between them isn’t going to last.

More worried for Bigs than Sarina. But I worry about her too. Because I’m not enough of an asshole to think just because things don’t work between her and Bigs that that means I can waltz in and take over.

There’s still hockey between us. Unresolved and looming.

As for tonight, I doubt either of them will be jealous to see me and Summer at the Homecoming dance together, but I do know that Bane is right. I could use a distraction to keep from obsessing over Sarina and Bigs. It’s not healthy and I’m afraid of the answer to the question about why I’m doing it.

Because avoiding distractions to keep the focus on hockey was always the goal and the season is here and my focus is still split. Fuck. How do I get Sarina from under my skin?

How do I stop myself from caring, from wanting something so bad for me on so many levels?

* * *

The aromas coming from the steaming buffet are enough to make my knees buckle as I come in from the morning skate. Bigs trails behind me. We’ve taken to driving separate cars and neither of us minds the arrangement at this point. After his shouting match with Sarina, he’s lost his ever-present smile and hasn’t said much to anyone. Once I’ve showered and dressed, I wait in my room for Summer to text me when she gets here because the last thing I want to do is hang around with Bigs and Sarina, though they’re not the only ones down there and I’m starting to miss the other guys.

My phone beeps when Summer texts me from outside the front door and I storm down the stairs, the last holdout for brunch. I hope there’s plenty of Majik’s special maple-glazed bacon left because she only makes a limited batch for us and I know she’s put aside half for the football guys to have tomorrow—under lock and key with Bane in control.

I fling open the door because my hunger’s taken control encouraged by the fucking mouth-watering smells coming from the dining room. But I’m momentarily stunned to see Summer dressed up like she’s having tea with the queen including an up-do, full makeup, and a bright blue jumpsuit that makes her eyes pop and her golden blond hair glow. I let out a whistle. She laughs and walks inside and past me.

“Smells scrumptious in here, as advertised.” My first instinct is to say something off-color, about something that’s even more scrumptious to eat, but I stop myself. WTF? Am I attracted? I close in behind her and put a hand on her back like she’s a real date as we enter the dining room. She doesn’t protest, so I pull out one of the two remaining chairs at the table and she sits. The guys grunt their hellos, but Dooley—who’s been made an honorary member of the house even though he doesn’t live here—gives her a proper greeting.

“Don’t you look even more delicious than the food,” he says, because he can get away with it. Summer pinches his cheek, because evidently, she can get away with that. Emily says hello and nudges Sarina’s elbow. When Sarina finally glances over at us, I hold my breath for her reaction. But I’m a dumb shit because she flicks her gaze right past me and barely acknowledges Summer with a slight nod. Then she slips a hand under the table and does something to make Bigs snap to her attention.