He shook his head. “Nope. My mom and her friends put out a massive spread. Food, drinks, dessert. They bring all these games. It’s a huge party.”
“Okay. I can do that.” I stood, giving the idea that he should probably go. He took the hint, hopping up.
“Can I pick you up? Around eleven? Game starts at four.”
“Sure,” I said. “Sounds fun.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled shyly as he walked out of the suite. Noah was a good guy, I figured, just caught in a bad family situation like I was. Maybe together we could make it a little bit easier.
“Is it just me or is Ruthie watching us all the time?” Anderson asked after class on Friday. He made a concerted effort not to make eye contact with the red-head lingering by the door.
“It’s not just you,” I said. “I’ve been getting weird vibes off her all week. “Ever since Noah came over on Monday.”
Anderson responded to Noah’s name with a grunt. I’d told them all about tailgating and the game, promising to check in frequently. “Maybe she could go out with Noah,” he suggested.
I rolled my eyes. If it was only that easy, but to be fair, I’d wondered the same. “I have a feeling Ruthie’d eat Noah alive.” I eyed Anderson’s fit body. “I think you’re more her type.”
His eyes flicked to mine. “You know I hate that I can’t take you on the road with me.”
“For luck?”
They walked down the stairs. “Luck, companionship, snarky jabs. Any would do. I hate being away from you.”
I frowned. “I hate it, too. Maybe you should quit the team and hole up with me all weekend.”
He groaned, but I noticed how his hand clenched around the strap of his backpack. He’d do it if he could—I had no doubt—but Anderson’s passion and commitment was one of the things I loved about him—all of them. The Allendale Four played and loved hard.
“Hi, Heaven,” Ruthie said. “Anderson.”
“Hi,” I said. Anderson nodded.
“All ready for your big date with Noah tomorrow?” Her eyes never left Anderson’s. If she thought she was going to bust me in a lie with one of my boys ,she gravely misunderstood me.
“Heaven promised she’d bring me back one of those big foam fingers,” Anderson said, giving me a wink.
Ruthie studied her cherry-red nails. “I’ve got tickets, maybe I’ll see you there.”
“Maybe,” I said brightly, unwilling to let her get me. I wasn’t sure what her problem was, but I needed her off my back.
She turned, flipping her red hair behind her shoulder, and Anderson watched her retreating form. He raised his eyebrows. “Any idea what that’s about?”
“If I had to guess, I’d say she has a crush on you. She’s been bugging me about you for weeks.”
“Not interested.” He didn’t look but I did, noticing how Ruthie’s hips swished as she walked. “You know I only have eyes for one incredibly sexy, super lucky girl.”
“I know,” I replied, feeling foolish. “Back in high school you guys made it clear there was no one in Allendale that caught your interest. But here…there’s a lot to look at.”
“I’m only interested in looking at one woman, Heaven Reeves. That was true then and it’s true now.”
I took a deep breath, pushing Ruthie out of my mind. “Good luck this weekend. You call me after every race, got it?”
“I will.” He grazed my cheek with his thumb. “And you be careful. I’m serious. Don’t take any chances—no matter how much you want to please your father.”
I nodded. “I won’t. I promise. Noah is harmless. Plus, his ultra-conservative parents will be there.”
We walked across campus and Anderson pulled me behind a bush near the school chapel. He kissed me, muttering, “I hate keeping this quiet. I hate it.”
I kissed him back, hoping he knew that I felt the same.