Another earned chuckle, but when my eyes pop toward him, I don’t get to see his expression because Brady steps into my space, kissing my hair.
“You okay, Ari baby?” he asks sincerely, petting my hair like a dog.
“Fine.” I try to push him off, but he shifts, now throwing his arm around me.
He nods, facing his apparent friend. “I take it you haven’t met my girl yet?”
Mystery man grows curious, cutting a quick glance toward Chase.
Oh awesome, he thinks I’m a groupie now.
Before I can defend myself, Mason arrives and does it for me.
“She’s not your girl, asshole.” My brother’s annoyance is evident in his tone.
Brady laughs and I slip from his grasp, looking toward my brother.
Mason slides up with a full-blown smile, the kind you wear as a kid when stepping into the stadium at your first pro football game. “Bro, what up? How you doin’?”
Mystery man is staring at me but addresses Mason. “Good, just relaxing while I can.” He cuts a glance toward Mase but quickly makes me his focus once more. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, no big deal.”
As quickly as I respond, Mason is before me, frown in full effect.
These boys, I swear. “I said I’m fine, Mason. Chill. I got knocked by the ball. I’m alive and breathing. Like I said, no big deal.”
“It was my bad,” the stranger speaks, a hint of hidden humor in his melodic tone. “I misread the pass.”
Mase nods, backing off as a grin splits his lips. “A missed pass, that doesn’t sound like the guy I know.”
“I’m sure I can teach you a thing or two about following through,” Chase spits with unmistakable arrogance.
My spine goes straight, but I force myself not to look his way.
“Harper.” The guy jerks his chin. “How’s the shoulder?”
“Perfect.”
“Uh,” Cam draws. “Are we about to drop trou, maybe pull out a ruler?”
I can’t keep my gaze from flying to Cameron, who grins at the newcomer.
“Nah, we’re good. I think he’s worried about his girl,” mystery man says, his eyes never leaving mine.
I bite back a smirk, and somehow, he knows it, his tongue slipping out to hide his own.
Now that’s one hell of a way to fish, cast your line out right in the middle of chaos. It’s a guaranteed bite, and he knows it, just like I know Cam will jump on this one.
She doesn’t disappoint.
“Oh, she is sooo not his girl, ain’t that right, Chaser?” Cam pins Chase with a sharp brow in challenge.
Get him, girl.
Instead of allowing Chase to answer, not that he would, Mason takes the lead, as usual.
“Not sure where you got that idea, but you’re way off, bro.” Mase motions toward me. “Ari, this is Noah Riley, he’s our team captain. Noah, this is my twin sister Ari and our friend Cameron.” He points to her. “They’re headed to Avix with us.”
‘Noah,’ as Mason introduced him, smiles a hello.
“Wow.” Cameron speaks the second Mason stops, looking Noah up and down. “If you’re any indication of what’s to come, we’re gonna get into some serious trouble this year.” Eyes on Noah, she cocks her head to the side. “Ain’t that right, Ari?”
“Don’t answer that.” Mason pins me with a hard glare, quickly serving Cameron with it just the same.
“Okay,” I interject before either of them decides to open their mouths again and turn toward Noah. “It’s nice to meet you, Noah, and since I get the feeling, you’re going to ask again, yes, I swear I’m fine. These three have hit me in the head with a football more times than I can count, it’s nothing but normal at this point.”
He stares at me, a flicker of some unknown purpose painted in his eyes. “Right, quarterback for a brother.”
Noah smiles and I will mine not to follow.
God, this guy is too gorgeous. It’s unnerving.
“So, what’s up, man?” Mason asks him. “You stickin’ around for a few days?”
Reluctantly, Noah shifts his attention.
“I wish, I have a couple meetings, so I have to get back to campus. There’re always a few overeager freshmen who show early. If I’m not there to show ‘em the ropes, Coach will have my ass.” He grins, glancing my way. “I’m actually out of here first thing tomorrow.”
Chase pipes up then. “Too bad, guess we’ll see you back at school.”
Noah nods, eyeing Chase a moment.
“Well, tomorrow’s tomorrow, so you have to come to our place for a bonfire tonight.” Cameron swipes her wet hair from her face.
“Yeah, man, come,” Brady adds.
Noah glances behind him, a little unsure. “I came with a few other guys from the team, so I’d hate to crash your party.”
Cam gapes. “There’s more of you?!”
“Jesus fuck,” Mason grumbles.
“There are.” Noah nods, fighting the smile threatening to take over his full lips. “Four of us to be exact and my buddy’s sister is here with a few friends.” Noah meets my gaze.