His response is very, very Noah.
My lips twitch.
Satisfied, Cam drops back down, whispering through her teeth, “You realize he totally caught onto that right, like, he picked up what I was putting down?”
“Quit biznatch, you don’t know for sure,” I whisper-hiss.
“Dude, Ari. It’s cute that you’re pretending otherwise. Now, be discreet, but look at him.”
“No.”
“Please,” she begs. “Bet you a lipstick he’s waiting for you to.”
“Fine, but I get to pick it out.”
“Deal.”
I sit back, running my fingers through my hair to try and appear nonchalant as I glance his way. Unfortunately for me, I freeze, visibly so, and the man… who is totally looking at me, catches it. Ever the gentleman, he licks his lips to hide his grin, and my skin threatens to give me away, but then I realize that’s not all.
“Oh my god, you bitch, he’s walking over! With the girl!”
Cameron’s head falls back as she laughs. “This keeps getting better. He’s about to clear shit up, watch.”
“Shut up.”
“You’ll thank me.”
“You’re an ass.”
“You love me.”
“Hey.”
Our heads dart toward the newcomers, a big fat fake, embarrassed smile plastered on my face, a legit entertained one on Cam’s. “Hey!” we say in unison, and I fight the urge to ram her ribs with my elbow.
“Cameron.” He hardly looks her way.
“Noah.” She sits back, propping herself on the palms of her hands.
Noah’s dark hair is mostly hidden under his hood, his blue eyes brilliant against the heather gray color. Slowly, he pushes it off his head.
“This is my friend Paige.” He nods toward the beautiful little creature beside him.
I don’t have to look at my best friend to know she smirks with satisfaction.
I lift my hand in an attempt to wave, but she steps forward, wrapping me in an unexpected, light hug, before taking her place again, right at Noah’s side.
“It’s so good to meet you, Ari.” She folds her hands behind her back. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
My brows shoot up, and I search for the right words, but my brain is stuck, so I laugh to cover my nerves.
I peek at Noah and he gives me a playful wink.
“It’s nice to meet you, Paige.”
Paige smiles, showing more perfection. “We should get together sometime.”
Uh…
I smile.
She turns to Cam. “It’s nice to meet you too, Cameron. I hate to leave right away, but Sundays are kind of crazy for me.”
My eyes dart toward her.
So both she and Noah are ‘busy’ Sundays?
Noah clears his throat. “I’m going to walk her out to the parking lot.”
Paige smiles, waving as they begin to walk away. “I hope to see you again, Ari.”
We hold our smiles in place until they’re gone, and then turn to each other.
I glare.
Cam scrunches her nose. “Maybe she’s gay?”
I groan and stand.
“He likes you, Ari,” she tells me.
“Shut it, Cam.” I walk away.
“Don’t act like you don’t care!” she shouts.
I flip her off, heading over to the row of community coolers, and grab a water.
Being Sunday, it should be family dinner tonight, but since the team had a bye week this week, the football house held what we’ve been told is their annual cookout. They invite family and friends and anyone else they don’t get to see regularly, and it’s a giant potluck-style hang out at the edge of campus. Thankfully, the boys were all about counting this as our meal date.
After a few small sips, I make my way over to my brother, who is manning one of the many grills. “Hey brother.”
“Hey sister.” He glances at me then back at the chicken he’s flipping. “Having fun?”
“I am.” I glance around.
“Good.” He picks up his beer and takes a drink, eyeing me over the neck of the bottle. “You doin’ okay?”
My mouth opens, but I clamp it shut, offering instead a small nod.
“You sure?” he prompts.
“I… ” I sigh, caving a little. “I had a tough couple months, but I’m feeling better now.”
“Better, or a little better?”
“Depends on the day.”
His features tighten at my honesty, and his shoulders fall. His brown eyes search mine. “If something was wrong, if you needed me, you’d tell me, right? Even though I can be an ass sometimes, you’d never not come to me if you needed me?”
“If I needed you, when I need you, I won’t hesitate, you know that,” I answer him quietly and truthfully, and the corner of his mouth lifts. “But maybe it needs to be said that sometimes, there will be things you won’t want to hear, and those will be the things I decide not to share.”
His jaw tightens, and he looks away, but when his eyes come back to mine, they’re soft. “That’s fair.” He nods. “I love you, you know. More than anyone.”
I smile and lean in to hug him. “Yeah, Mase. I know.”
The sorrow in my tone is accidental, but he hears it. My brother simply doesn’t understand it, which is why he’s frustrated with me.