Page 91 of The Trouble with Players

I inhaled a deep breath.

“But I’m your best friend,” she continued, “and I would never force you to do something you didn’t want to do.”

We both burst out in laughter.

“Okay. Okay,” she said. “I always force you to do things you don’t want to do, but I want you by my side. And I don’t want you to regret missing out on fun things because you expect them to suck.”

“How long do you plan on staying?” I asked.

“Is that a yes?”

“I’ll make an appearance,” I said, earning myself a giant smile from Gina.

We arrived at Monty’s and, between tourists, Sharks fans, and players, the place was packed. The music’s bass pumped through the room like its very own heartbeat as we weaved our way through groups of people to the bar.

Gina grabbed us each a beer, and we maneuvered ourselves through the crowd until we reached the back patio. As soon as we stepped outside, we spotted Cody doing shots at the tiki bar with some of his teammates. His arms lifted into the air, and he howled when he spotted Gina. She glanced to me with wide eyes knowing this was going to be a sloppy night for Cody. Still, she made her way to him, and he wrapped her in a giant hug.

“There she is!”

I turned toward the voice. Sam was standing there. “Congratulations,” I said.

“Thanks,” he said.

“The season’s over. Does that mean our summer bromance is over too?” I asked, sipping my beer.

He smirked. “It doesn’t have to be.”

“We’ll always have the Cape, Sam,” I said dramatically.

He laughed.

I spotted Gina who was looking behind me with wide eyes. I glanced over my shoulder, immediately locking eyes with Crew. My heart started racing. It sucked being attracted to a guy I could never have. But, I couldn’t just shut off my feelings for him. They didn’t just disappear now that I wasn’t allowed to be attracted to him.

But what were we to each other now?

Friends? Acquaintances? Siblings?

A pretty girl stepped up to him, pulling his attention away from me.

Knots twisted in my stomach as I watched him smile at her the same way he used to smile at me. The imaginary weight pressed against my chest. The suffocating feeling sucked away my air. I clutched a nearby table as I gasped for air.

“Peyton?” Sam said moving to my side.

Breathe.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Breathe.

I nodded.

“I don’t believe you.”

“I need to go home,” I managed.

“I’m taking you,” he said, linking his arm through mine.

“I don’t want you to leave your celebration,” I said as we moved away from the patio.

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