Page 40 of SALT

"Hey, I got to go. I'm serious about the house though. If you could start tomorrow, I'd love you forever."

"Okay, but?—"

I cut the call before she can finish. I already know what she was going to say anyway. She was going to keep digging. She'll get the details eventually. Right now, I need to figure out my next move. Everett Callahan wasn't trying to see to it that I got him out of my system. He was ensuring I was infected.

"Want to catch the game with me tomorrow?" I say as I hip-bump Stormy.

"Depends. Are you asking, or are you asking for someone else?"

Parker has to be the someone else she is referring to, but since she has yet to bring him up in casual conversation, I don't mention it. "I'm asking for me. I don't have a date, and while I could rock up solo, it would be a lot more fun if I had a plus one. Drinking with someone always beats drinking alone."

That earns me the slightest of lip curls before she says, "Well, since you mentioned drinking?—"

"Hey, girls. I brought lunch," Lauren interrupts, clicking into the team shop wearing red bottoms and a white sheath dress and looking way too fucking dolled up for a job at the stadium.

God, I hate being this girl. I'm judging her the same way I know people judge me for always looking overly dressed for most occasions, but with me, I know it's because it's my thing. I'm getting a degree in fashion. With her, I feel like it's an attention grab, and she's gunning for the one man I've been trying to claim for my own.

"You didn't need to bring us lunch. We usually grab a snack from the concession stand," I say, remembering my manners.

"Oh, nonsense. I owe you for the other night. I feel terrible. I didn't know you lived with Everett."

Stormy opens the bag she set on the counter. I swear that girl is like a black hole when it comes to food. She's constantly eating, and I have no idea where it goes. Good genetics. Lucky bitch.

"They forgot to include utensils. I'll go grab some," Stormy says, not waiting for a reply before walking out.

"So what's your story anyway?" Lauren asks as she pulls out containers from Bread Co. "Are you an exchange student?"

I guess I didn't come up during their date night since she has no clue who I am. I don't mind sharing, but I also don't care to spill all my information to my competition. "I thought you and Everett are old friends?"

It's obvious she doesn't see me as the same because my question doesn't bother her in the least. "We went to high school together, but that was decades ago. I haven't been back to these parts in many years." Her eyebrows pinch slightly as though the thought holds heaviness. "Everything feels so different now but yet still the same. I'm not even sure how that's possible. I guess time changes you, but it doesn't erase things." She shrugs before leaning onto the counter. "So how about you?"

"My parents died a few years ago, and Everett was my father's best friend and business partner. After the accident, the Callahans let me stay here in Waterloo with them instead of returning to the East Coast to live with family I didn't know." I mindlessly flip open one of the containers she brought. Talking about my family hits differently when the anniversary of their accident is coming up.

"Is your father Damon Salt?"

"Yes, did you know him?" Obviously, she knew of him since his name is coming out of her mouth, but the way she asked and subtly shifted makes me think maybe they were friends.

"I got forks!" Stormy says, strolling back in. "Hey, can I borrow the car tomorrow night?"

"That depends. What are you borrowing it for?" Lauren says speculatively.

I am still determining what Stormy's story is. I haven't asked, and she hasn't offered anything, but she's the same age as me. Most people have their own car by twenty-two. Not everyone drives a brand new Audi as I do, but a hand-me-down or, hell, even an old beater isn't far-fetched.

"Ugh…" she draws out. "How about I tell you later?"

"Okay, then I'll give you my answer later."

"Fine. Sorry to ruin your surprise." She looks at me before turning to Lauren and adding, "I wanted to pick Cam up for the game tomorrow so I could take her out after her birthday."

My eyebrows raise. "How did you know it was my birthday tomorrow?" I stopped celebrating my birthday after the accident. My twenty-first birthday was the only exception, and even that wasn’t by my planning. They never felt the same, being so close to the anniversary of my parent's death.

"I ran into Parker when I was grabbing forks, and he told me," She takes a big bite of her sandwich and, with a mouth full of turkey, asks, "How old are you going to be anyway? I assumed we were about the same age."

"I'll be twenty-two tomorrow."

Lauren puts her sandwich down before she takes a bite and asks, "Were you born here?"

I finish chewing the bite I just shoved in my mouth. "My mother's side of the family is from the East Coast, and we didn't move here until I was around eight years old."

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