Page 101 of Mine to Take

She’s always been tight-lipped about what went down between them, but I have my theories.

So, I owe her big time for being supportive.

It takes another five minutes to make our way to our seats. Once we do, I unzip my jacket, revealing the jersey and the turtleneck beneath it. As we settle in, one of the girls in the row in front of us turns.

A smile lights up her pretty face when our gazes collide. “Willow?”

The dark-haired girl with a high ponytail next to her whips around as well.

Britt and Fallyn.

“Hi!” I say in surprise.

“I didn’t know you’d be here!” Fallyn says, twisting more in her seat.

“Sorry, I must have forgotten to mention it.”

Or, more accurately, I thought Maverick and I wouldn’t be together.

Wanting to change the convo to safer terrain, I point to my friend. “This is my roommate, Holland.”

Both girls wave after introductions have been made. Holland has never been good at letting new people into her life. The friends she has are ones she’s known forever.

It’s not easy to earn her trust.

I’ve seen a few try and ultimately give up because the walls she surrounds herself with aren’t easily breached. Sadness pricks my heart. Holland is such an amazing person, and I wish more people were able to see that.

It takes a moment or two before I realize that Britt and Fallyn are here with a larger group as a few turn in our direction.

The recognition that slams into me is instantaneous.

Juliette McKinnon.

Her brows draw together before the lightbulb goes off in her head. “Willow, right?”

I nod. “Hi, Juliette. How are you doing?”

She twists in her hardback chair. “Good!” With a smile, she glances at her friends. “Small world. I didn’t realize you knew Fallyn and Britt.”

“Actually,” Britt cuts in before I can respond, “we were grabbing something to eat at Harvey’s when she walked in with your brother.” The last part is emphasized with a cheeky grin and a waggle of her brows.

Fallyn cocks her head. “You wouldn’t by any chance be wearing Mav’s jersey?”

I stare at all three girls and find curiosity filling Juliette’s eyes. That’s all it takes for heat to slam into my cheeks as her gaze drops to the jersey I’m sporting. The front of it has the university emblem, but his name and number are stamped across the back.

“Ummm…” My voice trails off.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Britt says with a smile.

Juliette leans closer. “Are you dating my brother?”

I’m thrown off by the genuine excitement that floods her voice.

“Well, I don’t?—”

“If they’re not,” Britt cuts in with a laugh, “he’s doing his damnedest to persuade her to give it a shot.”

“You should have seen the way he was watching her,” Fallyn adds with a heartfelt sigh. “So adorable.”

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