Page 7 of Easy Out

“She doesn’t owe you an explanation, Nash,” Sydney tells her brother. “Lauren is a big girl. She can do whatever she wants. She can take care of herself.” I nod in agreement. Yeah, what she said.

“You’re not a big girl. You’re five foot nothing. I worry about you," Nash says. I lift my face to him to see under the bill of my hat.

“Don’t. I’m fine,” I grit out the words. I don’t want Nash worrying about me.

“Damn, Lauren. You’re worse than Hart,” Koa says, chuckling and nodding toward his buddy. “Neither of you can say more than three words at a time.” Hart tenses beside me. I slant my eyes on Koa. For some reason, I want to defend Hart. Which is absolutely ridiculous. He wouldn’t do the same for me.

“I’ll speak when someone asks me a question they have the right to know the answer to. I don’t owe any of you an explanation on what I do with my time or who I spend that time with.”

Someone coughs. There’s a low whistle from someone else. Nash searches my face to see if I’m bluffing. Maybe he thinks I’ll take the words back. I won’t. I mean every one of them.

Nash isn’t my brother. He’s not my boyfriend. He barely knows me. Nash squeezes my shoulder, dips his head, and walks toward the loft stairs.

2

HART

Nash whispers animatedly in Koa’s ear before sulking up the stairs like a petulant child. Koa scowls at Lauren, which raises my hackles. He turns his attention back to Sydney before I can figure out why.

I know as much about Lauren as I do the bartender who passed me a bottle of beer five minutes ago. She isn’t wrong for saying what she did. Why does everyone care who she is hanging out with? Is it just because of Sydney?

I don’t blame Lauren for being irritated with the guys. I don’t appreciate what Koa said any more than Lauren did. I would have punched him if he wasn’t one of my best friends.

Truthfully, friend or not, I still want to punch him. He knows why I am the way I am. That’s not why I want to hit him. It’s the stern gaze he keeps casting in Lauren’s direction. For some reason, it’s pissing me off.

Ever since she joined our group tonight, her presence has overwhelmed me. She is quiet. And tiny. Yet, I feel her all over me. Just standing beside her makes me feel like I’ve been rolling around in fiberglass.

My skin is on fire, and it is craving relief.

“Hart,” Marco gets my attention. “I’m going to go check on Nash. The little girl got to him.” I nod. I wish I knew what he means. Is Nash interested in Lauren? Or just friends? Why do I care? I’m friends with Nash, but he’s much closer to Marco since they are both a year behind the rest of us.

“Take Enzo.” Marco’s eyes question me for a second before agreeing. I don’t want Enzo to ask Lauren any more questions. She’s not his business any more than she is mine. Yet, I can’t stop myself from being concerned about her.

And when I get Enzo alone later, I plan on asking him why he is so interested in Sydney’s roommate. The brujita seems to affect all my friends.

Koa can’t stop glaring. Enzo is suddenly taking after his father with all his questions. Nash is acting like a child. Wyatt is flirting. And me? I’m three seconds from rubbing up against her like a tom cat to see if it puts out the fire burning under my skin.

“What was this place like over the summer?” Wyatt asks with his flirty eyes and dimples popping in his cheeks. I bet Lauren doesn’t even realize he’s attempting to flirt with her. He’s always been terrible at it. Luckily his lack of smooth pick-up lines hasn’t affected his success rating of actually getting laid.

I’m not any better. I don’t talk to girls. I never had to do it. I’m cold and callous on the surface. For some reason, that makes me attractive. I don’t have to do anything except send the girls on their way. I’m not interested in dating, hooking up, or anything that takes my focus off baseball.

“The same but different people,” Lauren answers dryly.

“Damn. You are like Hart, ain’t ya?” I risk a glimpse at Lauren. Not that I can see much of her with the baseball cap covering her face.

I can’t see much of Lauren at all. She is drowning in an oversized tee shirt and a pair of joggers. Is this a style choice or can she not find clothes that fit properly because of her size?

“Doubt it.” I grunt in agreement or annoyance. I’m not sure which. Wyatt smirks. He finds it hilarious that there is someone else who doesn’t talk a lot. He doesn’t understand the concept of being quiet.

“Yo! Koa, what’s up, man?” I barely hear Matt Dailey shout over the music. Lauren moves a millimeter in my direction at the sound of his voice. I only register the movement because her forearm grazes mine sending chills up my arm. Why didn’t she turn to Sydney?

Koa and Matt greet each other. Matt asks about Nash and if he’s around. Matt is the starting quarterback for Newhouse, and Nash is his backup. If Matt wasn’t a senior, Nash would be starting. He’s got the drive and the talent. I’m not saying that because he’s my friend. Nash has what it takes to make it big.

“Matt, what are you doing here?” Wyatt asks after bumping Matt’s fist. Matt nods toward me in a greeting. I just stare at him with narrowed eyes. I don’t like the guy. There is something off about him.

Witnessing Sydney and Lauren’s reaction to him raises more than one red flag on his behalf.

“Frat thing. I can’t complain, though. Lots of potential walking around the place. Once the competition starts, I’ll know exactly which girl is mine for the night.” Lauren shudders beside me. I want to do the same. My friends aren’t saints by any means, but I like to think they’re at least respectful.

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