Page 71 of The Only Goal

“True.” Lani nods. “As much as I hate to say it, sometimes it’s better to play things safe.”

“Plus, there are some really hot guys on the team, right? That can’t be all bad.” Caroline winks at Jolie, who goes bright red again. Her cousin gasps and nudges her with her elbow. “Wait, are you crushing on one of them?”

“No.” Jolie shakes her head, so obviously lying.

“Which one? Do I know him? Who is he?”

“It’s not…” Jolie shakes her head more vehemently. “No one. They’re just cute. That doesn’t mean I’m falling for any of them.” She grabs the wineglass and takes a big sip, then cringes and puts it back on the table. “Do you have Sprite or… Coke Zero?”

Lani starts laughing as Rachel tries to stifle a groan. Getting up, she runs to the fridge and pulls out a can of Coke Zero, delivering it with a smile. “She’s too young to drink anyway, Ray.”

“This is a tasting while I try to decide which wines to serve and pair with the food I want to offer our guests. No one is going to get drunk!”

* * *

An hour later, Rachel is eating her words as Caroline and Mick giggle their way through a game of Truth or Dare. I have no idea how it even started, but somehow I’m caught up in this mess, sitting on the floor in the parlor watching Mikayla spin an empty beer bottle… which lands on me.

Thankfully, I’m sober enough not to suggest dare, because this crazy-ass girl opposite me would come up with something totally humiliating, I’m sure of it.

Instead, I risk “Truth” and instantly wish I hadn’t.

Her eyes light with glee, and she asks the question that has obviously been on everyone’s mind.

“What’s the deal with you and Baxter?”

“What do you mean?” I swallow.

“Oh, don’t act all coy. Ever since we got back last weekend, something has changed between you two.”

“We’ve all noticed it.” Rachel gives me a kind, hopeful smile. “Are you two…?” She wiggles her eyebrows, and now I’m the one turning fire-engine red.

“I knew it!” Caroline points at me, then high-fives Mikayla. “I told you. Didn’t I tell you? They’re totally doing it.”

It’s impossible not to choke out a laugh as I try and fail to deny it.

Sensing the inevitable, I quickly give up and admit, “Yeah, we hooked up the weekend you guys were all away.”

“Woo! My girl!” Caroline holds up her hand, and I lightly slap it, feeling giddy giggles rumble in my stomach, followed swiftly by a heavy dose of guilt. I’ve been fighting it ever since the latest phone call with my mother, who has no idea about Baxter—I do value my life, after all—but she gave me another lecture on the importance of family stability and what Kai needs. How will this work? If Baxter and I become a permanent thing, what am I supposed to say to Kai? Or Hudson? Should Baxter and I even become a permanent thing, or is this just us getting some unfinished business out of my system?

I can feel myself starting to spiral and then notice all eyes are still intently on me.

So, I force a smile and tell them what they most likely want to hear.

“Being with Baxter is pretty amazing.” Truth. “He’s always been the sweetest guy and…” Another truth.

I shake my head, wondering why I feel so compelled to share. “We were best friends growing up… but then we grew apart. Being with him again is so familiar and fun and comfortable and… taking things to this next level is…” I let out a soft laugh, biting my lips, my skin burning. “It’s incredible.” And yet another truth.

But it’s also super complicated, which is a truth you can’t just keep ignoring, Tammy.

“Yay.” Rachel distracts me, holding her hand over her heart. “I’m so happy for you guys. Baxter is such a closed book, but he once admitted to Lani and me that there was a girl in high school who he’d always loved. And then you show up here, and I’ve been desperate for you to finally make his wish come true.”

My smile grows even wider.

It’s been doing that a lot lately, and their joy for me only spurs me on, pushing me deeper into this love bubble… this make-believe place where everything outside of it stays away so I can keep living a faux reality surrounded by fun people who are so easy to like and a man who is quickly consuming my heart and soul.

I want to stay here and forget about my old life.

But I know that’s not going to be possible.

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