Page 78 of Playmaker

“Is that so hard to believe?” she continues. “That I’ve never been on a real date?”

“Uh,yeah. I assumed guys would kill for the opportunity to take you out.”

She tilts her head to the side, studying me. “You think guys haven’t tried to ask me out? I get hit onplenty, Cameron, but I’m not someone who goes out with the first guy who asks. Maybe I wanted my first real date to be special, and maybe—”

And maybe I waited for you.

I can finish the sentence for her, and before she can make up some lame excuse to cover the almost slipup, I smile down at her and say, “Well, I guess this means I have to take you on a date then, hm?”

“Tonight wasn’t a date?” she asks.

I laugh beneath my breath, my eyes locked on hers. “Maddie, whenItake you out on your first official date, you aren’t going to question whether or not it’s a date. You’ll know.”

“How can you be so sure I’ll know?”

A smug grin pulls at my lips, and it has Maddie rolling her eyes. “Trust me, baby.You’ll know.”

Thirty-one

Maddie

I am going tokillmy brother.

With every step up this godforsaken trail, my calves and thighs are on fire. My muscles are strained and tired, and my water bottle was empty after the first hour. Ethan thought it would be a good idea to go on the trail my parents took after they raved about the views, and since he’s still doing a terrible job at keeping whatever transpired between Maya and him last night a secret, he invited Cameron and me along for thegroupactivity.

Shielding my eyes from the beaming sun, I squint uphill and see the beginning of a clearing at the top. My thighs are pulsating from exertion, trembling and cramping as I try to keep up with the rest of them. I wouldn’t classify myself as out of shape, but I don’t train every day like Cameron, who hasn’t even broken a sweat on this stupid hike. Maya with her morning yoga sessions is sticking close to Ethan, who, although he’s sweating, isn’t nearly as tired as I am.

I despise them all.

My shirt is sticking to my back, which seems at odds given the wind from the canyon. I should be chilly, but instead I’m a panting, disgusting mess.

Fuck it.

Tugging my shirt over my head, I’m in just a sports bra now and a pair of leggings, glaring at the three people a few feet ahead who are handling this hike like it’s a walk in the park.

Ethan glances over his shoulder, laughing when he says, “Keep up, Maddie. Maya is making you look bad.”

I narrow my eyes at the two lovebirds who are pretending they aren’t lovebirds. Although Maya said the date went well, she refuses to give me any details. From the looks of it, my brother seems even more infatuated with her than usual. They’re kicking rocks and dust in their trail, which does nothing but coat my skin in a gritty texture.

Cam slows, and while he was calm, cool, and collected before, he now puts his hands on his hips and begins to breathe heavily. “Damn. It’s getting to me now.”

Liar.

“Don’t try to placate me,” I seethe.

His voice drops into a whisper when he says, “I love when you use big words on me.” Then, when Ethan and Maya are far enough ahead, he adds, “You’re really going to wear just a sports bra in front of me?”

“Your—” I lean over to place my hands on my knees. “Your pickup lines aren’t going to work on me today, Cam. I’m fucking exhausted, and I’m not in the mood.”

When I glance up at the trail ahead again, it only seems to be getting longer. The more I walk, the farther the distance between me and the clearing seems to be.

“Come on,” Cam encourages. “You can do this, Mads.”

“I really don’t think I can,” I admit. “I think I’m going to puke.”

Ethan and Maya have reached the top now, and Maya squeals, her voice echoing. “Oh my god, it’ssopretty up here, Maddie! You have to see this!”

A slew of cuss words works their way up my throat, but Cam squats beside me to catch my gaze with his. “Come on,” he reassures me in a whisper. “You’ve got this, baby. Drink some of my water.”

---