Page 70 of End Game

“You don’t even live here,” I remind him.

“Yet I’m reaping some of the benefits. Look, when it’s just us, we’re lazy. We DoorDash everything or we’re eating pizza all the time. The house is a mess. It starts to smell. We drink too much beer or we play too many video games. But with Everleigh around, I feel like I need to be on my best behavior. I don’t want to be a slob around her. Girls don’t like that shit.”

“You think she makes us better people?” I never thought of it like that before.

“Definitely,” he says with a nod. “Even you.”

“Ha, thanks.” I give him a shove, and he pretends to topple over a little bit. “Maybe it’s working on you too.”

“I’d like to think it is.” He smiles.

We both turn to see Cooper approaching, his sister and—oh shit—Everleigh accompanying him.

“Gavin.” Sienna walks right up to him and wraps him up in a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Figured you were avoiding me.” He returns the hug, his arms springing away from her in seconds. Jesus. Talk about someone whoneeds to admit to himself that he might have some minor feelings for someone else. “Looking good, Sienna.”

“Why thank you.” Her cheeks are bright pink, and maybe it’s the alcohol, but I’m guessing it’s the compliment coming from the guy she’s had a thing for since her freshman year. “You’re looking good yourself.”

Gavin is wearing a black crewneck sweatshirt and jeans. Nothing special. But I’m guessing it works for Sienna.

“What are you ladies up to, hanging out with Coop?” Gav asks.

“We dragged him away from his bartending duties,” Everleigh says. “And got someone else to take over.”

“Who?” I ask Everleigh.

She barely looks in my direction. It’s like she can’t. “I don’t know his name.”

“It was Jonesie,” Coop says. “He wanted to do it. Supposedly he has skills.”

“He made me a special concoction, and it’s delicious.” Sienna lifts her cup in a cheers gesture before she takes a drink.

Everleigh giggles, sipping from her own cup, and I stare at her like some sort of perv, unable to speak. I can feel Sienna watching me, her lips curving into an amused smile, and when I finally chance a look her way, her smug expression has my smile fading.

Caught. Yet again. I need to stop making an ass of myself.

“I was talking to our coaches about your yoga class,” Gavin says to Everleigh, his voice casual.

Her eyes go wide. “Why would you do that?”

“I was telling them how much it helps all of us and that you’re a certified yoga instructor and all that. And then I suggested you should come to our practices sometime and lead everyone through a quick session. Like a warm-up before we go out on the field,” Gavin explains.

“Oh, I don’t know . . .”

“They said they were interested. And they’d even pay you,” Gav tacks on.

Everleigh’s eyes light up with interest. She’s always looking for a way to make money. “Really? They’d pay me?”

“They said they might if it seems to work out for us. You want to come in Monday before practice starts and talk to the coaching staff? They’d love to hear what you have to say.”

“I definitely would.” She nods eagerly.

“How exciting! If you need an assistant, I’m your girl.” Sienna glances over at Gavin, her gaze full of longing. “I’d love to help you.”

Everleigh and I share a look, something passing between us. Like we both know who Sienna is stuck on and that particular person is still somehow clueless about it.

Freaking Gavin. Sometimes he’s a dumbass when it comes to women.

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