Page 44 of End Game

“Nico, Nico! Are you and your new roomie more than friends?”

I glare in the general direction where the question came from. “Not at all,” I say firmly, wanting to quash the rumors.

I hate that she’s being questioned and that they’re speculating on a possible relationship between us.

“What about you, Coop? Something going on between the two of you?”

“Definitely not,” Coop answers. “We’re all just roommates. That’s it.”

The crowd’s focus changes when they realize we’re not going to give them the answers they want, and they start questioning Gavin about the game.

“I’m actually offended,” Dollar mutters. “No one asked if me and Everleigh are involved.”

I want to roll my eyes but hold myself in check. “Are you serious right now? That’s what you’re upset about?”

He shrugs, and Everleigh and I share an amused look. My dick twitches at seeing that secret smile curving her lips, and damn it ...

I’ve got it so fucking bad.

Chapter Sixteen

EVERLEIGH

Monday is my busiest day, and what’s funny is it’s not even a school day for me. I open at the café, so I’m up bright and early, and I work through most of the lunch shift. Once that’s done I head home and work on any homework or projects that need to be wrapped up before I have class on Tuesday. Or I’m studying for a quiz.

By the late afternoon I’m prepping for dinner. I’ve kept up my part of the deal and make at least three meals a week for my always-hungry roommates. Sometimes I make four or five meals. Mostly dinner. I originally thought there might be leftovers that could see them through, but no. These guys eat every last crumb of what I prepare for them.

It’s always shocking and just the tiniest bit satisfying that they enjoy my cooking so much.

Today I’m prepping a marinade for some chicken I’ll bake in the oven. I put it all in a plastic bag and leave it in the fridge, where it’ll sit for a couple of hours and absorb all those flavors. I’ve made this recipe for them before, and it was a hit.

Everything is a hit with them. They’re not picky and always appreciative. They also trade off and help me clean the kitchen. Well, Coop and Nico always shove me out of the kitchen and clean it for me.Frank likes to help me because that gives him an excuse to talk to me constantly.

He’s backed off on pursuing me, but I’d like to think we’ve become friends. He tells me a lot, and I share plenty of my own stories with him in return. I consider Cooper a friend too. There’s something so calming about him. He’s steady and quiet, but every time he opens that mouth, he reveals just how smart he is too. And observant.

Sometimes too observant.

I think back on Saturday night when we were at Charley’s after being escorted there by the team’s security crew. The mob that initially swarmed us asked so many questions—even to me.

Who are you?

Heard you’re the roommate.

Are you involved with any of them?

Nico?

Coop?

It was funny how offended Frank was that they didn’t ask him if we were involved, and I wasn’t about to remind him that he’s been benched most of the season so he’s not in the forefront of their minds.

He knows that’s happening, and he’s devastated by it. Poor Frank.

Nico was quick to quash the rumors, and I couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit ... offended by how fast he said no, we weren’t together. Which is dumb. So dumb. Even though he did tell Portia we were together, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s spreading that around.

Though maybe she isn’t. I have no clue.

But anyway, he was just telling the truth, and he doesn’t need any rumors about him hooking up with his roommate to spread.

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