Page 99 of The Wrong Quarterback

Nat folded her arms, shaking her head as she glanced between us. “I tried to show them the fucking receipt from dinner, and they weren’t interested,” she fumed. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

A moment later, Nat’s phone buzzed, and she glanced down at the message, her eyes widening. “Oh, thank God. It’s from my friend Mia—she has a spot off campus. She said I can crash with her until things get figured out.” She looked back up at us, her gaze worried. “But what are you going to do, Case?”

I could feel Casey tense against me, and I looked down at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “She’s going to stay with me,” I said easily, slipping my arm around Casey’s shoulders.

Casey looked up, her brows knitting together, uncertain. “Parker, I don’t know…I don’t want to just show up and crash your place.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Baby, it’s not ‘crashing’ if I want you there.” I leaned down, my gaze locking onto hers. “I’d feel a whole lot better knowing you’re somewhere safe. Besides—” I let a smirk tug at my lips. “I wanted you to move in with me the moment I saw you.”

Nat gave me a knowing look, like she could see right through me, but she still decided to help me out. “It’s true, Casey. You’d be way more comfortable at his place than trying to find a place off campus with a stranger. I don’t even know if we could find a place right now. And what if they’re snack stealers?”

Casey huffed at what must be an inside joke for the two of them, and I was absurdly jealous.

I wanted to be in on all of her inside jokes.

I also needed to buy Nat more steaks because her little spiel had helped.

Casey bit her lip, glancing between us, still hesitant. “But—I mean—are you ready for that? To live with me? It hasn’t been that long…”

“Ready?” I repeated, feigning offense with a playful smirk. “Trust me, I’m not going to be complaining.” I tilted my head, lowering my voice so only she could hear. “It will just give me a chance to convince you that you should stay…forever.”

She glanced at me and mouthed “crazy,” but I could see I was wearing her down.

“Just say yes, baby. There are a lot of things you should say no to in life, butthisis not one of them.” I reached down and grabbed her hand, bringing it to my lips for a kiss—because for some reason she melted every time I did that. “Look, stay for a night or two. See how it feels. And if you’re not comfortable, we’ll find another place. But right now, I just want you to give it a chance.”

Casey looked at Nat, who gave an encouraging nod, and finally, she let out a sigh. “Alright…just for a few days. Until I can figure something else out.”

A small victory. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. “Perfect,” I murmured.

My phone buzzed at that moment, and I pulled it out, smirking when I saw the text from Jace.

Jace: We are definitely in our villain era, QB.

Maybe we were.

CHAPTER 25

CASEY

Iwas boarding the airplane with Nat, getting ready to fly to Parker’s away game in Alabama. It had only been a day since the dorm incident, and I’d somehow found myself living with him. But we’d only spent one blissful night together before he’d had to fly out with the team.

Nat pushed me to the window seat and sat in the aisle. “I’m under strict orders that men are not to associate with you,” she said, her eyes watchful, like a guy was going to jump out at any moment in first class and try to get me.

“No one’s going to try to ‘associate’ with me,” I said exasperatedly. “I’ve literally been a nerd who plays piano her entire life. There’s been noassociating.”

Nat giggled like I’d just said the most hilarious thing she’d ever heard. Then she took my hand and leaned close, staring into my eyes like she was trying to hypnotize me. “Someday, you’re going to wake up and take your power. You’re going to see what everyone else sees. Why Gray wanders around campus all day like he’s in a daze because he lost you. Why a literal walking god thinks you’re the best thing he’s ever seen…and he’s not wrong. Why I decided that you’re my bestest friend…” She grinned.“And let’s be real, I have extremely good taste, so that should be the biggest factor in this equation.”

I laughed and then gave her a quick hug…because how could I not?

Nat continued to do her weird watching thing until everyone had boarded. Then she laid her head back against her seat.

“Phew, being a bodyguard is exhausting. Thank fuck your hot boyfriend shelled out for first class, Case. I need to rest.”

I snorted and read the text he’d just sent me.

Parker: I miss you. And he definitely misses you. Hurry to me quick.

I typed out a quick response, hurrying because I was a rule follower, and they’d already asked us to put our phones in airplane mode.

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