Page 61 of Chase Lovett Wants Me

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

“You too. Both of you.” Her smile is soft and genuine. She worries her bottom lip, like she’s shoring up her courage. “It was kind of cool the way you stood up to the mean girls. They’re always talking smack about other people.”

“They definitely have a lot of opinions,” I agree.

“Maybe you’d like to sit together at the next game?”

I finish touching up my lip gloss. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

“For sure,” Tally agrees. I shove down the anxiety as we leave the safety of the bathroom to wait for Chase in the lobby. Enid says goodbye and joins another girl waiting for her by the door. I have no idea what the fallout will be for calling out Barbiebelle, but I can’t worry about it now.

Chase appears a few minutes later, fresh from the shower, wearing dress pants, a white button-down, and a tie. His hair is still wet and he looks totally fuckable. “Hey!” He wraps his arms around me, lifts me off my feet, and kisses my neck.

“Hi.” I run my hand down his chest. “You look good.”

“We always dress up for games.”

Brody and Gage appear behind him, followed by Mac.

“This is my friend Tally. Tally, this is Chase, and his friends Brody, Mac, and Gage.”

Brody’s head tips. “You know my brother, right?”

“Yeah, and Rix.”

“I’m Gage. You’re beautiful.” Gage holds out his hand.

Tally gives him a tight smile. “I have a boyfriend.”

I swear she’s only dating that guy so she can use this line without lying.

“I could be your boyfriend.”

“You’re too young for me.” Her blue eyes find mine. “I should go. I have dance practice in the morning. I’ll see you in English, though.”

“Do you need us to walk you back?” I ask.

“My boyfriend’s meeting me outside in like two.” Tally hugs me and says bye to the guys.

“How serious is she about the boyfriend?” Gage asks.

“Very,” I reply, even though I don’t believe that to be true.

“You’ll let me know if they break up,” Gage says.

“Sure.” There is no way in hell I would set Tally up with Gage. I just count my blessings that he doesn’t know who her dad is. Yet.

“Who’s up for food? I’m starving,” Gage asks.

Chase gives me a heated once-over. “You want to just head back to res? I can order something for delivery.”

“Don’t you want to celebrate the assist?” I ask.

He blinks at me. “Yeah. I do.”

I fight a smile.

Brody covers a snort-laugh. “I can bring you something back.I’ll send you a message when we get there, and if you’re timely in your response, I’ll put in a takeout order for you.” He claps Chase on the shoulder. “Nice work out there tonight. Have fun. Play safe.”

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