Page 64 of Chase Lovett Wants Me

“She dealt with them, though,” Gage reminds me.

“Yeah, but there are always more girls like that out there. What if she can’t handle it?”And what is this horrible tight feeling in my chest?

Brody raises a hand. “Take a breath. We’re freshmen.”

“Yeah, but what if…” I hold up a hand. “I know it’s a long shot, but what if I get called up? If I go pro, this will only get harder, won’t it?”

Gage stares at me like I’ve sprouted horns.

“I know it’s a long shot,” I say defensively.

“It’s not actually. We’re a few months in and it’s already pretty fucking clear you and Brody will skate circles around therest of us,” Gage replies. “I just didn’t realize you were already head over ass in love with her. She must have a magic pussy.”

I grab him by the front of his shirt and lean in. “You do not talk about Cammie’s precious.”

Gage’s eyebrows pull down while Brody’s shoot up.

“Herprecious?” Gage snickers.

“Fuck you, shut up. Don’t talk about my girlfriend’s body or I will knock your fucking teeth out.”

Mac pries us apart. “Stop pushing his buttons, dickhead, and calm the fuck down, Chase.”

I take a seat, and Gage smooths out his shirt.

“Everything’s fine. Go about your business,” Brody calls out.

Mac drops back into his chair, looking smug.

Brody’s face is beet red. “Look, Chase, we’re freshmen. We have a long way to go before we get to the end of this ride. Which means Cammie has a lot of time to get used to being your girlfriend and all the good and the bad that comes with it. Yeah, she’ll have to deal with the Barbies and Annabelles of this world. And they will suck, a lot. There will be puck bunnies, there will definitely be temptation, but if she’s your person and you’re hers, then you will overcome the obstacles. Give her a chance to grow with you.”

“Beautifully said.” Mac pats him on the back. “Like a true future team captain.”

“Thanks, man.” Brody’s face remains a shocking shade of red.

“I just don’t want her to have to deal with all the bullshit.” I want her to enjoy coming to my games. It’s special to have her there, knowing she cares and wants to see me play.

“So introduce her to the other partners the next time you invite her out. Talk to Flint and Jason. I’m sure their girlfriends will welcome her into their group. And Tally is good people. I don’t know her well, but my brother’s fiancée has only nice things to say about her, and Rix is literally one of the kindest, biggest-hearted, most patient people on the planet. I can say thatwith confidence because she’s marrying Tristan, and he can be a well-intentioned but prickly fucker.”

“Prickly?”

“He has too many feelings and he doesn’t know what to do with them. At least that’s what Rix says when he gets all moody.” Brody waves the comment away. “Anyway, not the point. Cammie will be one of the WAGs by the end of the year. Give her time and stop panicking about what might happen in four years. Get through freshman year. And buy her some flowers and chocolate or something. Just show her that you have her back, and that you’re proud of her for standing up to those girls.”

“I am proud of her. I told her that.”

“Good. Keep telling her. And still get her flowers.”

“Real ones, though. From an actual store.” Gage points his fork at me.

“Not the ones from the garden behind res,” Mac adds.

“I only did that once.”

They arch a brow at me in tandem.

“Okay. Twice. Got it. Flowers. Praise.” I feel like I’ve just gotten a crash course in being a boyfriend from three of the unlikeliest people.

CHAPTER 24

---