Page 85 of Endgame

I’m winning this feud. “I didn’t until you gave yourself away.”

Gus is slapping the lobby couch pillow repeatedly, rolling in hysterics. “Dude, how did I not know this?” His laughter leads to an outbreak among the team.

“I don’t like du?—”

“Baylor, Hale, cut the shit.” There’s my guy.

I was wondering when he would show up for the roasting.

Thankfully, I know they’re harmless. Callaway, however, seems not to care in the slightest how much they’re fooling around.

“Jet, you better back the fuck down.”

Caveman.

I gape at Callaway’s sudden outburst, trying not to show how amusing it is to see him get so worked up in my favor.

Gus is still going. “Hale’s been keepin’ secrets!”

I’m choosing to ignore them all. Let them handle Jethro on their own now.

Deciding to head up to my room early, seeing as I have adatetonight, I dismiss the team with a farewell. “Goodnight, ladies. Don’t forget to wrap it up.” Because I can’t seem to resist myself, I look over my shoulder and catch Jethro’s attention, “You too, boo boo.”

Their raucous laughter is like music to my ears.

It feels good to give them something to talk about.

I know if I turn around, Callaway will be watching me, making sure I make it safely to the elevator, untouched and unharmed.

For all he knows, I’ve completely thought better of our date and decided to stay in and sleep. That’s not true, of course; I wouldn’t miss this time with him for anything.

But being unpredictable is fun, and it’s been far too long since I’ve had some good fun.

I wonder what kind of fun I’ll get into next.

A knock soundson my door at precisely eight o’clock.

He showed.

Which means he believed I would still come.

After getting up to my room, I made quick work of showering and getting ready for my date.

Callaway said to wear something casual.

Since my ideal choice of casual looks a lot like oversized everything and fuzzy socks, I settle on my next choice. I chose athletic gray cargo sweats, a simple white cropped tee, and my purple and white Dunks. My hair is up for once in a slicked-back ponytail, giving my cheekbones a sharper and more defined look. Since I’ve never been one to wear much makeup, I go for a natural look with a heavy coat of mascara to make my lashes pop and some mauve lip gloss.

I look casual, but like I cared enough to try.

That’s what I’m going for, at least.

Considering the possibility of going outside somewhere and it being cold, I grab my oversized denim jacket to throw over my shoulders if needed.

I should probably open the door now. Oh God, this is really happening.

I never knew I could be so nervous and excited all at the same time.

Yes, Callaway has become an incredible friend, but he’s so much more than that. I’m comforted that I alreadytrusthim, making dating him feel that much easier.

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