Page 96 of Saving the Halfback

“Yes.”

“No,” Lachlan cut him off. “The three of us are staying. This gets dealt with now.”

Ethan scoffed. “You two can have your little circle time cuddle corner. I’ve been here long enou—”

Lachlan’s eyes flashed, and even Ethan took a step back. “I’m done. We are done. You two are staying here, and we are working this out.”

Lachlan didn’t frighten me, though. I looked up at Ethan. “Want to come with us?”

He hesitated, eyes shifting between me and Lachlan, then sighed. “I’ll stay.”

I looked down at my phone, seeing the missed texts. Both from Mom, one telling me to answer my phone, and one reminding me to invite friends over for breakfast. “My parents invited the team to breakfast tomorrow, but I didn’t get a chance to ask anyone.”

“We’ll be over in the morning,” Chase said. Ethan glared at him, but he ignored it.

“We have team meet in the afternoon,” Lachlan said. “We can carpool from your place.”

I nodded. I could feel the hostility in the room. Maybe, three years ago, we were the best of inseparable friends, but now…I’d be surprised if they even lasted the night together.

As soon asNolan and I were in the truck, I called my mom.

“Boo, how are you?” she asked right away.

My lip quivered at the sound of her worried voice. “Good. I’m sorry I missed your call. The music was too loud, I didn't hear.”

“That’s okay,” Mom said.

“Maybe, next time, check your phone every so often,” Dad grumbled. There was a grunt, as if Mom had smacked him in the stomach. I smiled, suddenly feeling homesick.

“I’m just glad you called. Are you in the truck now?” Mom asked.

“Yeah, Nolan is driving. We are headed to the farm.”

“Where’s Ethan?”

“He’s staying with Chase. They will be over in the morning for breakfast.” It was a tactic of mine to just keep to the facts.

After Dad questioned Nolan on his blood alcohol level, he offered for him to stay the night, then hung up.

“You should go home,” I said.

Nolan kept his eyes on the road, the streetlamps illuminating his face now and then. “You want me to?”

“Would your dad be okay if you stayed the night?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Not likely.”

“I’m sorry I kissed Chase,” I blurted.

“What?”

“I’ve been leading you on. I’ve been flirting and not stopping the little kisses here and there, and then I went and kissed Chase. I’m sorry. I should say I didn’t mean to, but I did.”

Nolan shook his head before reaching over and threading his fingers with mine. “I don’t care about that, Bailey.” He looked at me, almost in disbelief. “Someone kidnapped you. Someone hurt you, violated your skin, took your clothes! You think I care about a kiss? You think I’m, what? Mad at you?”

I hung my head. I was ashamed of myself.

We were pulling into my driveway now, but when he parked, Nolan didn’t let go of my hand. He didn’t leave.

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