Page 125 of Fair Catch

I wince under his stare that’s likely an equal match for a disapproving parent. “Fine, you win. I’ll let Mal know you’re coming over to help. Make sure she and Ivy aren’t asleep or busy or anything.”

Holden waggles his eyebrows suggestively, echoing, “‘Busy or anything.’ What’s that mean?”

“Glad to see that being in a serious, committed relationship hasn’t pulled your mind outta the gutter.”

“It was born there, and more importantly, it’s never leaving,” he says, stepping back from my driver’s side door to head back to his Jeep. I watch as he goes, gratitude filling my chest when he pauses and turns back to me. “And Kase? While you’re staying with us, would you do me a favor and make up with my boyfriend already? He’s kinda insufferable without you.”

“I’m telling him you said that!” I call back, knowing there’s nothing I’d love more than getting my best friend back.

Well, almost nothing.

Thirty-Three

Kason

Theo and, I’m assuming, Camden are sprawled out on the living room couch when Phoenix, Holden and I enter the townhouse just over an hour later, boxes of my belongings in tow. Both of them sit up when they see me, Theo grinning and Camden looking a bit confused.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Theo says as he jumps up from the sofa. “Long time no see, Kaseykins.”

I grimace at the pet name, shaking my head vehemently. “Please do not ever call me that again.”

Theo’s nose wrinkles up and he nods in agreement. “Yeah, it felt wrong as soon as I said it.”

“Uh, hi. Someone wanna tell me what’s happening here?” Camden questions, still looking as confused as he did when I walked in.

My stomach drops clear out of my ass, and I glance between the four of them. “Did y’all know I was coming?”

“He’s just messing with you,” Theo tells me, clapping me on the back. He motions to where Phoe and Holden are stacking a couple of boxes by a door I’m assuming leads to the basement. “You think these two yay-hoos are inviting someone to live here without running it by the rest of us first?”

Fair point.

But apparently not fair enough for Camden, because it’s clear he has no clue what’s happening.

“I don’t remember agreeing to this,” Camden murmurs, pursing his lips in thought.

“Cam, it was in the group chat,” Phoenix tells him, crossing his arms.

Camden scoffs. “No, it wasn’t.”

“You literally gave the message a thumb-up emoji,” Holden adds with a laugh.

Camden frowns and pulls out his phone, only for it to deepen a few seconds later when he must find the message. Letting out a sigh, he drops his phone to his lap. “God, this is what I get for opening texts when I’m half asleep.”

“Yep, pretty much.” This comes from Theo. “And now you don’t get a vote. Sorry, pal. This isn’t a democracy anymore.”

Camden’s frown deepens, and he opens his mouth to say something, but Theo quickly holds up a hand to cut him off at the knees. “Don’t you dare ask what a democracy is. You’re a history major, for fuck’s sake. How are you even passing your classes?”

Without missing a beat, Camden smirks and comes back with, “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“We all know you sleep with the girl who takes your tests for you, Cam. You’re not as sly as you think you are.” This comes from Holden, who shoots me a wink.

“Welcome to the chaos,” Theo says, grinning wide. “Too late to back out now.”

It really is chaos, but to be honest, I’m already loving every second of it.

“I’m just thankful you’re letting me add to it for a while.”

“Nah, man. We’re happy to have you.” Theo’s arm around my shoulder lifts, pointing toward Phoe and Holden. “Though, you’re the unfortunate soul who has to stay in the room across from these two exhibitionists.”

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