Page 55 of Fair Catch

One of the happiest, most genuine smiles I’ve seen him have.

See? Nothing to worry about.

Which is why I should turn around. Walk out and go home before Kason spots me and wonders what the hell I’m doing here. I’m just about to do it too—return to my own date with Freddy Krueger and wait to hear about his evening when he gets home.

But thenMaddenreaches across the table, resting his hand on top of Kason’s while they laugh about something I can’t hear from this distance.

And rather than seeing red, the most vibrant shade of green floods my vision.

Just like that, somehow I end up at the edge of their table, staring down at my roommate until he meets my gaze, doing a double take before his brows crash together in confusion.

“Hayes?”

“Hey, Kase!” I say, sliding into the booth beside him. My eyes quickly flash over to Kason’s date. Up close, it’s a bit easier to recognize him—though his looks were one of the last things I was concerned about when it came to who Kason should be chatting with on these apps.

And my first impression is…holy fuck, he has a lot of ink.

There’s no way all of it is visible right now. Bits of tattoo peek out from the long sleeves of his dress shirt, covering both of his hands as well as creeping up past the collar on his neck.

I think I can even see some through the shortly shaved dark hair on the sides of his head, but in this lighting, I can’t tell for sure.

All I know is, from looks alone, I’m shocked I approved this guy. Then again, photos were the last things I was focused on when I was sorting through to find the cream of the crop for Kason.

Sticking my hand out across the table, I offer an introduction to the guy. “Hey, man. I’m Hayes.”

The guy’s brow lifts over hazel eyes as he takes my hand in his firm grip. “Madden.”

I aim my winningest smile his way when I release his hand, uttering a clippednice to meet youhis way before focusing back on Kason.

His eyes are already locked on me, widening imperceptibly as he cants his head to the side. “Uh, hi. What are you doing here?”

The question comes out as confused as it does irritated, but it’s the latter that doesn’t sit well with me. Neither does the very subtle glare that’s telling me to get lost.

“Walked over to that Thai place I love, but I locked myself out of the apartment,” I lie while plastering on a smile. “You care if I borrow your key?”

I’m perfectly aware Kason sees right through my bullshit, but thankfully, he doesn’t call me out on it in front of his date. Instead, he pulls out his keys, slips the one to our apartment off the ring, and presses it in my waiting palm.

My skin is on fire where his brushes mine, and I quickly swallow down the knot in my throat that’s appeared out of nowhere.

What is going on with me right now?

“Cool. Thanks. Gonna hit the road, but, uh, I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.” Slipping the key in my jacket, I look across the table. “Sorry for the interruption. It was nice to meet you, Madden.”

He smiles—a perfect, dazzling white smile—and gives me a nod. “You too, Hayes.”

Embarrassment spreads through me like a wildfire, licking at every exposed cell and nerve in my body as I rise from where I’d been sitting beside Kason. I can still feel the heat of his body radiating toward mine as I cross the restaurant.

Needing a second to compose myself, I push open the door to the restroom, located right beside the exit. Thankfully a quick sweep beneath the stalls confirms I’m alone, and I take a moment to finally breathe and regroup.

Resting my hands against the cool stone vanity, I stare at myself in the mirror, hardly recognizing myself.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask the fool staring back.

And more importantly, why the hell are youjealous?

Because this isn’t me. Feelings and emotions and dating aren’t a priority right now. Getting through this year, making it to graduation, holding that diploma; those are the things that—

The door to the bathroom is shoved open so hard, it slams against the wall behind it, causing me to damn near jump out of my skin.

---