Page 20 of Call Me Teach

It takes my brother coming up behind him to snatch his jersey and skate him off to the side for him to finally look away. I watch as the ref throws Nolan into the sin bin, and I can’t help but wonder what set him off in the first place.

Reign’s warm breath tingles my neck when he leans down to whisper in my ear. “Well, now you owe me two beers.”

I laugh lightly and shake my head, making my way back to Aria and her knowing little grin.

FIFTEEN

IN THE DEEP END

Nolan

I haven’t cracked a smile in at least twenty-four hours, which wouldn’t be noticeable if we had lost our game, but we won by three, so I truly have no good excuse for my stoicism.

Van throws a pizza crust at my head, and the girl on his lap giggles. I catch it with my sharp reflexes and glare.

“Bro, what is your deal? Need this one to call a friend over for you or something?”

Hayes laughs under his breath as he rests against the couch. He’s been buried in his phone the entire evening, which is to my benefit because at least he can’t see me watching his sister from across the room.

A loud clanking noise comes from the kitchen, and I glance up to see Hannah looking directly at me. The moment we make eye contact, she goes back to doing the dishes and pretending like she wasn’t paying attention to what my answer may be.

The smallest amount of jealousy is still swarming my veins from watching her interact with Reign at the game last night. I was impulsive and threw a mouthy player up against the glassto get her attention.What was I thinking?I can’t wrap my head around it, and I’m agitated because of it.

“Depends.” I look at Van and his girl. “What’s she look like?”

“Shallow much?” I whip my head toward Hannah and flex my jaw.She has some nerve.

Hayes cackles but quickly comes to my rescue. “Of course we’re shallow. It’s not like we’re looking for anything serious. She doesn’t need to be the type to bring home to Mom. We’re looking to get laid and nothing more.”

Hannah’s mouth flies open. Then a wet towel flies from her grip and lands on Hayes’s head. “You’re a pig, Hayes!”

He shrugs. “I’m allowed to be.”

“What would you say ifIwere that type of girl? The kind that is looking to get laid and nothing more?”

Hayes closes his mouth after looking disgusted. I can’t even look at her because, to me, she kind ofisthat girl. I swear my fingers tingle with the thought of where they were a few nights prior.

“You’re not that type, so don’t even act like you are.”

Hannah’s cheeks flare with heat, and when she looks over at me, time stops.

Fuck, don’t look at me.

I gulp and look away. I finally get the nerve to direct my attention to Hayes. “I thought you were going to a party?”

“Yeah, I am. And you’re coming.” He stands, along with Van and the girl on his lap. They start to gather their things, and it feels like someone just stole the puck from me and scored the opposite goal. They’re waiting for me, and I don’t have a valid excuse not to go.

I skim past Van’s hand on his date’s hip and briefly make eye contact with Hannah. I can’t deny the pull I feel when I look at her, but I also know that my excuse to stay back so I can be alone with her isn’t going to fly, so I give up.

“Alright, whatever. But I’m not staying long.”

Van laughs. “You say that every single time, and every single time, you are one of the last to leave.”

“With hickeys on your neck, no less.” Hayes wiggles his eyebrows, and I hate that he's right. I also hate that I want to clock him for saying that in front of his sister.

Why do I care?

“Let’s go.” I head for the door, refusing to look at Hannah again.

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