Page 188 of The Wrong Play

Walker gave a cute little growl that kind of sounded like a kitten trying out its meow for the first time. “ANYWAYS…Oliviawants to do a Christmas thing this year in between games, and shespecificallyasked if Matty and Jace are bringing girlfriends.”

“Yes,” I said, at the same time that Matty said, “No.”

“You could bring Darla,” Parker suggested, quickly ducking as Matty tried to pick up a lamp…before realizing it was plugged in. He glared at it like it had personally wronged him.

Walker looked confused at Matty’s behavior, but that wasn’t anything new. Matty confused all of us at one point or another. “All right, well tell Olivia what you’re doing so she can plan. I don’t want to be in charge of wrangling you two.”

Parker saluted. “Will do, fearless leader.”

Ari pointed at me. “And you—whatever this chaotic energy is, keep it up. It’s wildly entertaining.”

I grinned, feeling a little boisterous now that I knew I was impressing the great Ari Lancaster. “Oh, I plan to.”

“AndDisney…have fun at your sleepover,” Parker said mockingly, like he didn’t think it was the greatest idea ever, and we wouldn’t be instituting it at our next away game.

Walker scoffed. “Bye.”

And just like that, the call ended.

Matty exhaled, still scowling. “We’re not snuggling, Jace Thatcher. So don’t get any ideas.”

I shook my head at him. “This is why my ranking system exists. So I can judge you when you’re a negative Nancy.”

Matty groaned and reached for another handful of chips.

“Love you too, bud,” I said, opening my app to make sure that Riley was still at the spa.

Parker smirked and pulled up the camera footage from Casey’s necklace, and I was instantly inspired by him.

I grinned, already scheming on my next gift for Riley. “You know, Parker, sometimes I think you might actually deserve your spot in the rankings.”

“Theper serankings,” Matty added grumbling, and I hummed in agreement, because sometimes it was best to just go along with him.

CHAPTER 35

JACE

Riley was in full panic mode.

I leaned against the counter in our kitchen, sipping my coffee, watching her tear through her bag like a woman possessed. Her hair was slightly messy from sleep, her face adorably scrunched in frustration as she yanked things out and tossed them onto the table.

“Where the hell is it?” she muttered, rifling through her wallet, her keys clattering onto the floor in the process.

“What’s missing, Riley-girl?” I asked, my voice laced with the perfect amount of casual curiosity.

She huffed out a breath, blowing a strand of hair from her face. “My campus ID! I had it yesterday when I swiped in for lunch, and now it’s just…gone.”

I hummed like I was deep in thought. “You sure you didn’t leave it in the bathroom? Or maybe the dining hall?”

“No! I already checked the bathroom, and I know I didn’t leave it in the dining hall because I remember having it when I got back last night.” She turned, eyes narrowing. “Have you seen it?”

I took another sip of coffee, tilting my head as if I were giving the matter serious contemplation. “Can’t say that I have.”

I absolutely had. It was sitting safely in a hidden box next to a few other things of hers I’dcollected, but she didn’t need to know that.

“This is such a pain,” she groaned, rubbing her temples. “I need that ID for everything—food, getting into the library, printing stuff. I guess I’ll have to go to the campus office and get a new one.”

I pushed off the counter, setting my coffee down. “Tell you what, I’ll drive you.”

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