Page 105 of A Pretty Fixation

“Sure.” She retrieves plugs to connect the devicesto her computer, and we proceed to work on the video.

I’m not sure how helpful it will be or if the clubwill even spare a look, but I still want to try for Caleb.

As crappy as I am about my injury, I set thataside for my family and friends. I don’t want to be a dick while they’re doingtheir best to make my birthday a happy one.

“Want to hang out sometime?” Noah asks Scarlettonce we finish our conversation.

She clicks her tongue. “Uh, I have a boyfriend.”

He sidles closer to her, asking in a flirty tone,“Are you happy, though? Just because I’m sixteen and you’re nineteen doesn’tmean I can’t make you happy.”

She huffs and turns to Jordyn. “I’m taking offsince it’s winding down.”

“Okay,” Jordyn tells her. “See you later.”

Scarlett smiles at me. “See you, Caleb. Happybirthday.”

“Thanks for coming.”

She rolls her eyes at Noah when he flashes her asly grin. Like a dog drooling over a juicy bone, he chases her from the yard.“Wait. Want to see my skateboard tricks before you go?”

I shake my head in wonder.

“You know,” Jordyn muffles after finishing theslice of cake, “I’m not a fan of chocolate, but this is delicious.”

“I have something else that’ll be delicious,” Iflirt.

Her brown eyes gleam. “Oh yeah?”

“Mmhm.” I squint at her. “I’ll give it to you whenwe get back to campus.”

She licks chocolate from the corner of her mouthand tells me, “Looking forward to it.”

“Hm.” Settling down, I regard our mothers,bantering happily, and then my dad, showing Mr. Davis the metal design he made.“Seems our parents are getting along.”

“Yeah.” Jordyn glances at them and steers hergorgeous gaze back to me. “They’re like long-time friends.”

“That’s good. It’ll make things easier in thefuture. Don’t you think?”

She angles her head, auburn strands dangling inher back. “What do you mean?”

I smirk and lean in for a kiss on her cheek.“You’ll know in time.”

“Hey, guys,” Dante interjects, Nichole at hisside. It’s nice to see they’re giving a relationship a shot. They seem to begoing well. “Want to shoot pool later?”

I rumble under my breath and shift with thecrutches. “Let me guess. The team’s throwing me a second party.”

Nichole sniffs and gives him anI told you solook.

He hums with regret. “Damn. I’m bad at coveringthings. Yeah, they’re all going to the field tonight. What do you say?”

“Uh…” I look at Jordyn.

Her lips curl into a soft smile. “Up for it?”

“Sure.”

“All right, man.” Dante pats my shoulder. “I’llsee you both in a bit.”