Page 78 of I Blame the Club

He gasps, covering his mouth, “Are you, like, a captain or something?”

“Like totally.”

Wes snorts, his gaze straying back to Trip.

“But I was thinking…”

“Oh no.”

“We should invite Maurice to the next party.”

Wes sighs, “This was the bad idea I was worried about.”

“How is it a bad idea? I’m being inclusive!”

He crosses his arms, giving me the look that says I’m being stupid.

“Be serious, Nico. Can you honestly picture Mo agreeing to attend an ABC party? Let's not forget the fact he despises us.”

I frown, “Despise is a strong word.”

“It’s an accurate one.” Wes runs a hand over his face, “I just don’t want you getting hurt, Nico. No one likes rejection but as someone who has never experienced it…”

I sigh, “It would be catastrophic to my ego. I get it.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Stella pipes in, leaning eagerly across the table. Her petite nose and pink lips are such a contrast to Maurice’s masculine features that it makes me wonder which parent each of the siblings took after.

Wes smirks, “Nico wanted to invite Mo to the ABC party.”

Screw best friends. This man is my new mortal enemy.

Stella tilts her head at me, “You want Mo to come to the party?”

I flap my hands, hoping to steer their attention away from my rising embarrassment.

“Why is this such a big deal? Coaches come to parties all the time.”

Trip frowns, “Do they?”

“Forget I said anything.”

Grabbing my backpack off the ground, I push back my chair and get ready for a quick getaway. I’ve never felt flustered talking about a guy before, but somehow this conversation has turned me into a blushing pre-teen girl.

Time to abort mission.

“I think that’s a great idea.” Stella’s excited voice halts my escape route, my body hovering above my chair as her big blue eyes meet mine, “Mo needs to get out more. All he does is work, workout, and fool around.”

I mean, the man does all three really well.

Accepting my fate, I sit my ass back down, “Wes is right though, there is no way Maurice would agree to attend. He’s a seriously hot stick in the mud.”

Stella hums, twisting a long strand of hair around her finger, “Gross but you aren’t wrong. Leave my brother to me, I’ll think on it and work my magic.”

Wes draws a cross on his chest, “That man is in my prayers.”

Trip laughs but I shudder in agreement. If there’s one thing the O’Brien siblings have in common, it’s no matter the cost, they always achieve their goals.

Chapter 22

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