Page 22 of I Blame the Club

Turning around to check on the team, I spy half of them running laps while the other half start the next passing drill. I squint, trying to pick out Mo among the orange and black jerseys.

“And remember, you’ve got a whole support system behind you. I’ll be taking you out every weekend and Wes will be making sure only the good guys put their eyes on you. And if you get really desperate, I’m sure Wes’ girlfriend would be more than happy to hangout as well. She didn’t have many friends starting university, either.”

“Trip is the best. We hung out a lot when she came over last Christmas.” Lacey blows out a breath, “I don’t think I’m ready for another boyfriend. Not yet anyway.”

Vulnerability seeps down the line, making me wish that I was rich enough to hire a hitman to take out the prick who did this to her.

“Hey, as long as you have me, you don’t need another man in your life. Right?”

“Damn right.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Good. Now, I’ll see you in a few days and we will tackle any potential roommate problems then. I’m thinking glitter glue should be our first weapon of choice.”

Lacey laughs, “Sounds like a plan. Thanks, Nico.”

“Anytime, mi amor. Love you.”

“Love you too.” She blows a loud raspberry through the phone, and I hang up with a smile.

Turning to rejoin the group, I crash into a brick wall. Letting out a string of expletives, I hunch over as the brick wall crosses his arms.

“If you’re done talking to your boyfriend, practice has resumed.”

A cold gaze meets mine and I stare back at Mo, confused.

My boyfriend?

Tossing the thought aside, I stand up and start limping back to my lawn chair with no offer of an explanation.

Chapter 7

Mo

Anytime, mi amor. Love you.

My grip on the steering wheel tightens as the tail end of Nico’s phone call plays on my mind. I can’t remember the last time I said those words to someone who wasn’t my sister.

Seeing Nico’s face light up when he answered the phone triggered something inside of me. The full-fledged grin and crinkled eyes showed every emotion passing through his body as he spoke to whoever was on the other end of that call.

Happiness. Excitement. Love.

God. Does he have to be so expressive?

Annoyance seeps through me as I turn my attention to the other aggravating issue on hand: Nico Montez won’t get out of my car.

Engine rumbling beneath us, I make a show of looking at my watch.

“In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve arrived.”

Nico ignores me and continues to stare out the window. I grit my teeth and survey the nondescript varsity residence building. The front lawn is perfectly maintained, offering a vibrant green to the dull backdrop of the beige building.

Tapping my fingers impatiently, I clear my throat, “Do us both a favour and don’t strip in my car. You can keep the clothes.”

He looks like he is drowning in those shorts, but I decide not to vocalize that comment.

Nico stays silent, his body completely still. If I couldn’t see the tension in his shoulders, I would think he had fallen asleep.

“Montez.” I wait until he turns to look at me. “You can go home now. I’ll make sure your car is taken care of.”

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