Page 61 of Play It Off

“ESPN” is my answer.

“Well, whatever the hell that means, forget about it. I need your help.” He inclines his head. “Come on.”

I haul myself off the couch and follow him, hoping whatever task he needs my assistance with will distract me enough that I forget everything and relax. I’m almost desperate with the need to have a good time tonight. Whether or not that involves Sienna is up to her. I’m not about to push myself on her.

Even though she seems to like it.

“Ever wants these lights strung up here,” Nico says once he’s outside, pointing at the top of the patio’s overhang. There’s already a stepladder set up, the package of opened lights sitting on the top step. “Will you help me?”

“Sure. Anything for your girl, right?” I’m teasing, and Nico doesn’t even react, which is hella disappointing. Though I suppose I should lay off. Why poke the bear?

Working together, we string the lights along the edge of the overhang, and I run an extension cord down one of the pillars and plug it into the outlet nearby. The lights come on, and Nico hops off the stepladder, admiring his work. “Looks good. Thanks, bro.”

“You’re welcome.” I scan the area, taking everything in. “Backyard looks great.”

There are chairs set up and a couple of tables. A keg is in the far corner of the yard, and there’s even one of those outdoor firepits in the center of the yard, a stack of wood sitting next to it.

“It’s all thanks to Dollar. He set up most of it,” Nico explains.

“Coop around?” I keep my voice casual. We’ve never mentioned Sienna to each other since the big reveal, and it’s making me anxious.Like the unspoken elephant in the room that just grows bigger and bigger every time we’re around each other.

“Yeah, he’s here. Sienna is too. She’s with Ever in her room. They’re getting ready for the party.” Nico grins.

I scowl. Guess it’s his turn to give me shit.

I think of what happened last night before I went over to Sienna’s apartment, and a horrible feeling washes over me. No, she wouldn’t ... would she? Though if she’s in the mood to provoke me, that would be one way to do it.

“Do you know if she’s bringing a ... date?” I think of the wimp we all met last night. Ryan? No, his name is a variation of Ryan, but I can’t remember it. And that’s because I don’t really care enough to remember it.

Fuck that guy. He doesn’t stand a chance. Can he make Sienna come like I do? I’d guess not.

“Who? Everleigh?” Nico’s fierce tone reeks of jealousy.

“No, dumbass. Sienna.”

“I doubt it, but you never know. We didn’t tell that guy she was with about the party. But I have no idea if Sienna invited him here or not. She might’ve.”

My stupid heart is crushed into a thousand tiny little pieces at the thought of that asshole showing up here and hanging out with Sienna all night. I stand up straighter, pretending I am just fine. “Cool.”

“You can admit to me if you’re into her, Gav. I’m not her brother. I won’t kick your ass for having thoughts of defiling Sienna,” Nico reminds me, and I duck my head. Hating that Nico knows me so well.

You’d think Coop would know me just as well, considering the three of us have spent plenty of time together over the years, but then again, Coop is not one to share his feelings. Some would call him emotionless, but I think it’s more that he keeps it all locked up tight. And when he explodes?

Watch the hell out.

“I don’t know how I feel about her,” I finally say, which is a lie. I know I want to have sex with her again. I want to make her smile and hear her laugh and watch her come apart in my arms. I like talking to her. I like it when she tells me things that she doesn’t say to anyone else. It shows that she trusts me, and I want to keep earning that trust, but shit.

I don’t know how to come clean about us with everyone else. Her brother and the team and the fans and the general public. I’m a Santa Mira celebrity, and I’ve seen what happens when some of my teammates get steady girlfriends. People on social media turn into stalkers, reporting on our every move. Following us wherever we go. And if they found out it was Sienna, who’s already tied to us? They’d go wild.

That sounds like a lot of extra drama I don’t have time to deal with.

Nico shakes his head at my answer, his disappointment clear. “Come on, Gavin. I think you’re totally into her. You’ve been totally into her for years, yet you pretend you don’t have a single clue about the fact that she feels the same way. The oblivious act has been working for you, and for whatever dumb reason, Sienna seems to fall for it, but I’m not letting you off the hook anymore. You need to do something about that girl. Either go all in or cut her off completely,” Nico says, his tone firm.

“You been talking to Ever lately or what?” I scratch the back of my neck, hating how uncomfortable I feel at talking about Sienna. Maybe I shouldn’t have come to this party. It’s been unpleasant since the moment I set foot in the house.

Nico grimaces. “No. I’m just tired of watching you two pretend you don’t have feelings for each other, when those feelings practically fill up the room to the point of suffocation every damn time that you’re together.”

“That’s a pretty—descriptive way to put it.” I’m still scrubbing the back of my neck. Something I do when I get anxious, and the moment the realization hits, I drop my hand.

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