Page 79 of Don't Puck the Wrong Brother

"Hey, campus has eyes everywhere," he shrugs. "If you didn't want people knowing, maybe don't make out with her in broad daylight."

Is he talking about how I kissed Hannah goodbye in the hallway outside of her dorm? Hell, news travels fast.

"It wasn't broad daylight," I correct him. "And it was just a goodbye kiss."

"A goodbye kiss," Peterson mocks from three lockers down. "Like the goodbye kiss Cory's mom gave me last night?"

"Fuck you, Pete," Cory shoots back, launching a sweat-soaked sock at Peterson's head. It misses, hitting Rodriguez instead, who retaliates with a spray of deodorant.

"Children, please," I say, channeling Coach's exasperated tone. "If you shut up for five seconds, I'll tell you what's actually happening."

That gets their attention. The guys gather around like it's story time at kindergarten, half-dressed and fully invested in my love life.

"We kissed," I say, keeping it vague.

"No shit," Miller rolls his eyes. "The real question is: how serious is it? Because you nearly broke your brother's face over this girl, and I'm wondering if she's worth the family drama."

Something in my expression must change, because Miller backs off slightly. "No offense, man. Just concerned."

"She's worth it," I say simply.

"Have you talked to Cade since the fight?" Rodriguez asks, uncomfortably direct as always.

"No." I focus on removing my shin guards, avoiding eye contact. "He's not exactly taking my calls."Not that I’ve called him.

"Can't blame him," Peterson mutters.

I shoot him a look, and he raises his hands in surrender. "Just saying, if my brother hooked up with my girlfriend—"

"Ex-girlfriend," I correct.

"—I'd be pissed too," he finishes. "How are you going to handle it? That’s your brother."

I sigh, running a hand through my sweat-dampened hair. "I don't know yet. First, I need to figure out if Hannah's all in. No point in continuing to ruin my relationship with Cade if she's not serious."

"Dude, you guys kissed?" Cory points out helpfully. "That seems pretty 'all in' to me."

"It's complicated," I say, knowing how lame it sounds. "She's the overthinking type. Gets in her own head. One minute she's kissing me like she can't get enough, the next she's talking about 'taking it slow' and 'being careful.'"

"Ah," Miller nods sagely. "The hot and cold routine. Classic."

"She's just cautious. And she has every right to be, given how we started."

The guys exchange glances.

"Well, there's one way to find out where her head's at," Peterson says, grabbing his phone from his locker. "Text her. Right now."

"Now?" I'm halfway to the showers, towel around my waist. "I'm not ready to start poking her with questions."

"But you wanna poke her, don’t you?" Rodriguez grins.

"Come on," I laugh.

"Shower," Cory suggests, as if it's the most brilliant idea. "Then text her."

I roll my eyes but head to the showers anyway. Ten minutes later, clean and somewhat less exhausted, I return to find the guys still lingering, clearly waiting for this to unfold.

"Don't you all have places to be?" I ask, pulling on jeans and a clean t-shirt.

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