Page 91 of The Hookup Situation
He leans closer, and I think he’s going to kiss me when an angry voice cuts through the moment.
“I don’t give a shit about Kendall!” Patterson storms past us, phone pressed to his ear, pacing near the tree line. “No, she’s Satan. If she’s there, I won’t be! I don’t care if I have to play. I don’t want her at any of my games. I don’t want to be anywhere near her. Not after what she did to Jameson.”
He sees us, waves apologetically, but keeps pacing.
“Addison, you just don’t get it—” His voice fades as he moves farther away.
“Who’s Kendall?” I ask, noticing Patterson is worked up.
“She’s his brother’s ex-fiancée,” Nick explains, pulling me back against him. “His sister, Addison, just moved back to the city and has been hanging out with Kendall every weekend. They’re basically inseparable.”
“Sounds like drama.”
“Oh, it is. Patterson and Kendall have this weird hate thing. They can’t be in the same room together. It’s been going on for about five years.”
“So, lots of unresolved sexual tension.”
Nick laughs, his chest rumbling against my back. “Don’t let him hear you say that—ever. He’ll lose his shit and crash out.”
“You know what they say when a man doth protest too much …”
“What’s that?”
“He wants insideth her panties.”
Nick’s still laughing when Harper appears.
“Cake time, soulmates! I’ve been told to grab everyone.”
We ignore the nickname, but we get up.
Patterson continues to argue in the shadows as we head inside. It makes me wonder what the real story is.
“Oh, Kendall is also our coach’s daughter and about seven years younger than him,” he whispers in my ear.
“Oh, damn. Thisisjuicy drama.”
“Or is it moist?” He chuckles.
“Ew, don’t ever say that again,” I tell him as he opens the door for me.
Once we’re back inside, we gather around the table as we sing “Happy Birthday.” Zane and Autumn are wearing their Pumpkin King and Queen crowns, which I’m sure was one hundred percentheridea. The chocolate cakes Harper brought are arranged beautifully on the counter. They’re so pretty that they almost shouldn’t be eaten. Autumn whispers something in Zane’s ear that makes him grin wickedly.
Nick feeds me a bite of cake, and then he leans forward, kissing icing off my lips. It’s not performative. I hum against him.
When he pulls away, he stiffens in front of me.
“Mom?” He stands a little straighter. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Surprise!” she says.
My stomach drops. Hismother. I’m meeting his mother, and her first impression is that my mouth was locked with her son’s. Not to mention, I’m slightly drunk on purple punch.
“Ambrose wanted to see Zane. A little birdie named Asher told me you were in town, and I wanted to see you. I’ve been worried about you, Nicky, but it seems like you’re doing fine.”
“I am, Mom. I’m doing great. Oh, I want you to meet Julie.”
Her smile is exactly like Nick’s, and I can tell she doesn’t missdetails by the way she’s studying me. She’s elegant in a way that makes me very aware of my flushed cheeks and messy hair.
