Page 30 of Tempting the Goalie
Izzy laughs.
Briar moves to stand too, but Izzy tells her to stay seated and shakes her hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” Izzy says to her.
“We didn’t know Luc had friends who are girls,” Aaron teases.
“Shut up,” I say, giving him a warning look. “Izzy and I grew up together. We practically lived next door to each other.”
“That’s so sweet,” Briar says, and her eyes drop to my hand holding Izzy’s. “Were you guys secretly in love the whole time?”
“Briar,” Aaron chides.
“What? It’s like a romance novel. Falling in love with the boy next door,” Briar explains.
Izzy looks up to me and I get this awkward feeling in my gut because Briar isn’t wrong.
“It wasn’t like that,” Izzy says.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to get personal. We should probably become friends first. Do you guys want to watch a movie with us?” Briar offers.
“Um, I’m going to show Izzy my room. She hasn’t been here before,” I say.
“Isn’t that moving a little too fast?” Aaron jokes.
“That’s funny coming from you.” I laugh.
We all break out into laughter since Aaron and Briar are having a baby, and they haven’t been together that long.
“It was nice meeting you both,” Izzy says to Aaron and Briar.
“You too,” they answer almost in unison.
I guide Izzy upstairs, still holding her hand, as we make our way to my room, but before we get to my room we bump into Macklin.
“What’s up?” he asks, watching me strangely. I’ve always had a rule about not bringing chicks back to my room. When I hook up with someone, it is always on their territory not mine. My room is a private space, and I like to be able to leave when I want and not have someone waiting in my bed.
“Not much,” I answer. “This is Izzy. My friend from back home.”
Macklin’s gaze drops to my hand around Izzy’s and his right brow quirks. He isn’t going to drop this. I can tell.
“Is this your first time visiting?” he asks Izzy.
“No, I’m a student at Riverside,” Izzy replies.
“You just started this semester?” he asks.
“I’m a junior,” she replies.
“What’s with all the questions, bro?” I ask.
“Why haven’t we ever met your friend from back home?” Macklin continues.
“Because you were all a bunch of single assholes and Izzy’s my best friend,” I retort.
“You have a best friend who’s a girl?” Macklin’s eyes bug out of his head.
“Okay, see you later,” I say to Macklin to shut him up. He starts laughing so hard his shoulders move up and down. I guide Izzy to my room.
“We aren’t done here, Chabot. I’m seeing you in a new light,” he shouts after us.
