Page 105 of Most Valuable Players
“All right, well I won’t keep you. Chloe and I are headed to the beach. Stay out of trouble.”
I groan and tilt my head back.
With a chuckle, Nathan says, “I’m proud of you, but what kind of big bro would I be if I didn’t remind you not to screw up? You’ve got more than ever on the line.”
“Oh, I don’t know, the cool kind maybe?”
“Have fun. I’ll call you next week. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, and call Mom. She said she hasn’t heard from you in two weeks.”
“Been busy.”
“Mhmm, weak excuse. Later, Heath.”
“Bye, Heath,” Chloe says in the background.
“Bye, guys, talk to you later.”
4
GINNY
Trent arrives late Friday afternoon and Ava is brimming with excitement. She introduces me and then recaps a list of facts about the guy. Facts she’s already told me several times. I feel like I know him better than I know Ava at this point; she’s told methat muchabout him. Maybe a little too much.
“I’m going to show him around campus and then we’re going to the football game. Do you want to come with us?” She’s practically beaming with happiness and I have a twinge of sadness that this could be me and Bryan if he weren’t in freaking Idaho.
She leans into his side and Trent wraps an arm around her waist. His fingers slip under the hem of her T-shirt and he kisses her forehead.
It’s obvious how much they’ve missed one another by the touchy-feely display in front of me, and I’m starting to understand just how imperative it is I get the hell out of here. I haven’t even been able to bring myself to watch porn since Bryan broke up with me. I certainly can’t handle a full-on romantic display with a side of orgasms.
“No, thanks. You two enjoy. My brother is having people over, so I’m going to go hang with them. You two will have the place all to yourself tonight. It was really nice to meet you, Trent.”
I shower and get ready, hesitant to head over to Adam’s before the party gets going. I appreciate that he always looks out for me, but I want to find my own friends at Valley, too, and if I run over there every time I need an escape, I’m going to spend the next year as Adam Scott’s little sister instead of Ginny Scott. So tonight, I need to find some friends.
I text Adam to make sure he’s there before driving over.
Adam: Yep. Just hanging out at the house. You coming over? I warned the guys to be on their best behavior.
Me: Yes, but please don’t make it weird. I know you and your friends are disgusting. You don’t need to warn them like I’m some sort of delicate flower.
I ignorethe rest of his messages that pop up, telling me he’s only looking out for me or whatever. Having an older, overbearing brother is a real pain sometimes.
The apartment is easy enough to find and I carry my backpack with a change of clothes and toothbrush up to the second-floor door and knock.
“You must be Little Scott.” A guy with a shit ton of tattoos on full display thanks to his bare chest greets me with a goofy smile. “I’m Johnny Maverick.”
“Ginny.”
He pulls the door wide and I enter. A bunch of guys I don’t recognize are standing around the apartment. For real, it’s like I just entered the men’s locker room with the way they all stop what they’re doing and stare at me.
Adam’s head pops up from the kitchen and he hustles forward. “Did you find it okay?”
“Yeah. I have this thing called maps on my phone.”
I spot Rhett in the living room and he lifts a controller in greeting. “Hey, Ginny. Good to see you again.”
I wave awkwardly. They’re all still staring.
Adam shuts the door and I follow him into the living room. He points to the guy who answered the door. “You met Maverick. Ignore any and everything he says.”
