Page 5 of Sneaking Around with the Player
Color stains her cheeks. “Yeah. He said hello and asked how classes were going.”
My twin has had a crush on our brother’s best friend for as long as we’ve known him. I think he might like her too, but they’re both so freaking polite to each other, it’s not likely either is ever going to pick up on it.
“Did he use your name?” I lower my voice and do my best impression of the quiet and broody football player. “Hey, Holly. How are your classes going? I could give you a little one-on-one tutoring if you want.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Oh my gosh. Stop it.” She nudges me with an elbow. “He did not say that. He’d never.”
“But he did use your name, didn’t he?”
She nods slightly.
“He definitely likes you.”
People get us mixed up all the time. It was better in high school because our friends had known us for years, but we’ve only been at Valley U for a few months, and we’re constantly being called by the wrong names. But never Teddy. It’s worth noting he never greets me by name.
As we get closer to the guys, Felix comes forward and hugs me with one arm. “You made it. How was the meet?”
“First place in both my dives.”
He pulls back and lifts a fist for me to bump. “Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
Standing next to me, Holly has gone quiet and stiff. I glance over at the point of her unease. “Hey, Theodore.”
One side of Teddy’s lips quirks up. He has dimples, one of the many things Holly adores about him, and one pops out now. “Hey. Congrats on the meet.”
“Thank you.” I pull Holly a step closer. “How’ve you been?”
The guys go back to tossing washers while we talk, and then Holly and I jump in for the next game. I love watching Teddy and my sister sneak little glances at each other. Holly is generally more timid and shy than me, but Teddy is a popular football player so I haven’t figured out why he hasn’t made a move. Maybe because of Felix? Our brother is pretty protective of us, but Teddy is a great guy.
Two hours later, the party is really going. The backyard is filled with people, more are inside. Holly and I head into the kitchen and find Teddy and Emmett playing video games in the living room, which reminds me of Beau.
“Hey, Stella,” Emmett yells from the couch, but he’s looking at my sister. His gaze darts between us. “Ah shit. One of you, grab me a beer from the fridge?”
“One of us?” I arch a brow.
“I tried.”
“Dude, there’s a keg outside,” Teddy says without looking away from the TV.
“I’m not drinking that crappy light shit,” Emmett replies to him, while giving Holly and me a pouty face with sad, puppy eyes.
Chuckling, I do get him a beer, but then I toss it so it’s good and shaken up. Maybe it’ll spray all over him.
Pulling out my phone, I’m struck with a surprising amount of disappointment that I don’t have any new texts from Beau. I really thought he was into me. Maybe I completely misread hiskindness as something more. Or worse, maybe he was taking pity on me because I was yammering on about my ex. Ugh.
Holly pours us both a drink. “Okay. I’ve waited patiently, played three games of washers, flip cup—which you know I hate.”
“It’s so fun.”
“And stressful. I can’t concentrate with everyone watching me.”
I laugh because it’s such a Holly answer. Always happy to be out of the spotlight.
“Tell me who it is,” she begs.
“Who?”
