Page 66 of The Game Plan

“Will he be back in time for the Delta party?” Lex asks.

“He’s not big on the party scene.” I wince. It sounds like a total cop out. I’m not purposefully trying to hide him from my friends. “I’ll see if he wants to come.”

“We’ve barely seen you this week,” Lex says. “We should do a girls’ night tonight.”

My stomach flips. For this crowd, that usually means getting dressed up and hitting up any party we can find. I’m not in the partying mood.

“Leesh wants to go to the Gamma party,” she adds. “Or there’s a party with the swim team.”

“Yeah, how’s that going? Make any progress with Lover Boy?”

Lex has a crush on one of the swimmers. He’s cute, he’s fit, and he’s not an asshole, which is like the holy trifecta of college boys.

“He knows I exist,” she says, and she doesn’t sound happy about it. She punches the button on the blender with far more force than is necessary. I’m treated to the whir of the blender blades as she pulverizes her smoothie.

“Going that well?”

She sighs. “I’m in hell. This is fine. Everything is fine.”

“Maybe we should do a girls’ night in,” I suggest carefully. “We haven’t spent time, just us, in a while. We can break into that bottle of vodka and watch 90’s movies. I’ll even let you paint my nails.”

I hate having my nails painted. The smell of the polish gives me a headache, and when it starts chipping ten minutes later, I have the urge to pick all of it off. But I know she loves it, and more than that, she loves giving other people manicures. For her, I can tolerate it for a few hours.

Lex considers. “And then go to the swim party?”

I laugh. “Yeah, and then I’ll wingwoman for you at the party.”

She beams at me. “Thanks, Sam. It’s a plan.”

I crawl into my cold bed. It feels so empty without Miles’ warm body beside me. It’s been nice, staying with him the last few nights. I definitely didn’t anticipate everything unfolding this way, but I have no regrets. I like him. He makes me happy. Sometimes that’s all that matters.

Even though it’s Friday and I have nowhere to be until practice at noon, I get up at eight and arrive at the dining hall by eight-thirty to have breakfast with the guys.

I like eating with them. I like spending time with them, all of them, including Wes and his book and Tucker and his phone and Greg and his moods. Barrett and Amir are all right; they don’t talk much.

Miles greets me with a kiss like we’ve been separated for two weeks instead of two hours. I love his enthusiasm. For a guy that claims to have no experience, he’s really nailing this dating thing. That homemade dinner was the nicest thing a guy has ever done for me. Especially a college guy.

Greg steals a slice of bacon off my plate, even though he has at least three slices on his. Jerk.

“You going to be okay tonight?”

I blink at him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Without your teddy bear there?”

Greg nods to Miles, who flushes on cue, but looks inordinately pleased with himself at the same time.

“You’re such an asshole,” I tell him. “It’s one night. I’ve slept alone before, I do it almost every night. I think I’ll survive.”

“Don’t think I’ll be taking your place.” He nods to Miles. “We’re roommates. I won’t cuddle with him, though.”

“Fuck you,” Miles says, and I laugh. He doesn’t drop f-bombs left and right, so when he does, it matters. They’re usually reserved for his buddies when they’re being idiots. “It’s just one night.”

That reminds me…

“How do you feel about going to the Delta party tomorrow when you get back?” He can’t quite hide his expression fast enough. “I know, you don’t drink and don’t like parties. Just for a little bit. I want you to meet my friends.”

He musters up a smile, clearly forcing it. “Yeah, sounds like fun.”

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