Page 38 of Play Maker

Noah was true to his word and had cleared out the closet and dresser for me to use. I didn’t know where he put his stuff, and I didn’t ask. Shaw got me new sheets as a welcome home present—his words—since I certainly didn’t have any that would fit Noah’s king-size bed.

Adam ordered pizza from Johnny’s, and everyone stayed to watch a movie. My first official movie night with the group. The entire experience felt surreal for being so normal. When everyone piled onto the couches and Adam hooked an arm around me, I didn’t even need to be on the end.

I couldn’t help missing Eva a little, but for the first night at least, I didn’t regret my decision one bit.

By morning, my brain had helpfully supplied several reasons why I should be wary. The first of which was realizing I needed to tell Eva I’d moved in across the hall. She may have been gone for the summer, but no one doubted she’d be back by fall to resume her spot as the queen of campus.

I had no idea where I’d be at that point. Hopefully, in a place nearby I could afford with my mom’s stipend, but I had no promising avenues. My last year of college was turning out to be surprisingly haphazard.

Noah’s room was darker than mine in the morning, so it was tempting to go back to sleep and pretend I wasn’t gearing up for a potentially dramatic phone call. I’d never been the type to hide from adversity though.

I grabbed my phone and my glasses, wondering if anyone was still in the apartment besides me. How much more awkward would the conversation be if Shaw or Adam walked into my room while I was explaining my entirely platonic presence?

Were random bedroom visits from super attractive athletes something I’d have to steel myself against? I squinted at the door, relieved to see a flimsy lock on the knob.

Most likely, I wouldn’t have to worry about privacy, and I knew from experience Adam liked to run in the morning. I listened for a few seconds, only hearing silence. They probably had training too, and I had class, eventually.

The one where Shad and Adam squared off outside my classroom several times a week in a barely disguised show of dominance. I didn’t understand men. Eva would probably have some insight. I sighed. Enough procrastinating. She deserved to know, and I didn’t have a good reason for putting off the call any longer.

Eva picked up right away, which meant she wasn’t busy. “Hey there, new bestie. Changed your mind and decided to join me on the beach yet?”

I chuckled and relaxed immediately. “No, but I have some news from Addison.”

“If you’re talking about your new living arrangements, I already know.”

My mouth dropped open and my mind whirled. “How? I just moved in last night. Everything happened in one day.”

She tsked. “Chloe called me literally the second she heard. I could hear Mac bellowing outside her apartment.”

I pulled my glasses down and rubbed the spot between my eyes. “I should have realized.”

“Yes, you should have, but I’ll forgive you if you tell me how Mac’s doing.”

Adam was exactly the topic Ididn’twant to discuss. “Can’t you use your spy network to ascertain his emotional wellbeing?”

“Ooo, I hit a nerve about something. You always start using thesaurus words when you’re uncomfortable. Did Mac make an ass of himself?”

I made note of the habit and frowned at her intrigued tone. Time for a distraction unless I wanted her to suss out all the issues I wasn’t ready to discuss yet.

“How about if I tell you about my mom’s big news?”

“Oh yes, spill the tea on Mama Caldwell. I heard there are wedding bells in the future, but Archer Bolme is still considered single. What am I missing?”

“She’s marrying the guy she started seeing after Archer.”

“The one with the asshole son?”

If I rubbed my forehead any harder, I was going to leave bruises. I’d told her about the experience of meeting Shad for the first time, and apparently, it had made an impression.

“Yes. Her fiancé, Rob, is a prominent businessman in Dallas, and his son works at his company. I’m in the wedding, and they want me to show up for several high-profile events.”

In true Eva form, she figured out the cause of my anxiety before I had to explain it. “Oh honey, are you nervous about your social skills?”

“I wasn’t until they sat me down and told me Shad would be picking my date.”

“Oh, hell no.” I could hear the temper in her tone, and I wondered how much it would take to get her to come back and defend my honor herself. “I know you didn’t take that shit lying down. If you didn’t advocate for yourself, I’m happy to come up there and do it for you.”

Not much, apparently. Eva was a born protector.

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