Page 95 of Play For Me

Si laughs, but he hugs me a little tighter before releasing me. “Okay, enough of the sap. I have to go out and pretend to be a rock star in a few minutes, I don’t need to be getting all weepy with my baby sister.” His gaze catches behind me and he grins, holding out a hand. “Hey, man. I’m Silas.”

I move out of the way so Sol can shake his hand. He’s looking nervous again, but Silas eases that pretty quickly. “You’re brave, showing up in the middle of this mad house,” he laughs. “Let me know if you need a place to hide.”

“Everyone has been really friendly,” Sol says, and Silas laughs some more.

“Let me guess, Aunt Paige tried to get your address so she could send you a care package.”

Sol smiles a little ruefully. “It was my phone number, actually.”

“Seriously?” I bark out. How had I missed that?

“It’s no big deal,” Sol assures me. I’m sure he’s more weirded out by it then he’s letting on. On the other hand, he does seem more relaxed than he has so far tonight.

“I hear you’re helping Ceece with her injury,” Silas says.

“Sol is the best student in the athletic training program,” I tell him, well aware that I sound like I’m bragging. But it’s hard not to, when the guy I’m crazy about is this smart and amazing. “They’re letting him do grad level work as a senior and get his master’s degree a year early.”

“Damn,” Silas says, looking suitably impressed, and Solomon shifts next to me, probably uncomfortable with the praise.

“He played soccer before college,” I go on, nudging my brother. “Midfielder, like you.”

Silas’s face lights up and we start talking about soccer. I mostly keep quiet—totally not my usual MO when the conversation switches to the world’s best sport, but I want them to have a chance to get to know each other. And Solomon seems easy with Si in a way he hasn’t been with anyone else we’ve talked to tonight.

Until my two oldest brothers have to come and ruin it.

“Well, if it isn’t our little sister,” Will says, slinging an arm over Silas’s shoulder. “Eva said she saw you over here but I told her she must be mistaken. No way would CeCe be in this room for half an hour and not come over to say hi.”

I roll my eyes as Wyatt laughs next to him. They both move in to hug me and I feel a little ashamed of myself when I realize that I wish they wouldn’t have come at all. Since when do I wish my own brothers away?

“This the guy?” Will asks, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he looks at Solomon, and just like that, any guilt I felt rushes away.

“Will,” I warn, voice tight. He doesn’t pay me any attention. He just stands there staring at Sol, Wyatt at his side in almost the exact same posture, both of them somehow looking even taller and broader than usual.

My brothers have never been the overprotective sort. They didn’t need to be. Their little sister certainly wasn’t one to take shit from anyone, and they taught me at a very young age how to take care of myself. So why the hell are they suddenly acting like I need a pair of idiot bodyguards?

“This is Solomon,” I say through gritted teeth. “He’s been helping me with my?—”

“Your injury,” Will cuts me off, not taking his eyes off my date. “Yeah, that’s what Vega said.”

So it was Vega who told everyone my business. Well, I’m going to be hiding all her favorite shoes when I get home. Or maybe I’ll put her cosmetics in the freezer so she has to go without her skincare routine in the morning. That would really piss her off.

“Sounds a little off to me,” Will goes on. “I would have thought there were rules about not dating the athletes you’re supposed to be training.”

“Will,” I snap, looking to Wyatt for help. But he’s also looking at Sol with mistrust. I throw a desperate glance to Silas, and he, thankfully, grips our older brother by the shoulder.

“I go on stage soon and I want you to look at my guitar first. The bridge is rattling and I can’t figure out why.” Will doesn’t move, and Silas tugs on him. “Seriously, man, I could use your help.”

For a second, I think Will isn’t going to go with him. He just keeps staring at Solomon like he’s done something wrong. I think I see Silas dig his fingers in a little tighter and Will finally shakes his head, abandoning the stare down, and turning to Si. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Not sure. That’s why I need your help, dumbass. You too.” Silas grabs Wyatt. “Come on.”

“I don’t play guitar,” he argues. “And we barely even said hello to Ceece.”

Si snorts. “Pretty sure she’s about to kick you in the nuts,” he mutters, pushing on Wyatt’s back. He turns to wink at me over his shoulder. “Grandma is letting us use the bar for the after-party. No parents allowed.” He nods at Sol. “Hope to see you there, man.”

I’m pretty sure Solomon will never want to be anywhere near one of my family members again. I deflate as they walk away, embarrassment rushing through me. I can’t believe Will was thatopenly rude. And Wyatt, who’s supposed to be the grown up of our family, just stood there and didn’t say a word.

I’m surprised when Sol’s arms wrap around my middle from behind, but I melt back into him all the same. “I don’t think your older brother likes me much,” he says easily.