Page 13 of Our Final Game

I hate that my dad does this to him. To us. Max always ends up feeling like shit that he uses him against me. But it’s not his fault. And I don’t ever want him to think it is. I don’t even want him to think about any of this. He should be studying, having fun, and having little crushes on my co-worker, I guess.

“Don’t worry about it, Max, I have a plan,” I reassure him. “Just go to class and keep your grades up.”

“Okay, but seriously … I…” Max starts, “It’s okay,” I say firmly this time.

“Alright, alright.” He smiles, going back to his seat next to Carter.

I sit down on the sectional, Roman flopping down next to me, draping his arm behind my head.

“Do you think Zayne will come out tonight?”

“Why would he? They lost,” I ask, pinching my brows.

“I don’t know, sometimes he comes here to let loose, I guess.” Roman smirks.

“Wait, is that why you brought us here?” Mikah laughs.

“You’re a grade-A stalker, dude,” Remi joins in, nudging Roman’s shoulder.

“I’m not. I swear to God it’s a coincidence if he shows up.”

“You’re a horrible liar,” I say, rolling my eyes.

Roman has been fostering a wild and delusional crush on Rohan’s team leader for a while now, but Zayne hasn’t been biting. And Roman, who usually never has much trouble in that department, has been chasing him like a fucking dog with a bone.

“Hey, I know you’re not talking. You only say more than five words when Rohan is around or brought up.” Roman laughs.

“That’s a questionable observation,” I reply.

“Nah, he’s right. Your pupils literally dilate when he comes around.” Mikah chuckles.

“Also, don’t you go to all his matches?” Max chirps, and I snap my head toward him. Why the fuck does he know that?

“Not all of them,” I say, narrowing my eyes at him. “And it’s just to keep up with competition.”

“Ah, right, our champ. Always ahead of the game,” Mikah says.

They’re always so convinced there’s more to me and Rohan’s rivalry than there actually is. First off, sure, Rohan is something nice to look at, but he fucking hates my guts, so there’s definitely nothing there. But mostly, there’s only one boy on my mind right now. And I’d rather be heading to my apartment to get a few hours in with him.

“Carter, do you wanna dance?” I hear Max whisper into Carter’s ear next to me. And I know he’s trying to hold back a grin. He gives him a small nod before making eye contact with me. I roll my eyes, watching him get dragged away into the sea of bodies.

“Ty!” I look up to find one of my usual hookups, waving at me, coming over to our section. “Hey, how you been?” I nod toward him.

“I’ve been great. I missed you,” he drawls.

I hum instead of returning the verbal affection because I hate saying shit I don’t actually mean.

“So, are you free tonight?” He asks, his hand slowly rubbing my exposed arm.

“I’m not, sorry, Riley,” I say, as nicely as I can, but I can see him flinch. “Oh, okay, that’s fine. Maybe another time?”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Alright, well, I’ll see you,” he says before swiftly turning and heading back into the crowd.

“I thought you liked him?” Roman laughs.

“I do.”