Page 124 of Return Policy
“Oh, Theoooo!” I call out, turning away, and Elijah grabs my chin, forcing my attention to him. His jaw is clenched as a wry smile plays on his lips. “Yeah, yeah… I’ll be agoodgirl.”
He presses a kiss against my smiling mouth. “Be right back, my naughty little ho.”
Laughing, I make my way to the couch, where Charlie and Sage are engaged in a heated debate about if pineapple belongs on pizza.
“It’s afruit!” Sage argues.
“I’m gonna have to agree,” I say, adding my opinion as Sage scoots over, making room for me to sit between her and Charlie. “Only vegetables belong on pizza.”
“Tomatoesare a fruit,” Charlie counters, raising her dark brows.
“Debatable,” Sage and I chime in unison.
“Anyways…” Charlie says, obviously ready to change the topic. “I’m ninety-nine percent sure we’re making a bowl game, and you guyshaveto come.”
“I’m down,” Sage replies easily without a second thought.
“Shouldn’t we wait to see where it–—”
“Girl.” Sage cuts me off. “Wherever it is, it’ll be fun as shit to go to an out-of-state game. Charliehasto go for cheer. Your boyfriend is QB2, and I’m fucking the center. So Sophia motherfucking Summers, I don’t care if they’re playing in Alaska, we are going to this goddamn game.”
“Dang, Sage.” I laugh. “When did you become the team’s biggest cheerleader?”
“It’s an excuse to see theworld, Joey,” Sage says pointedly. “Come on… please? Let’s be spontaneous.”
I roll my eyes in mock annoyance. “Fine. We’ll go to the stupid game.”
An hour later, everyone gathers around the TV, waiting for the bowl game announcement. I’m in Elijah’s lap on the couch as he grips my thigh, nails digging into the skin.
I lean back, finding his ear. “I’m not a stress ball, baby.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He releases his grip immediately. “Don’t worry… I’ll kiss it better later.”
I shake my head, laughing as someone hushes us, turning up the TV. The room is silent as the broadcast comes through.
“And in Glendale, Arizona, on December 31st, Andrews University will play Crystal Bay University in the Desert Bowl.”
The entire room jumps up, screaming, clapping hands, hugging, and cheering. Elijah and I stay stone still as our eyes lock, my heart falling to the floor before running out the door to be run over by the nearest car.
I swallow hard, then muster out, “You have to play Seth.”
He nods his head, jaw clenching. “Yep.”
And what should be a celebration of my man getting to play a bowl game turns into me trying to figure out how I’m going to gain the courage to go to the damn thing. There’s no way I can back out. Sage would never let me hear the end of it.
Looks like my boyfriend and batshit crazy ex will be battling it out on the turf as my anxious body threatens to blow like a roman candle.
Happy fucking New Year.
36
ELIJAH
“Arizona is way better than playing somewhere cold as tits,” Theo says just as Sophia returns with another drink for me.I’ve honestly lost count of how many I’ve downed at this point.
“Thanks, darlin’,” I say with a wide smile, taking it from her hands before chugging the whiskey ginger in one shot.
“Damn, baby,” Sophia says, laughing. “Slow down.”
