Page 54 of Trick Play
My continued silence seems to be all the answer she needs, because she nods like she understands completely. “Well, just let me know if you ever need any help knocking sense into him. He can be a big dummy sometimes, and he’s not the most observant about things he doesn’t think impact him.”
I sputter a little, choking on my laughter, and she grins at me. But the bathroom door opens, revealing a pretty girl I’ve seen around but haven’t talked to. She smiles at us both. “Dish session in the hallway?”
Ellie giggles. “Something like that.”
And I slip into the bathroom before it can go any farther. I don’t really need to dish about Cal in the hallway. Especially not with his sister. I like Ellie well enough, but that’s just awkward. Even if she weren’t related to Cal, we don’t know each other that well. And dishing with friends feels strange when it’s not with Shelby, my roommate from SCU. She was the one I always dished with about Brent, and I haven’t tried to cultivate the kind of relationship we had with anyone at Marycliff. I should call her, actually. Especially since I’m on break and have all this free time. Frowning, I realize it’s been weeks since we’ve spoken at all, and then it was just when I texted a meme I saw that made me laugh.
I finish up in the bathroom, my mood sour now that I’ve realized how far apart I’ve grown from my best friend. We spent so much time together last year, and now …
Now I’m a thousand miles away wrapped up in an overloaded class schedule, tons of homework, and a hot football player who monopolizes the small amount of free time I’ve allowed myself.
But if she’s not reaching out to me either, I guess there’s not much I can do but call her and do my best to stay in touch. And let the friendship go if it’s clear she’s not interested.
Maybe I should make more of an effort to get to know people here. Dani’s great, but extending my network of friends would make the next few years less painful. Especially if I can’t keep up my current class schedule.
When I open the bathroom door, Ellie’s still waiting in the hall. She looks up from her phone with a smile. Then she thrusts her phone into my hands. “Here. Type in your number. We can hang out while the guys are away or something. And …” Glancing behind her, she leans in close and lowers her voice. “I know what it’s like when your brother isn’t enthusiastic about who you’re dating, so if you ever want to talk …” She looks pointedly at her phone, and with my recent thoughts about making more of an effort to make friends swirling in my head, I quickly type my number in the open contacts screen.
“I know it’s not exactly the same situation,” she continues when I hand her phone back to her. After she taps on the screen a few times, my phone alerts in my back pocket. “There.” Another big smile. “Now you have my number. Like I was saying, our situations aren’t identical. For one thing, our brothers don’t seem to get along like, at all. Whereas Cal was just mad I was dating one of his friends. He never wanted me around anyway, and it seems like your brother actually likes you and vice versa.” Her cheeks turn pink again, and she waves a hand like she’s swatting away a swarm of gnats. “Sorry. I’m babbling. Just …” Her dark eyes find mine, earnest and sincere. “Seriously. Text me. Let’s do something.”
I give her a reassuring grin. “I will. Are you going to be here all week?”
Her shoulders slump. “No. I’m going home tomorrow. My mom insists I have to be there for Thanksgiving. She says at least one of her children has to come, and it’s not like I’ll be doing anything here. Staying with Cal and Simon for a few days was only barely okay.” She brightens, heading into the bathroom. “But I’ll be around for a lot of Christmas break. Your parents live in town, right?” At my nod, she beams. “Great. We’ll find time to get together. Ooh! Maybe we can have like a double date at Cal and Simon’s! That would be so fun. But we’ll talk about that later, because I seriously have to pee.”
She closes the door on my laughter, and I turn back to the living room, feeling lighter than I did a few minutes ago. When I reclaim my spot on the floor, Cal catches my eye from the couch, then bends his head over his phone.
My phone is already in my hand when it vibrates with his text a few seconds later.
Cal: My place. As soon as we can get away.
An irrepressible smile creeps across my face, and when I glance up, he adjusts in his seat, his blue eyes sparkling with heat and promise.
“Okay,” I mouth back.
Giving me a tiny nod of acknowledgment, he returns his attention to the conversation with the guys next to him, and a moment later Ellie comes out and settles back on Simon’s lap.
Despite what Ellie said in the hallway, he doesn’t seem to have a problem with her being with his friend. He makes room for her as best he can in the crowded space, including her in their conversation and acting totally normal.
Maybe her suggestion of a double date could be fun after all. It sounds really relationship-y, but would that really be so bad? I know I’ve been saying I don’t have time, but it seems like over the break I would …
I guess the biggest issue is whether or not Cal would go for something like that. And for some reason, the idea that he wouldn’t makes me inexplicably sad. It shouldn’t, because this thing between us isn’t serious, and double dates—couple friends—are the trappings of serious relationships, right?
But if it were to become serious, would that really be so bad?
* * *
I’m still floating from the mind-altering afterglow of Cal-induced orgasms when I quietly make my way into my parents’ house late that night. We’d both ducked out and taken an Uber back to his place so that Simon and Ellie could drive his car home. We took advantage of the empty house for a while, being as loud as we wanted until the unmistakable sound of Simon and Ellie getting home had me stuffing his comforter into my mouth to muffle my shrieks as he pounded into me from behind, driving me into the mattress with each thrust, and I can’t get enough. Somehow trying to stay quiet just made everything hotter.
Creeping up the stairs, I’m careful to skip the creaky step, not wanting to disturb my parents who are surely already asleep since it’s almost midnight. I’d texted Mom and Dad that I was hanging at a friends’ house again, so I’d be home late. The nice part is, it’s not technically a lie. Or at least it’s even less of a lie than it was when I told them yesterday that I’d be hanging with a friend from the dorms who’s staying in town with her brother for Thanksgiving break. Cal and I are certainly friendly, and after this afternoon, it’s clear that Ellie wants to be friends, so … The fact that I wasn’t hanging out with her at all either time is immaterial. We’re all happier with the small subterfuge. I get screwed senseless with multiple orgasms each round—and holy shit, I didn’t even know that was possible, and Cal is insatiable—and Mom and Dad don’t have to worry needlessly about me being involved with a boy who’ll make me go nuts and do something illegal again.
The situation is entirely different this time. For one thing, my expectations of Cal are exceedingly low. I thought things with Brent were more serious than they were. With Cal, we both know that it’s not serious, despite the lingering ache from the ideas Ellie planted in my brain earlier. It’s not worth getting my hopes up that this could be anything more than it is. And for another thing, I’m extremely careful that Cal doesn’t have access to any cameras while we’re together. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d snap pics of me without my knowledge and post them online, but I didn’t think Brent seemed like that either, so … better to be safe than sorry.
No illegal porn means no need to get revenge when the system won’t do anything.
But Mom and Dad would worry unnecessarily, so it’s better if they just don’t know.
I usually have the house to myself this late at night. With his practice and workout schedule, Gray goes to bed earlier than I do as well, and it’s nice to have an hour or two of quiet time all to myself where I don’t have to worry about what anyone else is thinking about what I’m doing.
But when I get to the top of the stairs, I’m surprised to find Gray standing there, arms crossed over a threadbare Ridgeview High School T-shirt, his jaw ticking, his brows pulled together in an angry frown.
