I swallow hard. Tripp waits for a response while my hands twist in my lap. I could purse my lips and deny that I have any clue what he’s referring to, but I don’t think he’d buy it.
“I was kidding about that,” I say, barely lifting my shaky voice above a whisper.
“Oh.” He flattens the gum over his tongue and sucks enough air through his lips to pop a tiny bubble in his mouth, making me press my knees together. “That’s a shame. Fuck buddies has a ring to it, don’t you think?”
My mouth drops open.Fuck buddies. Who even says that anymore? Good lord. Does he always say exactly what’s on his mind with no filter like that?
“Ye—” I shake my head and close my eyes. “I mean—not really.”
“Disagree.”
Always so confident. It’s a chore just reasoning with someone so bold and sure.
“That’s a rich proposal coming from someone who just asked me to be friends with himthis morning.”
“Why? Friends have needs and bang each other all the time.”
My eyes flick to him again before defending my weak stance. “Shouldn’t an arrangement like this be mutually beneficial?Gettingme therewould be a tall order for you.”
His smile grows. “I could do it.”
“Cocky, much?”
He chuckles, and my entire body reacts. “How about you let me prove it and then you can decide for yourself if I’m cocky or not.”
“Hard . . . pass?” I meant to sound as self-assured as he does, but the words came out shakier than I intended, almost like a question.
“Alright,” he says with a nod. Much-needed oxygen finally returns to my lungs when he backs up and stands. “It’s your call. Open offer, though.”
“Do you proposition all of your friends with”—I soften my voice to a whisper after standing from my seat—“sexual favors?”
“Only the ones I want to see naked.”
A throat clears behind him, and I lean to peek around his tall frame. Impeccable timing.
“Hey, Mesa Kate!” Mom stands at the bottom of the press box stairs with a smile and open arms. “I was waiting for you to come heckle me up there.”
I skip toward her and step into her embrace. She squeezes me with familiar warmth, and I smile over her shoulder.
“Sorry, we were watching the game together,” I explain.
She pulls back and flits her gaze between Tripp and me. “We?”
“Blythe and Savannah tagged along. I think they went to the bathroom.” I clear my throat. “And this is my friend, Tripp.”
He removes his hat and extends his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Riley. I mean—Ms. Riley. Sorry, I’m used to them just calling you by your last name on the radio.”
Tripp chuckles while the corner of Mom’s eyes crinkle with a genuine smile. He listens to her on the radio? I blink away the urge to question him about it. They shake hands, and I bend to grab my things.
By the time I walk to the end of my row and circle around to join them behind the reserved seating area, Tripp is standing behind her and peering over her shoulder to look down at her phone.
“Yep,” Tripp says with a proud smile. “That’s the one.”
Mom turns her phone to show me the screen displaying a picture of her wearing the same old jersey that Tripp is currently sporting. “Twins!”
“What are the odds?” I say, smiling up at Tripp. “Guess I need to scour the internet for one of my own now.”
“I’ll keep my eye out,” Mom promises. “So, how is it that you two met?”
