Mark goes to the team bench and Louis goes to talk to him. That’s not in any way abnormal but now that I know about their past, I have a hard time looking away. Ridiculously, I try to lip-read their conversation. The only insight I gleam is related to my own stupidity.
Tommy strides away in the opposite direction until he approaches me, taking the stairs two at a time with his big stride. He claims the spot next to me and sits with a huff.
“Shut up,” Tommy grumbles.
“Idiot.” I can’t help myself.
“Little fucker is looking over here,” Tommy curses. He sits up, and I follow his gaze to find that Markislooking our way. I wave and he waves back.
“Stop that,” Tommy gives out as he elbows me. “You saw what he did to my ribs.”
“And I can see what you did to his face. Quid pro quo, Tommy.”
“I’m your friend. You should be takingmyside. I always take yours.”
“You always have my back,” I concede. “But you do tell me afterwards when I’ve been stupid…this is my friend, by the way. We’re library buddies.” I’ve known study-buddy too long to possibly ask for his name, but I can utilise Tommy here.
Tommy glances around me. “I’m Tommy.”
“Sebastian,” my study-buddy replies. “Mark’s cousin.”
Both Tommy and I stare at him until Tommy shoots me a “what the hell?” look.
“Really?” I ask. I picked that table in the library because of the view I got of the gym. I’ve been sitting next to Mark’s cousin all semester and didn’t even know? What are the chances of that happening?
“You don’t look alike,” Tommy says, eyes narrowing with suspicion when he sees this is news to me as well. Tommy has a point. Mark is tall, well-built, and everything bar his skin is dark. Sebastian, on the other hand, has blonde hair, blue eyes, warm golden-brown skin, and is not only short, but slim, too.
Sebastian stares at Tommy like he’s an idiot. “Do you understand how genetics work?” Contempt drips from every word.
Tommy doesn’t falter, holding Sebastian’s gaze. “Never mind,” he says. “I see the resemblance now.”
While Tommy and Sebastian stare off, movement catches my eye. I stare at Mark’s down-turned head, surprised to see him trotting up the steps toward our spot. His face lifts, his eyes meet mine, and his lips tug into a half-smile.
Tommy notices him as he reaches our row. He’s about to leap up but I grab his arm. “Stop it,” I say.
Tommy glances at me, irritated. He lowers back down without complaint, and without acknowledging Mark’s existence. I glance at Mark, who winks at me, and then turns his attention to Sebastian and nudges his foot with his. “Scoot over there,” he requests.
Sebastian leans back on his palms and stares up at Mark. The expression on his face is nothing but indolent. I see approval shining in Tommy’s eyes and he casts Sebastian a second, longer look.
Mark’s gaze darts to Tommy, but he decides against telling himto scoot over.
Mark glances to the spot on the far side of Sebastian, on the far side of Tommy, and then stares at me contemplatively. I try not to smile. It’s an uncommon sight, seeing Mark stumped like this. His gaze hovers on my smile, my mouth, and then his hands are on my knees. “Fine,” he says, gaze intent on me. “Youscoot.”
Warmth zaps up my thighs as Mark, in a smooth move, guides my knees apart and sits between my feet. His back rests against the inside of my calf, and his shoulders press against my knees. Despite his quick movement, he doesn’t jostle my left leg at all.
Tommy glares a hole through the back of Mark’s head as Sebastian snorts.
I’m not sure what I make of Mark until I catch his smug expression and I grin before I can fight it. A month ago, I would have kicked him down the stairs in embarrassment. On the court, several people are looking at us. From their expressions, I think they’re waiting for Tommy and Mark to lay into each other and come crashing down the bleachers.
“Did they give you a time-out or ban you?” I ask.
“Time-out,” Mark answers.
“Sebastian said you’re cousins,” I say next.
“Yes,” Mark casts Sebastian a side-long look, then twists so that he’s sitting at an angle and can peer up at my face. It’s quite a cute pose, especially when he rests his right arm on the bench next to my thigh, and his other hand nudges against my leg. I swallow, feeling warm and stimulated, and Mark tracks the movement. His eyes darken. “Speaking of,” he drags his gaze back to my eyes. “I didn’t realise you two knew each other.”
“We study in the library together. Well, at the same table, at least,” I answer.
