It’s a bald-faced lie, but swagger’s gotten me this far.
We resume the game and Parker’s got possession. I miss a block, but drive him back on the next down. He’s third and long when my phone buzzes.
I try to ignore it, but it’s impossible.
Just as I reach for my phone, Parker snaps the ball. I fumble the controller and he picks up the first down.
“Getting sloppy, princess.”
“It’s one play.” I jerk my chin at the screen. “Let’s see what else you’ve got.”
Relax. The message will be there when the game is over.
We go through another set of downs, and I swear to Christ it’s the longest drive of my life, which is ironic since it’s only a video game.
“Oh, how the mighty have fallen,” Parker chides, turning to look at my bouncing knee. It’s going a mile a minute, but I can’t seem to relax. I just want this game to be over so I can check my phone. “Never thought I’d see the day when Cooper DeLaurentis cracked under pressure.”
“Big words for a guy who has yet to see the end zone.”
“Don’t you worry.” He slaps me on the back. “I’m coming for you, baby.”
My phone buzzes again, reminding me I have an unread message.
Like I could possibly forget.
Just a few more minutes.
Parker snaps the ball. I’m slow to respond, and my defense is a mess. I watch in disbelief as his QB runs it into the end zone. He doesn’t bother with in-game taunts. The asshole jumps off the couch and starts dancing right next to me.
My phone buzzes.
Fuck it.
“Can you take over for me?” I toss my controller to Reid and grab my phone off the table. “I need to take this.”
“Aw, come on. Don’t do me like that!” Parker whines. “Shit was just getting good.”
I ignore him and jog up the steps to my room. Inside, I kick the door shut and sink down on the edge of my bed before opening the message.
Padawan: It’s possible I was hasty in my assessment. The fact is, I have terrible luck. Especially when it comes to guys. But you seem decent, and you like Star Wars, and I thought maybe you could help me deal with the problem of my virginity, since according to your area code, we both live in PA.
Fucking hell.
I can almost hear the words pouring out of Quinn’s heart shaped mouth. No filter. No pretense. Just frank honesty.
My pulse throbs at my temple.
Any doubt I had that Quinn and Padawan are one and the same has been erased, but I have to be sure.
I bring up my contacts and scroll to Noah’s name. When he added his number back a few weeks ago so he could harass me about frat business, I was less than enthused. Now I’m grateful AF. I draw a steadying breath and tap to reveal his number.
It’s one digit off from Padawan’s. Because they probably share a cell plan.
The reveal is entirely anticlimactic.
Maybe I knew deep down this was coming, but is Quinn really so desperate to be rid of her virginity that she’s going to meet some random guy for sex?
That’s messed up. And unsafe. For all she knows, I could be a serial killer.
