“What’s wrong with Brian?” Mitchell asks beside me. He’s been babysitting the same beer since he got here. It has to be lukewarm by now.
“Nothing. Why?” I tear my gaze away from them and look at my brother.
“You’re watching them like a hawk, so I assume something is wrong with him.”
“Oh.” I look at them again. Rocky’s laughing so hard, she’s bending forward and Brian is loving it. An uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.
“At least he makes her laugh. We all know how difficult that can be to do,” Mitch says. “It’s nice to see her let loose once in a while.”
“Yeah.”
“She looks fucking hot too,” he continues. “That dress? I mean, damn.”
“Gross, Mitchell. That’s Rocky you’re checking out.” I shoot him a look.
“I didn’t say I was going to do something about it. I’m just admiring how hot she looks. I don’t know why she wears all those baggy clothes all the time when she has that underneath.”
“Maybe she doesn’t want to be objectified.”
“Maybe.” My brother shrugs. “Or maybe she’s insecure, which would suck, considering she has the perfect body.”
“Can you stop checking her out?” I push my brother’s shoulder.
He stumbles a couple of steps and looks at me in disbelief. “Dude, what the hell?”
“Just . . . stop looking at her, stop talking about her, just stop.”
“Holy shit.” He searches my eyes. “You . . . like her?”
“No. Of course not.” I scowl. “She’s my best friend. What the hell is wrong with you? She’s always been a little sister to you and now all of a sudden you’re talking about her like she’s a conquest.”
Mitchell laughs. “Wait till Jagger hears about this.”
“About what?” I feel my scowl deepen. “Stop trying to start shit.”
“I’m not trying to start anything. I’m appreciating how she looks in that dress. You’re taking it somewhere else. Newsflash, if she wore the dress it’s because she wants people to notice how good she looks.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yes, it is, bro.”
I set my jaw as I think about that. I know a lot of girls are like that, but not Rocky. She’s not afraid to try out a new sport and get hurt or mess up her hair when we’re outdoors. She’s always been that way, choosing to hang out with us rather than going to the spa or whatever. She enjoys being one of the guys. She’s told me that herself. The idea that she’s wearing that dress because she wants people to notice her—guys to notice her—is ridiculous. She doesn’t even like it when guys hit on her whenever she goes out.
“You’re still staring.”
I sigh heavily. “I just can’t figure her out.”
“I don’t think she wants you to, man.” Mitch pats my shoulder. “Just let her be. We can’t be overprotective forever.”
“Yeah,” I say distractedly because I don’t mean it.
Her parents are counting on me to protect her. They made it clear that it was the reason they wanted her moving in here. I don’t think they’d enjoy knowing that I’m the one she needs protecting from.
Chapter Eight
Rocky
“I love your name.”
“Thank you.” I smile up at Brian.
“I mean, when you first told me what it was, I almost didn’t believe you, and you’re so gorgeous, I wasn’t sure it fit, but it does.”
“Thanks.” I frown. “I guess?”
“It’s a compliment.” He chuckles lightly, reaching for my hand. “So what are your plans for the rest of the night?”
“I don’t really have any.”
“Hm. You live here, right?”
“Yep.” My face warms as his thumb draws circles along mine.
“Why don’t you show me your room?”
“Um.” I pull my hand from his and look around. “I don’t think it’s a good night for that. There’s a lot of people and a lot of noise.”
“Which is why going to your room would be better.”
“For what exactly?” I ask in a near whisper, meeting his blue eyes.
“For this.” He leans in and kisses me.
It’s a soft kiss, his lips tentative on mine until I open my mouth for his tongue to slide in. I reach out and grab his hair as the kiss deepens, and suddenly the music stops, the lights turn on, people groan and complain all around us, and we pull away.
“That was . . . ”
“Party’s over,” Maverick yells. “Unless your name is Colson or Rocky, kindly get the fuck out of our house.”
My eyes widen.
“I guess I better get going.” Brian steps into me again, crowding the stool I’m sitting on.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I swallow.
“We still on for that date?”
“Yep.” I smile.
“Friday at six?”
“Can we make it seven?” I scrunch my nose. “We’re playing a scrimmage on Friday and those always run late.”
“Seven-thirty then.”
“Perfect.”
He kisses me again.
“Out,” Maverick yells. “Out, out, out. GET THE FUCK OUT.”
We pull away quickly. I look over at Maverick, wide-eyed. He’s staring right at me with a furious expression on his face. What the hell is wrong with him?
“He obviously isn’t getting laid tonight,” Brian comments.
“Apparently not.” I keep looking at Maverick, who’s still watching me. “See you Friday then.”
“See you Friday.” Brian walks away.
I stay where I am for another two seconds before walking to my room. I gather my things quickly and shower. The guys let me have the master suite since it’s the only one with a bathroom and they thought it would be weird if we all shared one. When they said that, I laughed it off and told them they were crazy, but I’m so glad they thought of that because they weren’t wrong. After I’m dressed in my pajamas—an oversized UNC soccer shirt and cotton shorts—I exit the bathroom, turn off the lights, and sigh into my pillow. The exhaustion of the day finally catching up and sinking into my bones as I shut my eyes.
Chapter Nine
Maverick
Colson pushes his shoulder into mine as we fight for the puck. I nudge him harder and continue to stick-handle it and shoot it toward the goal. Russell easily blocks it and hits it back in our direction. This time, Colson gets in front of me and takes it, handling it to the back of the line where I meet him so we can start over.
“So.” He exhales heavily. “That party was something before you cut it short.”
“That party was lit.” Reagan turns around and nods. “Gina says she wants you to throw one every week.”
“Fat chance.” I scowl underneath my helmet. “Unless Gina and her sorority sisters are going to help clean up the mess you left behind.”