Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
My brother snaps his fingers in front of my face. “Play it cool. Geez. I know you have game when it comes to women, but I’m getting the impression your charm doesn’t extend to men.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re basically eye fucking a guy who’s on a date with someone else. No class, bro. Come buy me a drink so it looks like you don’t care who he’s with.”
“You should buy me a drink. You said it yourself, I’m all emo.”
Brady slaps my shoulder. “You may as well get used to paying for everything for me. You’ll be paying my wage one day, and growing up the way we did, I have become accustomed to a certain standard of living.”
“You’re such a jackass when you want to be.”
“Spoiler alert: I always want to be a jackass. Especially to my little brother.” He tries to give me a noogie, but I step away.
“You’re my little brother.”
“Yes, but I’m twice your size. So really, who’s the little one?”
“Just hurry up and get my drink.” I shove him. “I owe Dads like thousands of dollars.”
Brady bursts out laughing. “That’s right. Ah, when being a smartass backfires. Good times.”
“It was still worth it.” Especially because I got to spend time with Levi. Who I won’t look at again. Nope.
Not happening.
I turn to find his eyes still locked on me.
Fuck.
One of us is going to have to make the move. I don’t want it to be me.
But it’s going to be.
Right after a drink.
Once the guys from my team catch sight of me, I no longer have to worry about buying my own drinks, and before I know it, I’ve downed enough alcohol to have the courage to go approach Levi.
“I’m going to do it.” I put my empty glass down and try to get off my stool, but my brother’s hand wraps around my bicep.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To talk to Levi.”
“Dude. Brothers don’t let other brothers drink and pick a fight.”
“I’m not going to pick a fight. Levi and I said we’d be friends. So I’m going to be friendly. I’m not even drunk.” Well, I’m not that drunk.
I have a good buzz going, though.
“Your funeral. And you will die of embarrassment. Ooh, can I record it on my phone and put it up on the school site for everyone to see? That would be amazing.”
I put my hand on his head and then shove. Hard.
“Fucker,” he calls out as I leave him with my teammates.
He gets along with them really well. He comes to weight training sessions because Coach fawns over our family and lets us get away with pretty much anything, so Brady’s practically one of the team. Plus, Brady gets along with everyone. He’s one of those people who can adapt his personality to those around him. With the team, he’s another dude bro. With his best friend, Felix, he’s more laid-back and thoughtful. With me, he’s both supportive and an asshole, so I guess I’m the lucky one who gets the best of both worlds.
As I walk toward Levi’s table, I take a breath and tell myself I’m doing the right thing. I’m being the bigger person.
But when I reach them and both Levi and his date just stare at me, I lose my voice and want to shrivel up and die in a black hole.
“Peyton, this is Remy. Remy, Peyton.”
“No shit,” Remy says. “I think everyone on campus knows who Peyton Miller is. I hate sports, and I still know that.”
“Uh … nice to meet you.” Hey, look at that. I talked. Go me.
Silence falls between us, and I’m so glad I decided to be the bigger person. This is working out great. So great.
Remy takes out his phone. “Oh, a text message. I need to be somewhere … not here.” He turns to Levi. “I’ll see you in the studio.”
Levi winces, and I watch Remy leave, confused by what he meant.
“Studio?” I ask and take Remy’s seat.
Levi blinks at me.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I scare him off? Oops.”
“Was that your plan all along? To make things so awkward, my friend had an actual excuse to finally ditch me after complaining all night about being dragged to your game?”
It’s my turn to stare blankly. “What?”
“I had no one to go to the game with, so I kind of forced him into it.”
“Friend. Not … date.”
Levi smiles, like my obvious jealousy is a prize he’s won. “Not date.”
Even though that fills me with relief, it doesn’t make any sense. “You looked cozy in the stands.”
Levi doesn’t even flinch. If anything, he’s more entertained. “Now, granted, I don’t know much about football, but I’m certain the quarterback should be focusing on the field, not the people in the crowd.”
Yes. A joke. I can work with that. “Oops, I’ve been doing it wrong this whole time.”