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“We’ve all been hoping you would.”
Levi chuckles. “So, who’s the girl? Is she pretty?”
“You saw her briefly already. She was at the studio with Raeann.”
“Oh, the chick who drove us back to the gym?”
“That chick runs a rapidly growing business with my girl and is a major part of her life.”
“Oh, I see where this is going. No.” He shakes his head. “No.”
“What?”
“She’s going to fall for me, and I’m going to be myself, living my carefree, single life, like a bird that’s left its nest to fly solo, and you and Rae are going to get pissed.”
“Don’t call her Rae.”
“What’s wrong with Rae?”
“She doesn’t use it.”
He holds his hands up. “Noted. But the rest still stands.”
“If you’re going to treat her like one of your jersey chasers, then yes, let’s skip the intro.”
“You’d deny her me?”
We stop just outside the Wildcats building. “Man, forget I said anything.”
“Bro.”
I wave him away. “I temporarily overlooked how immature you are,” I call over my shoulder as I make my way to my car.
“Sounds like something an old man would say.” I pull out my keys, and I’m about to get in when Levi shouts, “I know what it is. You’re worried if we double date that Rae will be all about me.” He does a stupid little dance. “I’m about to steal your girl…”
For a second, I flash red, nothing but rage filtering through me. Parker comes up behind him and slaps him on the back of the head. Luckily, the whole scene wrenches me out of the need to pummel Levi’s face into the cement. I unclench my fingers.
“Don’t be fucking stupid,” Parker snaps.
“Dude.” Levi rubs the back of his head.
Parker walks backward. “Just be grateful I saved your life right now.”
Levi points to us individually. “Old man number one. Old man number two.”
Parker and I share a look, and I shrug. “Kids.”
He gives me a grin and a knowing nod.
When I get in my car, I check my phone again and see nothing from Raeann. Worry churns in my gut. What if our moment this morning didn’t change anything? What if she was just going to walk away the entire time?
No. That’s not what she said. She’s moving in. She’s going to wear my last name. I didn’t pry any of those things out of her.
But I also understand how Raeann’s mind works, and I wouldn’t put it past it to start telling her lies again. I pull up Tab’s number and call her. Another no answer. I also pull up the video feed of her room, but it won’t connect.
“Fuck,” I growl. This time, I’m not going to give her space. I throw the car in Drive and squeal out of the lot, the concern spreading through me making my heart pound.
At every corner, it feels like fate places roadblocks in my way. The signals take forever to turn green. The people in the crosswalk shuffle along like they don’t have a care in the world. And of course, everyone forgets how to drive.