Page 60 of The Love Playbook

He leans toward her, a little too close if you ask me, a beer clutched in his hands and a seltzer in hers.

“Jace? Chris?” My gaze jerks toward the sound of my roommate’s girlfriend staring at us from her perch on the sofa. Her violet eyes flicker between us, a crease in her brow. No doubt she’s wondering what the hell we’re doing here, but before we can get two words in, she rises from her seat and storms over to us with her hands balled into tiny fists. “What are you doing here?” she asks, cutting Jace with an accusatory glare.

Jace wastes no time pointing at me. “It was his idea.”

I glance at him with awhat the fucklook before I turn back to Brynn who’s burning holes in the side of my face with her retinas. “Damon got an invite, and we had nothing to do, so we thought we’d stop by and check it out. Celebrate our post-game win.”

Brynn scoffs. “You expect me to believe it’s a coincidence you’re here?” she asks, arms crossed over her chest.

“Exactly.” I glance back at Charlotte, unable to help the scowl that forms as I watch Soccer Guy whisper into her ear.

“No. No, no, no.” Brynn shifts in front of me, a bony finger pointing right in my face. “You stop that right now. I recognize that look, and you arenotgoing over there.”

“Um, excuse me,” I say, more than a little offended, “but whose side are you on?”

“Neither. I’m on neither side.”

I snort. “You can’t be neutral. That never works.”

“Just for the record,” Jace says, motioning toward Brynn, “I’m on her side.”

“Shocker,” I deadpan while Brynn smirks and slides beneath Jace’s arm.

“Can you really say you’d rather Charlotte end up withthatdude? Really?” I glance over at him frowning, and even I hate to admit he’s pretty to look at. Not that I’m telling her that.

“I want her with someone who genuinely cares about her and wants more than sex.”

My eyes widen. “I care.” I tap my chest. “I really fucking care, Brynn, and though I’d devote myself to worshipping her body like a meditating monk in a monastery on a month-long fast, that isnotthe only reason I want her.”

Brynn rolls her eyes. “Maybe, but don’t forget I know you also want something out of it.”

“Her softening her stance on our parents’ impending nuptials is more like a side bonus. You know I’ve had a thing for her since first year.”

Brynn scoffs. “A hard-on doesn’t count as genuinely caring about her.”

“I take offense to that.” I point. “My hard-on has feelings.”

“Chris!” She stomps.

“Come on, Brynn,” I say, softening my tone. “You know I like her. I’ve liked her for a while now, and I think if she’d ever let herself admit it, she likes me, too. It’s not like I’m lying to her. If I get to know her more and decide I don’t like her, I’ll back off. I won’t fake it, I swear.”

Brynn sighs. “Whatever,” she grumbles. “Just . . . don’t interrupt them, at least.”

“Fine.” I grin triumphantly. “I can be a good boy and wait my turn.”

She eyes me warily, then turns to smile at Jace, her expression transforming before she rises on her toes and presses her mouth to his.

Beside them I groan before I shake my head and find Damon and Brandon in the kitchen where Redhead offers me a beer I gladly accept.

I crack the top on it, sucking at the rising foam, all while keeping an eye on the couple in the corner. “You know that dude?” I ask, motioning toward them.

Redhead glances their way at the same time Lettie laughs at something Soccer Guy says, and it curdles my blood.

“Yeah, he’s a sophomore and our best midfielder.” Redhead’s gaze settles back on me. “Why?”

“What can you tell me about him?”

Maybe he’s a player, secretly gay, a serial killer, or?