Page 61 of The Love Playbook

“He’s actually a really great dude. Not only is he good on the field, but he’s even better off. Works hard. Gets good grades and has a lot of friends. He doesn’t play around either, if that’s what you’re worried about.” He stares at me closely as if he can see beneath my inquisition, and it makes me squirm. “He hasn’t had a girlfriend since starting at AAU, and from the sounds of it, his last girlfriend was fairly serious. They didn’t break up until they both left for college. Sounds like it was amicable. Why? Who’s the chick? She your sister or something?”

I splutter over a mouthful of beer.Sister? Pfft.

“Sure. Yeah, she’s my sister,” I say before I remember she might actually become my stepsister soon, and grimace.

“Well, she couldn’t be talking to a better dude. Seriously, man.”

I glare at Soccer Guy harder than before, wishing I could drop him down a peg or two.

“Well, that’s great news. Isn’t it, Chris?” Damon slaps a hand over my back with a cheeky grin. “Yoursister’sin great hands.”

“Great fucking news,” I grind out. “The best. I’m fucking ecstatic.”

Tipping my beer back, I down the rest of it in two swallows. I half listen to the guys around me start talking about some lame-ass class they have together when Soccer Guy reaches out and takes Lettie’s hand.

The breath stalls in my lungs, and I crush the can in my hand as my gaze zeros in on the point of contact.

I feel like I might puke.

Holy fuck, get your shit together, Collins.

Inhaling, I straighten, setting the crushed beer can down as Lettie smiles and takes a sip of her seltzer. Her gaze wanders around the room behind the rim of the can, and it’s not long before it locks with mine.

Surprise flickers through those chocolatey depths before she lowers the can, giving me a view of her pouty lips curled into a snarl, as she cuts me with a glare.

I raise a hand, fluttering my fingers in a wave with a shit-eating grin on my face, and silently cheer when Lettie says something to Soccer Guy, then drops his hand and makes a beeline straight for me.

Chapter 13

CHARLOTTE

The second I spot Chris smugly staring at me from across the room, I see red.

I excuse myself, telling Danger there’s something I need to take care of before I storm off. My sights are set on Chris and he turns, listening intently to something one of the guys is saying and pretending that I’m not currently en route to kill him, even though he literally just waved at me.

“Can I have a word?” I grind out, grabbing a fistful of his sweatshirt and yanking him from the room toward the hall where the bathroom is.

“Damn, Lettie. I know you’re happy to see me, but cornering me in the bathroom? That’s a little forward, even for you.”

“Cut the shit, Collins,” I snap, spinning around and pinning him with a look that could kill. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I could ask the same of you.”

“What?” I blink, distracted by the scent of citrus and cedar coming from his skin. He’s like a walking cologne commercial, and I can’t say I hate it.

He nods toward the living room. “You were looking awfully cozy over there.”

“First of all, we weren’t?” I shake my head. “It’s none of your business.”

“Okay, butthatguy, Lettie. Really? He’s not even your type.”

I bark out a laugh. “Oh, really. And what’s my type? Please, enlighten me.”

“I’m glad you asked.” He flashes me a lazy smile, his gaze sinking to my mouth as my heart does a traitorous little flip.

“Whatever you’re going to say, save it,” I say, raising a hand to stop him. “Danger is exactly my type.”

“Hold up!” Chris splutters, eyes sparkling as I pinch my mouth together, knowing I screwed up the moment I told him Mason’s nickname. “His name isDanger?”