Page 47 of Call the Shots (For The Arena #1)
JUNE
WRITTEN OFF
After the conversation with my mom, I sipped my drink, leaning into King at the table. There were hearts dancing in his eyes while he focused on Willow.
I wouldn’t be gloomy. I wouldn’t ruin their night.
I squeezed his arm. “You should see yourself. Boy’s in loooove .”
“Uh-huh.” King nodded, but I was sure he didn’t hear me. He walked away to scoop some napkins off the counter, offering them for Willow’s purse. Something must’ve gotten on it. He gently tugged her closer and cleaned it up.
“Willow?” Kassie got my attention, coming up with drinks. “One more shot before we hit the road?”
It took me a moment to realize she was talking to me . Kassie winced, and I quickly shook my head. “It’s okay?—”
“Goddammit, I’m sorry?—”
“Pinky promise, it’s okay.”
“We spend twenty-four seven with each other—I’m sorry, June.”
“Hey?” King broke into our conversation, motioning discreetly to my phone. “Can I see the pictures?” I started to show him the big group selfies, but King dropped his voice. “The Willow ones?”
It made sense, this was their first trip together. We found a private corner, and I flipped through them while he smiled overhead, pointing out which ones he wanted.
“I didn’t know I could be this happy,” he admitted. “I feel drunk when I’m around her. She’s the coolest girl I’ve ever met.”
I squeezed him for a side hug. “I’m?—”
“She’s my best friend.”
Oh.
The rest of my words stuttered to silence. King was always my immediate answer for who I was closest to. The first person I’d go to, the first one I called, his reveal…took me by surprise.
“I miss you,” I confessed. “A lot.”
He nodded, eyes still on my phone. “I was thinking of doing a romantic night for Willow in a hotel room. With flower petals and stuff. Could you help me with it?”
“Yeah, of course,” I said softly.
Something felt different, like a tug to end a dream and return to reality. I gazed around the tight space of the bar. I didn’t know how I knew but I did. This was my last trip with the football team. It wasn’t a welcome back, it was a goodbye.
“This is it, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Hm?”
“The fake relationship? It’s done?”
“Oh, yeah. I was going to talk to you—I don’t want to miss any time with Willow.”
Once he had the pictures, he returned to Willow, and my friends began another drinking game, laughing. It felt like I was a background character in their stories. Like I could’ve been written out of the scene and nothing would’ve changed.
This was my forever friend group, and I’d never felt more like an outsider.
With a deep breath, I sank into a chair and finished the last of my drink.
What am I doing here?
It was so stupid, but I wanted to call Bear. I didn’t have to worry about hurting feelings, or bringing up bad memories, or making someone panic when I talked to him. I could just be myself.
It’d have to be another night—I saw Montoya’s story. The boys were heading to a bar together. With Vernon, Riley, putting the team together, and the rest of the drama, they didn’t get out often enough.
I wouldn’t call him. I couldn’t ruin his night out.
At the hotel, I stayed quiet while my friends helped each other across the lobby, laughing and hugging me repeatedly in the elevator before they wished me goodnight on my floor. And then, it was quiet. Just me.
I stalled at the door to my hotel room, key in hand.
The headache hurt. I couldn’t fall asleep yet, I’d lie awake for too long, alone with my thoughts.
I took to the stairs. A couple more drinks and I’d call a taxi. A couple more drinks and the headache would go away.