Page 30 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Phoenix

I’m surprised Katie’s up for going to the football game, but she tells me over and over again that she wants to support Ethan and the team. I still can’t believe what Eric did to my bestie. It makes no sense.

Katie isn’t dressing up this time. Nope.

She put on comfy clothes, pulled her hair into a messy ponytail and is ready to go.

Me, on the other hand…I may or may not have put a teensy weensy amount of effort into my wardrobe tonight.

But it’s not because I’m trying to look good for anyone.

Nope. I mean, Ethan and I haven’t really said much to each other the past three days, but he kept looking at me when we passed each other in the halls or at lunch.

I’m still upset with him for what he did, but only a little bit. I mean, he and Katie are right. I was talking to a real person, even though he pretended to be a stranger.

A kind, sweet knight in shining armor…

“Okay, let’s go before we miss their grand entrance,” Katie says.

I zone back in. “Whose?”

“The Dragons.”

“Right. Duh.”

She lifts a brow. “Were you even here?”

Waving her off, I head for the door. “Sure I’m here. Let’s get to the game.”

We have to take the city bus, but it’s not really such a big deal. I mean, I guess Eric could always drive us, but now that he and Katie broke up, yeah that’s not going to happen.

The bleachers are already packed when we get to the football field. I spot Eric and Cody sitting at the front and am about to wave, when I remember I shouldn’t. His eyes latch onto Katie before he pulls them away. His mouth is hard, arms crossed over his chest.

“What’s his problem?” I mutter.

Katie looks in his direction and goes still. Then she whirls around. “Let’s find a place to sit.”

I follow her to the back and we sit down.

Katie’s eyes roam around the crowd, purposely not letting them wander to a certain person.

But I let myself watch Eric. He’s all the way at the other end of the field and I can only see his profile as he talks to Cody, but it’s enough to know that something is wrong .

He’s so stiff, so not like himself. It’s almost like someone forced him to break up with Katie.

It can’t be…is Ethan responsible? Did he somehow talk his brother out of dating my bestie?

Gosh, what’s wrong with me? Thinking the worst of Ethan?

I guess I’m just so used to blaming him for everything, but it’s not cool at all.

Katie’s eyes drop to her lap and a heavy sigh escapes her lips. She’s so broken over this, and I can’t stand it.

Getting to my feet, I tell her I’ll be right back. I cross to the other side of the bleachers, where Eric and Cody are still talking. Well, Cody is mostly holding the conversation, which is weird because the dude hardly talks.

His eyes fill with surprise when he sees me approaching. “Phoenix, hi.”

Eric’s head snaps up, but he doesn’t say anything, choosing to look away from me like I’m not standing there.

“Hey, Cody,” I say with a smile. “How’s it going?”

He shrugs. “It’s going.”

“Right, that’s cool, I guess.” I turn to his bandmate. “Can we talk?”

Eric keeps staring straight ahead.

“Eric.”

Nothing.

“I’m not leaving,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “So either we talk here or we go somewhere private. Up to you.”

He slowly turns to me, that same hard expression on his face. “Okay.” He stands and follows me to a quiet area off the field. The football players are in the middle of rushing onto the field, the crowd going wild.

Eric and I face one another. He’s got that cold, stone expression on his face…but when I look deeper, I can see there’s some pain in there.

“I don’t want to attack you,” I start, “but I want to know why you broke my best friend’s heart.”

He keeps his gaze on the spot before him, his mouth twitching like he wants to get the heck out of here.

“You really hurt her,” I continue.

“I know.”

“ Why ?”

He finally faces me. “Honestly, Phoenix, I don’t think this is any of your business.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Wrong. This involves my best friend. It is my business.”

He rubs the back of his neck, gaze flinging away before making their way back to me. “Katie and I…” He lets out a deep huff of air. “We just won’t work out.”

I place my hands on my hips. “And who are you to determine that? Do you have feelings for her?”

He lets out another huff, his face contorting in pain. “I really don’t want to talk about this, Phoenix. Please drop it.” He turns toward the bleachers. “I need to get back to the game and support my brother.”

Like the speed of light, he vanishes from sight. I just stand there, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. I don’t get it. He looked so hurt, so broken over what happened between him and Katie. If he still has feelings for her—which I’m pretty sure he does—why is he being so stupid?

Clearly I won’t get any answers from him, so what am I supposed to do? How can I help my best friend?

Is Eric right and this isn’t my business? But of course it is. Katie’s in pain.

The crowd cheers and I’m guessing one of the teams scored a touchdown.

As much as I’m hurting for my bestie, I did come to the game and she’s sitting there all by herself, which isn’t cool at a time like this.

So I head back to the bleachers and drop down next to her.

She gives me an empty smile, informing me that the Dragons did indeed score a touchdown.

They’re in the lead right now, not that anyone expects anything less.

“Where did you go?” Katie’s voice carries over the loud crowd.

“Bathroom.”

She nods slowly, pinning her eyes back on the game. She’s trying to be brave and push her pain away, to distract herself so she wouldn’t think about Eric. I decide to drop it, too, and at least enjoy the game. My eyes focus on a certain quarterback who’s totally owning it out there.

My lips lift in a smile as I watch him. I know I’ve given him crap for being a stuck-up jock, but he’s really talented. No wonder everyone loves him. He’s not just amazing on the field. He’s out of this world…

Wait, what the heck am I thinking? It’s Ethan Palmer .

The crowd roars as he runs across the field, clutching the football like it’s his most prized possession. I leap to my feet, too, yelling along with everyone. Oh my gosh! The Dragons will score another touchdown.

My heart launches out of my chest. This is so awesome and amazing, and my adrenaline is working overdrive. I’ve never felt this pumped before in my life.

All of a sudden, two huge dudes from the other team come out of nowhere and slam into Ethan, sending him tumbling to the ground. The crowd lets out a collective gasp when he doesn’t move. He’s just lying there.

The coach sprints over to him, pulling off his helmet as many others zoom to his side as well.

Eric bolts off the bleachers and onto the field, dropping beside his brother. Murmurs spread through the crowd.

I look at Katie and she looks at me with wide eyes. My heart pounds all over as hot blood rushes to my head. “Oh my gosh,” I say, my voice above a whisper.