Page 68 of Foul Territory

“Leave him alone. He did one earlier. That’s probably all we’ll get out of him,” Nash says. “He seems to be occupied anyway.” He nods toward my phone before entering the house.

“Whoever you’re messaging must be important,” Julia says, pushing her chest out a little further. Trainers aren’t allowed to date athletes but that hasn’t stopped them from trying.

Julia has always been a flirt. I think she does it so openly because she can get away with it. She knows it can’t go anywhere. I assumed it was innocent, but sometimes I wonder if she’s actually interested.

“She is,” I reply. Julia gives me a quick nod then joins Nash and Gage inside.

I read Sydney’s latest message before pocketing my phone. I can’t believe I finally admitted wanting her back.

I couldn’t have stopped the words from coming out even if I’d tried. Seeing her excited over something I knew nothing about hurt. I used to be the first person she told this kind of stuff to. I’m the one she called first when she got into Newhouse. I’m the first person she called when she got her driver’s license. It was always me first. Now I’m not even the last to know. I wouldn’t have found out at all if I didn’t walk in on it.

Admitting I wanted her was easy. There isn’t a day that passes where the thought doesn’t gnaw at me. I didn’t expect her to jump into my arms at the declaration, but the last thing I imagined she would say is that it was too late.

I keep telling myself there isn’t anything happening between her and Joe. Yet, there was something in the way she talked about this guy that felt different. For the first time, I might have realcompetition.

With the way they’ve been acting tonight, it’s hard to believe she's really with him though. I’ve barely seen them together for more than ten minutes. If she were mine, I wouldn’t give her an inch of space.Fuck she looks good in that dress she’s wearing.

Joe’s spent most of the party outside while she’s been sitting in the living room with Wren. The only time I saw them together was when they were dancing. I was three seconds from ripping his hands off of her.

I’m normally pretty good about staying in control when Sydney is dating someone. I know they are meaningless relationships and these guys are placeholders. Someone to pass the time with.

At least, that’s what I thought.

Sydney and Joe enter the kitchen together laughing. She bumps her shoulder against his. Maybe I’ll have one of those shots after all.

The kitchen is standing room only as everyone wants a front row seat to watch Nash toss back another round. He's going to be hurting tomorrow. We never drink this much.

Wyatt fills small plastic cups full of whatever concoction Lauren and Sydney made earlier. They thought it would be better to have shooters premixed instead of straight liquor being consumed. Going by the looks of most of the inebriated people in the room, I would say they were right.

A few guys from the football team head back outside leaving a space for me to slide in beside Enzo, who’s standingaround the table watching everyone drink and chat with Nash.

The room erupts in cheers as Charlie, Nash, Wyatt, Sydney, and Wren all take their turn throwing back the pink concoction. Wyatt winces and Wren rolls her eyes.

“Would you prefer apple juice instead?” Wren teases him.

“It’s not my favorite juice but at least it wouldn’t eat away at my insides like that shit.” He points to the pitcher in the middle of the table.

“Oh come on, man. Hart’s mom makes drinks stronger than this,” Nash remarks.

“Where have you been hiding?” Enzo asks me. I’m glad it worked out for him and his brother, Marco, to make it out tonight. It’s rare our schedules line up to where we all have the same days off.

“I haven’t been hiding. I’ve been keeping tabs on everyone outside.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t been keeping an eye on someone in particular tonight.” He lifts a chin toward Sydney and Joe on the other side of the table.

“Maybe I didn’t feel like playing bodyguard tonight.”

“Are you feeling okay? There hasn’t been a day in the ten years I’ve known you when you weren’t looking out for that girl. And I know it has nothing to do with the boyfriend. They have never stopped you before.”

“He isn’t her boyfriend.” They may have gone out on a few dates but Sydney has never had a boyfriend.

“If you say so. They look like they have something going on.”

“Are you trying to piss me off?” I narrow my eyes in his direction.

“I need to do something to keep myself entertained,” he replies, chuckling.

“That’s what the girls on the dance floor are for.” Hart punches him on the back. “Hey,” he says, turning to me. “Lauren and I are going to bed. What do you want me to do with Sydney’s stuff?”