Page 48 of Hidden Plays

“Yeah? How’d you meet her?” Shifting his feet, he planted his hands on his hips. “Dating app?”

“No, why does it matter?” With a huff, I primped my hair in the back. He was right. It was like a rat’s nest back there.

“Because I’m curious where you found a chick who made you look like you were ridden hard and put away wet.” He burst into laughter.

“Stop it.” Dipping my head, I rubbed my eyes, giggles escaping me. “It’s not funny.” But it was, wasn’t it?

With his laughter slowing, he said, “Okay, man, just let me know if she has a single friend.” Tapping the doorjamb, he sauntered away.

After closing my door, I rested my back against it. Fucking JJ would love this.

The next dayat the gym, I did my best to keep my eyes off JJ’s fine ass and my mind focused on training. But we exchanged flirty glances a time or two. Afterward, I had an hour to kill before my biometrics class, so I strode to the local Starbucks, ordered an iced coffee and sank into a chair in the corner. I’d promised my parents I’d call Noel, and he should be awake by now. Whether he was at work was questionable.

I fished my phone from my backpack and dialed his number. It rang a few times. The fucker wouldn’t answer?—

“Hey, bro.” Clanging slipped through the connection.

“Are you at work?” I sipped my drink and gazed through the tinted window next to me, the sidewalk and palm trees alreadywashed out in the morning sunshine. Maybe he’d straightened up.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” He scoffed.

“You missed dinner with Mom and Dad a few nights ago.” I shifted in my chair, resting my ankle on my knee, a twinge reminding me of the injury.

“I apologized to Mom already. Don’t you get on my case too.”

“What happened?” My gut tensed, readying for his lie. Why did I even ask?

“My car broke down, and I had to get it towed. The truck took forever to get there.”

Bull. Shit. “Then why didn’t you call? I could’ve picked you up.” I drank more coffee.

“I…I forgot about the dinner. When the car wouldn’t start, I focused on bringing it to the shop.”

“Where did it break down?” I had to see how far he’d take his lie. Planting my elbow on the table, I rested my cheek in my hand.

“At a friend’s house.” He scoffed. “What does it matter? The car is fixed.”

“With Dad’s money? He said you couldn’t pay your rent. How did you have money for a car repair?” Did he think I was stupid?

“Did you just call to harass me? What the fuck, Holden?”

“No, I didn’t.” I sighed. “I want to know how you’re doing, man.” My stiff shoulders relaxed. “Mom and Dad are worried about you.” I blew out a ragged breath. “Fuck, we all are.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Except you can’t pay rent. Mom said your roommates were looking to kick you out.” My throat tightened. Would he ask to sleep on my couch if it happened? Arden wouldn’t be happy about it.

“Look, the rent is paid and I’m at work. What more do you want from me?” he asked through his teeth.

This escalated quickly. “Nothing.” And nothing was what I’d get from him. I drank more coffee.

“Look, how about we meet for a drink sometime?”

“Okay, when?” I shifted, leaning back in my chair. Would he even give me a day?

“How about Saturday?”

“I have a game on Saturday. I’m training ASU’s football team.” Didn’t he know that? Mom would have told him. Or...maybe he just didn’t listen. I skimmed my fingers along the plastic of my cup.