Page 60 of Quarterback Sneak

There’s a laugh behind us, reminding me we’re not alone. “She’s got your number, Cap.”

He doesn’t even bother turning around, but I do catch a glimpse of a smile on his lips. “To answer your question, Riley is...” he pauses and turns his head. “Reid, how do you describe Riley?” I turn around too and notice the expression on Reid’s face. I’m used to him looking emotionless ninety-five percent of the time, but not right now. There’s emotion all over his face, but when he notices my gaze, his face changes.

“Not as annoying as her brother,” Reid says, his face blank again.

I glance up at Zane, but he doesn’t seem to have noticed anything. I tuck it away as Zane grins. “The words of a truefriend.” The dining hall comes into view, and as if on cue, my stomach growls loudly. Zane looks down at me. “Hungry?”

“I didn’t get a chance to eat lunch...or breakfast,” I add. His frown intensifies, and he puts his hand on my lower back, propelling me forward as if that will help me to eat faster. We step inside, and I scan the huge eating area for Tessa.

“She’s over there,” Zane says. We start in that direction, and I finally see her. She’s waving wildly at us, like we can’t see her.

“Is she directing a flight in for landing?” Quint asks with humor. I grin because it is a little much, but that’s Tessa.

Her eyes widen when she takes in all of us. “OhmygoodnessI’mgoingtopassout.”

“Please don’t,” Zane says, obviously deciphering whatever it was she said first.

Tessa’s wide eyes meet mine. “We’re eating with all of them?”

I glance over my shoulder to see if the number has increased on the way here. Nope; it’s still just Zane, Reid, and Quint. Quint steps forward with a big grin on his face. “If you prefer, you can just eat with me.”

“Nope,” Tessa says, not even thinking about it. “I’m not missing a chance to eat with all of you.”

Zane meets my eyes, and we share a smile at the look of dejection on Quint’s face. “You want what I got you last time?” Zane asks.

“Oh.” I take a step towards the line. “I can get it.”

“I know. Same thing as last time?” he asks again.

I give in. “Yes, except all noodles, no rice.”

“Got it.” I reach for my wallet, but he pushes my hand down. “I’ve got it.” When I look up at him, he winks and then walks over to get in line. I try to remember how to breathe.It used to be so easy—in and out, in and out.

Tessa turns towards me, eyes nearly bugging out of her head.What was that?She mouths. I shrug but can’t keep the goofysmile off my face. “Well, I’m going to go get in line because I don’t have a hunk of a man to go buy my food for me.” She leaves with a last grin at me and slips in line behind Zane, talking to him immediately. I watch the two of them and can’t help my grin.

“She hasn’t stopped talking since she got over there, has she?” Quint asks from right next to me.

“Nope.” My grin fades. “I hope she doesn’t scare him away.”

“Not possible,” he says easily. When I look at him, he winks. “I’m off to get food.”

I notice Reid is sitting at the table alone. I slide into the seat across from him and take this opportunity to talk to him. “So, Riley, huh?” His gaze snaps to mine, and I expect him to smile. But he doesn’t. In fact, his entire body tenses. I regret my words. “I’m sorry. I just saw how you responded when Zane said her name and—”

“How did I respond?” he asks, cutting me off.

I sit back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. “Like you weren’t as disinterested or as cold as you try to portray.” His eyes flick over to where Zane is listening to Tessa talk a million words a minute.

“Don’t worry; I’ll keep your secret,” I assure him.

His eyes meet mine and darken, and I don’t know what to do with the look. He looks...dangerous. “What secret?” he asks in a low voice.

I don’t answer him right away, because I’m not sure what’s happening right now. Quint’s sudden appearance at our table is a relief. I turn my gaze to him. “What’d you find to...” My words trail off as I take in the plates of food. “Good grief. Did you leave any food for anybody else?”

He grins. “Nope.”

“That’s a lot of food,” I feel the need to point out.

“I’m a growing boy, Evie.” He pats his flat stomach and then slides into the chair next to Reid. He starts shoveling food in, and I watch partly in fascination and partly in disgust. Thankfully, Zane finally arrives with our food. The aromatic smell of the chicken hits me, and my eyes nearly roll back in my head.