Page 108 of The Play Maker

Isabella bites back a smile. “And now he’s picking you up for a date to make up for it.”

“Yep.”

They exchange a glance I don’t know what to make of, and then Aurora stands up and heads straight for the closet. “Alright,” she says. “We’re picking out a killer outfit.”

I stare at her. “You don’t have to?—”

“It’s not a big deal,” she says, already sliding hangers across the rod. “I love fashion.”

“Thank you,” I say, exhaling. “For helping me.”

“You asked the group chat,” she says with a shrug. “That’s basically a blood oath.”

I let out a laugh as Isabella pulls a pink cardigan from the rack, something soft and oversized, with little pearl buttons and a delicate cable-knit pattern along the sleeves. She holds it up by the shoulders and gives it a small shake.

“What about this one?”

I look at it for a second. It’s cute. Too cute, maybe. The kind of thing I’d wear to class. But would it be right for this? Whatever this is?

My fingers curl around the edge of my blanket. “I don’t know,” I say with a shake of my head. “I’ve never been on a date.”

Isabella turns halfway, her eyes softening. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips. “You’ll be fine. I was a mess on my first date with Ryan, too.”

My brows lift. “Really?”

Aurora rolls her eyes, shaking her head. “God, she was a disaster. I had to physically restrain her from freaking the hell out.”

Isabella shoots her a look over her shoulder. “And then you threatened him.”

Aurora just shrugs, unapologetic. “I stand by that.”

I let out a laugh. I never thought I’d have this. Girls who show up and dig through my closet and tease each other in front of me like I’m one of them, like I always have been.

For the longest time, there was only Six.

Just this little bubble of connection, hidden in my phone. Late-night texts and jokes that felt like secrets. The only person I ever really let in.

My fingers twist in the edge of the blanket as something presses at my throat. And before I can think better of it, I blurt it out.

“There’s this… other guy.”

The room goes still. Their heads turn toward me in sync, both sets of eyes blinking like they’re not sure they heard right.

There’s something about Six that feels different. Safe in a way I can’t explain. Like I’ve kept him in this small, quiet part of my life where nothing has to be messy or real. Just texts. Just me, and whoever he is, behind that name.

And saying it out loud makes it feel like something else. Like I’m holding it up to the light and asking it to be real.

Aurora smirks, one eyebrow quirking up. “Little Maisie’s got game, huh?”

I roll my eyes, but there’s a small laugh that slips out anyway. “No, I definitely don’t. I don’t even know him. It’s just… this guy I’ve been messaging for a few weeks. He goes by Six. That’s literally all I know.”

Isabella’s voice softens. “And you like him?”

I bite down on the inside of my cheek. My heart gives a traitorous little flutter. “Yeah,” I admit quietly. “But I’m too scared to meet him.”

Isabella lifts a brow, her expression shifting. “And Austin?” she asks. “You like him too?”

I let out a breath and shake my head, more at myself than anything. “Yeah. I do.” My chest aches just saying it. “I just…I know this doesn’t mean anything to him. This date, it’s just to clear his conscience or whatever. To make him feel better about kissing me when he didn’t mean to.” I swallow, my fingers curling in my lap.