I bite back a smirk, and somehow, he knows it, his tongue slipping out to hide his own.
Now that’s one hell of a way to fish, cast your line out right in the middle of chaos. It’s a guaranteed bite, and he knows it, just like I know Cam will jump on this one.
She doesn’t disappoint.
“Oh, she is sooo not his girl, ain’t that right, Chaser?” Cam pins Chase with a sharp brow in challenge.
Get him, girl.
Instead of allowing Chase to answer, not that he would, Mason takes the lead, as usual.
“Not sure where you got that idea, but you’re way off, bro.” Mase motions toward me. “Ari, this is Noah Riley, he’s our team captain. Noah, this is my twin sister Ari and our friend Cameron.” He points to her. “They’re headed to Avix with us.”
‘Noah,’ as Mason introduced him, smiles a hello.
“Wow.” Cameron speaks the second Mason stops, looking Noah up and down. “If you’re any indication of what’s to come, we’re gonna get into some serious trouble this year.” Eyes on Noah, she cocks her head to the side. “Ain’t that right, Ari?”
“Don’t answer that.” Mason pins me with a hard glare, quickly serving Cameron with it just the same.
“Okay,” I interject before either of them decides to open their mouths again and turn toward Noah. “It’s nice to meet you, Noah, and since I get the feeling, you’re going to ask again, yes, I swear I’m fine. These three have hit me in the head with a football more times than I can count, it’s nothing but normal at this point.”
He stares at me, a flicker of some unknown purpose painted in his eyes. “Right, quarterback for a brother.”
Noah smiles and I will mine not to follow.
God, this guy is too gorgeous. It’s unnerving.
“So, what’s up, man?” Mason asks him. “You stickin’ around for a few days?”
Reluctantly, Noah shifts his attention.
“I wish, I have a couple meetings, so I have to get back to campus. There’re always a few overeager freshmen who show early. If I’m not there to show ‘em the ropes, Coach will have my ass.” He grins, glancing my way. “I’m actually out of here first thing tomorrow.”
Chase pipes up then. “Too bad, guess we’ll see you back at school.”
Noah nods, eyeing Chase a moment.
“Well, tomorrow’s tomorrow, so you have to come to our place for a bonfire tonight.” Cameron swipes her wet hair from her face.
“Yeah, man, come,” Brady adds.
Noah glances behind him, a little unsure. “I came with a few other guys from the team, so I’d hate to crash your party.”
Cam gapes. “There’s more of you?!”
“Jesus fuck,” Mason grumbles.
“There are.” Noah nods, fighting the smile threatening to take over his full lips. “Four of us to be exact and my buddy’s sister is here with a few friends.” Noah meets my gaze.
“Well, the sister we could do without.”
“Cameron!” I hiss.
“I just said what we were both thinking.”
My asshole best friend clearly interprets my wordless What the hell expression and feeds me with her own that screams you know you agree while waving her hand dismissively.
This bitch winks at me.
I’m going to kill her.
“Don’t mind her,” Brady says, then points at Mase. “I think she’s got some pink puff goin’ on.”
Noah’s brows pull in. “Pink puff?”
Oh god, no. Please don’t—
“Yeah.” Brady shrugs as if his nonsense should make total sense. “You know, we get sucked in, tight as fuck, achy ass blue balls and they get swollen, sensitive as hell, pink puffs.”
I bury my face in my hands.
I love my little group to death, but holy what the hell?!
Mason chuckles and I don’t have to look at Cameron to know she’s nodding in agreement.
“Who’s all here?” Chase wonders, his tone cordial for the first time since Noah showed up.
“Nick and Jarrod and my buddy who wasn’t at camp, Trey Donovan.”
My head snaps up, eyes locking with Cam.
“He’s on the team, defensive lineman.”
“Didn’t think camp was optional,” Brady jokes, making Noah smile.
“Trust me, it’s not, but he’s a senior this year, missed the draft last year, so he’s got a little wiggle room. He was invited to a pro day in—”