I snorted in agreement. “Quinn goes into defense mode, then backs off the more she gets to know you.”
“I don’t want to get to know her,” Noah said flatly. “She has high-maintenance written all over her.”
I thought about it. “She isn’t,” I defended her. “She’s genuinely nice. Wicked sense of humor.” I thought about the evening more. “Never expected her to end up with Gray, though. Opposites must attract after all.”
Noah looked surprised too. “You think? Them two? Nah.”
I nodded. “Quinn and Ash used to date in high school. There’s no reason she would be in that house if not for one of them. Gray’s the only one left.” Noah looked confused. “Dude, it was three guys, three girls. They’re paired off.”
“They could just be friends . . .”
“They’re not.” I got comfier in my bed. “We think Ava knew something more. You?”
He nodded. “Dante did. I’m not so sure, Savannah thought she was really helpful.”
We exchanged a look. “My money’s on Spence’s gut. And I know the Devils too well.”
“Yeah, me too, now you think the same.” He ran a hand over his face. “What happened to just coming to college to play football?” he asked tiredly.
“I know.” I had the same thought myself, more than once, since all this crap started. I just wanted to play football, graduate, and then get drafted. I didn’t want to be part of something bigger, unless that something was winning a national championship. I’d done that. Next season, I wanted to keep it. Or at least play well enough so my draft stock would go up. I didn’t need to fix the problems at Wrighton. I just needed to do what I came here to do and then leave.
But we were involved now. I didn’t think I could walk away now, even though I wanted to. But... I looked at Noah, who was staring at nothing, and I was sure he was going through the same struggle I was. We were in it, and the only way out was through. It sucked, but I think it sucked for everyone.
Silence had fallen between Noah and me, and I looked over at him. “Um, Noah... if there’s nothing else, can I sleep now? We can talk about it later, when he’s awake.”
His eyebrows raised, and I scowled at him when I saw he was about to protest.
“Fine. But just so you know—” he hesitated at the door — “you’ve got a hickey on your neck, and you have the media girl tomorrow. Better ask Savvy for something to cover it with.” He tapped the doorframe. “Night, dude.”
Did I have a hickey? I got out of bed, went back to the bathroom, and checked the mirror. Nothing. I came out, and he was in the doorway, grinning like a cat that got the cream.
“Classic.” Noah winked. “I can’t wait until you tell Spence this. He was so sure you’d been a gentleman.” Noah chuckled. “Later.”
“Asshole.”
I got back into bed. I tried not to think about it. I decided she needed to know.
Me: Hey, hope you’re sleeping. Possible the others know we hooked up on the way back. Blame Matthews
I put my phone down. It instantly vibrated.
Peterson: When you say possible, do you mean it’s concrete or suspect?
I thought about it.
Me: Leaning more toward cement
Peterson: Did you kiss and tell?
The cheek of her.
Me: No. Noah told me I had a hickey, I checked the mirror, he caught me
The dots came and went.
Peterson: You seriously fell for that?
Me: It’s late, I’m tired. Not everyone got to nap off their postcoital bliss